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https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/travel/40018999

Great Wall Motor (GWM) is continuing its partnership with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on a strategic partnership to promote Thailand’s Ecotourism with new energy mobility.

The collaboration reiterates GWM’s commitment to becoming Thailand’s xEV leader ready to work with partners in all sectors to revive inbound tourism and drive the country’s transition to an EV society, following the government’s direction, while sustainably growing its business alongside Thai society.

Held at the GWM Experience Center, ICONSIAM, the signing ceremony was presided over by Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Tourism and Sports; and Wang Liping, The Economic and Commercial Minister-Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Thailand, who were welcomed by Elliot Zhang, President Asean of Great Wall Motor. The MOU was signed by Michael Chong, General Manager of Great Wall Motor (Thailand); and Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Tourism and Sports, said: ” The collaboration between the TAT and the company showcases the significant role of the state and private sector in driving the government’s and the ministry’s national strategy as well as Thailand’s transition to good carbon governance. Plans will be developed to support ecotourism activities and create business collaboration in terms of travelling with new-energy vehicles to benefit both parties. We hope to further the scheme by promoting a new series of unseen regional attractions (Unseen New Series) to drive forward the tourism industry, the new-energy vehicle industry, and improve the country’s environment ” 

Elliot Zhang, President Asean of Great Wall Motor, said: “Since the very beginning of our business in Thailand, we have focused on the mission of ‘In Thailand, For Thailand’ or growing while improving Thailand for Thai people. In our second year of business operations in Thailand, GWM will continue pursuing such mission and offering new experiences to Thai consumers with quality electric vehicles and services, while strengthening the country’s EV ecosystem. We are pleased to collaborate with the TAT in promoting new-energy vehicle usage for ecotourism activities, which will contribute to the growth of tourism and environmental preservation in general. In the meantime, we will support public relations tasks on social and media channels to create awareness of eco-travelling with new-energy vehicles. Additionally, we will further this partnership to bring to life many activities to promote Thailand’s tourism consistently. This is another testimonial for GWM as Thailand’s xEV leader with a mission to carry out social activities under the ‘GWM Initiative’, which focuses on improving the social environment, promoting cultural diversity, and developing communities in a sustainable way.”

Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said: “It is the TAT’s mission to promote marketing and public relations activities as well as to build trust to expand the quality markets, making Thailand an ever-popular destination for tourists while driving net-zero-carbon-emission tourism i.e., focusing on reducing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions from tourism activities. It is a great opportunity to further reinforce our partnership with GWM through the MOU on counselling, analyzing, planning, and supporting ecotourism activities, for which new-energy vehicles are being utilized. The TAT will work closely with GWM to drive tourism towards good carbon governance (carbon dioxide management in tourism), and we would like to thank the company for continuously supporting tourism activities.”

GWM has consistently provided high-performance electric vehicles packed with superb safety technology and cutting-edge innovation, including the All-New HAVAL H6 Hybrid SUV and All New HAVAL JOLION Hybrid SUV, supporting the TAT’s initiatives e.g., ‘TAT BCG Road Trip’, promoting simple tourism in the central region; ‘TAT YEC Green Road Trip’, strengthening the bond between the central and the eastern regions; ‘Green Road Trip’ in the northeastern region; and ‘Green Road Trip’ in the southern region. Meanwhile, the TAT has offered counsel for the ‘GWM Life Road Trooper’ program.

All of this has promoted travelling with eco-friendly alternative energy vehicles as well as ecotourism across Thailand.

GWM, as the ‘Global Intelligent Technology Company’, is committed to developing products and innovations that offer clean, safe, and comfortable commute experiences for Thai consumers.

In addition, the company focuses on supporting society and elevating the country’s automotive industry while standing alongside society and consumers to drive forward Thailand’s economic growth.

Published : August 17, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/thai-destination/travel/40018985

Yala is one of three deep South provinces in Thailand that many tourists overlook due to its distance from Bangkok. Yala’s Betong is the southernmost district in Thailand, sharing a border with Kedah and Perak in Malaysia. However, this small province has plenty of other attractions awaiting visitors besides its southerly location.

One of the most obvious features of Yala city is its urban planning. Yala was ranked by www.wtfintheworld.com as the world’s 23rd best location in the terms of city planning. The provincial capital is divided into zones covering government complexes, residential buildings, shopping districts and public parks, enhancing quality of life under the administration of the Yala Municipality Office.

Yala has also developed into a “city of learning”, with features such as TK Park Library housing books and information from all around the world, and public parks offering “edutainment” activities for children and the general public. The Exploring Park in Muang district features a state-of-the-art learning centre, playground and workout zone, outdoor amphitheatre, and green space for people to relax. Admission is free.

For your first visit to Yala, you could begin by paying respect to the Yala City Pillar Shrine in front of the city hall in Muang district. You will be greeted with a view of beautiful shrine revered by local people, surrounded by a public park with decorative shrubs and trees as well as a running track for exercising.

For those who enjoy street arts, head to Saphan Dam (Black Railway Bridge), which crosses Pattani River in Sateng subdistrict. This new landmark features street arts and performances by local artists, as well as the colourful “Rainbow Buildings” along the train tracks.

Yala is a city of multiple cultures, with local residents descended from different races, religions and cultures. The multicultural mix has created a unique charm reflected in many tourist attractions. For example, Wat Khuhapimuk in Na Tham subdistrict is a Buddhist temple that also has a shrine of Lim Ko Niao, a deity worshipped by Chinese people in southern Thailand. During Chinese New Year, Chinese communities in Yala host an annual fire-walking procession of faithful attendants to honour the deity. Meanwhile, the 80-year-old Yala Central Mosque in Sateng subdistrict offers proof of the piety and prosperity of local Muslim communities, with a beautiful and majestic design making it an unmissable attraction for Thai and foreign tourists.

Yala’s food also reflects the multicultural roots of the province, combining unique flavours of Thai, Muslim and Chinese Teochew cuisines. Recommended hotspots for foodies are Anna’s Garden for roti (flat bread), fried chicken and nasi dagang (Malaysian aromatic rice); Kuay Chap Thepwiman with its Teochew-style noodles; Rice Kafe for Thai-Southern fusion cuisine; and Lae Pha Na Tham restaurant in Na Tham subdistrict, where a towering cliff provides a natural backdrop while you enjoy Yala’s traditional jungle cuisine.

Yala is also a paradise for coffee lovers, with chic and vintage cafés dotted throughout the province. Look out for the Bali-style Bev Bar with selfie-friendly corners, and the Moon Café for its fusion menu of desserts and drinks made from the delicious local mangoes.

Speaking of fruits, Yala’s signature product is durians, as can be seen from the orchards scattered throughout the province as evidence of the government’s support for cultivation and research. The Saded Nam Durian variety is exclusive to Yala as the province is characterised by steep mountainous areas with lodes – making the soil rich in minerals and nutrients. Yala durians are renowned for their firm flesh, unique texture, and creamy taste.

Other notable fruits grown in Yala include Betong Mandarin oranges, which have a unique fragrance, high acidity and soft peel; and Longkong (southern Langsat) whose thin peel and semi-transparent flesh are prized by Thais nationwide.

Yala has a wealth of urban attractions, but there are many more to explore outside the city area. For your next vacation, consider visiting Yala – you will not be disappointed.
 

Published : August 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/travel/40018980

US properties lead the pack, with Thailand accommodation providers securing top spot in Asia. while Bangkok tops on the list of winning destinations.

This week, Agoda presented its Customer Review Awards 2022 to more than 36,000 properties in over 150 markets that have endeavoured to achieve high-rating customer reviews (ranking 8 or above), in a year where the world continued to face restricted travel and international lockdowns.

The Agoda Customer Review Awards are presented to hotel and accommodation partners who have offered exceptional services to their customers, including great pricing and availability. Properties must also utilize Agoda’s Yield Control System (YCS).

This year, globally, Asia tops the region league table with 18,670 properties represented, followed by Europe and North America in the second and third place respectively.

The US becomes this year’s market champion with 7,015 properties represented, followed by Thailand (4,343), Indonesia (2,590), Japan (2,053), and India (1,948).

Bangkok tops on the list of winning destinations with 681 properties, while is second Bali (579), Paris third (498), Chiang Mai fourth (479) and Phuket (451) rounding out the top five.

“Customer reviews quickly help travellers to make decisions where to stay. They are a trusted source which allows travellers to identify places that match their own travel requirements such as travelling with kids, the location in relation to other attractions, or how welcoming the guest relations staff are, said Liyana Jamil, Vice President of Partner Services, Agoda.

There has to be consistency in delivering quality stays to achieve the 8+ ranking and with the challenges faced by the travel industry over the past years, winning this award not only speaks about our partners’ exceptional service but is also a testament to their hard work, dedication, and passion for providing our guests with an experience they truly value.

With over 35+ million guest reviews on the platform, Agoda understands the importance of customer reviews as Agoda’s Usage & Attitude Study data shows 84% of travellers globally read online reviews before choosing where to stay when they travel.

For hoteliers and accommodation partners, these reviews provide vital feedback to benchmark services and make improvements.

For the first time this year, there will be a dedicated landing page https://www.agoda.com/customerreviewaward to celebrate and feature all Customer Review Award winners.

This landing page will be accessible to all Agoda’s customers and help guide them to great service offerings. Customers may filter their reviews in several ways, including score, timing, reviewer demographics, and language, to discover the best suits their needs.

The Agoda Customer Review award is judged on genuine customer reviews based on five key criteria including Cleanliness, Facilities, Location, Room comfort, Quality, Service, and Value for money.

The 2022 Customer Review Awards was awarded, on July 26, 2022. The winning properties were notified through an email and YCS App pop-up.

Published : August 16, 2022