Everton Jet to Thailand

An Everton delegation is paying a special visit to Thailand this week.

An Everton delegation has departed Goodison Park for a series of high profile meetings with main partner Chang in Thailand.

Chief executive officer Robert Elstone, Academy manager Ray Hall and members of the Club’s executive management team, have jetted out on a trip to Bangkok and Phuket where they will spend the next 72 hours.

During that time the Blues delegation will meet with the Thai Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, the Governor of Bangkok, Sukhumbhand Paribatra, the entire Chang executive team and some of the Club’s Thai supporters at a function on Wednesday evening.

The objective of the trip is to further strengthen the relations between the Club and its main partner, Chang, who between them hold the third longest shirt sponsorship deal in the Premier League.

Mr Elstone said: “We are looking forward to jetting out to Thailand.  Chang has been very supportive of Everton since we first signed with them in 2004 and we have developed a great relationship.  We hope to get an update on their plans for the future, which we are extremely excited about and we will of course pass on the successes we have all enjoyed at Everton this year.”

The Everton CEO will also address Thai business leaders at a business breakfast on Friday morning before the delegation heads south to visit Phuket.

The Club was last in the region in the summer of 2005 just six months after the tragedy of the 2004 Christmas tsunami. Following the Boxing Day events, the Club quickly launched an appeal and in partnership with Chang, the Everton-Chang Village was built. During the trip, the Club will mark its second official visit to the village and a school in the area, which was also affected.

“I was part of the travelling party that was there in 2005 and the Club is extremely looking forward to seeing the progress the village has made since then.  From what I was told the region has been revitalised since the Club’s last visit,” added Mr Elstone.

As part of the trip the Everton Academy coaches will be in attendance and will observe some of the work they have been doing at the Everton-Chang Academy.