28th ASEAN Vocal Zebra Dove Competition kicks off

BANGKOK, March 3 (TNA) - The 28th ASEAN Vocal Zebra Dove Competition kicked off this morning in Thailand's southern border Yala province, with an aim to boost tourism in the southern region. Yala Governor DetcharajSimsiri inaugurated the regional zebra dove competition at the Kwan Muang Garden in the Nakhon Yala Municipality. The event, coorganised by the Nakhon Yala Municipality, the state-run Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC) and Yala's Provincial Administrative Organisation, is also aimed to preserve local traditions and to promote the breeding of zebra doves in order to boost the local economy and regional zebra dove breeders' income. Besides, the annual event is aimed to promote cultural activities to help ease or stop violence in the Thai far South through sound relations of local people. Some 2,000 vocal zebra doves from all parts of Thailand and those from other member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) participate in this year's ASEAN Vocal Zebra Dove Competition. (TNA)