Friends of Malaysia – a trip to Sabah organised by the Embassy of Malaysia in Bangkok
The Embassy of Malaysia in Bangkok organised a trip to Sabah, Malaysia for foreign Ambassadors and their spouses as well as some Thai entrepreneurs from 5-8th October 2019. The four day trip, which is in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia 2020 campaign, was made possible with the collaboration between the Embassy of Malaysia, Bangkok, Tourism Malaysia, Sabah Tourism Board and Dynamic Tours Travel and Incentive Sdn. Bhd. The group took advantage of Air Asia’s three times weekly direct flights between Bangkok and Kota Kinabalu which has been in operation since 2018. A total of 7 foreign Ambassadors; namely, H.E. Dr. Eva Hager (Austria), H.E. Joseph Anthony Cotter (Ireland), H.E. Jean-Paul Ernest Senninger (Luxembourg), H.E. Dato’ Jojie Samuel (Malaysia), H.E. Kees Pieter Rade (Netherlands), H.E. Fernando Julio Antonio Quiros Campos (Peru), H.E. De Assis Morais E Cunha Vaz Patto Francisco (Portugal) and H.E. Stanislav Opoela (Slovakia), respective spouses and Thai entrepreneurs were taken to visit interesting places in Sabah. 
The group was garlanded with the Linusak, beautiful bead work necklace by the Muruts, by cultural performers in traditional costumes upon their arrival at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport. The rain did not dampen their spirit as they were transported to Mari-Mari Cultural Village to experience the way of life of five main ethnic tribes; the Bajau, Kadazandusun, Lundayeh, Rungus and Murut. After a sumptuous buffet of local high tea dishes, guests were greeted with cocktails overlooking a beautiful sunset view at the Rooftop@ Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu. The 5 star hotel was chosen to accommodate the group during their stay in Sabah.
The second day was a bright sunny day and guests were amazed with the greenery of the rural sights on the way to Kundasang as well as experienced walking the famous Jambatan Tamparuli. They were also mesmerised by the scenic view of Mount Kinabalu from Pekan Nabalu. Among other places visited in Kundasang included the Mount Kinabalu Botanical Garden, Kundasang War Memorial and Desa Cattle Dairy Farm. The night ended with a 7 course Chinese set dinner hosted by the Chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board at the renowned Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort. The next day, the group took a short flight to Sandakan where they visited the Sepilok Orangutang Rehabilitation Centre, Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Puh Jih Shih Chinese Temple, Agnes Keith House as well as the Sandakan Memorial Park. The group had an up close encounter with the orangutang’s and sun bears in their natural habitat.
The memorable visit ended on a high note with dinner hosted by the Chairman of Dynamic Tours Travel and Incentive Sdn. Bhd. at the Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu. Guests were entertained by cultural performances by local school children as well as a local superstar; Peter Dicky Lee.
