Thailand is set to undertake a sweeping overhaul of all the country’s safety and security measures relevant to the travel and tourism industry. More than 150 participants from all around the country attended a half-day forum on 9 August, 2018, at the Athenee Hotel Bangkok to analyse the key issues and brainstorm ways to enhance safety and security for visitors. Presided over by H.E. Mr. Weerasak Kowsurat, Minister of Tourism and Sports, the forum was held under the theme of “Travel around Thailand, Safe Everywhere”. It was also attended by Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), and representatives of numerous private and public sector associations. Mr. Weerasak said: “Thailand has recently experienced numerous incidents impacting the safety and security of both Thais and foreign tourists. This has had a negative impact on the image of tourism and could potentially impact on the tourist atmosphere of the country over both the short and long term. “In the short term, it could lead to cancellation of travel bookings. In the long term, it could lead to a […]

Phuket is celebrating its most recent award after being named the ‘Second Best Beach in the World’ by prestigious business publication US News & World Report. It continues to win accolades from major international media for its white sands, aquamarine waters and limestone cliffs that attract millions of travellers to Thailand every year. This island was hailed as “a little piece of paradise” according to the magazine. Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor, Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, said everyone in Phuket, both public and private stakeholders should take pride in this achievement as it displayed the island’s appeal as one of the world’s most desirable beach destinations. “Obviously we are delighted to win this important award. The fact the honour comes from the US News & World Report is even more gratifying given its target audience and readership. “In the past Phuket has won several other prestigious awards for its beaches as well, so we are very grateful for the continued recognition.” Mr. Yuthasak added. Phuket also continues to expand its appeal as it shifts upmarket. It is also quickly established […]

Thailand’s Tourist Police Bureau recently took Chinese media members to Phuket to see first-hand how improved Phuket tour boat safety measures and shipyard standards are being implemented and enforced. The one-day trip on Friday, 3 August, 2018, was also joined by national experts on shipbuilding quality standards and officials from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). This is to re-build tourism to assure confidence among tourists that the necessary measures are moving forward. The Chinese media inspected Chalong Pier, its dock and its procedures before allowing vessels to leave for sea tours and diving. In the latest attempt to uplift Phuket’s tour boat safety, there have been improvements of Thai tour boat rules and regulations. The captain and helmsman must register each boat’s name and specification, plus the exact number of passengers and tour route must be submitted to the responsible officials including Phuket’s Marine Office, Tourist Police and Provincial Administrator before leaving port each time. Thai boat operators will be swiftly punished with the maximum penalty that the law affords if found in violation of the new laws related […]

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has announced the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and two Thai tourism operators among the 27 organisations and individuals to receive the prestigious 2018 PATA Grand and Gold Awards. 2018 PATA Grand Awards TAT will receive a Grand Award for Education and Training for its ‘King’s Wisdom for Sustainable Tourism’ project, a collaboration between TAT and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Thailand, according PATA’s announcement. “The project uses the principles of His Majesty the Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s “sufficiency economy philosophy” in its work towards four primary objectives: to be able to continue working on the King’s principle to restore local wisdom and promote sustainable tourism, stimulate domestic tourism, create value in the tourist areas in order to increase revenue, and promote human resources development and strengthen the community to think and do by themselves leading to sustainable development,” said the announcement. Another Grand Award for Thailand goes to the Elephant Hills Luxury Tented Camps, Thailand, in the Environmental category. The Award recognises the Camps’ various activities including its Elephant Conservation Project, Children’s […]

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has unveiled an Action Plan for 2019 that will seek to drive visitor flows to provinces with less than four million annual trips, alleviate the negative impacts of tourism, and enhance happiness among the Thai people. Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, told a press conference on the TAT Marketing Action Plan 2019 that these will be the key challenges in 2019, as TAT seeks to better balance the economic value of inbound visitor arrivals with the socio-cultural and environmental impacts of tourism growth. He said that inbound tourism arrivals would need to be maintained but monitored closely, so that strategies can be adjusted in line with economic trends. Thailand will focus more on short-haul markets to offset the risk, focus more closely on specific customer segments and monitor behavioural changes and demand trends. It will also need to make better use of digital technologies, especially the opportunities presented by Big Data, to maintain its market leadership. In 2019, TAT will maintain its top three priorities, and add one more, as follows: 1) Using Gastronomy […]

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has recently opened its 28th TAT overseas office in Toronto to target the high potential Canadian market. The occasion was also used to launch the “Amazing Thailand’s Open to the New Shades” marketing concept in Canada. The TAT Toronto Office was officially opened on 23 April, 2018. The official opening ceremony of the TAT’s third office in North America after New York and Los Angeles was attended by H.E. Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to Canada, Mr. Kalin Sarasin, Chairman of the TAT Board, Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, and Mr. Tanes Petsuwan, TAT Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications. Around 150 guests including Canadian travel companies, travel media, guests from the business community later attended an evening reception which featured a live music performance by famous Thai saxophonist, Mr. Koh Saxman, a demonstration of fruit and vegetable carving, and making of artificial flowers and carps from palm leaves. Mr. Tanes Petsuwan, TAT Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications, presented the “4D Open to the New Shades”, highlighting five categories of products: […]

H.E. Mr. Weerasak Kowsurant, Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports, today visited a new exhibition currently on display at the Bangkok National Museum to celebrate 130 years of Thai-Japanese diplomatic relations. “The History of Japanese Art: Life and Faith’ is the first-ever art exhibition in Thailand that showcases a collection of antiques and artworks from all eras of Japan, from the pre-historic Jōmon period to the historic Edo period. The exhibition features a total of 130 antiques and artworks, including three rare objects that are also listed as national treasures and 25 cultural heritages. The exhibition is aimed at promoting Japanese culture in Thailand, as well as to helping to strengthen the bond between Thailand and Japan even further. During the visit, H.E. Mr. Weerasak also inspected facilities for people with disabilities to ensure that universal access to all visitors. “The History of Japanese Art: Life and Faith’ is being held at the Bangkok National Museum from now until 18 February. TAT News

Seventeen winners of the inaugural ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Awards (ASTA) received recognition at a dedicated awards event at the end of the ASEAN Tourism Forum, 26 January in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. The new awards will now take place every two years as partial fulfilment of the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan 2016-2025, much of which seeks to advance sustainable tourism objectives. The nine winners in the Rural Sustainable Products category were Sothy’s Pepper Farm in Cambodia, Desa Wisata Nglanggeran in Indonesia, Tree Top Explorer in Lao PDR, KOPEL Kinabatangan Wildlife Corridor in Malaysia, the Pindaya Region in Myanmar, Walk on the Wild Side in the Philippines, Kranji Countryside in Singapore, the Kao Yao Noi Community Based Ecotourism Club in Thailand, and the Stay with Tay Ethnic Village in Viet Nam. The eight winners in the Urban Sustainable Products category were Wat Phnom Historical and Cultural Site in Cambodia, the Nusa Dua in Indonesia, Phousi Mountain in Lao PDR, the KL Forest Eco Park by KL Tower in Malaysia, the Kayin State’s Natural Limestone Caves in Myanmar, the Palina Greenbelt River […]

Mrs. Srisuda Wananpinyosak, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing (Europe, Africa, Middle East and Americas), said TAT is pleased to provide full support to the event, as it reflects TAT’s ongoing efforts to promote Thai local experiences and drive income to local communities, all geared towards tourism sustainability. Khon Kaen, located in Thailand’s Northeast Region, or Isan, is a primary gateway to the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS). The province is known for its rich traditional Isan culture and history, where visitors can experience the lifestyle of the local people, enjoy delicious food, explore pre-historical artefacts and antiques, and learn about the famous Matmi silk production. Mrs. Srisuda said: “All these impressive aspects of Khon Kaen make it the perfect venue to host this prestigious PATA Destination Marketing Forum 2018. Delegates attending this event can engage with local communities, an important part of unique Thai local experiences. “This is in line with the TAT’s latest communication concept, ‘Open to the New Shades’, that encourages visitors to discover Thailand and its diversity in a new light: Thai Gastronomy; Arts and Crafts; Nature […]

Mr. Tanes Petsuwan, TAT Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications, delivered the following speech at the Thailand Media Briefing, held on 24 January, 2018, as part of the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2018, at Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Centre (CMECC) Sawasdee khrap and good afternoon distinguished guests, members of the media, ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of Thai tourism industry, I would like to welcome you all here at the thirty-seventh ASEAN Tourism Forum, the sixth time it will be held in Thailand but the first time in Chiang Mai as part of the policy to promote secondary destinations, create more jobs in the rural areas, ensure a better distribution of tourism earnings and highlight Thailand’s linkages with the Greater Mekong Sub-region countries. With the theme “ASEAN-Sustainable Connectivity, Boundless Prosperity”, the event is designed to promote tourism to and within the ASEAN region. This year, we are proud to mark the first ATF after commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of ASEAN in 2017. We are delighted to have participated strongly in the “Visit ASEAN@50” campaign with a series of carefully […]