Thai Fruit: The Exotic Taste of a Tropical Paradise

Written by Steve Vincent

A holiday in Thailand is all about trying new experiences. Blessed with plentiful sunshine and rich soil, Thailand offers you the chance to enjoy the flavours, textures and scents of a vast array of succulent and healthful tropical fruits. There are probably many Thai fruits you have never have seen before, or are a rare and expensive treat back home.

After savouring the delicately-balanced flavours of local cuisine, many diners in Thailand – whether at a superb, five-star establishment or perched on a plastic stool at a busy sidewalk restaurant – top off a meal with a serving of fresh fruit. In most places, when you’re done eating, the smiling restaurant staff automatically bring you a plate of small, often stylishly shaped, slices of fresh watermelon (in Thai: tangmo), pineapple (sapparot) and papaya (malagor).

Rinsing the mouth and cooling the palate, this after-dinner fruit is a perfect complement to a delectable and perhaps spicy Thai meal. However, there is a remarkable variety of tropical fruits you can enjoy while in the Kingdom. Here are some suggestions for Thai fruits for you to sample. They will certainly add a special flavour to your holiday.



Durian (in Thai: Turian): We’ll start out with the legendary “King of Fruits”, a love-it or hate-it experience, largely due to the durian’s pungent odour. The powerful smell of durian is so pervasive that it’s banned in some places such as hotels and on airplanes and public transit. Don’t let the odour stop you from trying durian at least once in your life – it’s surprisingly sweet and rich, with the creamy texture of fine custard and a slightly nutty taste.

Adventurous epicureans visiting Thailand must make sure you don’t miss durian. Thailand is the world’s largest durian exporter, so the fruit is widely available at wet and dry food markets during the hot season of April through June. You may find it quite challenging to buy a good durian yourself – the large, spiky fruit comes in a variety of types and there are many subtle signs to look for regarding its quality and ripeness. Even local durian connoisseurs can find it tricky to pick out a good one. Then you’re faced with the challenge of breaking through the thick husk while fending off anybody around who takes exception to the powerful odour of your fruit.

It takes a sharp knife to cut lengthwise through the durian husk. When it’s finally open, get ready for a bracing durian rush from the pungent smell. Most vendors that sell durians are happy to cut it open for you, although you may be less happy carrying the durian back to your hotel or to the beach as the freshly-opened husk allows the full odour to escape. An especially entertaining way to open the fruit is the “durian dance”, in which an expert stands on the husk and rocks back and forth to split it in two.

Once the durian is open, you simply peel back the thin membrane to reveal the pale yellow meat in all its glory. Scoop out a pod of durian meat with your fingers or a spoon, and simply hold it in your hand to eat it. Be sure to watch for the large seeds. Durian is considered a fruit that heats the body, so resist overindulging or you may end up with heartburn.

An easier way to consider for your exotic durian experience is to ask whether a restaurant offers fresh durian in season with sweet sticky rice. Wrapped packages of durian meat are widely available at most supermarkets in Thailand, even off season, as are tubes of durian paste. If you’re still wary, you can get a milder taste of the fruit’s flavour by buying durian ice cream, dried durian chips or durian candy. Boxes of durian candy are an excellent gift to share an exotic taste of Thai fruit with your friends back home.

Custard Apple (In Thai: Noina): Sometimes called a sugar apple, the custard apple suffers from a bit of an identity crisis. It isn’t like any apple most visitors to Thailand would know, and it actually looks similar to an artichoke. Yet, break apart these segments by applying some light pressure with your fingers, or just cut the custard apple open, and you’ll find smooth and juicy flesh inside with a marvellously mellow flavour. The custard apple is most delicious on the outer part, as the flavour diminishes and the flesh gets drier towards the core. Watch out for the large and slippery seeds, which are inedible.



Longan (In Thai: Lamyai): One of the most popular fruits among Thai people, longan are most often sold in bunches. Extremely sweet and very juicy, it takes little effort to open a longan. Squeeze the end of the speckled brown peel around the stem and the fruit pops out. You can easily see the inedible, dark seed in the center through the translucent flesh, which is slippery with a slightly chewy texture similar to a grape. The longan has a refreshingly mild flavour – it’s the perfect place to start for a cautious eater who is apprehensive about trying a new and exotic fruit.

Longkong (In Thai: Longkong): Similar in name and look to longan, the longkong delivers a juicy burst of sweet but not overwhelming flavour. It’s easy to remove the rubbery, speckled brown peel to reveal a thin layer of sticky, translucent flesh you nibble off the large seed. While the flesh of the longkong fruit is pleasantly light and refreshing, be careful not to bite too hard – the seed is very bitter. With this delicious fruit, it won’t be long before your longkong are long gone.

Mangosteen (in Thai: Mungkoot): Known as the “Queen of Fruits”, don’t be fooled by the dark burgundy colour that gives the mangosteen its sombre appearance. Beneath the thick peel, the luscious mangosteen is an absolute treat to eat. You can cut through the peel with a knife, but be careful of juice stains. Use a fork or spoon to scoop out one of the interior segments (called an “aril”) and delight to the wonderfully strong burst of sweet & sour flavour. The juicy mangosteen’s silky flesh melts in your mouth, leaving behind a few dry fibres attached to the seed. Usually a luxury import in cold climates, mangosteens are widely available at a reasonable price in Thailand, so you can indulge all you want.

Rambutan (in Thai: Ngo): While this bright red fruit covered with rubbery hair may look like some kind of alien life form, it’s sweet and juicy with a restrained flavour that stays with you a long time. The rambutan comes with its own, cute serving container when the top half of the peel is removed. You simply hold the bottom half in your hand and nibble the slippery and slightly chewy flesh from the large seed. You can buy a bunch of rambutans in almost any market in Thailand and easily twist off the peel by hand. High season for rambutan is May through October, but you should be able to find them year round.

Roseapple (in Thai: Chompoo): Other than the peel’s red and green skin, the bell-shaped roseapple is nothing like the apples you enjoy back home. Similar to a pear in size and texture, it has a thin and edible skin. Roseapple flesh has a delightful crunch and is slightly fibrous. The fruit is very juicy, with a hint of rosewater and a mildly sour aftertaste that ends in a dry mouthfeel, making it the perfect choice if you prefer your fruit not too sweet. Roseapples are widely available throughout Thailand year round.

Salacca (In Thai: Sala): The oval-shaped sala, looking somewhat ominous due to the small, sharp barbs that cover the brittle red peel, belies the fruit’s slightly sweet flavour that is reminiscent of pink bubblegum. It’s easy but a bit painful to peel one with your bare hands – Thai people put sala in a strainer and shake them to scrape off the barbs. Inside, you’ll find one to three solidly-textured pieces of dark yellow flesh that have a pleasantly bold and slightly sweet taste.

Tamarind (In Thai: Makham): The provincial tree of Thailand’s Phetchabun province, the tamarind has a long, pod-like fruit with a thin, hard shell. While it’s often used as a flavouring in Thai cooking, the tamarind can be eaten raw for an unusual taste treat. It’s an easy purchase, as most tamarind in Thailand is sold in boxes. You simply crack off the shell to reveal the flesh, which looks like chocolate paste . Strip off the slightly acidic vein that runs down one side of the fruit, then nibble the thick and gooey flesh off the seeds that are inside. The taste is similar to dates, with a slightly sweet and sour tone and very rich.

Santol (In Thai: Krathon): Also known as sour apple, the santol is about the size of a grapefruit. Inside the thick peel, the fruit is divided into four or five segments of slippery, white pulp firmly attached to very large seeds. You can pop the segments out or bite into them like an orange. The pulp is firmly attached to the seed, so you need to suck out the tantalisingly tangy citric juice. Get ready for an initial burst of flavour with a nice long aftertaste. The giant seeds are slippery so be careful to avoid swallowing them.

In Thailand, even tropical fruits that you can get almost anywhere become exotic. For example, take coconut (In Thai: Maprow). A fresh coconut makes a great break during your busy day touring the Kingdom. In many places you can buy a whole, young coconut, often chilled on ice. The seller will lop off the top with a large knife and you can enjoy sipping the mild and clear coconut milk through a straw. When you’re done, use the spoon you were given to scoop out the thin layer of chewy, tender meat from the inside of the shell.

These are just a few of the luscious Thai fruits you can enjoy during your visit to Thailand. There are many more depending on the time of year that you’re here, and to which parts of the Kingdom you go. Ask any Thai person what local fruits you should try. They’ll be happy to make suggestions, show you where to get it, and probably even help you to pick out some of the best. You’ll be smiling yourself after your first bite into a mouth-watering piece of fresh and fantastic Thai tropical fruit.

To download high-resolution, 300 dpi photos from this article, and other scenes of Thailand, please visit Media Zone at www.tatnews.org

Historic Lamphun: A Journey into Thailand’s Past

Written by Andrew Forbes

Thai history and culture comes alive in Lamphun, a relaxed and traditional northern Thai city that is filled with historic architecture from the Mon, Lanna and Chiang Mai eras. Visitors to Thailand can explore the past in the bucolic provincial capital of Lamphun, the oldest city in the north, and one of the longest-inhabited settlements in all of Thailand.

Founded in the mid-9th century by the legendary Queen Chamadevi, Lamphun was established as the centre of the Kingdom of Haripunchai. It flourished as a centre of Mon Buddhist culture and influence until its conquest by King Mangrai of Lanna in 1281.

Lamphun has been overshadowed by Chiang Mai ever since, and therein lies much of the town’s charm. Located just 26 km south of Chiang Mai, Lamphun is generally visited as an enjoyable and rewarding excursion from the northern capital. Tranquil, lotus-filled moats and some of the most distinguished historical architecture in Thailand combine to attract both Thai and overseas visitors who want a glimpse of the Kingdom’s past.

Exploring Ancient History
History abounds in Lamphun. In the centre of the old walled city, on the east side of Inthayongyot Road, stands the splendid Wat Phra That Haripunchai. This magnificent temple, unequalled in northern Thailand, was founded in 1044 by King Athitayaraj of Haripunchai on the site of Queen Chamadevi’s royal palace. Legend has it that the queen's personal quarters are enclosed in the main 46-metre high Lanna-style chedi, covered in copper plates and topped by a gold umbrella.

In addition to an impressive Ratannakosin-style viharn, built in 1925 and housing the revered Phra Chao Thongtip Buddha image, the temple complex also includes the unusual stepped-pyramid Suwanna Chedi, dating from 1467. This is one of very few surviving examples of Mon architecture in Thailand. Nearby hangs a giant bronze gong, claimed to be the largest in the world. By any standards, Wat Phra That Haripunchai is a remarkable structure that history and culture buffs should not miss.

At least one other Lamphun temple is essential viewing, and in its own way it is as important as Wat Phra That Haripunchai. This is Wat Chamadevi, better known locally as Wat Ku Kut. Named after Lamphun's founding queen and most celebrated ruler, this temple lies on the western side of town, about one-and-a-half kilometres from the moats down the road to Sanpathong Village.

Wat Chamadevi is the site of the two oldest surviving monuments in Lamphun, both brick chedi decorated with stucco figures of the Buddha. Dating from 1218, they are considered to be the finest surviving examples of Mon architecture in Thailand. The larger of the two, Chedi Suwan Chang Kot, is a stepped pyramid 21 metres high. Nearby there is another chedi of smaller proportions but equal style. This structure, the Ratana Chedi, is said to contain the ashes of the great queen herself.

One of Thailand's Best Provincial Museums
Back in the town centre, just to the west of Wat Phra That Haripunchai, is the informative and well-maintained Lamphun Haripunchai National Museum – certainly one of the best provincial museums in Thailand. It features displays of various fine bronzes, stuccoes and terracottas from Mon times, including masks and carvings of figures with the fierce eyes and enigmatic grin that are a hallmark of Mon Haripunchai Art.

Beautiful bronze repoussé Buddha images, some damaged, have also survived from the Mon era and are on display, together with distinctively Mon-style terracotta Buddha heads. In the basement of the museum is a carefully designed and maintained gallery housing an impressive collection of stone tablets bearing Mon letters derived from ancient south India, as well as later examples engraved with northern Thai script.

Immediately to the east of Wat Phra That Haripunchai, a covered footbridge lined with small shops selling northern food delicacies and locally-produced woven cloth crosses the River Kuang to Wiang Yong. This suburb is largely inhabited by Tai Yong people from Burma resettled in the area by Chao Kawila at the beginning of the 19th century.

The Yong have stayed put and prospered, and today there is a Yong Museum featuring aspects of their cultural heritage and, especially, a Yong Weavers Collective where visitors can watch local women weaving intricately patterned cloth for phasin tube dresses and other items of clothing. These items are on sale here and at many of the small shops on either side of the covered bridge.

Honouring Queen Chamadevi

At the southern end of Inthayongyot Road, near the banks of the encircling moat, stands a striking statue of Queen Chamadevi. This remarkable ruler, who was instrumental in the spread of Buddhism and of Mon culture in the region more than one thousand years ago, is one of the heroines of Thai history. By all accounts she was both determined and ingenious, and Queen Chamadevi is still revered, with amulets and pictures for sale at small stalls standing near the statue.

Further reminders of Queen Chamadevi are found to the north of town, outside the city walls on the way to the railway station. These are Lamphun’s remarkable “animal shrines”, chedi in various states of repair enshrining Queen Chamadevi’s various royal animals. The largest and most impressive is dedicated to “Blacky-Purple”, a great war elephant that helped the queen defeat King Viranga, ruler of the indigenous Lawa people.

Every day, the shrine is packed with local people bringing offerings of sugar cane and fresh bananas, and the precincts are stacked high with wooden and ceramic elephants. Other animals remembered at nearby shrines include Queen Chamadevi’s horse, cockerel and cat, but none are as well maintained or as popular as that of “Blacky Purple”.

In sum, it’s astonishing how rich in cultural relics this small provincial city is. In recognition of this, in 2004 the Lamphun World Heritage Research and Development Project was formed as the first step in applying for UNESCO World Heritage status for the entire old city. This bid continues and, if successful, will make Lamphun Thailand’s fourth World Heritage Cultural Site after Ayutthaya, Sukhothai and Ban Chiang.

While in Lamphun, visitors can sample Northern Thai food including nam phrik num, nam phrik ong, gaeng hanglae, sai oua sausage, khao soy noodles and khao niaw (sticky rice), called khao nung in Northern dialect. A real Lamphun speciality is kuaytiew mu tun lamyai – pork noodles cooked with lamyai (longan) fruit, for which the province is famous.

For souvenirs to remember this trip into Thai history, Tai Yong woven clothing such as dresses, blouses, jackets are unique and for sale in Wiang Yong and especially on the covered bridge. As a good luck charm, pick up a Queen Chamadevi amulet, which are for sale near the queen’s statue.

Getting there:
Chiang Mai provides the easiest access to Lamphun. There are regular buses from Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Station. Regular songthaew pickups leave from the Chiang Mai-Lamphun Road near the TAT office. Two trains departing from Chiang Mai Station to Lamphun Station in the early morning, and two trains return in the evening. Lamphun Station is about 2 km north of town, but there are motorbike taxis and songthaew pickups that take passengers into the old city.

Underwater condos for fishes

Two hundred kilometers of seabed off Thailand’s southern provinces of Narathiwat and Pattani was once the rich source of fishes which had fed more than 150,000 fishermen and their family members.
Unfortunately, the unsparing use of trawling nets has negatively affected the marine environment and ecological system.

Desperate inshore fishermen had no choice but to go further from shore for fishing. Some decided to petition Her Majesty the Queen and sought her help.

The Fisheries Department surveyed the seabed adjacent to the two provinces and found that it was mostly flat—definitely not an inviting habitat for fishes, corals and sea fans. How about building underwater condos for marine lives? That was how artificial corals, comprised of old army tanks, railroad trains and garbage trucks, were placed on the seabed.

Two years later, the sea condos became lively communities for fishes, marine animals and corals. Better than that, the fishermen were all smiles again. They can fish close to shore, saving fuel, and on average the catch has increased by 20 per cent.

Marofi Lotanyong, leader of the Inshore Fisheries Network, said the artificial coral has greatly increased the population of marine life and the deteriorating seabed has turned lively again.

“The army tank is a condo for fishes, many of which returned after disappearing for years. Fishes are also abundant outside the artificial corals zone,” he said.

Naengnoi Yossunthorn, founder of Save Our Sea, said the giant objects making the artificial corals have also deterred fishing with trawling nets.

“After two years,” she added, “many sea objects have attached to the surface of the tanks, trains and garbage trucks. Natural coral and sea fans will soon stick over them. It’s so beautiful with diverse species of fish inside a train.” (MCOT online news)

THAI to fly fleet's first A380 next month

BANGKOK, Sept 1 – Thai Airways International (THAI) will fly its first Airbus A380 to Hong Kong and Singapore after receiving the aircraft on Sept 27, a senior THAI executive said.

Mr Chokechai Panyayong, THAI acting chief executive office, said three A380s will be delivered to THAI within this year, and the second superjumbo will be added to the Bangkok-Frankfurt route.

He said THAI will have a total of six A380s, each with a capacity of 507 seats.

Mr Ampon Kittiampon, Chairman of THAI Board of Directors, said THAI’s passengers on European routes were reported at 70 percent capacity despite the economic crisis in the Eurozone.

The national airline has enjoyed continued and satisfactory growth on regional routes, such as to Japan, China and Southeast Asia, Mr Ampon said, expressing confidence that THAI’s overall performance will be positive despite the EU debt crisis and the massive floods of last year which have had an impact on the Thai economy. (MCOT online news)

Thailand Hosts Miss Hong Kong Pageant 2012 Finalists

Hong Kong, August 31, 2012: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Hong Kong office joined together with Hong Kong’s Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) to bring the 10 finalists of Miss Hong Kong Pageant 2012 to Thailand to mark 40th anniversary of the pageant.

According to Mrs. Thitiporn Maneenate, Director of the TAT Hong Kong Office, “Reaching over 2.43 million households, Chinese-language TVB is Hong Kong’s largest television station. It has also extensive global reach, as TVB’s programs are broadcast in more than 40 countries, reaching about 300 million households globally. Our collaboration with TVB highlighted the beauty and attractions of Thailand to Chinese-speaking audiences in Hong Kong, Macau, China, as well as overseas Chinese around the world. The Miss Hong Kong Pageant 2012 broadcast reached an estimated 129 million viewers through the live broadcast, program archives, and mobile applications.”

The ten finalists in the Miss Hong Kong 2012 Pageant enjoyed a variety of activities in Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, and Koh Samui. During the final round, viewers of the pageant broadcast enjoyed seeing the finalists experience the beauty of Thai culture, art, traditional dress, Thai massage, medical and wellness services, seas and beaches. Miss Cheung Ming Nga Carat, who was crowned Miss Hong Kong 2012 in the pageant finale on 26 August, will have the opportunity to visit again to experience more of Amazing Thailand.

Thailand welcomed 531,192 visitors from Hong Kong in 2011, a 35% increase over the previous year. From January until the end of July 2012, Thailand has seen 247,231 visitor arrivals from Hong Kong. The average stay in Thailand for a visitor from Hong Kong is 6.54 days, with average daily spending of 5,599.70 baht. Over 80% of Hong Kong arrivals are repeat visitors.

To watch highlights of Miss Hong Kong 2012 Pageant and the finalists’ experiences in Thailand, visit mytv.tvb.com.

In photo: Mr Sansern Ngaorungsi, TAT Deputy Governor of International Marketing for Asia and the South Pacific, presents a Thai traditional garland to welcome Miss Hong Kong 2012, Miss Cheung Ming Nga Carat. 

Photo Release: Thailand Wins Golfers’ Choice Award 2012

Bangkok, August 23, 2012: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Hong Kong Office recently received the Golfers’ Choice Award 2012 on behalf of Thailand from Hong Kong-based Golf Vacations Magazine. The award reflects the preference of golfers in Hong Kong, Macau, and mainland China, who have scored Thailand as their favorite destination for golf.

In the photo: The Golfers’ Choice Award 2012 presentation ceremony with a representative from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Golf Association, Hong Kong Professional Golfers’ Association, Hong Kong Chinese Lady Golfers Association, LPGA Hong Kong, and Golf Vacations Magazine.

Go Exclusively to Thailand

New Delhi, August 30, 2012: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) New Delhi office joined hands with Odysseus India Pvt. Ltd. to organise familiarization trips for luxury-end agents to visit Thailand from 4th to 10th August, 2012. A total of ten agents from Delhi, Kolkata, Punjab, and Bangalore participated in the trip.

The properties showcased during the Thailand visit included “romance” destinations such as Krabi, Khao Lak, Phuket, and Chiang Mai. In Krabi, the exclusive properties visited were the Ritz-Carlton Phulay Bay, Hotel, Sofitel Krabi, Phokeethra Golf and Spa Resort, Hotel Centara Grand Beach Resort and Villa Krabi.

In Khao Lak and Phuket, the agents explored Wannakarn Beach Resort & Spa, Le Meridien Khao Lak Beach & Spa Resort, Trisara Phuket and The Paresa Resort. The group also travelled to Chiang Mai and visited the Four Seasons Resort, Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, The Chedi and the Shangri-La.

The TAT aims to increase revenue from Indian travelers by 20% in 2012, with 10% growth in the number of travelers.

TAT Awarded as Best Overseas Tourism Office in India

New Delhi, August 21, 2012: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) New Delhi office was honored with an award as the "Best Overseas Tourism Office in India 2012” at the Safari India National Tourism Awards ceremony, which was held at the Ashok Hotel in New Delhi on 18th August, 2012.

The award followed a voting process by Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) committees. The TAT received acclaim for being proactive and creative in promoting Thailand as a preferred tourist destination. The TAT was also recognized for providing regular, tourist-friendly updates about the tourism market and various situations in Thailand.

Mr. Chanyuth Sawetsuwan, Assistant Director of the TAT New Delhi office, accepted the award.

The Safari Awards are organized by PATWA, which is the leading travel writers’ organization representing members from all over the world. They are given annually to recognize leadership in the fields of hotels, tourism, destinations, airlines, travel agents and individuals. The Safari Awards also recognize the professional work done by the state governments.

Safari India is a prestigious regional tourism magazine covering India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Southeast Asia.

The TAT received two Best National Tourist Organisation (NTO) Awards in the first seven months of 2012. The first was “The Best Outbound Tourism Board” in The International Tourism Conclave & Travel Awards (ITCTA) on 6 April. The “The Best Overseas Tourism Office in India 2012” from PATWA is the second major award for the TAT so far this year.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand would like to thank all its partners for their continued support for Amazing Thailand.

Sixty One Thai Tourism Products Score High Marks in Best in Travel 2012 Poll

Bangkok, August 22, 2012: Thai tourism destinations, airlines, airports, hotels and spa resorts scored high marks in the Best in Travel 2012 Poll announced by the popular website Smart Travel Asia 2012.

Altogether, a total of 61 Thai tourism industry products were listed in the poll rankings, some in the top ten and others in the top 25. The list was led by Phuket, which was ranked the second-best holiday destination in Asia. Bangkok ranked 4th best city for business and fifth in the top ten holiday destinations in Asia. Ko Samui ranked the 10th best holiday destination in Asia.

Thai Airways International, Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and Samui Airport also fared well. An analysis of the poll results also indicated that the award-winning products were located nationwide, including Hua Hin and Chiang Rai.

Commented TAT Governor Suraphon Svetasreni, “We are proud to see so many of our destinations and products scoring highly in these rankings. It clearly shows that the determined effort made by our entire industry to upgrade quality is paying off and getting global recognition.”

Announcing the awards, Smart Travel Asia’s Editor-Publisher Vijay Verghese said, “This year (2012) marks the eighth year of our online poll to discern travel preferences among our affluent frequent traveller readers who take over 16 air trips a year.

“The focus of the Best in Travel Poll is to determine which travel brands are sought after and why. The three-month exercise from May to July each year offers insights for our own editorial direction and generates useful comparative research data for hotels and airlines.”

Mr. Verghese said that one interesting finding this year is that affluent travellers by and large first seek trusted brand evaluations online (rather than price), but often fail to find this due to the blizzard of booking engines and sales sites that tend to dominate search results. “Readers clearly state that they will first evaluate a brand before booking it,” he said.

“Another point to emerge is that while affluent travellers make travel decisions online, they do not commonly book online. They go offline to talk to a human being in order to ask questions and personalise the purchase. Business travellers in particular are averse to online bookings as travel circumstances change rapidly and unpredictably. They tend to use their own trusted travel agents or will talk to sales persons at a hotel of their choice. In other words, tracking ‘conversions’ often fails with this elite audience.”

Approximately 70 percent of the voters were based in Asia (largely Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, India, China, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, and the Middle East), 15 percent in UK/Europe and 15 percent in USA and North America. They recorded an average of 16.22 air trips (up from 15.75) over the past 12 months and earned US$162,134 in household income (up modestly from US$156,716 in 2011).

There was no charge for nomination or any hidden fee. Readers were free to vote for any of thousands of travel products in Asia from Japan to the Middle East.

Here is a listing of all the Thai destinations and products that won awards:

In photo: Smart Travel Asia presents plaques recognising the Best in Travel 2012 results to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). From left to right: Mr. Vijay K Verghese, editor & director of Smart Travel Asia; Mr. Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, director of the International Public Relations Division, TAT; and Ms. Pidichanan Petchngaovilai, Advertising Manager, Thailand & Indochina of Smart Travel Asia.
 

Chiang Mai launches tourism promotion campaign

CHIANG Mai, 21 August 2012 (NNT) – The Tourism and Sports Ministry has launched the 'Miracle Thailand: Believe in Chiang Mai' project to promote tourism and meeting and incentive businesses in the province.

Tourism Department Director-General Supon Sripan yesterday presided over the opening ceremony of the event at Chiang Mai Hall in Central Plaza Chiang Mai Airport.

The event is aimed at promoting the meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE) business in the northern province. Activities were held during August 20-21 to give a good grounding on tourism business to tour guides, tourists, students, and related agencies.

Over 500 participants are expected attended the two-day seminar on the future and opportunity of the Thai MICE business.

Special Report: Thais encouraged to visit Chiba - Gateway to Japan

On the occasion of the Governor of Japan’s Chiba prefecture’s visit to Thailand during August 17-22, the Embassy of Japan in Bangkok hosted the ‘Chiba – the Gateway to Japan’ hospitality event on August 20 in order to deepen the Thai-Japanese relations.

Chiba, the lesser-known neighbor of Tokyo, is located directly east of the capital. The prefecture is best known for being home to Tokyo Disney resort and Narita International airport, which draw in millions of visitors and passengers each year. Unbeknownst to most travellers, Chiba is Japan’s third agricultural producer and its population is one of the country’s wealthiest thanks to its strong commercial and industrial sectors.

Chiba Governor Kensaku Morita, former actor and singer, said at the event that in addition to their locally grown fruit and vegetables, the prefecture, surrounded by oceans and rivers, is one of the leading exporters of marine products in Japan. Black water hot springs are also unique to Yoro Valley in the prefecture, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the area.

Accompanied by 40 Japanese delegates during this visit, Mr Kensaku was best known for the early 1970s TV series, "Ore wa Otoko da", in which he played a high-school kendo enthusiast who has a strong passion for moral rectitude and love of Japan’s spirit. The series was broadcasted in countries across Asia including Thailand.

The governor noted that the prefecture aims to attract Thai visitors as the prefectural government has strong ties with the Thai communities in Chiba, which boasts the second largest Thai population next to Tokyo.

Mr Kensaku also expressed his appreciation for Thailand’s assistance during last year’s Fukushima nuclear disaster, which damaged parts of the agricultural land in the prefecture. Addressing rumors of power shortages in the prefecture in the aftermath of the March 2011 disaster, he confirmed that power supply in the region is more than sufficient.

National Parks entrance fees raised nationwide

BANGKOK, 21 August 2012 (NNT) - The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation yesterday announced a major raise in entrance fees to 33 national parks across the country.

The department’s director-general Damrong Pidej said that due to a rapidly growing number of visitors, the department needed to implement new support strategies to fund the rising maintenance costs as well as to improve existing infrastructures and amenities in the country’s most frequented national parks.

Under the new rate, entrance fees for Thai nationals will increase by as much as 150%. The admission fee for Thai adults will jump from 40 baht to 100 baht, while Thai children’s fees will increase from 20 baht to 50 baht. Park entrance fees for foreign nationals will be raised from 400 baht to 500 baht, and from 200 baht to 300 baht for foreign children.

National parks affected by the new fees include Doi Inthanond in Chiang Mai, Khao Yai in Nakhon Ratchasima, Kaeng Krachan in Phetchaburi, Sai Yok in Kanchanaburi, Phu Kradueng in Loei, Koh Chang and Koh Samet in Trat, and Lunta islands in Krabi.

The new rates will be effective from Oct 1 onwards.

Director of the National Parks Office Vithya Hongvienchan elaborated that in addition to each park’s annual budget of 10 million baht, the increase in admission fees is expected to generate overall revenue of up to 500 million baht, up from the current 300 million, per year for the Department.

Travel agents: Outbound tourists cut by half this year

BANGKOK, 21 August 2012 (NNT) – The Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA) has revealed that the outbound tourist number is expected to be reduced by half this year, compared to last year's.

According to TTAA President Suthipong Phuenphiphop , after the nation was hit by the devastating flood in 2011, the first quarter this year, which should have been a high season, saw outbound tourists nosedive. On an average, only 500,000 people travel overseas each month from January to July. He expected around 1.5-1.6 million people to travel abroad through Suvarnabhumi Airport this year, a big drop from the previous year, which saw about 2 million Thais flying outbound through the airport.

Mr Suthipong said outbound tour businesses were hard hit by the flood last year, as many tourists canceled their reservations but the companies had already paid deposits to airlines and hotels. As a result several smaller travel businesses had to shut their doors.

The TTAA President said the flood in 2011 created more impacts than did political problems, as all flood victims had to make rehabilitating their houses and businesses their first priority before thinking of going abroad for vacation; whereas political tensions tended to create stress, which resulted in more people traveling to other countries to relax.

According to Mr Suthipong, this year's outbound tourists number has fallen to the lowest in the past five years, which will eventually lead to a price war given tour operators will go all out to attract customers; especially tours to nearby countries such as one to South Korea ,which costs as little as 10,000 baht. With that kind of price, holidaymakers probably won't get their money's worth as the entrepreneurs will likely allow tourists to spend most of their time shopping on their own.

Roadshow for Amazing Thailand to Punjab & West Bengal

New Delhi, August 20, 2012 - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) organized a roadshow to North & East India, with 14 travel trade partners invited from Thailand, consisting of hotels, handling agents, attractions, entertainment options and airlines.

The roadshow was held in two cities - Kolkata on 31st July and Chandigarh on 2nd August. Over 100 travel agents were invited from Kolkata and nearby cities and Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, and Amritsar.

There were two B2B sessions held in each city. The first session was held exclusively for the top agents to interact with travel trade from Thailand one on one. This was followed by table-top sales sessions for the rest of the agents followed by a Thailand products presentation and a Thai dinner.

The presentation was done by Tourism Authority of Thailand New Delhi Director Ms. Runjuan Tongrut, who updated the agents on new destinations and new trends for Thailand. The new destinations introduced were Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Khao Yai, Rayong, Samui, Krabi, Phuket, HuaHin/Cha-am, and Chiang Mai among others. The director also gave a brief explanation about the different segments such as weddings, celebrations, golf, health & wellness, adventure as well as women’s groups.

Over 100 Indian weddings have been held in Thailand in the past year and many other celebrations such as birthdays, anniversaries and graduation parties were held in Thailand. There are many options for Indian weddings in Thailand such as banquet space, floral services, temples and Gurudwaras in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Ko Samui, and Chiang Mai. Thailand has received two awards from Travel + Leisure Magazine, India readers as The World’s Best Destination and The Best Wedding Destination.

The evening ended with fun-filled activities in both of the cities, where several agents received exciting and attractive prizes sponsored by the TAT. There was also a lucky draw with prizes sponsored by the Thai travel trade as well as a grand prize of a return ticket sponsored by Thai Airways International as well as in Kolkata, where the Thai Consul-General (Mr. Prasitidesh Vichitsorasatra) from Royal Thai Consulate-General Kolkata presented the prize.

Ms. Runjuan mentioned, “By the end of 2012, we aim to have at least one million Indian visitors to Thailand.” She also thanked the Punjab agents and West Bengal agents for their co-operation and support for Amazing Thailand.

The Road Shows were a big success and Indian agents as well as travel trade partners from Thailand appreciated the event.

Tourism Authority of Thailand to encourage growth of medical tourism sector with Thailand Medical & Wellness Tourism Trade Familiarization Trip

Bangkok, August 21, 2012 - To sustain the growth of Thailand’s medical tourism sector, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has organized the “Thailand Medical & Wellness Tourism Trade Familiarization (fam) Trip”, which runs from September 10 to 15, 2012. The fam trip will play an important role in showcasing Thailand as one of the world’s leading destinations for medical & wellness tourism.

Over 150 international medical tourism facilitators and staff from health insurance companies and tourism business partners from all over the world will join the fam trip to meet and network with medical service providers in Thailand. The fam trip opens with a one-day trade event at the Centara Grand at CentralWorld in Bangkok on September 11. The event will feature exhibition booths, a country briefing, business meetings, and a networking night.

During the remaining four days of the fam trip, the international visitors will go to many Thai health and wellness providers to tour facilities, meet their experts and try out the various services available to medical tourists. The result of the fam trip will be greater recognition of the variety and quality of medical and wellness options available to visitors to Thailand, which will encourage the growth of the Kingdom’s medical tourism sector.

“Thailand has established itself as a global leader in medical tourism. People from all over the world put their trust in Thailand’s health and wellness providers, thanks to their internationally-accredited medical facilities, advanced technologies, excellent service and affordability. This fam trip will help to increase momentum for the Kingdom’s medical tourism sector, reinforcing Thailand’s position as the world’s preferred destination for health and wellness holidays,” said TAT Governor Mr. Suraphon Svetasreni.

According to the Department of Health Service Support, 2.24 million foreign visitors came to Thailand for medical purposes in 2011, generating 97.8 billion Baht in income. The number of medical tourism visitors is expected to rise to 2.53 million in 2012.

The TAT has actively supported Thai medical tourism for many years. This includes a web site to provide healthcare information for international patients travelling to Thailand, as well as conducting a Medical Tourism Blog Contest as an innovative way to promote the medical tourism experience in Thailand.

For further information:
Interested sellers, please contact: seller@ThailandMedTourism.com
Interested buyers, please contact: buyer@ThailandMedTourism.com

TAT to organize concerts to commemorate royal birthdays

As a tribute to His Majesty the King’s 84th birthday anniversary last year and Her Majesty the Queen’s 80th birthday and HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn’s 60th birthday this year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is organizing ‘the Miracle of Thai Monarchy Concert’ in Chiang Mai and Udon Thani provinces on August 26 and September 1 respectively.

2012 has been designated the Miracle Year as part of the agency’s 'Miracle Year of Amazing Thailand' mega-campaign. According to the campaign, the government has set a target to push international tourist arrivals to 30 million, with a goal of generating revenue of 2 trillion baht in 4 years' time.

TAT’s Deputy Governor Thawatchai Arunyik said that to celebrate the auspicious occasion, the TAT is holding the concerts to retrace His Majesty the King’s extensive journeys across the country, which paved the way for many of his royal projects. Mr Thawathai said that these development projects will be showcased at the exhibitions and concerts held as part of this event to reaffirm His Majesty’s position as the father of the nation.

The Deputy Governor elaborated that Chiang Mai and Udon Thani have been selected as the sites for the event as His Majesty has patronized several royal projects in both provinces. The Northeastern region, in particular, was once deemed the most barren region of the kingdom. With the establishment of royal projects that cover a spectrum of rural problems, the living conditions of his subjects in the area have dramatically improved.

The Roysadej concerts are expected to attract around 40,000 visitors for each of the venue and to generate over 100 million baht for local businesses.

Overall, Mr Thawatchai said the agency has forecasted the number of domestic travellers to grow exponentially at 103 times more than that of last year. The international tourist arrivals this year, meanwhile, is estimated at 19 million.

Chiang Khan opens scenic biking route in line with TAT eco-friendly initiatives

LOEI, 18 August 2012 (NNT) - Mr. Phanu Yaemsri, deputy governor of Loei province, presided over the opening ceremony of a scenic biking route which allows bikers to view temples and experience ways of life of Chiang Khan residents.

The ceremony was attended by Ms. Benchawan Sunetvorakul, executive director of the Product Promotion Department, Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Chiang Khan district chief, heads of various government agencies, provincial officials, and local people, numbering altogether about 500.

Ms. Benchawan revealed that the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has initiated the event, which aims to conserve the environment in Chiang Khan, Loei province, and promote Chiang Khan as an eco-friendly tourist destination. Earlier to the project, the TAT had conducted workshops and training for stakeholders in the area concerning garbage and wastewater management, and sustainable tourism.

Since 2008, the TAT has been working to promote environmentally-friendly and sustainable tourism, under the “7 Greens” campaign. The “7 Greens” refer to such measures as “Green Service”, which aims to provide services that do no harm the environment, Green Logistics, Green Community and Green Attraction.

Feeling Heavenly at Wat Pho after a Thai Massage

Visiting a Buddhist temple (called a “wat” in Thai) can be a fascinating part of a traveler’s cultural experience in Thailand. Visitors are welcome at any wat as long as they are respectful and conservatively dressed. In addition to being places of worship, Thailand’s wats serve as community and learning centers. One wat where travelers can not only get closer to heaven, but also leave feeling heavenly thanks to a soothing Thai massage, is Wat Pho, home of Thailand’s oldest traditional massage school.

Located in the heart of Bangkok in the Phra Nakhon district, next to the Grand Palace, Wat Pho is one of Thailand’s largest and oldest wats. Renowned for its magnificent 46-metre long Reclining Buddha, Wat Pho was also the location of Thailand’s first public university hundreds of years ago. Wat Pho is today Thailand’s leading center for learning ancient healing arts, especially traditional Thai medicine and Thai massage.

The Wat Pho Thai Traditional Massage School opened in 1962. Here, students learn the intricacies and rhythmic movements needed to provide a traditional Thai massage. The time-honoured techniques taught in the course are based on diagrams inscribed on 60 stone plaques mounted on nearby walls. These stones, placed during the reign of King Rama III in the mid 18th century, map out the human body’s therapeutic points and thousands of energy pathways known as “sen”. Students at the school learn how to use their hands, feet, knees and legs to manipulate these therapeutic points and sen to reduce muscle pain, relieve tension and stimulate blood circulation.

The massage school’s two open-air pavilions are on the east side of the Wat Pho grounds. Look for the buildings with the brightly-coloured roofs, identified by banners in Thai and English. Visitors can experience a Thai massage in two ways – by enjoying an affordable massage by one of the school’s advanced students, or by taking a course to learn the fine art of Thai massage themselves.

Enjoying a Thai Massage at Wat Pho
Even though the masseurs are students, they are very well-trained and highly practiced, so you can be assured of getting an authentic Thai traditional massage. You can book your massage session at the pavilion. There are 20 platforms available for body massage. Waiting time depends on how many people are queued up ahead of you. It’s best to visit early in the morning for the shortest wait.

Before your massage, you are given a comfortable pair of loose-fitting fisherman pants to wear. An attendant leads you to a massage platform in the pavilion. You lay on a firm mattress covered with a fresh sheet and pillow case. The simple and functional communal space has no partitions between the massage platforms, so you may feel a little self-conscious at first about the stranger getting a massage right next to you. The yellow-shirted masseurs start out by asking if there is any health problem or part of your body that needs particular attention. Then, with some gentle yet firm motions, your traditional Thai massage begins.

Traditional Thai massage involves a lot of hard pressing and stretching to reach your body’s deep tissue, so some of the techniques may feel a bit strenuous for first-timers. Your masseur knows exactly what muscles to work for the best effect. Once you loosen up, you can soak up the calming atmosphere; the humid tropical air cut by the cool breeze from the fan, the quiet conversations among the masseurs, and the faint sounds of the city beyond the walls. The massage itself will be focused and feel deeply intimate, even with many people around you. When your massage is over, you will be incredibly relaxed and rejuvenated. Only in Thailand can you have an invigorating and heavenly experience such as this.

A traditional Thai massage at Wat Pho costs 260 Baht for 30 minutes or 420 Baht for a full hour. A dry herbal treatment costs an additional 100 Baht. For visitors who want to give their feet relief after exploring Bangkok, foot reflexology massages are also available at 420 Baht per hour. Tips are not included or expected, but are certainly appreciated.

Learning the Art of Thai Massage
For visitors interested in learning the ancient art of Thai massage, the school offers both basic and advanced courses. The 30-hour basic course, spread out over five days, teaches you how to give a Thai massage to relieve muscle fatigue and pain, reduce tension throughout the body, and restore flexibility. The foot massage course integrates the finer points of Chinese reflexology with relaxing massage techniques. Students learn how to improve the functions of various internal organs, increase blood circulation and stimulate the immune system to slow the aging process and promote long life.

The basic Thai massage course costs 9,500 Baht, while the foot massage course is 7,500 Baht. Both courses are conducted in English. After completing the basic Thai massage course, you are eligible to take advanced courses such as Thai medical massage therapy (60 hours), oil massage and aromatherapy (30 hours), or infant and child massage (21 hours). All teach you in-depth techniques to promote the further development of the mind, body, and spirit. The cost of advanced courses ranges from 6,000 to 14,000 Baht. To register for the courses, you’ll need to have one photocopy of your passport and three passport-size photographs of yourself.

Traditional massage is an integral part of life in Thailand. By making a Thai massage a highlight of your visit to Thailand, you will have a memorable Thai experience while recharging yourself to fully enjoy the rest of your stay in the Kingdom.

Location:
2 Sanamchai Road, Phra Borommaharachawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10020 (Immediately south of the Grand Palace)

Getting There:
By Taxi: Ask the driver to take you to Wat Pho (or Wat Phra Chetuphon as it is known to most Thais)
By Boat: Take the Chao Phraya River Express to Tha Thien, then walk 5 minutes to Wat Pho.
By MRT: The closest station is Hua Lampong; take a taxi from there.
By Bus (Non-air conditioned): 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 25, 32, 43, 44, 47, 51, 53, 82, and 103.
By Bus (Air-conditioned): 1, 6, 7, 8, 12, and 44.

Entrance:
You can enter Wat Pho from Chetuphon Road or Thai Wang Road

Hours of Operation:
Open every day from 8:00 – 17:30 hrs.

Admission:
100 Baht to enter the Wat Pho compound

Dress Code:
You should dress appropriately for a temple. Women who arrived in shorts or tank tops will be given a cloth to cover body parts.

Cha-am annual tourism festival will begin in September

PHETCHABURI, 16 August 2012 (NNT)-A popular tourist town of Cha-am and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) are inviting everyone to visit Cha-am’s annual tourism festival, that is guaranteed to bring travelers a unique experience, from September 8-16, 2012 in Phetchaburi province.

Travelers visiting the festival will be encouraged to embark on squid fishing and bird watching trips and please their taste buds with a variety of fresh seafood menu choices. The festival titled “Kin-Hoi-Doo-Nok-Tok-Muek” is a collaboration between the Council of Cha-am, the TAT Petchaburi Office and Singha Corporation Co., Ltd. According to Director of TAT Phetchaburi Office Mrs. Nongnit Tengmaneewan, the September festival will be the 14th event since its inception a decade ago. It will take 9 days starting from September 8 to 16 on one of the most popular beaches in Thailand.

The Director said the objective of this event is to stimulate tourism activities during the low season. She added it will also coincide with the growing number of squids in the sea and the arrival of the migratory birds which, she said, is the perfect opportunity to invite holidaymakers to visit Cha-am.

There will be an array of seafood vendors from reputable hotels and restaurants, as well as live musical shows throughout the night for 9 days. For those who would like to try their luck on squid fishing, the boat will leave the shore from 19.00 – 24.00 hrs daily for 100 baht per person.

As for avid and amateur bird watchers alike, bird watching trips to Ta-kad-plee swamp and Nang Panthurat National Park will be provided throughout the day from 7.00 – 16.00 hrs. A bird expert will also accompany visitors free of charge during the trip to answer any questions regarding the animals. For more information please call the TAT Phetchaburi Office at 0 3247 1005-6 or the Cha-am Council at 0 3247 2550 or 0 3247 1665.

Doi Inthanon awarded best hiking park

BANGKOK, 7 August 2012 (NNT) - Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai Province has recently received best hiking award from the Department of Tourism, under the Tourism and Sports Ministry.

According to the department, good management at the Kew Mae Pan Trail helps make hiking at the Doi Inthanon National Park more enjoyable. It said the nature trail management incorporates participation from the locals in the community, adding that many tribe members who used to encroached on the forest have become local guides and are helping authorities protect the park.

Doi Inthanon National Park is located in Mae Chaem District, Chiang Mai Province. It encompasses the highest mountain in Thailand, which is a very popular tourist destination for both Thai and foreigners

Luxury Cruise Ship Route Featuring MV “Ocean Dream” Launched on Gulf of Thailand, Reinforcing Thailand’s Position as the Travel Hub of the ASEAN Region

Bangkok, August 6, 2012 - The luxury cruise ship MV “Ocean Dream” recently kicked off its inaugural 4-day, 3-night cruise on the Gulf of Thailand. The 420-cabin luxury liner departed from the port of Laem Chabang in Thailand’s Chonburi province, stopping at Ko Samui, and then calling in at Sihanoukville, Cambodia before returning to Laem Chabang on Monday, 6 August 2012.

Thai company Eastime Shipping Limited has teamed up with Profit Summit Deluxe Cruise Limited, a Chinese cruise ship operator, to run the service twice weekly, departing from Laem Chabang on Mondays and Fridays at 6:00 p.m.

TAT Governor Mr Suraphon Svetasreni said, “The TAT is delighted that the MV Ocean Dream offers a great new option for travellers to enjoy the tranquil beauty of the Gulf of Thailand while offering a different perspective on Ko Samui and an introduction to the joys of Cambodia. It also highlights Thailand’s convenient location and marine transportation facilities in the heart of the ASEAN region. Thailand’s readiness in terms of transportation links and facilities, when combined with creative ideas in tourism, certainly will benefits all countries in the region.”

The 20,000 ton MV “Ocean Dream” offers passengers a full selection of luxury cruise ship amenities on its nine decks, including choice restaurants, clubs featuring a variety of entertainment, a swimming pool, a casino, a movie theatre, a shopping gallery and Internet access. The ship’s 420 cabins accommodate 1,060 passengers. The cost for the 4-day, 3-night Gulf of Thailand cruise is 11,000 Baht per person.

For more information please contact:
“Ocean Dream” Pattaya Office
Eastime Shipping Limited
75/60-61 Moo 10 Sukhumvit Road, Tugsukla, Sriracha, Chonburi, 10900 Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 3849 1099, (0) 3849 1100
Fax: +66 (0) 3849 2616

For further information, please contact International Public Relations Division, TAT

Pai in the Sky: Go Green

High up in Thailand’s far north, the village of Pai has been identified as the perfect site to develop a responsible and environmentally friendly tourism.

Surrounded by the forested peaks of Mae Hong Son province, Pai village stands in a lush green valley and made its name with Thailand’s young generation travellers as a chic cool season destination.

But that is not enough to ensure the village can develop year-round business to sustain a growing number of attractive boutique resorts, spas and nature related soft adventure tours.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand objectives is to work alongside the village’s tourism industry to develop a long-term and sustainable business to keep the area green and clean for future generations.

Pai is a key pilot project under the concept “Seven Greens,” which is intended to foster environmental awareness including active participation from all stakeholders in tourism from government agencies to media through to non-governmental organisations, tour operators and private service providers.

The “Seven Greens concept” aims to reconcile the challenges facing Pai’s environment and tourism to protect the environment and restore quality by raising environmental awareness and promoting Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The Seven Green programme provides a conceptual framework and establishes practical guidelines. It facilitates the formation of strategic partnerships and provides a cooperative basis for green initiatives in the following areas.

Green Heart: Urges tourists to be socially responsible and environmentally aware as well as to be part of global efforts to help protect and preserve the environment at all tourist attractions;

Green Logistics: Encourages more environmentally-friendly tourism-related models of transport to minimise direct and indirect environmental impact;

Green Destinations: Promotes responsibly managed tourist sites that respect the environment;

Green communities: Supports community-based tourism in both urban and rural areas that places greater importance of responsible tourism management that also promotes conservation of the environment, local traditions;

Green Activities: Promotes tourism activities that are well-suited to local communities. These provide visitors with engaging and culturally-enriching experiences without comprising in the integrity of the environment;

Green Service: Urges tourism-related service providers to create positive first impression for visitors, and to win hearts and minds by attaining higher quality assurance standards whilst demonstrating respect, care and concern for the environment;

Green Plus: Encourages Corporative Social Responsibility (CSR) among operators by encouraging them to give back to the communities where they operate. For example, by refraining from undertaking any acts that might cause environmental damage.

Orientation
The small district of Pai in northern Thailand’s Mae Hong Son province, near the border with Myanmar, is tucked away in one of the country’s remote mountain ranges.

The village stands on a river of the same name, 111 km from Mae Hong Son’s Mueang district and 135 km north of Chiang Mai.

Initially catering to backpackers, the area gained popularity after it was discovered by Thai TV channels that promoted it as a chic, cool season destination often using it as a venue for fashion shoots.

From 2006 onwards there was a boom in travel during November through to February when temperatures can fall to around 8 to 10 degrees centigrade in the mornings and evenings. It shot to fame after a romantic Thai soap opera was filmed on locations using many of the small town’s landmarks such as bridges, river and the walking street market.

During the peak season, October to February, the village is packed with visitors and getting a room can be a challenge, although during the remainder of the year there is an oversupply of rooms. The official count is 350 guest houses and hotels offering 2,682 rooms.

The town’s most popular attractions is its walking street, packed with stalls and shops selling handicrafts, postcards, and T-shirts that sport a variety of rhymes playing on the word “Pai”.

The Pai River flows from the Daen Lao range 180 km through the province and is the main attraction for tours and soft adventure. During the rainy season the river is popular for white water rafting, while in the cool season the hot springs, caves, forest walks and elephant treks are popular.

Attractions
Mor Paeng waterfall is located 9 km from Pai at Ban Mo Pang Moo 4 Mae Na Toeng sub-district and is a popular route for travellers who hire motor cycles.

Tha Pai Hot Spring is located in the Huai Nam Dang National Park, 8 km south of Pai. The hot spring is 2 km off highway 1095 at Km 87. Water temperatures range around 80 degree Celsius.

Muang Pang Hot Spring located in Baan Mueng Pang area, 28 km from Pai district. The site is much bigger with water temperatures of 95 degree Celsius.

Santichon Village is a U-narn Chinese community made up of people who emigrated from China 10 years ago. They have managed to preserve their culture, written language, Chinese dress and this is reflected in the traditional houses built from clay and rice straw.

Transportation
Happy Air operates a nonstop daily flight Bangkok-Mae Hong Son route on Fridays and Sundays.

The other way is to fly to Chiang Mai first and link with the daily air services to Pai from there.

Kan Air operates a daily flight on weekday and twice daily flights on weekend from Chiang Mai to Pai. Meanwhile, Nok Mini provides twice daily flights to Mae Hong Son.

Loei’s Homestay Attracts Slow Tourism

Traditional homestay in Loei province gathers momentum in the slow tourism niche.

Northeast Thailand hardly figures in the region’s mountain league as far as most tourists are concerned. When they head for the hills it will invariably be to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai, both famous for their cool seasons and misty mountain scenery.

But sitting on the western edge of Northeast Thailand, Loei province is gaining attention for its own version of craggy hill country and balmy weather.

It may have fewer tourists, but it makes up for it with a variety of natural attractions that are not overcrowded.

Located around 500 km north of Bangkok, the province borders the hill country of Laos where the Mekong River resumes its journey south as the border line between the two countries.

Ridges and mountains dominate the horizon to the north and travelling due north from Loei town would bring you to the world heritage town of Luang Prabang 400 km in the heart of Laos.

Loei is famous for its hilly geography and high peaks such as Phu Kradueang, Phu Luang and Phu Ruea that offer breathtaking views of mountain ridges covered in a sea of mist.

For those who love cool weather, Loei is one of the coldest with temperatures occasionally dropping almost to freezing point. However, temperatures are more likely to hover around 20 to 26 degrees centigrade, November to February.

But there is more to Loei’s charm than just natural attractions. There is a diversity of ethnic groups living in areas bordering Sayabouly and Vientiane province in Laos. Loei is a province where the cultures of two countries mingle. It is also a province with an abundance of homestay accommodation that allows visitors to interact with communities.

Homestay and Community-Based Tourism
Homestay tourism is part of the new trend towards slow tourism where the emphasis lies on appreciating natural beauty as well as learning from communities visited. It is about taking time out to learn village skills, or understand a different culture. One of the most popular spots for homestay especially for young tourists is the small riverside town of Chiang Khan now the most popular tourist address in Loei province .

To gain more from homestay it is recommended that visitors spend time in Baan Na-O Homestay in Muang district, Loei province.

If the objective is to learn more about the province’s folklore tradition known as Pee Ta Khon; then the best venue is Na-Thum Nham-Tang Homestay in Dan Sai District.

Natural attractions can be explored at Baan Na Pah Nard Cultural Village in Khao Kaeo sub-district, Chiang Khan District.

Homestay Profiles
• Baan Na-O Homestay
Located in Mueang district, Baan Na-O Homestay highlights the lifestyles of a local ethnic group known as “Tai Loei.” They orginated from Luang Prabang and Vientiane in Laos and migrated to establish a community at Baan Na-O 350 years ago.

The community offers 40 local Tai Loei traditional houses for tourists where visitors can learn more about the Tai Loei lifestyle, history, architecture and traditions.

Rates of Bt350/person/night apply for accommodation, two meals, local performances and the morning activity of offering sticky rice to monks.

Visitors can choose from a variety of activities priced at Bt500/ person. This rate includes local guides and narration. Also guests can visit a local museum and various temples.

Baan Na-O Homestay is 16 km from Loei Airport. For bookings, visitors can contact Na-O municipality at na-o-munic@hotmail.com or call 6642 834 930.

• Na-Thum Nham-Tang Homestay
Dan Sai is the home of the famous Phee Ta Khon festival and the popular Na-Thum Nham-Tang Homestay. The place is open year round, but during the famous Phee Ta Khon festival the place is packed with tourists, mainly Japanese who are keen to learn more about Pee Ta Khon traditions linked to Dan Sai.

Na-Thum Nham-Tang Homestay won the top standard award in 2006 from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports so visitors can be sure that the community is ready to welcome tourists.

The history of the community is related to Phra That Si Song Rak, or Si Song Rak Stupa. The stupa was built in 1560 by the Laotian King, Setthathirath and the Thai King, Somdet Phra Maha Chakkraphat, to signify the harmony between the two countries.

The highlight of a visit is the demonstration show known as the Phee Ta Khon performance, but in addition guests will learn how to make a Phee Ta Khon mask.

The homestay can accommodate up to 100 persons. Rates start at Bt150/ person/ night but excludes meals. Meals cost an extra Bt50 a day. Tours cost Bt300 including a local guide and the tour.

Dan Sai district is around 90 km from Loei Airport. To book accommodation, contact 6642 892 339 or 6686 862 4812.

• Baan Na Pah Nard Cultural Village
Baan Na Pah Nard Cultural Village or Tai Dum Cultural Village, is located in Khao Kaeo sub-district. Tai Dum or Black Tai, is a reference to the costumes that villagers wear.

They are mainly descendents from the Tai Dum hill tribes that lived around Dien Bien Phu in Vietnam. These people still maintain their core values as illustrated in houses, handicrafts and their daily lifestyle.

Baan Na Pah Nard Cultural Village opened for homestay quite recently and concentrates mainly on weaving.

Overnight stays cost Bt100/ person/ night without meals. Meals cost Bt80 per sitting.

Baan Na Pah Nard Cultural Village is around 50 km from Loei Airport. Visitors must book at least one week in advance at 6681 048 2000.

Highlighted Festivals
• Phee Ta Khon Festival
Phee Ta Khon Festival is held annually in Dan Sai district, Loei province. The festival is part of the merit ceremony of Boon Luang, which is a combination of merit making ceremonies, March to April, called Boon Pha Ved and another ceremony around June called Boon Bang Fai. However, instead of holding two separate ceremonies, the local community combined them and scheduled the event in June or July. The dates of Phee Ta Khon Festival vary as they are determined by the town’s mediums.

Transportation
Loei is accessible by road and by air. There is no railways to the province, but nearby provinces-Udon Thani and Nong Khai.
Currently, there are two airlines flying to Loei; Nok Air (four weekly) and Solar Air (three weekly). Both airlines are based in Don Mueang Airport.

Nan: New Gateway to Laos

Will anyone disagree when we say North Thailand is the region that is richest in culture and tradition?

Probably not as volumes have been written to illustrate the wealth of Lanna heritage in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, two provinces that have influenced the life and times of Mekong River basin in their gateway travel role.

But there is much more to North Thailand that is now catching the eye of discerning travellers. Nan is one province often hidden from the spotlight that deserves to be a hot spot for tourists asking for more than shopping and beaches.

Nan shares its border with Laos in the North and East so it will ultimately become an important gateway for trade and tourism linking Thailand, Laos and China.

Nan shares a 277 km border with Laos. One important checkpoint for international visitors, who want to visit Laos, is Ban Huay Kon in Chaloem Phra Kiat district (138 km from Nan town) which is emerging as the ‘adventure’ gateway to Muang Ngeun in Xaignabouli province, Laos.

From here it is possible to travel to Luang Prabang in Laos using road and ferries.

Apart from offering a gateway to Laos and the shortest route to Luang Prabang, Nan has an abundance of cultural and natural attractions to keep a tourist busy for a couple of days. The province is famous for its attractive temples, many of them located all within a short walk of each other in the town centre.

Transport
It takes almost a day to travel the 668 km from Bangkok to Nan that nestles in a valley surrounded by high mountains. On the way, take a stop in Phrae a town famous for its teakwood furniture. If you need to fly then there is just one airline, Nok Air, offering three weekly flights from Bangkok’s domestic Don Meuang Airport. Kan Airlines operates four weekly flight from Chiang Mai to Nan.

Tours and Attractions
• Cultural and traditions
One of the most famous temples is Phumin Temple, located in the compound of the old city in Nai Wiang sub-district, Meuang district.

Phumin Temple, which has ‘royal status,’ is renowned for its beautiful mural paintings called Hup Taem, that depict Buddhist Jataka stories (stories that tell about the previous lives of the Buddha) and also other famous paintings like Yu Khuang traditional painting, that show Thai Lue ethnic lifestyle as well as the Pu Man – Ya Man paintings.

Phrathat Chang Kham Worawihan Temple is also in Mueang districtlocated on Suriyaphong Road, opposite the Nan Municipality Office. Previously known as Wat Luang, the temple is famous for the sculptures of the front half of elephants made of brick and cement. The sculptures surround the base of a bell-shape pagoda. Within the Wiharn, is housed the Phra Phuttha Nanthaburi Si Sakkayamuni Buddha image made of 65% pure gold in the posture of forgiveness.

Phrathat Khao Noi Temple in Chai Sathan sub-district, Mueang district houses Buddha relics. The highlight of the temple is its viewpoint of Nan and the surrounding valley. Also the courtyard, there is a 9-metres Buddha image of Phra Phuttha Maha Udom Mongkhon Nanthaburi Si Nan facing the town.

Nan National Museum is a treasure trove of information about the province’s traditions and history. The museum is on Phakong Road, opposite Phrathat Chang Kham Temple and near Phumin Temple, which makes it easier for tourists to combine attractions in one trip. It was constructed as the city hall but later turned into a museum. Open daily 0900 to 1600. Entrance: Bt100. You will need a guide to translate the descriptions that are in Thai.

The signature attraction of Nan is Phrathat Chae Haeng Temple. It houses several Buddha relics as well as silver and golden votive tablets. It is understood that construction of Phrathat Chae Haeng Temple was influenced by the Phrathat Hariphunchai Pagoda in Lamphun province. The temple opens daily from 0600 to 1800.

• Community tourism
For those looking for authentic lifestyles particularly ethnic groups, Nan has several spots.

Nong Bua Thai Lue Village is located in Ban Nong Bua, Pa Kha sub-district, Tha Wang Pha district. The Thai Lue or Tai people are valley-dwelling rice cultivators from China’s southwest frontier. This village is renowned for its local fabric weaving called Pha Lai Nam Lai and is the source of most of Nan’s soft handicrafts.

Ban Mani Phruek Security Development Project is an agro-tourism attraction. Located in Thung Chang district, 98 km from Nan town, it is noted for its natural scenery, sightseeing and a Hmong and Kua hill tribe village.

A fisherman lifestyle can also experienced in Nan province at the Pak Nai Fisherman Village in Na Muen district more than 100 km south of Nan town. Originally, it was set on the banks of the Nan River but after the construction of the Sirikit Dam, the village was relocated uphill to the edge of the reservoir. Tourists can rent a boat, or dine at one of the rafts and some villagers offer simple raft accommodation.

• National parks
Nan has several national parks that are popular for trekking. At Tham Pha Tup Forest Park visitors can enjoy light trekking following a nature study route and visit caves such as Tham Phra and Tham Bo Namthip. The park is located in Pha Sing sub-district, Mueang district.

Si Nan National Park in Na Noi district is also worth a visit. The park is in an evergreen forest high up on a mountain side where visitors will be able to see wild peacocks, and possibly elephants that inhabit the mountain ranges between Thailand and Laos.

• Border tourism and gateway to Laos
Nan shares its border with Laos at Chaloem Phra Kiat district.

The checkpoint is 138 km from Nan town and is open daily from 0800 to 1800. For further information, contact Nan Immigration Office, 054711913 www.nanimmigration.com or Ban Huay Kon – Muang Ngeun checkpoint 054693530. The checkpoint is the gateway to Muang Ngeun and from there it is possible to travel to Luang Prabang.

From Muang Ngeun travellers use a combination of boat and buses. By boat, the distance is 180 km via Pak Bang – Pak Ou and finally to Luang Prabang.

By road, there are three routes:
Huay Kon – Muang Ngeun – Hong Sa – Jom Petch – Luang Prabang Route. This route is popular during the dry season as the distance is just 152 km.

Huay Kon – Muang Ngeun – Hong Sa – Xaiyabouly – Tha Dua – Luang Prabang Route. Can be travelled year-round, but the distance is longer at 250 km.

Huay Kon – Muang Ngeun – Pak Bang – Udomxai – Luang Prabang Route. The most comfortable route on a paved road, but it is also the longest route at 350 km.

Phuket: Door to Thailand

Phuket has quietly positioned itself as an alternative gateway to Bangkok and the long-term strategy is beginning to pay off.

Its gateway status stregthens its ranking as one Asia’s most attractive island destinations capable of attracting the world most discerning travellers.

And hard passenger traffic statistics also confirm its right to be called Thailand’s second aviation gateway after Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, offering travellers an alternative starting point for a memorable holiday exploring Thailand. A practical itinerary can include visits to destination far and wide without the need to transit or double back through the Thai capital.

This enviable status has crept up on the island’s tourism industry with very little fanfare, possibly as the island came of age across a variety of travel related business sectors.

Certainly the island’s appeal has broadened beyond hotels and boat trips to reach out to the long-stay luxury property market, yacht marinas, world class golf courses and even hosting regional exhibitions and international sports events.

It could also be attributed to the fact that well over 50% of Thailand’s annual visitors are repeaters. Some of them have visited the country annually for a decade or more and make it their second home during the harsh European winter. Phuket is a favourite.

This particularly true in the Swedish market where a recent survey indicated that more than 10,000 Swedes had bought holiday homes in Thailand, mainly in Phuket and nearby resorts.

Phuket’s gradual evolution from a beach destination to a major international gateway to Thailand’s southern region was driven by airlines that saw the potential for traffic growth and had a vision. They include Air Berlin that serves the island from Germany with scheduled airline services. Air Australia, previously Strategic Airways, flies nonstop services from Australia. Today, Australians are the top visitors to the island, providing year-round business.

Qatar Airways pioneered services from the Middle East and this too has helped boost traffic to the island during the rainy season, often called the “green season” by enthusiastic travel executives.

This island destination has come a long way from those early days in the 1980s when it was served by a 40-seat Avro aircraft flown under the colours of the domestic airline Thai Airways.

Today, there are 51 airlines serving the island offering 683 flights a week from Asia and Europe. There are also 13 charters from China, India, Russia and Europe, totaling 64 flights a week. They supplement the scheduled airlines (342 scheduled international flights offered by 33 airlines) and pack the island’s 44,000 tourist-standard hotels from November through to March.

Five domestic airlines serve Phuket with 277 flights a week making it possible to fly to all major destinations in Thailand, either transiting through, Samui or Bangkok. One airline has gone as far as offering nonstop flights direct to popular destination in North Thailand. This trend will continue.

Showing considerably vision and faith in the island’s ability to be a gateway, Thai Air Asia bases aircraft at Phuket International Airport and offers services to cities in Asia.

This long-term commitment will pay big dividends because it addresses a customer need. They want to get to their favourite island or other destinations nearby as fast as possible without having to change aircraft in Bangkok.

AirAsia offers international flights from Phuket to five destinations: Singapore (seven flights weekly); Kuala Lumpur (28 flights weekly); Jakarta (three flights weekly) Hong Kong (seven flights weekly) and Bali (four flights weekly).

Thai AirAsia also offers domestic flights direct from Phuket to four major gateway cities in Thailand: Bangkok; Chiang Mai; Udon Thani and Ubon Ratchathani.

This underscores Phuket’s ability to host visitors for a holiday or corporate meeting, while making it practical for them to extend their visit with side trips to explore other destinations in Thailand.

Phuket’s travel industry identified this need early in the game and lobbied airlines to consider direct air links from the island to other tourist destinations in Thailand as well cities in Asia.

Initially it looked like a hard sell, but as Phuket expanded offering luxury holiday homes for long-stay visitors and made inroads into niche markets such as sports and medical tourism, it became apparent that it had the potential to become a tourism gateway independent of Bangkok.

Bangkok Airways has tested the concept by extending its services through Phuket to offer links to Samui and Trat province (home of Chang Island). It promotes itself as an airline offering Thailand’s top three island destinations; Phuket, Samui and Chang, all within the same network and with connecting services to Hong Kong, Singapore and points in India.

Even if the traveller decides overland travel is the way to go, Phuket is an ideal base for self-drive tours to visit mainland destinations such as Khao Lak, Phang Nga, Krabi and Trang on highways that are a pleasure to drive.

Expansion of its gateway role continues as Phuket International Airport welcomes new airline services from Seoul and Copenhagen during this high season.

Thai Airways International is offering nonstop services from Seoul to Phuket (three flights weekly) and from Copenhagen in Denmark, three weekly services.

Air China launched a mix of scheduled and charter services from Beijing to Phuket 18 November.

Silk Air offers four daily service from Singapore, while Malaysia Airlines offers twice daily services from Kuala Lumpur.

Out of Hong Kong, Dragon Air flies 10 services a week.

In Europe, Air Berlin leads with scheduled services from Berlin and Munich (three flights each).

There are hundreds of charter flights during the peak season that make Phuket International Airport one of the busiest resort airports in Asia, far exceeding the traffic going through Bali or the Maldives.

Some of the charters are:
• Fly Airlines routing from Novosibirsk and Kransnoyarsk (two flight weekly);
• Britannia Airways from Stockholm and Copenhagen (four flights weekly);
• My Travel Airways from Helsinki, Malmo, Gothenburg, Oslo, Copenhagen and Stockholm (11 flights weekly);
• Sunny Airways from Seoul (three flights weekly);
• Thomsonfly from Helsinki (two flights weekly);
• XL Airways from Paris (one flight weekly).

Phuket International Airport for the first nine-month of this year welcomed 41,838 aircrafts movements up 18.83% from 35,296 movements in 2010 with an increase in international aircraft movements of 24.54% from 16,840 to 20,972 movements during the same period.

This indicates the success of Phuket in international markets and its ability to sustain a steady business flow for airlines that invest in a new service.

The island is also a staging point for scuba diving tours that head for the clear waters and coral reef dive sites of Similan Islands. It is close enough to other attractive beach resort destinations such as the mainland’s Khao Lak and Krabi where there are attractive boutique hotels and wellness resorts all within 100 to 150 km of Phuket island. They are ideal destinations to visit on a self-drive holiday.

But Phuket has a variety of beaches. In fact there are 20 beaches strung along its west coast making it an island with a plenty of options. Each beach location has a resort village that has grown up over the years to offers a distinct atmosphere. Patong is the racy entertainment beach bustling with shops, bars and entertainment. To the south and north of this resort hub there are quieter beaches where communities offer a different take on the holiday experience. There are some noted for five-star hotels that are more likely to be hosting corporate seminars and golf events. Further south there are smaller bays that have created a coffee culture with walking streets and boutique shops.

Phuket has over 44,000 rooms in tourist class hotels and another nine hotels will open in 2012.

It welcomed 2,853,367 tourists in 2010 up 4.85% from 2,721,269 in 2009 with 2,380,709 were foreigners improved 9.65% from 2,171,238 in 2009. The top three suppliers were Australia (422,017), Russia (151,945) and UK (134,867).

Airports of Thailand: Suvarnabhumi's eastern runway returned to service

BANGKOK, July 31 – Repairs on Suvarnabhumi Airport's damaged eastern runway finished earlier than scheduled and it was returned to full operational service at noon today, according to Airports of Thailand (AOT) President Aniruth Thanomkulbut.

A1.62km section of the 4km runway had been closed since June 11 for repairs. The runway's closure had resulted in heavy congestion at the two-runway airport.

The runway repairs were completed today, ten days ahead of the Aug 9 deadline, the AOT chief said.

Mr Anirut said he believed the return to full service will help reduce and eventually eliminate flight delays.

During the first week of repairs on the eastern runway, some 104 flights were delayed daily, with an average delay of 20-30 minutes for each flight.

Since reopening today, the eastern runway is now capable of servicing 76 flights per hour as it used to be. It can accommodate all types of aircraft. (MCOT online news)

TAT will stage world’s biggest fashion show mid August

BANGKOK, 1 August 2012 (NNT) - Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Deputy Governor Wilaiwan Tawitsri has disclosed that the TAT, in collaboration with Rakchat Management Ltd, will attempt to break the world record for the number of models taking part in a single fashion show, by organizing the biggest one in the famous tourist town of Hatyai on August 18th, 2012.

According to the TAT Deputy Governor, the Hatyai show is an attempt to break the world record for the largest fashion show made in Argentina on October 8th, 2009, where, according to Guinness World Records, 280 models marched down the catwalk. The August 18 event is also aimed at boosting tourism as well as investment opportunities.

The planned biggest fashion show, the first one ever staged in Thailand, will be held on Sanehanusorn Road, which is right in the heart of Hatyai City, while other smaller catwalks will be set up at several department stores in the town such as Central, Robinson, Diana Complex and Odeon Fashion Mall.

Over 300 male and female models are expected to be part of this grand event. The Deputy Governor added that the event will also be coinciding with the Hariraya Celebration, which marks the end of Ramadan. She said this is a period when Malaysian tourists spend their holiday in Thailand.

More than 20,000 Thai and foreign tourists have been forecast to travel to Songkhla province to witness this spectacular fashion show and possibly the new largest fashion event in the world.

KidZania set to debut at Siam Paragon in December

BANGKOK, 1 August 2012 (NNT) - KidZania, the world's leading and fastest-growing edutainment chain, is launching its first Bangkok branch in December. The planned center is expected to be the world’s third-largest, built with a total budget of 760 million baht.

KidZania will be located on the fifth floor of Siam Paragon shopping complex, covering a massive area of 10,000 square meters. The site will be transformed into a scaled-down, kid-size city, complete with streets, buildings, utilities and vehicles. The aim is to offer children aged 4-14 the opportunity to work in adult offices and to perform job tasks.

Xavier Lopez Ancona, founder and worldwide CEO of KidZania, said parents are finding new ways to motivate their children and to prepare them for future roles. The company seeks to provide both children and their parents a fun and educational environment where children can learn to role-play and take on adult activities. The experience is expected to enhance children’s creativity, communication skills and critical thinking.

He elaborated that to add to the realistic environment, children will be participating in activities sponsored by over 400 real-life leading multinational and local brands.

Tourism Authority of Thailand supports the 13th World Gourmet Festival to be held September 3-9, 2012

Welcoming chefs, winemakers and food experts from around the globe for a celebration of great cuisine and wine

Bangkok, August 6, 2012 - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is an official sponsor of the 13th annual World Gourmet Festival, organized by the Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok, set to take place at the hotel from September 3 to 9, 2012.

Since its inception, the Festival has grown in prominence to feature an extraordinary lineup of some of the best chefs, winemakers and food experts from across the globe, all under one roof for a week-long celebration of outstanding food and superb wines.

Chefs currently confirmed to participate are:
• Shiqin Chen, La Rei, Il Boscareto, Piedmont, Italy
• Igor Macchia, La Credenza, Piedmont, Italy
• Michael Mina, Michael Mina Restaurants, USA
• Masa Shimakawa, ONYX, California, USA
• Frédéric Vardon, LE 39V, Paris, France
• Victor Quintilla, Lluerna, Barcelona, Spain
• Galvin Lim, Les Amis, Singapore

Also confirmed to participate in World Gourmet Festival events are Master of Wine Jeannie Cho Lee, who will be conducting a wine masterclass, Eleveur de Fromage Jean-Francois Antony, who will be hosting cheese-tasting events, and a cigar and rum-pairing event with Patoro Cigars and Eastory Rums.

Once again this year, the World Gourmet Festival is proud to support HRH Princess Soamsawali’s Save A Child’s Life from AIDS Project under the auspices of the Thai Red Cross Society. A portion of every ticket price, as well as proceeds from an auction, will be donated to this charity.

More to Come

More chefs will be announced in the coming weeks, and all the latest updates and further information about this year's festival will be available at www.worldgourmetfestivalbangkok.com as well as Facebook and Twitter

For further information, please contact International Public Relations Division, TAT

TAT governor opens Trang cake festival

TRANG, 5 August 2012 (NNT) - Mr. Suraphon Svetasreni, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), presided over the opening ceremony of the 22nd Cake Festival in the southern coastal province of Trang.

At the ceremony, the TAT governor made a token cut on a giant Trang cake. The 40-kilogram cake was a three-flavor one, measuring one meter at its diameter. Mr. Theerayut Iamtrakoon, governor of Trang province and Mr. Surin Tohtubtiang, vice chairperson of the Thai Chamber of Commerce also joined in the opening ceremony.

Aside from the cake-cutting ceremony, the opening event saw a costume parade of Trang students and a procession of bikers that was over three kilometers long. The event drew the interests of both tourists and residents in the area.

Owners of over thirty cake businesses have brought their wares to sell. The cakes are sold at sixty THB a box while ten THB from the proceed of each box will be donated to support education in the province of Trang.

Longan festival underway in Lamphun

LAMPHUN, 4 August 2012 (NNT) – The province of Lamphun is holding its annual longan festival entitled “Longan, Miracle Fruit of Lamphun”, which will run from August 3 to 12. The festival will feature a number of events, including a competition to name the best vehicle decorated with longan, which will see 11 competing vehicles, each with a beauty queen contestant on board.

The parade of vehicles will travel to the city hall. An official opening ceremony will commence with the cutting the world’s largest longan cake, as well as handing out awards to winners of agricultural products contest, and longan-decorated floats. Following this will be a beauty contest and a show by the Mai Muang band with celebrated singers.

Mr. Sakchai Tanatwanit, provincial chief of the Lamhun Agricultre and Agricultural Cooperatives office, made known that Lamphun is the largest grower of longan in the country, having the most land dedicated to cultivation of the fruit. The festival is being held to educate longan farmers to help them increase the quality and standard of the fruit produced. The longan is an important cash crop of the province.

4 Gulf of Thailand provinces joining hands to promote tourism

SURAT THANI, 4 August 2012 (NNT) – A new tourism promotion effort is being launched under the cooperation of provinces located along the Gulf of Thailand.

Director of the Surat Thani Province Office of Tourism and Sports Promchote Traivate said that 4 southern provinces along the Gulf of Thailand, including Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Chumphon and Phatthalung, have recently joined in an integrated tourism marketing collaboration.

Mr. Promchote stated that the initiative was intended to connect the tourism industry of all 4 provinces while promoting key and quality products from each locality to visitors.

The project kicks off with the 7-million-baht project, titled “Zest of the South”, scheduled during August 15th and 19th at Queen Sirikit Convention Center in Bangkok.

According to the Surat Thani Province Office of Tourism and Sports, around 3.5 million tourists have visited all the 4 provinces each year, 55 % of whom are Thais and the remainder are foreigners, generating about 35 billion baht in tourism revenue.

In 2012, the tourism income in the four provinces is expected to increase from last year’s record to about 40 billion baht, said Mr. Promchote.

Thai Fruit: The Exotic Taste of a Tropical Paradise

Historic Lamphun: A Journey into Thailand’s Past

Underwater condos for fishes

THAI to fly fleet's first A380 next month

Thailand Hosts Miss Hong Kong Pageant 2012 Finalists

Photo Release: Thailand Wins Golfers’ Choice Award 2012

Go Exclusively to Thailand

TAT Awarded as Best Overseas Tourism Office in India

Sixty One Thai Tourism Products Score High Marks in Best in Travel 2012 Poll

Chiang Mai launches tourism promotion campaign

Special Report: Thais encouraged to visit Chiba - Gateway to Japan

National Parks entrance fees raised nationwide

Travel agents: Outbound tourists cut by half this year

Roadshow for Amazing Thailand to Punjab & West Bengal

Tourism Authority of Thailand to encourage growth of medical tourism sector with Thailand Medical & Wellness Tourism Trade Familiarization Trip

TAT to organize concerts to commemorate royal birthdays

Chiang Khan opens scenic biking route in line with TAT eco-friendly initiatives

Feeling Heavenly at Wat Pho after a Thai Massage

Cha-am annual tourism festival will begin in September

Doi Inthanon awarded best hiking park

Luxury Cruise Ship Route Featuring MV “Ocean Dream” Launched on Gulf of Thailand, Reinforcing Thailand’s Position as the Travel Hub of the ASEAN Region

Chang Island Becomes Greener

Pai in the Sky: Go Green

Loei’s Homestay Attracts Slow Tourism

Nan: New Gateway to Laos

Phuket: Door to Thailand

Airports of Thailand: Suvarnabhumi's eastern runway returned to service

TAT will stage world’s biggest fashion show mid August

KidZania set to debut at Siam Paragon in December

Tourism Authority of Thailand supports the 13th World Gourmet Festival to be held September 3-9, 2012

TAT governor opens Trang cake festival

Longan festival underway in Lamphun

4 Gulf of Thailand provinces joining hands to promote tourism