Dr. Patrapol Maneeorn, Wildlife Veterinarian of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) talks about the Thai people’s centuries-old bond with animals, and how he is always hopefully optimistic about the future conservation and welfare of animals, national parks, and wildlife in Thailand. Q: What is your view on the current state of elephant/animal welfare in Thailand? There are two major issues concerning animal welfare in Thailand. First is the conflict between wildlife and humans. These days humans and wild animals live in closer proximity than ever before due to the loss of wildlife habitat. Concerning factors include deforestation, the popularity of keeping wild animals as pets, and climate change. In our region (Asia), human behaviour like the illegal animal trade and consumption are also crucial factors. All together, these factors drive wild animals to conflict with humans. Another issue is animal cruelty, which affects both society’s feeling and Thailand’s reputation. In the past, it has been much harder for us to investigate. But today thanks to technology, Thai citizens and tourists can help report their suspicions […]

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has supported a unique forum organised by a long-serving Thai travel trade journalist on the enlightening 60-year history of Thai tourism. TAT Governor Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn and TAT Deputy Governor for Digital Research and Development Mr. Siripakorn Chaewsamoot headed a team of TAT executives who participated in the forum organised on 14 June, 2019, by Mr. Imtiaz Muqbil, Executive Editor, Travel Impact Newswire. Named “Thailand: The Greatest Story in Global Tourism HiSTORY,” the forum was designed as a build-up to 2020 when TAT will mark the 60th anniversary of its founding. It included a detailed historic analysis of the many factors that have driven Thai tourism forward, shaped the kingdom’s tourism image and made it the leading economic and job-creating sector. The day-long Forum featured hindsights on the history of important contributing factors; such as, the aviation sector, the emergence of the Greater Mekong Subregion, and the re-invention of several domestic destinations. Mr. Muqbil also discussed how Thailand has dealt with the many crises that have impacted tourism and paid tribute to industry veterans, […]

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to report that a recent poll by Booking.com across 29 countries found Thai people to be among the top nationalities who consider their country to be more hospitable than others. Thailand along with Indonesia, Mexico, Taiwan and India are the top five countries where locals believe hospitality to be in their DNA, according to the research that Booking.com conducted on 21,500 travellers from the 29 countries. Thailand stood out from among the 29, with Thai poll respondents confident their country had the ‘host’ factor being recorded at 85 percent. Booking.com described Thailand as “the perfect destination for travellers seeking to experience a warm welcome and immerse themselves in the local culture”. This follows on from an October-November 2018 survey in which the travel e-commerce company – one of the world’s largest – discovered that nearly a quarter of global travellers planned to stay in different types of accommodation in 2019, and that Thailand was well placed to capitalise on this trend. This online research was carried out among a sample of 53,492 […]

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket Office recently organised the “Phuket Surf Fest 2019” to kick off the Phuket Surf Series 2019, scheduled from June to September, and promote tourism during the current Green Season. The Phuket Surf Fest 2019 event was held under collaboration with Patong Municipality, Surfing Thailand, Phuket Surfing Club, Quiksilver Thailand and the public and private sector partners, from 31 May to 2 June at the Loma Park on Patong Beach. TAT Phuket Office Director Mrs. Kanokkittika Kritwutikon said the Phuket Surf Fest 2019 spotlighted Phuket as a destination for surfing and ramped up promotion for the Phuket Surf Series 2019, scheduled during June-September at five popular beaches in Phuket: Surin, Patong, Kamala, Kata and Kalim. She added that the Phuket Surf Series 2019 continued the success of the inaugural “Phuket Surf Series 2018+KHAOLAK”, which saw an increased number of surfers and surfing enthusiasts taking part or enjoying the competitions. “We hope that this year’s Phuket Surf Fest 2019 will continue to impress local and international travellers with the possibility to enjoy surfing in Phuket, […]

The Thailand Travel Mart Plus, the country’s leading B2B travel show, opened for business on 5 June 2019, ushering in a new era of business opportunities for new buyers from new markets looking for emerging new Thai destinations. The three-day TTM+ 2019 is being held under the theme of ‘New Shades of Emerging Destinations’ as part of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) strategy to promote 55 provincial destinations which are already popular with domestic tourists and now seen as being ready for an influx of foreign visitors. The objective is to create jobs and distribute revenue countrywide, from major cities to local communities, while creating sustainability by balancing the number of visitors to the destinations. Mrs. Srisuda Wanapinyosak, TAT Deputy Governor of International Marketing (Europe, Africa, Middle East and Americas) said that this year’s TTM Plus features some important changes in the trade show component to ensure enhanced business opportunities for both buyers and sellers. She said “The total of 340 buyers from 51 countries is up 18.47% over 2018. Meanwhile, the TAT is seeking to step up its […]

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is promoting Songkran 2019 festivities in three emerging destinations – Tak, Mukdahan and Ranong – and is supporting activities in eight other provinces (Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Lampang, Ayutthaya, Phuket and Songkhla) to showcase local traditions of the annual Thai water festival. TAT Governor Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn said secondary destinations offer a different take on the uniqueness of time-honoured Thai traditions at this most important time of the year. “Thailand’s emerging destinations and secondary cities have a unique charm that is often found in smaller towns around the world. Some traditions are maintained in these places that might have faded in larger more established destinations like Bangkok or Pattaya. “While international tourists see Songkran as a boisterous fun festival, for Thais it is a traditional time to place family first, pay respect to one’s elders and visit temples. Visitors should get more out of Songkran if they take time to embrace its origins and traditions,” he added. In addition to traditional Songkran celebrations, each of the three destinations – Tak, Mukadahan and […]

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is launching its second TAT Newsroom “Blogger Thailand” competition for international bloggers residing in the Kingdom, offering six successful applicants the chance to go on an exclusive three-day itinerary. Campaign dates for submissions run from 1 April to 31 May, 2019, with trip dates proposed for July 2019. The competition is open to bloggers residing in Thailand with an established, active blog (website) plus at least one main social media account with serious engagement. This category accepts submission of photos, videos, or blogs that highlight off-the-beaten track Thai destinations or unseen experiences around Thailand. The entry can cover any of the following subjects: local Thai culinary tours, less crowded natural attractions, local Thai festivals and folk performances, unique Thai traditions, homestays and community markets. The competition accepts only one entry per applicant. It can be a blog, vlog or photo (all content should be submitted in English only). Entry blogs must be from 400 to 500 words long with up to five complementary photos illustrating each story. Each photo should be submitted via a […]

Zwiększenie liczby chińskich gości przybyłych w grudniu do Tajlandii pomogło zamknąć rok 2018 łączną liczbą 38,27 miliona przyjazdów, generując przychody z turystyki w wysokości ponad dwa biliony bahtów. Według tajskiego Ministerstwa Turystyki i Sportu liczba odwiedzających wzrosła z 675 129 osób w listopadzie do 883 634 osób w grudniu, zamykając rok liczbą 10 535 955 odwiedzających, co stanowi wzrost o 7,44% w stosunku do 2017 r. Podobnie wydatki chińskich turystów wzrosły z 36,5 miliarda bahtów w listopadzie do 44,5 miliarda bahtów w grudniu, kończąc rok z 580,69 miliardów bahtów. W sumie, w stosunku do 2017 odnotowano wzrost o 7,54% co do liczby odwiedzających Tajlandię turystów z zagranicy. Szacunkowe 2,007 bilionów bahtów w przychodach z turystyki stanowi wzrost o 9,63%. Po raz pierwszy dziesięć krajów i jedno terytorium SAR (Chiny, Malezja, Korea Południowa, Laos PDR., Japonia, Indie, Rosja, USA, Singapur, Wietnam i Hongkong SAR) wygenerowało ponad milion przyjazdów. Podsumowanie najważniejszych wyników w 2018 r. : wszystkie regiony, z wyjątkiem Bliskiego Wschodu i Oceanii, dobrze sobie radziły, goście z Azji Wschodniej 26,06 miliona (+ 9,30%), Europa 6,76 miliona (3,86%), Ameryki 1,60 miliona […]

The Thai Hotels Association (THA) is joining the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in its ongoing effort aimed at reducing the use of plastic. Various campaigns will encourage hotels, both THA members and independent Thai hotels, to reduce single use plastic plus motivate tour companies, travel agencies and online travel agencies to support participating hotels that are part of this project. TAT Governor Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn said: “We look forward to working closely with the THA on this important project. Thai hotels can play an important role both in raising awareness among their guests and reducing plastic waste in daily hotel operations.” The joint effort will invoke 12 preliminary guidelines for participating hotels to follow: Reduce plastic packaging used for bathroom amenities. Reduce the use of plastic bags in hotel rooms (laundry or trash bin). Use local products made with biodegradable packaging materials. Reduce plastic water bottles; use reusable containers instead, especially for meetings and seminars. No plastic straws. Self-service corner for coffee/tea breaks during meetings and seminars. Reduce single use plastic food or drink containers. Separate trash bins on […]

Oficjalna wizyta premiera Czech Andreja Babisza w Tajlandii zakończyła się sukcesem obu krajów. Wkrótce tanie połączenia z Bangkoku do Pragi. Premierowi Czech towarzyszyli (w dniach 17-19 stycznia) przedstawiciele 39 wiodących czeskich firm z sektora tzw. wysokich technologii – w sektorze lotniczym, medycznym; technologii szybkich kolei oraz sektora zbrojeniowego. Szereg wyrobów czeskiego przemysłu zbrojeniowego cieszy sie dobrą renomą wśród tajskich importerów. Czeskie wyroby są obecne i dobrze widoczne w tajskich marketach czy centrach handlowych – wśród nich słynne kryształy Bohemia; czy znana w całym świecie marka obuwia Bata. Tajowie wybierają Pragę Według wstępnych szacunków Republikę Czeską odwiedza rocznie około 50 000 tajskich turystów – przy czym sporym zainteresowaniem cieszy sie nie tylko Praga lecz także Krumlov; Karlove Vary oraz Pilzno. Wartym odnotowania jest fakt iż Tourism Authority of Thailand ulokowało swoje główne przedstawicielstwo na Europę Centralną oraz Wschodnią właśnie w Pradze – obejmuje ona działalnością takie kraje jak Czechy, Słowacja, Polska, Ukraina oraz Węgry. Czeska delegacja spotkała się z premierem Tajlandii oraz ministrem przemysłu a także uczestniczyła w kolacji tematycznej poświęconej nowym technologiom. Rząd Tajlandii stworzył Strategiczny Plan Rozwoju Kraju na […]