The King Prajadhipok Institute (KPI) and 74 members from the local government in Thailand visited GRIPS on May 19th 2008. The delegation was leaded by Dr. Woothisarn Tanchai who is currently the Deputy Secretary General of KPI and is also a GRIPS Alumni. They participated in the special seminar on “Local Government System in Japan” with Prof. Hirofumi Takada and “Local Financial System in Japan” with Prof. Hiroshi Ikawa. On the following day, they paid a courtesy visit to the mayor of Kasukabe City who gave the delegation a special lecture on the merger of Kasukabe City and Showa Town.