TAT DISTRIBUTION LIST
TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND FACT SHEET
As of September 12, 2008/ 11.00 hrs (Bangkok Time)
- Following the ruling by Thailand’s Constitutional Court on 9 September 2008, the premiership of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej ended. Mr Somchai Wongsawat, as first deputy prime minister, has assumed the role of acting prime minister.
- The House of Representatives will vote for a new prime minister on Wednesday, 17 September. Cabinet ministers will continue their duties until a new prime minister and a new cabinet are sworn in.
- The suspension of the Emergency Decree is expected to be one of the first initiatives to be taken to restore visitor and investor confidence in Thailand.
The state of emergency, announced by former Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Tuesday (2 September 2008), had been introduced to prevent further clashes between the anti- and pro-government protesters. The decree is a "temporary measure" applicable only in Bangkok and does not involve a curfew or any other measures restricting the movement of people around Bangkok or the Kingdom.
In a recent survey conducted by Assumption University's ABAC Poll of 532 foreign businessmen, investors and tourists during 2-5 September, 59 per cent viewed the ongoing political situation as not unusual and just part of the democratic process. As many as 97 per cent of foreigners visiting Thailand said they would visit the country again if the turmoil ends.
Source: The Bangkok Post, Sunday, September 7, 2008
- The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has embarked on an immediate tourism recovery plan and is working closely with the Thai tourism industry to restore confidence in the destination.
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TAT has been conducting random interviews with individual tourists at various popular tourism sites around Bangkok, such as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Khao San Road, Chatuchak Market, Suan Lum Night Bazaar, Siam Square and CentralWorld at Ratchaprasong intersection. Foreign tourists were asked how they felt about their stay in Thailand over the past week and early this week. All of the individuals responded positively and indicated that the situation has not in any way affected his/her visit to Thailand.
Videos of these interviews from September 6 onwards have been posted on community web sites such as YouTube.com, DailyMotion.com and Sharkle.com, as well as on the TAT’s main web site and under “Situation Updates” on the Home Page of the TAT News Room web site – www.TATnews.org
TAT has also participated in several online travel forums such as Tripadvisor.com, Lonely planet.com and VirtualTourist.com
Web link to the Thailand Tourism Update page on TourismThailand.org
http://www.tourismthailand.org/thailandtourismupdate/ |
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Thailand Invitation Mega Familiarization Trip
As part of Thailand’s tourism recovery plans, TAT will be hosting a “Thailand Invitation” mega familiarization trip (‘fam’ trip) for over 800 media representatives and travel operators from around the world. During their stay in Thailand during October 8 – 12, fam trip participants will be presented with several opportunities to experience products from the various categories presented under the Seven Amazing Wonders of Thailand theme, with a special focus on Northern and Northeastern Thailand (Isan).
The Thailand Invitation fam trip itinerary for each participant will feature specially selected tourism products and services that are likely to be of most relevance and greatest interest to individual consumers and travellers in their home country. Fam trip participants will also be attending the Chiang Mai and North Tourism Forum on 10 October. Upon their return home, media coverage generated by the fam trip participants will include special destination features, articles, film documentaries for the various media channels including broadcast (television and radio), print media and electronic/digital media (web sites and mobile devices). |
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TAT will also be organizing a total of 8 international “Amazing Thailand” roadshows from September to November 2008.
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Amazing Thailand Roadshow to China:
September 10 – 12 covering the cities of Xian, Xiamen and Schenzen |
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Amazing Thailand Sales Seminar in Vietnam:
November-December covering the cities of Hanoi, Haiphong and Danang |
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Pre-World Travel Mart 2008 Road Show to Stockholm and Copenhagen, Sweden, November 4-6. |
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TAT and Thai tourism industry representatives will also be participating in 13 international travel trade shows.
THAILAND PRESENCE AT INTERNATIONAL
TRAVEL TRADE SHOWS |
Date |
| ASIA (3) |
PATA Travel Mart 2008
in Hyderabad, India |
September 16-19 |
JATA World Tourism Congress and Travel Fair
in Tokyo, Japan |
September 18 - 21 |
China International Travel Mart
in Shanghai, China |
November 20 - 23 |
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| EUROPE & THE MIDDLE EAST (8) |
Top Resa Paris International Travel Market
in Paris, France |
September 16-19 |
MATIW -Leisure 2008
in Moscow, Russia |
September 23 - 28 |
INWETEX-CIS Travel Market
in St Petersburg, Russia |
October 1 - 3 |
Ukraine International Travel Market
in Kiev, Ukraine |
October 7 - 9 |
TTG Incontri
in Remini, Italy |
October 24 - 26 |
| Global Health Care Travel Exhibition & Congress in Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
November 2 - 4 |
World Travel Mart (WTM)
in London, UK |
November 10 - 13 |
International Luxury Travel Mart
in Cannes, France |
December 8-11 |
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| UNITED STATES (2) |
DEMA Show 2008 (dive expo)
in Las Vegas, USA |
October 22 - 25 |
Luxury Travel Expo 2008
in Las Vegas, USA |
December 2 - 4 |
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TAT will be hosting the 2008 Thailand Tourism Awards and the 6th Friends of Thailand Awards on World Tourism Day on 27 September. |
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TAT is also jointly hosting the 2008 Bangkok International Film Festival organized by The Federation of National Film Associations of Thailand, September 23 – 30, 2008.
Web site: www.bangkokfilm.org
The following actors and celebrities will be attending the red carpet and gala screening as Thailand’s distinguished guests: Hong Kong film director, producer, cinematographer, and actor Andrew Lau (Internal Affairs); Singaporean film director Eric Khoo (Be With Me and August); Hong Kong actors Li Ming (Seven Swords and Fallen Angels) and Robin Shou (Mortal Kombat which was filmed in Thailand); Korean actor Lee Dong Wook (My Girl); British actor Michael York OBE (Austin Powers); Hollywood actress Ariellle Kebbel (American Pie, Be Cool and John Tucker Must Die); Scottish film producer, editor and director Iain Smith OBE (The Fifth Element and Cold Mountain) and Dutch film producer and founder of Fortissimo Film Sales Wouter Barendrecht (Short Bus and Party Monster). |
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- Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok’s international airport) and all regional airports around Thailand are operating normally. Rail services in provincial areas of the north and northeastern regions are operating normally. Service has also resumed on most of the rail services to destinations in the south. (Call Centre: 1690). Major surface routes between Bangkok and other parts of Thailand are unaffected. Travel to key destinations around Thailand, such as Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Northeastern Thailand (Isan) and other parts of the country remains unaffected.
- The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) anti-government rally is restricted to the designated protest site and the immediate areas. Tourists and expats in Bangkok are advised to avoid travelling to areas near the demonstration site namely — Government House and Ratchadamnoen Nok Road (Makkawan Bridge).
- All other areas in Bangkok remain unaffected by the rally. There has been no significant disruption to life and business in the capital beyond added traffic congestion in a few areas. The vast majority of the city, including all the major tourist spots (including The Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun-Temple of Dawn, and Sanam Luang — The Royal Ground), shopping centres and riverside attractions, as well as all roads and public/private transport systems are functioning normally. Bangkok's city taxi and rail services are unaffected. All hotels and resorts in Bangkok and throughout Thailand are open for business as usual. Last night (10 September), the legendary jazz guitarist George Benson and the seven-time Grammy winning vocalist Al Jarreau performed to a full house of Thai and expat contemporary jazz fans during a live concert at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in the Thai capital.
- For visitors planning trips to various sites around Rattanakosin Island (Koh Rattanakosin) in the historic heart of the capital, shuttle boats and river taxis continue to provide fast and convenient transportation to various public piers along the Chao Phraya River.
- Despite the political impasse, 74 events supported by the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and scheduled to be hosted in Thailand for the remainder of 2008 are still confirmed. This demonstrates the resilience of the industry and the confidence that business visitors have in Thailand as a globally-preferred MICE destination. The Bureau also plans to invite organizers across all MICE sectors to visit Thailand and spend some time to see the real situation for themselves.
Thailand Tourism Updates web links
Main TAT web site:
http://www.tourismthailand.org/thailandtourismupdate/
YouTube.com
http://www.youtube.com/thailand
DailyMotion.com
http://www.dailymotion.com/amazingthailand
Sharkle.com
http://www.sharkle.com/member/amazingthailand
For further information, please call the Tourism Authority of Thailand Hotline.
Simply dial 1672 from anywhere in Thailand. For overseas enquiries, please contact the Tourism Authority of Thailand office nearest to you.
Tourists planning to travel to Thailand are advised to check the latest situation
regarding their travel plans with their travel agents or contact:
Tourist Information at the airport: +66 (0) 2134 0041-2
The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA): +66 (0) 2237 6046-8
TAT Call Centre: 1672
Tourism Authority of Thailand, Chumphon Office
Tel: +66 (0) 7423 1055 / 7423 8518 / 7424 3747
Fax: +66 (0) 7424 5986
E-mail: tatsgkhl@tat.or.th
Web site: www.tourismthailand.org/hatyai
Tourism Authority of Thailand , Phuket Office
Tel: +66 (0) 7621 1036/ 7621 7138/ 7621 2213
Fax: +66 (0) 7621 3582
E-mail: tatphket@tat.or.th
Web site: www.tourismthailand.org/phuket
Tourism Authority of Thailand , Krabi Office
Tel: +66 (0) 7562 2163
Fax: +66 (0) 7562 2164
E-mail: tatkrabi@tat.or.th
Web site: www.tourismthailand.org/krabi
Tourism Authority of Thailand , Trang Office
Tel: +66 (0) 7521 5867-8
Fax: +66 (0) 7521 5868
E-mail: tattrang@tat.or.th
Web site: www.tourismthailand.org/trang
Tourism Authority of Thailand , Surat Thani Office
Tel: +66 (0) 7728 8818-9
Fax: +66 (0) 7728 2828
E-mail: tatsurat@tat.or.th
Web site: www.tourismthailand.org/suratthani
Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok International Airport)
Call Centre: +66 (0) 2132 1888
Phuket International Airport
Tel: +66 (0) 76 327 231 - 7
Krabi Airport
Tel: +66 (0) 75 636 541 - 2
Samui Airport
Tel: +66 (0) 77 428 500
Surat Thani Airport
Tel: +66 (0) 077 441 230
Airports Authority of Thailand, Hat Yai office
Tel: +66 (0) 74-227-000
For the latest updates, please visit
www.TATnews.org
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