#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020988

Visitors throng Doi Inthanon to catch glorious sunrise, sea of fog and revel in cold

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

Many tourists flocked to Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai’s Chom Thong district on Thursday, the first day of an extended weekend holiday.

Today is His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great Memorial Day, while Friday is a special holiday approved by the Cabinet in a bid to stimulate domestic tourism.

Most tourists whipped out their smartphones to snap pictures of a spectacular sunrise and a sea of fog amid cold weather.

Temperatures in the Northern province have been on the decrease, much to the delight of many.

The temperature at Doi Inthanon peak and Kew Mae Pan nature trail as of Thursday morning was 11 degrees Celsius.

Doi Inthanon National Park chief Kriangkrai Chaipiset said the park has been reopened to tourists since November 10 last year. Facilities and local guides are ready to welcome tourists, he added.

Kriangkrai expects reservations for accommodations at the national park to keep increasing especially during winter.

“The Kew Mae Pan nature trail is a tourist attraction which features bounteous nature, especially viewpoints that allow visitors to witness a beautiful sunrise and a sea of fog,” he said.

Meanwhile, red millennial roses found on the nature trail can only be seen during the cold season, Kriangkrai added.

Separately, the Thai Meteorological Department expects temperatures in the North to drop a further 2-4 degrees Celsius from October 16 to 18.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020946

Foreign currency exchanges by Thai travellers soar 73%

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2022

Thais made 73 per cent more foreign currency exchanges in September compared to the previous month as more countries reopened fully to visitors, according to statistics collected by YouTrip Thailand.

The operator of the multi-currency travel wallet reported on Tuesday that the significant rise in demand for foreign currency was due to Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong last month lifting travel restrictions and quarantine requirements for international visitors imposed since the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The Japanese yen saw the biggest hike in demand from Thai travellers, with a 341 per cent increase, followed by the Australian dollar at 77 per cent and the British pound at 56 per cent compared to August,” said YouTrip Thailand founding partner Juthasri Kuvinichkul.

Juthasri pointed out that another contributing factor for the rising demand of foreign currency among Thai travellers was the weakening of the baht to 37.5-38 baht to the US dollar – the weakest in 16 years.

“Thais will need to exchange more money for their overseas trips to travel and purchase souvenirs,” she said.

“Meanwhile, the number of international trips booked by Thais is also rising among both business and casual travellers, as people have been forced to postpone overseas trips for nearly three years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Juthasri added that Japan was among the top destinations for Thai travellers in September.

She cited statistics from OTA Insight, which said the search for plane tickets from Thailand to Osaka and Kyoto had jumped 27 and 26 times, respectively, since Japan announced it was lifting travel restrictions.

Unlike hotels in New York and London, those in Japan still maintain discounted prices used during the Covid-19 crisis, which is about 40 per cent cheaper than pre-pandemic normal prices, Juthasri said.

However, she estimates that operators will gradually raise prices as more tourists return.

“This year-end is a good start to overseas travel either for business or pleasure, and is a positive sign for the travel industry that has been on pause for three years during the outbreak,” Juthasri said.

“Due to high demand, travellers will need to plan their reservation and travel schedule ahead, as well as prepare more money to spend on trips due to global inflation and a weakening of the baht,” she advised.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020939

Thailand eyes at least 10,000 high net-worth foreigners for its Elite Card scheme

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2022

Nongluck Ajanapanya

As part of its sustainable tourism strategy, Thailand is planning to pull in more than 10,000 high-potential foreigners who can afford its exclusive elite visa.

Currently, there are some 20,200 Thailand Elite Card holders in the country and the number is expected to grow.

Apichai Chatchalermkit, acting president of Thailand Privilege Card Co, which operates the Elite visa scheme, told the press on Tuesday that the tourism authorities will prioritise social responsibility to attract more environmentally conscious high-worth foreigners.

Hence, based on the ESG (environment, social and governance) philosophy, the company has laid out strategies to improve services and ensure sustainable growth.

Apichai, who is also deputy governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)’s tourism products and business department, said the goal is to strengthen communities and pave the way for growth in line with the government’s bio-circular-green (BCG) economy model.

“More schemes are required to entice quality tourists to the country, and ESG will have a lot to do with it,” he added. “The company has created a value-creating network based on the ESG philosophy under the concept of a ‘network of inclusive growth and sustainable society’.”

He said that under this concept, the company has invested part of the profits generated from the sale of membership cards to benefit organisations involved in local tourism and social development. The organisations gaining from the investment are Hug Muang Nan Foundation, Operation Smile and Dynamic School Thailand.

“So, our members will realise and appreciate that their visit to Thailand is very valuable,” Apichai said, adding that each Elite Card holder can be expected to generate at least 100,000 baht in revenue while in the country.

Thailand has always been popular among foreign tourists, and according to TAT, the country saw some 5.6 million arrivals between January 1 and September 30, 2022, generating 200 billion baht in revenue.

These statistics are consistent with the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), which recently released a list of countries based on their tourism recovery. Thailand topped the list in terms of hotel bookings and came in second for confidence among 10 countries.

Thailand Privilege Card Co was founded in 2003 and is the operator of Thailand Elite Card. The company is a state-owned enterprise under the jurisdiction of TAT, which is also its sole shareholder.

Thailand Elite Card holders are granted a whole host of benefits, including five years of multi-entry visa, 24/7 concierge services and other exclusive services. The cost of an Elite visa can range from 600,000 baht to 1 million baht.

Nongluck Ajanapanya

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020889

TAT launches ‘Amazing Village’ campaign to promote 15 ‘unique’ communities

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2022

THE NATION

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has shifted its focus to promoting tourism in communities by launching its “Amazing Village” campaign.

The campaign, which will focus on 15 communities across the country’s five regions, was recently launched at Bangkok’s Bang Lamphu Museum. The aim of the project is to offer tourists a new, unique experience. TAT also hopes it will encourage travel during weekdays.

The 15 communities covered in the project are:

North

• Tha Chai in Sukhothai province
• Ban Bueng Krachang Ngam in Nakhon Sawan
• On Tai in Chiang Mai

Northeast

• Ban Duea in Nong Khai
• Ban Khok Muang in Buri Ram
• Suksomboon in Nakhon Ratchasima

East

• Bang Kobua in Samut Prakan
• Ban Thammachat Lang in Trat
• Ban Thale Noi in Rayong

Central

• Banglamphu in Bangkok
• Khlong Ta Cha in Samut Songkhram
• Ban Phu Kae, Hua Pli Market in Saraburi

South

• Chulabhorn Pattana 9 in Yala
• Ban Laem in Nakhon Si Thammarat
• Ban Hua Khao in Songkhla

Visit https://amazingvillage.tourismthailand.org/ for more information.

THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020837

Thai food, heritage campaigns named top tourism promotions in Asia

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 08, 2022

THE NATION

A Thai food campaign has been named the best digital tourism promotion in Asia after gobbling up competition from 56 other countries.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s “Khao Thai” (Thai Rice) campaign beat 136 promotions by 56 tourism organisations to walk away with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Award 2022.

Impressed by its theme of “Guess the Dish” accompanied by delicious visuals, judges at Friday’s virtual award ceremony handed “Khao Thai” the award for top Digital Marketing Campaign.

“Khao Thai” was launched via social media to tickle taste buds of the Indian tourism market during the Covid-19 pandemic from May to June 2020 and April 2021.

A Thai tourism campaign showcasing Buri Ram’s ancient Khmer kingdom relics also starred at Friday’s awards.

“Rejuvenating Ban Khok Mueang’s Heritage through a Sustainable Practice of Community-based Tourism” won the PATA Heritage Gold Award.

PATA has held the awards to find Asia-Pacific’s best tourism campaigns in marketing, creativity and innovation since 1984.

Two main categories – Marketing and Sustainability, and Social Responsibility – offer 25 individual awards for specific themes including Marketing Campaign, Travel Photography, Community Based Tourism and Climate Change Initiative.

THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020794

Bangkok and Thailand ranked among top 10 destinations by travel magazine readers

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 06, 2022

Bangkok has been voted second among the world’s “best big cities”, while Thailand was third among “top countries in the world” in the latest Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice survey.

The US-based travel magazine conducted the survey on “nearly a quarter of a million” people for its annual Readers’ Choice Awards, which is in its 35th year.

Bangkok came second among the world’s “best big cities”, after Singapore.

“Consistently ranked as one of the most-visited cities in the world, Bangkok has a multifaceted identity that blends history, culture, street style, and luxury like nowhere else,” the magazine said in its article published on Tuesday.

The top 10 “Best Big Cities” are: 1. Singapore, 2. Bangkok, 3. Tokyo, 4. Mérida (Mexico), 5. Quebec City (Canada), 6. Cape Town (South Africa), 7. Mumbai, 8. Cusco (Peru), 9. Istanbul, 10. Montreal.

Meanwhile, Thailand came third among the 48 “best countries in the world” as voted by Traveler readers.

Europe dominated this year’s list of Reader’s Choice Awards winners for the world’s best countries to travel to, Portugal topping the list with the highest score of 91.22.

Japan was second, with 91.17 points, followed by Thailand (90.46), Singapore (90.09), India (90.01), Greece (89.79), Denmark (89.62), United Kingdom (89.12), Italy (89.12), and New Zealand (89.01).

Three Thai islands are among the best in Asia as voted by Traveler readers — Koh Samui in Surat Thani, Phuket, and Phi Phi Islands.

Boracay in the Philippines tops the list with 95.13 points, followed by Bali, Indonesia (93.9 points), Koh Samui (92.13), Langkawi in Malaysia (90.97), Phuket (90.88), Phú Quốc in Vietnam (89.77), Sri Lanka (89.17), Palawan in the Philippines (88.99), Okinawa and Ryuku Islands in Japan (83), and Phi Phi Islands (76.41).

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020734

Seventeen national parks close waterfalls, other attractions amid floods

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 05, 2022

THE NATION

A host of tourist destinations at 17 national parks across the country are closing temporarily due to flash floods from storm Noru.

The National Parks of Thailand released a list of the 17 on Facebook:

• Mae Keong Luang waterfall in Wiang Kosai National Park
• Tat Mok and Song Nang waterfalls and the Huaibong service area in Tat Mok National Park
• Doi Kham Fah in Pha Daeng National Park
• Tourists sites and accomodations in Khuean Srinagarindra National Park
• Tourists sites and accomodations in Na Yung Nam Som National Park
• Hin Samchan, Huay Toei, and Huay Pai waterfalls in Phu Ruea National Park
• Mae Sa and Mok Fa waterfalls in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park
• Tha Pai Hot Spring in Huai Nam Dang National Park
• Man Dang waterfall in Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park
• Tham Than Lot Yai and Tham Than Lot Noi in Chaloem Rattanakosin National Park
• Nab Daw campground and Huai Khe waterfall in Nam Phong National Park
• Laem Samran campground in Phu Kao-Phu Phan Kham National Park
• Accommodations in Sai Yok National Park
• Water activities in Khao Yai National Park
• Water activities in Ta Phraya National Park
• Water activities in Pang Sida National Park
• Water activities in Thap Lan National Park.

The office urged visitors to check official updates at https://bit.ly/3EjjQRQ.

The Thai Meteorological Department said it expected less rain over the upper North and upper Northeast while isolated heavy rain is expected in the lower North, the lower Northeast, the Central region, the East and the South from today, Wednesday, to Saturday.

THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020689

Thai tourism targets high-spending travellers from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 04, 2022

THE NATION

Thai tourism is targeting emerging markets in central Asia as a growing source of much-needed tourist dollars.

Tourism Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said on Monday that travellers from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have shown increasing interest in visiting Thailand since the Visa on Arrival was extended from 15 to 30 days on October 1.

On October 30, Air Astana will launch direct daily flights from Almaty, Kazakhstan to Bangkok and Phuket, expanding from the current three flights per week. Meanwhile, Sunday Airlines will also add new flights this winter from major Kazakh cities such as Almaty, Astana, Kostanay, Shymkent and Uralsk to Phuket and U-Tapao.

“Kazakh airlines and tour companies said last month they would like to see Thailand scrap all visa requirements and fees for Kazakhstan tourists this year so they can promote Thailand during the high season,” Phiphat said.

In 2019, before the pandemic, Thailand received about 56,000 tourists from Kazakhstan, generating about 3.46 billion baht in tourism revenue.

The first nine months of 2022 saw around 22,000 arrivals from Kazakhstan. The ministry estimates that figure will reach 55,000 by year-end, almost returning to pre-Covid levels.

Phiphat said Uzbekistan tourists also have high spending power and qualify for the Visa on Arrival, but there are currently no direct flights from the country to Thailand. National carrier Uzbekistan Airways is preparing to resume international flights after being grounded during the pandemic, he added.

Currently, Uzbekistan tourists wishing to visit Thailand have to catch a flight from Tashkent or Samarkand to Almaty, Istanbul, Dubai, or the UAE and grab a connecting flight to Thailand.

Over 19,000 Uzbekistan tourists visited Thailand in 2019. The first eight months of 2022 saw 2,496 arrivals from Uzbekistan, with a total of 8,500 expected this year.

The ministry has reduced its tourism revenue target for this year from 1.5 trillion baht to 1.28 trillion baht after lower-than-expected bookings. Next year, it expects revenue of 2.4 trillion baht from an estimated 20 million foreign visitors and 160 million trips made by Thais.

THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020670

Days of heavy rain make Sri Nakarin Dam National Park too dangerous for tourists

MONDAY, OCTOBER 03, 2022

THE NATION

The Sri Nakarin Dam National Park was closed to tourists on Monday after days of heavy rain brought flash floods and runoffs near a waterfall and several parts of the park.

Park authorities announced that the area would be closed to public access until the situation eases. The heavy rain, unleashed by the influence of tropical storm Noru and the monsoon ridge, has been hitting the area for several days now.

Park chief Chaiwut Areechon said days of heavy rain had caused runoffs around the seven-layered Huay Mae Khamin Waterfall, which could put tourists in danger, which is why he signed an order closing access to the park for now.

Those who have booked accommodation or camping spacing can ask for refunds, he said.

The Sri Nakarin Dam National Park is located north of the Erawan National Park, which straddles Kanchanaburi’s Sai Yok, Sri Sawat and Thong Pha Phum districts. The park is named after the Sri Nakarin Dam which holds the reservoir to the east of the park.

THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020628

Setting sun to pierce 15 gateways at Buri Ram temple in rare event next week

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2022

THE NATION

Buri Ram’s famous antique temple, Prasat Hin Phanom Rung, will be lit up by the rays of the setting sun on three days next week for the last time this year.

The phenomenon of bright rays shining out of the temple’s 15 doorways can be witnessed from 5.55pm to 6.30pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

The local office of the Fine Arts Department said the temple complex will be closed half an hour later at 6.30pm on the three days.

It said visitors should be able to witness the natural phenomenon provided it doesn’t rain and there are no clouds blocking the sun.

Prasat Hin Phanom Rung in Buri Ram’s Chalerm Phrakiat district is a majestic Khmer temple believed to have been built between the 10th and 13th centuries to worship the Hindu god, Shiva.

The temple complex, often referred to as Thailand’s very own Angkor Wat, sits on the edge of an extinct volcano some 400 metres above the sea.

A similar phenomenon was witnessed at the temple last month, when the sun aligned perfectly to shine its rays through the 15 doorways while rising at 5.45am on September 9, 10 and 11. However, low clouds dimmed the spectacle.

The astronomical phenomenon takes place four times a year. The sun aligns perfectly during sunrise in April and September and during sunset in March and October.

THE NATION