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https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40013647

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is happy that Bangkok has been selected by readers of DestinAsian magazine as best city destination for tourists in Asia Pacific for 2022.

Government Spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said Prayut was happy after learning about the results of the DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards 2022.

The magazine announced that “Thailand’s riverside capital” won the top honour as the favourite city destination for tourists, pipping Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Seoul.

Bangkok had also won the top honour in 2020.

The spokesman said the prime minister was also happy that Phuket and Koh Samui were picked among the top five favourite island destinations by the magazine’s readers.

DestinAsian reported that Bali remains unchallenged as the favourite island destination in the region while Maldives came second, Phuket was third, Koh Samui fourth and Phu Quoc in Vietnam fifth.

The magazine also reported that its readers voted Suvarnabhumi Airport as the third best international airport.

The Royal Orchid Plus programme of Thai Airways International won fourth place in the top five “Best Frequent Flier Programme”.

Published : March 21, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40013526

With preventive measures for new arrivals easing since March 1, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has published guidelines on when the country’s beaches are at their best.

Under new travel measures, foreign tourists will no longer have to take a second RT-PCR test on the fifth day of their stay in Thailand, while the Covid-19 insurance coverage for foreigners has also been reduced from US$50,000 to $20,000.

TAT believes the easing of these measures may draw more foreign tourists.

Published : March 18, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40013115

Hotels in the South report that Russian tourists are now cancelling reservations after their credit cards were suspended as part of economic sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine.

Visa, Mastercard and Swift have blocked use of Russian credit cards abroad, cutting off Russian travellers from their bank accounts.

“We are now implementing a cash-only policy for Russian tourists wishing to book a room to avoid any risks and problems,” said Athit Suphrompitak of Phi Phi Resort in Krabi province on Sunday. “Since Russia was removed from SWIFT, some Russian tourists have cancelled their reservations at our resort. Normally Russian tourists arrive around late March and stay from one to three weeks to enjoy the summer,” he added.

Meanwhile, Atthawich Supha, senior sales executive at Melia Hotel in Phuket, has said that the hotel has lost about 15 per cent of customers since the Russia-Ukraine war started.

“We are concerned that if the situation persists, prolonged economic sanctions will affect international transactions and damage Thailand’s tourism industry, which relies heavily on foreign income.”

Atthawich said his hotel has asked the Bank of Thailand to find alternative methods for Russian tourists to pay for hotel and other services in Thailand.

“We urge the government to find a solution to this problem as soon as possible. All we can do now is offer Russian customers free rescheduling of their reservations, but we still have no idea when the situation will improve.”

Russia was the top market for Thailand’s tourism sector during the Covid-19 crisis, with more than 63,000 arrivals between November 2020 and February 2022. Russian tourists spent an estimated Bt4.1 billion during that period.

However, Russian tourists have dropped from first to sixth in the rankings of international arrivals since March 1. The number of Russian travellers registering under the Test & Go scheme has dropped from 600-700 per day before the war started to around 300 per day this month.

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Published : March 07, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40013070

The government recently launched the fourth phase of the “Rao Tiew Duay Kan” (We Travel Together) and “Tour Tiew Thai” co-payment schemes to encourage domestic travel and boost revenue for tourism operators.

The fourth phase of the “Rao Tiew Duay Kan” scheme runs from February 1 to May 31. Those who have registered for previous phases of this scheme can register again via the Paotang application, while those who have never registered can do so via the website.

As of noon on Saturday, 1,134,918 rights for hotel subsidies and 594,648 rights for flight subsidies were available.

Meanwhile, the “Tour Tiew Thai” scheme runs from February 8 to April 30, and as of noon on Saturday, there were 158,018 rights left.

Under this scheme, people can buy tour packages using the Paotang application or via the website.

Tour packages are divided into Silver, Gold and Platinum categories based on the price.

Under this scheme, the government pays 40 per cent of the package, capped at no more than 5,000 baht per person.

Registrants must be over 18 and are not allowed to use the subsidy offered with the “Rao Tiew Duay Kan” scheme simultaneously.

Published : March 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40012995

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and its partners have launched “Thailand Holideals”, which enables people to use digital tokens to purchase tourism packages and vouchers at special prices on Thursday.

TAT deputy governor for domestic marketing Thapanee Kiatphaibool said the project features tourism packages and vouchers, covering accommodation, restaurants, spas, and recreational activities, from tourism agencies nationwide.

Meanwhile, people can pay for packages and vouchers with digital tokens, she added.

“This is the first project that allows people to use digital tokens to purchase tourism products,” she said. “This project aims to meet the new generation’s lifestyle and promote domestic tourism.”

She expected the project to help the country penetrate offline and online markets, stimulate tourism entrepreneurs’ sales and meet the demands of travellers.

She said the project is offering tourism packages and vouchers with starting price at 9 baht under Shopee’s 3.3 campaign, adding that the project will offer tourism packages and vouchers with a special price during the 4.4 campaign as well.

“TAT believes that this project offers a new experience in the Thai tourism industry, encouraging tourists to travel and stimulate the economy,” she added.

Interested people can purchase tourism packages and vouchers, as well as get more information, on www.tourismthailand.org/holideals.

Published : March 03, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40012991

Ari district in Bangkok has been ranked 47th by Time Out in its “Coolest Neighbourhoods in the World 2021” survey.

Time Out Group is a global media and hospitality business that inspires and enables people to explore and enjoy the best of a city.

In 2021, Time Out polled 27,000 city-dwellers and asked local experts to rank the greatest places.

The world’s top three coolest neighbourhoods in 2021 were:

1. Nørrebro, Copenhagen
2. Andersonville, Chicago
3. Jongno 3-ga, Seoul.

Meanwhile, three neighbourhoods in Southeast Asia made it to the list:

33. Katong, Singapore
46. Poblacion, Manila
47. Ari, Bangkok
 

The criteria for a ranking are outstanding food, entertainment, culture, and community. Time Out also considered community spirit, resilience, and sustainability amid the Covid-19 situation.

According to the survey, Ari is a unique district with families who’ve lived there for generations. It also comprises small businesses and stores dishing out a variety of Thai and international food at affordable prices. The Bangkok neighbourhood also has charming tree-lined alleys and is close to green areas such as Chatuchak Park.

Furthermore, it has a vibrant online community and community media which publicise the district, such as “Ari Around” and “Your neighbor Ari”.

Established in 1968, Time Out distributes content written and curated by local expert journalists on the best food, drinks, culture, art, music, theatre, travel and entertainment in 331 cities across 59 countries.

Published : March 03, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40012932

A cabinet meeting on Tuesday approved a budget of 1.41 billion baht for the construction of a Phuket Integrated Medical Services Centre to promote the province as a world-class medical tourism destination.

“Construction of the centre will commence next year and take about four years to complete, or before the end of 2026,” government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Tuesday.

“The Treasury Department will supply the land plot of 141 rai as well as the budget of 1.41 billion baht for the construction. The centre will be under the supervision of Vachira Phuket Hospital and the Public Health Ministry,” he said.

Once complete, the Phuket Integrated Medical Services Centre will be an international health/medical hub that provides premium long-term care to Thai and foreign customers, as well as serve as a hospice and rehabilitation centre for those with chronic health problems.

The centre is expected to attract Thai and foreign tourists in the medical/wellness group as well as more investment in relevant industries and generate employment for local communities.

The Public Health Ministry is considering a suitable management approach for the centre from five viable options: fully owned and operated by the government, a half-private half-public hospital, a public organisation, a public-private partnership, or a special management facility.

The ministry has already finished an environmental impact assessment of the project.

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Published : March 02, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40012577

The 2022 Ranong Seafood Festival kicked off on Saturday at Ban Ngaow Canal in Muang district.

The event, which features music performances and seafood street stalls with special prices runs for five days until Wednesday (February 23) from 3pm to 8pm.

“The Ranong Seafood Festival aims to attract both Thai and foreign tourists to Ranong to speed up economic recovery from the impact of Covid-19, as well as to showcase the safety of Ranong’s seafood products,” said Boonchai Somjai, Ranong deputy governor.

The event is being organised in collaboration with the Commerce Ministry, which also wants to promote Ranong as a trade hub of the South, led by the seafood industry, to help create more jobs for the locals.

The opening ceremony on Saturday was the cue for crowds of visitors to sample low-priced, fresh seafood and panoramic views of the Andaman Sea. The festival is taking place under Public Health Ministry Covid-19 preventive measures.

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Published : February 21, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40012212

Bangkok’s green lung, Bang Krachao, will be developed as a tourist attraction and given the SHA certification to ensure visitors’ safety, the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Dasta) said.

Dasta director Group Capt Atikhun Kongmee said on Thursday that the objective of the decision was to generate revenue through eco-friendly tourism. This will also improve the quality of life for people in the area sustainably.

Apart from being given the SHA certification and other tourism-related awards, Bang Krachao will also be developed into a gastronomical paradise for gourmets.

Dasta is also releasing video clips to promote the area and build awareness via bloggers.

Bang Krachao earned 237,178 baht in revenue when Covid-19 restrictions were eased, and Dasta reckons more people will travel to the area when the situation returns to normal.

Since 2021, Dasta has been working on improving six communities, namely Song Khanong, Bang Yo, Bang Nam Phueng, Bang Kobua, Bang Krasop and Bang Krachao.

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Published : February 11, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40012153

The government’s “Tour Tiew Thai” co-payment campaign that had opened for registration since May last year has added a new category to help people select packaged tours that suit their needs.

“Registrants at www.ทัวร์เที่ยวไทย.ไทย will find there are three types of packaged tours to choose from – Platinum for high-price packages, Gold for medium prices and Silver for economic package tours,” deputy government spokesperson Traisulee Traisoranakul said on Wednesday.

The Tour Tiew Thai co-payment scheme will see the government covering up to 40 per cent of tour costs for a maximum of 200,000 people. The subsidy is capped at Bt5,000 per trip.

To be eligible, people must purchase a tour package of up to 12,000 baht from selected tourist agencies and the packages must be for at least two nights.

Registrant must be Thai nationals aged over 18. However, the benefits under the Tour Tiew Thai campaign cannot be used in conjunction with benefits from the “Rao Tiew Duay Kan” (We Travel Together) campaign.

Tour Tiew Thai has seen an underwhelming response, with only around 32,000 registrants as of February 9, prompting the government to extend the deadline of the campaign from February 2022 to May 2022 and add the new package-tour category.

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Published : February 10, 2022

By : THE NATION