CLOSER links look set to be forged between business, sporting and tourism interests in Hampshire with Thailand following a visit to the county by members of the Thai government.

They were hosted by Hampshire County Council and Southampton University.

The Dean of the University's engineering and computer science faculty, Professor Tony Hey hosted the group's fact finding mission to the university and county council deputy leader Councillor Michael Woodhall welcomed them to the Calshot Activity Centre.

They also visited the National Motor Museum.

Mr Woodhall said: "The chairman of Thailand's House of Representatives standing committee on sports has pledged to work with us to forge links that will lead to closer co-operation.

"The Thai's have promised a commercial delegation will visit Hampshire to discuss possible links in sport, business and tourism to benefit both countries.

"We were invited to send a commercial delegation to visit Thailand next year to build up this visit that will help both our economies.''

Steve Thomas, chief executive of the Science and Technology Forum, and joint organiser of the tour said: "They have opened a dialogue with my organisation to use local facilities to increase awareness of Thai sports in British schools and I look for-ward to working with their UK representative.''

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