Sawaddee khrap/good afternoon, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

On behalf of the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Thai tourism industry, I am very honoured and delighted to welcome you all here this afternoon at the Arabian Travel Market 2009. This is the second consecutive year for me to participate in this event, but this time I am here as Chairman of TAT’s Board of Directors. Last year, I was proud to represent Thailand as the Minister of Tourism and Sports.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Thailand has been at the forefront of tourism development worldwide with innovative marketing programmes and unique products.

Tourism remains a primary pillar of Thailand's national economic development, helping to distribute income nationwide.

Although we have been through some difficult days, things are back to normal now. The Royal Thai Government has lifted the state of emergency and promises that Thailand will remain a friendly and welcoming country, where the safety, security and well being of international visitors is paramount, be they leisure travellers or investors doing business in Thailand.

With the current world situation, we know these are tough economic times and the world tourism numbers may take a hit. The number of arrivals has declined and so to stimulate the tourism sector the Thai government has given it priority as part of the national agenda.

To initiate this, the Thai Cabinet recently approved an extra budget to restore tourists’ confidence and agreed to an exemption of tourist visa fees until the end of this year.

The Airports of Thailand (AOT) has reduced landing and parking fees for airlines until the end of this year, in an effort to help airlines keep their costs down. Furthermore, visitors are being given a 50-per cent discount for entrance fees to national parks, which include historical sites, rainforests, and also marine national parks in Thailand.

The Middle East in general and GCC countries in particular, are very important sources of visitor arrivals for us in Thailand, and we are very grateful to all the tour operators, media, airlines, travel agents and others in the Middle East travel and tourism industry who support us every year.

Both tourists and expatriates in these countries have enjoyed the variety of tourist attractions, activities, and the rainy season in Thailand. In addition, Thailand is well known for its extremely good quality of products, excellent service standards, and of course the warmth and traditional hospitality of the Thai people.

In 2008, the number of Middle East visitors was up 9 per cent to more than 250,000. The United Arab Emirates is the top source from the Middle East market with 91,000 visitors, up 22 per cent over 2007.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Thailand is a hub to our neighbouring countries of Southeast Asia and the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) of southern China, Vietnam, Myanmar, Lao and Cambodia.

Road linkages are growing, thanks to the North South Economic Corridor that link Thailand through the Asian countries. Last year, we successfully connected the 1,200-kilometre R3A Highway linking Thailand – Laos – China which begins in Kunming, China then heads towards Lao before reaching Chiang Rai in Thailand.

Thailand is also emerging as a major centre of marine tourism including yachting, cruises, and water sports events.

Last month, I had the chance to welcome the luxurious Queen Mary II and Queen Victoria cruise ships at the Laem Chabang port in Thailand. These ships selected Thailand as one of their important stops during their world tours.

In December this year, Thailand will also host the Asia’s biggest and most popular regatta “The Phuket King’s Cup Regatta”. The event has been held every year during the first week of December. Also, for those who love sailing sports, Thailand offers: the Pattaya Regatta in May, Samui Regatta in June, and Hua Hin Regatta in July.

At the same time, Thailand is building upon its well-known status as a hub of regional aviation. There are more flights from Thailand to the GMS countries than from any other point in Asia. This includes the 131 direct weekly flights by 13 airlines to and from the Middle East. We are also served by 700 flights each day by scheduled airlines, low-cost airlines, and charter services from all around the world.

Thai Airways International will launch new routes from the Middle East: Abu Dhabi-Bangkok and Jeddah-Bangkok this June. There are also plans to start the Tehran-Bangkok sector this year.

Emirates Airlines has announced their plan to introduce Airbus 380 aircraft on its Bangkok route, with a daily service from Dubai effective June 1, this year. I will personally be there at the airport to welcome all passengers on board on that day.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Thailand is a great destination for family travelers. There are a variety of products to serve parents and their children in different regions of Thailand including, of course, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and Phuket, which are well-known among Middle East tourists.

This vast range of products and geographical distribution nationwide gives you more options and more attractions.

If you happen to go to the Northern region: This is the home to provinces like Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai famous for their natural hilly mountains and cultural sites. In this area, you can find many family-oriented activities; such as, elephant riding, white-water rafting, local handicraft classes, and orchids&butterfly farms.

For those of you who travel to the Northeast region known locally as I-san: This area is now well known for the attractions along the Mekong River. You can also enjoy the monsoon rains during the period of May to September, which is called the “Green Season” in rainforests ; such as, “Khao Yai” National Park and “Wang Nam Khieo” in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Khao Yai National Park is a World Heritage because of its flora and fauna. The area is refreshingly green and all the waterfalls create a lively atmosphere for visitors.

The Wang Nam Khieo route has the attraction of forest and natural palms, surrounded by mountains and cool climate all year long that has made it be known as the “Switzerland of Northeastern Thailand”, considered the best ozone area in the country with waterfalls and streams that are suitable for relaxation.

One of our major festivals in Isan like the Bun Bang Fai Bamboo Rocket Festival will be held in mid-May, in Yasothon province. This is the most celebrated of Isan's merit-making rituals and has been strictly observed for generations to ensure that the seasonal rains fall at the appropriate time in the planting cycle.

For the Central Region: Bangkok remains our tourism capital, the first point of entry for visitors to Thailand. The Central Region is also home to UNESCO World Heritage sites of Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, and Kamphaeng Phet. Families can undertake many activities such as:

Canals tour: cruising along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. The interlinking network of canals is a very pleasant way to explore the city once known as "Venice of the East". I’m sure our Deputy Mayor of Bangkok Khun Taya will be happy to come up on the stage to tell you a lot more about her city.

But for now I’d like to thank to the SUPPORT Foundation of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, a permanent exhibition of Arts of the Thai Kingdom is on display at the Ananta Samakom Throne Hall. Hundreds of magnificent relics of Thai history and culture made by hands of the ordinary people mostly farmers who has been trained by Her Majesty the Queen’s Support Foundation, are being displayed in this new museum.

Another new attraction in Bangkok is the Museum of Siam; a multimedia interactive showcase is helping raise Bangkok into one of the international cities of historical art and other technologically advanced museums.

For those of you who love going out for dinner with cultural shows, I suggest Siam Niramit: a one-of-a-kind cultural theme complex offering a world-class spectacular performance in a gigantic size theatre. The 80-minute show features some amazing stories of Thailand's cultural heritage.

- Also, your children can enjoy the Siam Park City, which is equipped with world-class rides, exciting adventures, and variety of entertainment. It has last week received the certificate for the world’s largest artificial wave pool from the Guinness World Records and the World Waterpark Association. For more information on Bangkok, Khun Taya will elaborate for you in her presentation.

- Just about 3 hours from Bangkok, another potential area for investment is “The Royal Coast” which includes high potential resort destinations; such as, Hua Hin, Cha-am and Pranburi. However, this offers an impressive potential for investments around and all the way along the Gulf of Thailand. In this area, you can also take advantage of our numerous golf courses, whose designs will suit different levels of players and budgets.

East Coast, home to the famous resort of Pattaya and also a centre of the Eastern Seaboard with Rayong and Ko Chang in Trat. It abounds with interesting activities and has become a great place to enjoy both natural and man-made activities. Numerous theme parks have also emerged to make it very interesting for families. Also the families can enjoy the paradise of tropical fruit-picking in so many orchards and fruit farming along the shore line.

Southern Region: is known for its lush tropical islands, palm-fringed beaches, coral reefs teeming with colourful marine life, fishing villages, marine national parks, and mosques that clearly define the region’s visual appeal. The Middle East businessmen have known and invested in this area; such as, the Jumeirah Resort in Phuket.

Moreover, the large Thai-Muslim community is based here where you can experience community-based tourism programmes; such as, home stays. It is a very important part of our culture and identity. You will be pleased to know many Muslim-owned and operated community groups have succeeded in their work, such as:

• Ko Yao Noi Ecotourism Club in Phang-Nga province: This Muslim community is located in an island in the Andaman Sea that is rich in marine resources and magnificent seascape. You can live in home stay accommodation, mingle with the local people and share their lifestyle, learn how to do rice farming, visit rubber tree plantations, learn the process of rubber-tapping, and gain more knowledge about local ecosystems.
  
  
• If you would like to be a fisherman or enjoy some fresh seafood, go to Ban Thung Nang Dam Community in Phang-Nga province: This has been established by a group of Muslim fishermen to conduct tourism-based activities or go to Ban Ko Klang in Krabi province; This consists of four villages mostly occupied by Muslim people who subsist on mangrove forest fishery and fish breeding. The villagers have recently begun promoting their community as an ecotourism destination. Major activities include enhancing knowledge on mangrove forest ecology, touring archaeological sites, and learning the local way of life.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Most of the Middle East tourists come to Thailand for medical tourism. We are extremely well placed in this area. According to a recent survey, 79 per cent know Thailand as a medical hub with good quality and international standards, 35 per cent are UAE residents, and 16 per cent are Omani residents.

Thailand's track record on the medical frontier has frequently won international acclaim, particularly in areas like cardiac surgery and post-operative care, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, dentistry, and pharmacology to name a few. The statistics has shown that 59 per cent of Middle East tourists came for a medical check-up, 41 per cent for surgery, and 18 per cent for dentistry.

The Thai government is focussing especially on traditional health because it offers prevention rather than cure, uses local resources, and contributes to the preservation of tropical plants and local heritage.

Many hospitals are staffed by Arabic interpreters, highly trained nurses and doctors.

This year, we are projecting a total of two million international patients from all over the world coming to Thailand for treatment.

We are also well aware that Middle East visitors love to shop, and we have appropriate strategies in place for that.

In June this year we will launch the Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2009 for shopping lovers, a three-month shopping promotion all through the country's principal shopping centres. Special discounts of up to 70 per cent will be available at participating department stores and retail outlets; look out for the distinctive 'Amazing Thailand Grand Sale' sign and promotional materials.

Our ongoing campaign is “Amazing Thailand Amazing Value”, a colourful marketing effort that focuses on positioning Thailand as the perfect value-for-money destination.

Last November, the Tourism Authority of Thailand launched the Amazing Thailand Card, a discount card to be distributed to tourists from the Middle East market. It is part of a major loyalty-building campaign that will run all the way until this September.

The Amazing Thailand Card will be available for distribution via the TAT Dubai Office, Thai Airways offices and Thai restaurants. Cardholders will be able to use it to buy discounted products and services in their home countries as well as in Thailand.

It can be used at over 200 hotels in Thailand, to purchase products and services at leading department stores, spas, golf courses, and duty-free shops in Thailand. So grasp your passport and head for Thailand real soon.

One other unique new initiative was taken this March when TAT launched its "Jump to Amazing Thailand" project, with a seminar and workshop targeting the U.A.E's leading international schools. We aim to promote awareness of Thailand as a quality and value-for-money schools and youth camps destination.

As part of the campaign, educational programmes and experiences focusing on various themes; such as, the environment, culture, history and other specialized fields of study are offered as options and tailor-made to meet the curriculum and scholastic needs of schools.

Later this year, TAT will host interested school representatives with a trip to Thailand to experience and inspect the services and infrastructure that the destination and tour operators are able to provide within this specialized field of tourism. This can prove that Thailand has the potential of being a youth camp destination for both the children of the Middle East’s people and children of expatriates in the Middle East.

Let me tell you more about the facilities for Middle East tourists.

This year, you will also find plenty of Halal restaurants in all the main tourist cities. The menus will be presented in your languages. Thailand is also becoming a major exporter of officially recognised “Halal” products to Islamic countries.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports together with the Halal Standard Institute of Thailand launched the Halal Food Standard Certification for food shops, restaurants and hotels. The pilot project has been done in major provinces like Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, and other provinces in the southern region. The readiness of Halal food restaurants will certainly be a key factor to attract Middle East and Muslim tourists to Thailand.

Two days ago, I had a chance to participate in the World of Halal Science Industry and Business Conference in the Phuket Halal Expo 2009. This conference was designed to facilitate trade and commerce, as well as boost Halal SME’s business and trade in Phuket and the Andaman region.

Ladies and gentlemen,

For those of you who travel to Thailand lately, you will find that the Airports of Thailand has launched major activities to attract tourists. We also provide interesting activities in each month for visitors passing through Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport; such as, last month, we promoted the Songkran Water Festival at the airport.

For transfer passengers, the Thai Cabinet approved a visa exemption scheme for transfer passengers through Suvarnabhumi International Airport who must wait between 4 – 11 hours to catch a connecting flight. This allows international transfer passengers to temporarily leave the airport premises on a short visit or to shop, to play golf, to spa, or to get a massage at places near the airport without a visa.

Another new development that will facilitate easier travel from Suvarnabhumi International Airport into downtown Bangkok is the airport to city sky train. The service will be ready on August 12 this year to mark Her Majesty the Queen’s birthday. This 28-kilometre-rail link will only take 15 minutes from the airport to reach down town Bangkok.

Before, I finish;

For the travel trade business, the Thailand Travel Mart (TTM+ 2009), the country’s largest travel and showcase event will be held during June 3-7 in Bangkok. We look forward to seeing you at this event.

In conclusion, Thailand is and continues to be a wonderful diverse tourism destination with food, spa, hotels, nature, sports, a culture of hospitality and smiles for you and your family.

The Middle East, in particular, will remain one of our most important partners and we hope you will carry the message forward for us.

We look forward to continuing this long-lasting partnership.

See you all in Thailand very soon.

Thank you and sawasdee khrap.