On Saturday 13 March 2010 from 8.00 to 9.00 a.m., Ambassador Nopadol Gunavibool presided over the flag-off ceremony for the Auto-Venture Caravan from Singapore to Samui Island in the Gulf of Thailand from 13 to 20 March 2010 at the Royal Thai Embassy on Orchard Rd.

This holiday caravan, comprising 15 cars, was jointly organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Singapore Office and the Automobile Association (AA) of Singapore, with support from Tourism Malaysia. Joining the Ambassador in sending off the participants, which included some families with old folks and some with small children, was Mrs. Inthira, Acting Director of the TAT Office in Singapore and Col. Kamchai Wongsri, Army Attache of the Royal Thai Embassy.

In his speech, Ambassador Nopadol emphasized that this is the time to visit Thailand because a vacation in Thailand represents the best value for money for Singaporean friends considering the cost, travel time and a wide variety of activities and sights to enjoy.  Samui Island and Surat Thani, which is on the mainland opposite Samui, are well-known for oysters and many kinds of fruits. This is also the time that many kinds of fruits are in season, in addition to the exquisite Thai cuisine.  He wished the participants a safe and pleasant journey to Thailand and hope that they will bring back fond memories of Thailand and this caravan trip to Singapore.