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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40021504

TAT creates new strategy to promote Thailand as ‘sustainable’ destination

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2022

Nongluck Ajanapanya

Thailand will be rebranded as a “sustainable” destination to attract better quality tourists as well as preserve local communities and the environment.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) devised this plan just as the industry is starting to recover, with up to 7.3 million arrivals so far this year.

TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn told the press on Friday that Thailand’s priority is not just to be a top destination but also a sustainable one.

He said TAT will launch three key strategies next year, namely greater change, a more affordable experience and collaborative networking.

“Greater change indicates that tourism-related businesses should be ready to transform operations in line with the bio-circular-green [BCG] economy model,” the TAT chief said. “That includes waste reduction, resource efficiency and carbon emission neutrality.”

The SHA Green stamp – Thailand’s standard for environmentally friendly practices and low emissions – will be given to hotels and businesses that genuinely strive to be sustainable, Yuthasak added.

TAT is also planning to launch a new awards system for companies that excel in sustainable tourism, he said, adding that offering tourists a “wonderful experience” will also inspire them to contribute to the local economy and environment.

Yuthasak also announced that TAT is collaborating with real-estate conglomerate Assets World Corporation (AWC) and leading hotel groups to promote Thailand as a top destination for eco-friendly travel.

“[With this partnership], we hope to set a real example of what sustainable tourism should be like and demonstrate how serious we are about keeping the nation’s engine industry – tourism – revved up,” he said.

Wallapa Traisorat, AWC’s CEO and president, said the group shares TAT’s sustainability goals and hotels like Marriott, Banyan Tree, Okura, Hilton, IHG and Melia are also joining in.

“AWC is working with other partners from different industries and global hotel chains to bring all properties up to TAT’s ‘SHA’ standards to achieve the objective of carbon neutrality and zero waste by 2030,” Wallapa said.

Yuthasak, meanwhile, said TAT will propose that the Cabinet extend the “We Travel Together” co-payment travel scheme for a fifth time to cover the New Year holidays.

“If extended, the fifth phase will provide funding for 2 million rooms totalling about 7.2 billion baht,” the TAT chief said.

TAT expects 10 million people to travel around the country this year, and double the number next year with about 40 per cent being locals.

Nongluck Ajanapanya

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40021482

Chiang Mai gets ready for tourists as airlines increase flights to North

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2022

The North of Thailand can expect an influx of local and foreign tourists as airlines are reviving their flights to Chiang Mai ahead of the November to April high season.

Chiang Mai governor Nirat Pongsitthavorn said on Friday that provincial authorities are in talks with Nok Air to increase Bangkok-Chiang Mai flights from eight to 12 daily from November 1.

Korean Air, meanwhile, has bumped up its Seoul-Chiang Mai service to four flights per week since October 1 and expects to add another two flights per week from December to accommodate at least 22,000 passengers weekly.

Lao Airlines will increase the frequency of flights to Chiang Mai from Vientiane and Luang Prabang to three per week from next month, while EVA Air will operate seven Taipei-Chiang Mai flights per week also from next month.

EVA Air is expected to use the 184-seater Airbus A320 to ferry European, American and Japanese travellers from Taiwan to Chiang Mai.

China Airlines, meanwhile, will operate three Taipei-Chiang Mai flights per week from January 20.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40021471

Chiang Rai opens glass skywalk at Golden Triangle of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2022

Visitors to Chiang Rai are getting bird’s-eye views of the famous Golden Triangle after the northern province opened its latest tourism attraction. The glass platforms and bridges of Pha Ngao Skywalk offer 360-degree views of the meeting point of three countries – Thailand, Laos and Myanmar.

The new attraction was officially opened at Wat Phra That Pha Ngao in Chiang Saen district on Thursday by deputy governor Suphaphan Manjaroen and secretary to the sports minister Khemmapol Auitayakul

Visitors walk 9.9 metres along a glass bridge to a pair of octagonal glass platforms 25 metres above the ground. The skywalk faces north towards the Mekong River about 400 metres away, offering a panoramic view of the meeting point between three countries, known as the Golden Triangle.

The skywalk also has two walkways that link to the Phra That Phuttha Nimit pagoda, which is situated on a hill 486 metres above sea level.

Construction of the glass viewpoint began in 2020 with a budget of 35 million baht.

A soft opening of the new landmark last Saturday (October 22) allowed over 20,000 tourists to visit the skywalk over the long weekend for King Chulalongkorn Memorial Day.

Pha Ngao Skywalk is open 7.30am to 6pm daily and entry costs 40 baht per person. The platform can accommodate 100 tourists at a time and visitors are provided with special socks to prevent damage to the glass.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40021431

Rare twin waterfalls on Krabi’s scenic Koh Rok spring to life, delighting tourists

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2022

Tourists were in awe of rare twin seaside waterfalls on Krabi’s tiny paradise island of Rok as they cascaded down a cliff, showcasing their beauty.

Late October is the only time of the year that tourists visiting Mu Ko Lanta National Park can witness the rare sight, according to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP).

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, the DNP said that every year a basin of water forms around this time after weeks of heavy rains, which leads to two streams of water pouring down from the rocky cliff on this scenic island 30km south of Koh Lanta, a famous snorkelling and diving site on Thailand’s west coast.

Officials had surveyed the cliff and found that the top is a huge basin that retains a large amount of rainwater until it overflows down into the sea.

During other months, Koh Rok is also famous among Thai and foreign visitors for its white sandy beach, crystal-clear water and beautiful coral reefs, making it an excellent destination for snorkelling.

Koh Rok Nok, which is farther away and where the head office of the Mu Ko Lanta National Park is situated, meanwhile features a nature trail along a sandy beach and is dubbed “Queen of the Andamans” by locals and tourists.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40021375

Thailand ranks high in the world of digital nomads

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2022

A new generation of workers are living their lives as digital nomads, travelling around the world while working online to earn their living. Thailand is one of the most popular destinations for these workers.

Digital nomads (DNs) are people who live like nomads while working remotely, using technology and the internet.

Steve Roberts was one of the first DNs.

In 1983, he rode around the United States on a computerised bicycle.

A magazine referred to him as a “high-tech nomad”.

The term “digital nomad” was coined in the early 1990s.

Many DNs come from more-developed nations.

They tend to travel on a travel visa.

But working while on a travel visa technically is illegal and controversial.

— 21 countries have created a digital nomad visa or have a programme targeting DNs

— 28 countries offer visas valid for six months or more that are digital-nomad friendly

Thailand is not in either of these groups.

But Thailand is not known for being too strict, either, regarding working remotely on a tourist visa.

Here are some statistics of DNs in 2022 (Information from “A brother Abroad”)

There are over 35 million DNs across the globe (half of Thailand in population size).

The DN community’s economic value is estimated at $787 billion per year.

— 49.81% are females and 50.19% are males

— 76% white, 10% Latino/Hispanic, 8% Asian, 6% black

— 31% US, 8% Portugal, 7% Germany, 5% Brazil

The average age is 40 years old:

— 47% are in their 30’s

The oldest digital nomad in this survey was 72 years old.

DNs have been travelling for 6.1 years on average

— 85% have been on the road longer than a year

— 83% of DNs are self-employed

— 66% of self-employed DNs own their own business

The most common professions for digital nomads are marketing, computer sciences/IT, design, writing, and eCommerce.

The average digital nomad has a $1,875 monthly budget.

— 66% of digital nomads prefer to stay in a single place for 3 to 6 months
— 23% prefer to work from their home or accommodation, 21% work from co-working spaces, 14% work in cafes

— 56% of digital nomads see the cost of living and fast, accessible internet as the major factor in choosing a location to stay

The top 10 places for DNs, as rated by DNs, are:

Mexico 13%
Thailand 12%
Indonesia 9%
Colombia 7%
Vietnam 5%
Portugal
Turkey
Costa Rica
Brazil
Philippines

Southeast Asia was the most popular region with 34% of the votes, Central America 16%, South America 13%

Some of the best places in Thailand for DNs:

1. Bangkok
2. Chiang Mai
3. Koh Phangan
4. Koh Lanta
5. Krabi Town
6. Phuket
7. Koh Samui

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40021374

North, Northeast tourism revenue expected to inch close to pre-Covid level in 2023

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2022

Tourism revenue in the North and Northeast would return close to the pre-pandemic amount in 2023, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has forecast.

Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT’s deputy governor for domestic marketing, said that the cold weather is a positive factor for Thailand.

She expected the number of travellers to the North and Northeast to be high in November and December, as the occupancy rate in major cities, including Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai. Udon Thani, and Khon Kaen, is higher than 80 per cent.

She considered both regions as “leaders” in creating tourism momentum to help generate 880 billion baht in 2023, which amounts to 80 per cent of the 1 trillion baht generated in 2019.

“The weather forecast for this year points to an extended cold season, longer than last year’s winter. It will create a positive psychological effect for Thai travellers, as they will be more prepared to travel domestically during the cold season.

“TAT expects tourism in the North and Northeast will help other regions boost overall tourism revenue in 2022 to exceed the goal of 656 billion baht and achieve the goal of 160 domestic travellers,” Thapanee said.

In the first nine months of 2022, Thailand earned 642 billion baht from 177 million domestic tourists.

More than 58.3 per cent, or 103 million tourists, stayed overnight and generated 548 billion baht for the country. They spent on average 2,800 baht per trip, 43 per cent lower than the 4,000 baht target.

She said the average stay was around 2.21 days per trip. The number was lower than 2.37 days in 2019 but the frequency was higher.

Meanwhile 41.63 per cent, or 73 million people, were one-day tourists. They generated 93 billion baht with average spending of around 1,300 to 1,400 per trip.

Thapanee said that the New Year festival will be the highlight at the end of the year as provinces are preparing a countdown festival to celebrate the new year after Covid-19.

She said that the TAT is choosing the best area in Bangkok, which might be Rattanakosin Island, to hold the grand countdown celebration event and has let US news channel CNN televise it along with other events in the world, to send the message that Thailand is ready to welcome tourists.

She also talked about TAT’s strategy for next year. The organisation aims to use “content marketing” to promote meaningful travel.

TAT aimed to encourage Thai people to travel every day through the campaign, “365 Days of Thai Wonders… Daily Travelling”.

The campaign planned to promote the identity of each region and set different tourism themes each day for every type of tourist.

Meanwhile, the TAT will also promote new tourist destinations with promotions from the private sector through several projects to stimulate domestic travel, as several countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan are handing out tourism packages to attract Thai tourists.

She cited the statistics of tourism behaviour of eight groups to help prepare tourism packages:

• Couples, 36% travel rate
• Friends, 18%
• Family, 10%
• Solo male, 9.5%
• Millennial family, 9%’
• Sole female, 8%
• Power women, 5%
• Relatives, 3.2%

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40021346

TAT floats spectacular Loy Krathong plan for 6 provinces

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2022

Thailand’s Loy Krathong festival this year promises to be particularly spectacular in at least six provinces, complete with cultural activities, performances and shopping bargains.

TAT is organising the extravaganzas in:

• Bangkok: November 6 to 8, Santichaiprakarn Park, Phra Nakhon

• Sukhothai: October 29 to November 8, Sukhothai Historical Park, Muang district

• Tak: November 5 to 8, Rim Sai Than Lan Krathong Sai near Rattanakosin Memorial Bridge, Muang district

• Chiang Mai: November 7 to 9, Chiang Mai Old City Moat and Chiang Mai Municipality, Muang Chiang Mai district

• Roi-Et: November 7 to 8, Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Park and Phlan Chai Lake, Muang district

• Samut Songkhram: November 5 to 8, King Rama II Memorial Park and Wat Phummarin Kudi Thong, Amphawa district

Loy Krathong, also known as the “festival of lights”, is celebrated across Thailand and nearby countries on the full moon of the 12th month of the Lunar calendar. This year the date falls on November 8. Devout Buddhists usually “float” away their sins and seek blessings from the Goddess of Water, Phra Mae Khongkha, on the day.

“This will also give tourists a chance to experience cultural traditions unique to each province,” the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said on Monday.

For more information, call the TAT Contact Centre at 1672 or visit www.thailandfestival.org.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40021342

TAT ‘thanks’ Malaysian travel agents for 1 million tourists with gala in Kuala Lumpur

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2022

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) held a special “thank you” party for Malaysian travel agents who promoted Thailand as a preferred tourist destination.

The event, “Amazing Thailand, A Million Thanks to the Malaysians”, was held in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.

Tanes Petsuwan, TAT deputy governor for marketing in Asia and South Pacific, said Thailand had welcomed more than a million Malaysian tourists thanks to support from travel partners in the neighbouring country.

“Malaysia has been the No 1 market so far this year, with more than a million arrivals from January to mid-October. This is due to our industry partners in Malaysia – travel agents, tour and bus operators, airlines and the media – doing such a wonderful job in promoting Thailand. We wish to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to them,” Tanes said at the event.

From January 1 to October 7, some 1.1 million Malaysian tourists entered Thailand, with 60 per cent crossing the land borders in the South, Tanes said.

He added that apart from offering an extended stay to Malaysian passport holders, visiting Thailand has become very easy and affordable thanks to the 27 daily flights between Thai and Malaysian cities.

Since October 1, Thailand fully reopened to tourists and is offering 45-day arrival stamps to eligible nationalities until March 31.

The event was opened by Thailand’s charge d’affaires Piyapin Niyomrerks, who delivered the welcome speech. This was followed by a thank you speech by Tanes. Also present were Malaysian celebrity couple Henley Hii and Pauline Tan.

Guests were entertained by two Thai cultural shows – a traditional dance performance and a “wai kru Muay Thai” dance ritual.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40021336

Phuket hails return of mega cruise ships after 2 years in Covid doldrums

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2022

The world’s mega-cruise ships returned to Phuket after two years as the 5,600-berth Spectrum of the Sea docked at Patong Beach Pier on Monday.

The Singapore-based cruise ship – one of the world’s largest – was carrying 4,594 tourists from 59 countries, mainly Singapore, Malaysia, India, the Philippines and Indonesia.

Governor Narong Woonciew said it was the first large cruise ship to dock in Phuket in two years after Covid-19 crippled the tourism island’s economy.

He hailed its arrival as a strong sign that Phuket tourism is starting to pick up, explaining that cruise ship passengers usually have high spending power.

“We expect to see more cruise ships visiting Phuket, with about one vessel per week in the coming months,” Narong said.

Amissara Jitharn, manager at Sea Tour travel agents, said about 800 Spectrum of the Sea passengers had bought one-day tour packages to see Phuket’s beaches and other attractions.

The day trips cost from 500-1,000 baht per person depending on the itinerary. However, the price can rise to 3,000 baht if packages include visits to attractions outside Phuket such as Ko Phi Phi in Krabi or Phang Nga Bay.

She added that the company had also notified tourists that the Patong-Kathu highway has been closed to vehicles after being damaged in a landslide last Wednesday.

“Foreign tourists understand the situation and don’t think it will affect their travel experience that much,” she said.

Pre-pandemic in 2019, Phuket welcomed 154 cruise ships carrying a total of 485,598 passengers and crew.