ASEAN zebra doves competition launched

YALA, March 5 (TNA) -- The Kwan Muang Garden in the Thai southern province has become extra lively, as the governor has officially kicked off the opening of the 31st ASEAN zebra dove competition. Yala Governor Doladej Pattanarat presided over the opening ceremony of the event earlier today amidst joyful atmosphere at contest grounds of Kwan Muang Garden, the main venue for the contest. The event is co-organised by Yala Municiple Office, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), and the Southern Border Province Administration Centre (SBPAC), with an aim to promote local tourism and cultures, create unity among the people, as well as to give support to raising of zebra doves and help stimulate the economy for the three southernmost provinces of Thailand. Yala governor said the event is the biggest annual cultural competition in the province, which is also marked in the TAT's tourism calendar making it well known to the rest of the world. He said the event is packed with both Thai and foreign tourists every year, where everyone would not only be able to enjoy the competition but a yearly food festival which put local delicacies on display for visitors to taste and take home. (TNA)