The Kingdom of Thailand will be launching its ‘Fruitful’ Visitors’ Welcome Campaign at Suvarnabhumi International Airport on May 28, 2009. During the campaign period from now through to 6 June, the Thai kingdom warmly welcomes visitors to Thailand with a special gift of Thai fruit. Incoming visitors will each be presented with one kilogramme of Thai lychees.

Designed to promote Thai fruits to foreign visitors, this ten-day campaign is being jointly organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Airports of Thailand Public Co., Ltd. (AOT), the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC), Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS), Thai Hotels Association (THA) and the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA).

“The campaign’s thrust is to clearly demonstrate to visitors that Thailand is to be reputed not only for its wonderful attractions, but also for its fine and greatly varied fresh fruits. Thailand’s fruits are like its attractions — amazingly and impressively diverse,” explained H.E. Mr Chumphol Silapa-archa, Minister of Tourism and Sports.

Throughout Thailand, a vast selection of fresh fruits is available all year round. However, for a taste of the very best of Thai fruits, the height of summer, from May to June, is the peak season. At this time of year, a delightful assortment of exotic fruits comes into season. The fragrant and succulent lychee was chosen because it ranks among the world’s favourite exotic fruits and is one of the top quality fruits grown in Thailand for export.

The promotion will be inaugurated by H.E. Mr. Chumphol Silapa-archa, Minister of Tourism and Sports and H.E. Mr. Theera Wongsamut, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, who will also give a press conference and preside as chairman to kick off the campaign. This event will be held at Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Passengers from Shanghai, China; Busan, South Korea; Cairo, Egypt; and Singapore will be presented with bags of lychees.

As passengers disembark from a cramped aircraft and are welcomed with such a delicious fresh appetizer, the Royal Thai Government hopes that visitors will be pleasantly surprised by this friendly gesture. In addition to benefitting Thai farmers (50 tons of lychees will be distributed during the ten-day campaign), the campaign is designed to raise the awareness of, and encourage visitors to explore Thailand’s many agricultural and agro-tourism offerings.

The lychees will be packed in attractive plastic bags featuring the logos of TAT, AOT, MOAC, MOTS, THA, and ATTA. This is the first time that such a campaign has been put in place, and each day, five tons of the fruit will be distributed to incoming passengers at Arrival Hall Gates B and C.

According to the Immigration Bureau, Royal Thai Police, in April 2009, each day approximately 24,300 foreigners from all over the world came into the Kingdom via Suvarnabhumi International Airport. All in all, the Fruitful Welcomes Campaign will reach approximately 5,000 visitors per day.

Besides handing out lychees, the campaign will also support other similar promotions to boost the country’s fruit exports; such as, kiosks selling local fruits at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, as well as Thai fruit road shows abroad in the future.

Recommend Short Trips for Fruit Festivals:

1. Durian Festival, Chanthaburi
May 23-31, 2009

2. Wang Chan Fruity Road Fair, Rayong
May 23-31, 2009

3. Klaeng Fruit and OTOP Fair, Rayong
May 23-31, 2009

4. Prachin Buri Agricultural Fair
May 29 – June 7, 2009

5. Khao Chamao Fruit Festival, Rayong
May 30 – June 6, 2009

6. Funky Fruit Festival, Rayong
June 19 – 21, 2009

For more information about destinations and festivals around Thailand, please call the TAT Call Center 1672.

Contact information:
International Public Relation Division
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48
Fax: +66 (0) 2253 7419
E-mail: prdiv3@tat.or.th
Web site: www.tatnews.org

Footvolley comes to town !!

Here’s a chance to see first hand in Bangkok how footie skills can apply to volley ball.

While it doesn’t grab headlines in the sporting press, footvolley should stimulate our imagination as to its pedigree and origin. Now, courtesy of Pepsi Cola we can see for ourselves how this sporting spectacle compares with the traditional volley ball.

Proponents of the game point out that footvolley can be played by people of all ages, and was selected as a demonstration event at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

The first ever Pepsi Thailand World Foot Volley Tournament will be played out in downtown Bangkok, 30 to 31 May, at the Central World’s outdoor activity arena.
The competition will include teams from South America, Europe and Thailand.
According to the organisers, international football stars have been invited to attend the tournament to entertain the audience with a VIP demonstration match at the Outdoor Arena at Central World – a mega shopping complex in the heart of Bangkok.
Organised by the Footvolley Association of Thailand (FVAT) the tournament will feature eight professional teams, with sides from Brazil, Spain, France and Portugal lining-up against four Thai squads. The event is sanctioned by the Federation Internationale de Footvolley (FIFV) and forms part of the Footvolley World Tour 2009.

These so called world championships have been held since 2004 starting in Brazil. Thai foot volley players participated in that tournament and the following year in Spain.

Footvolley was established on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro and has quickly grown on to become a highly popular beach sport around the world. It was first introduced to Thailand 2003 and strangely gained its roots in Loei, a northern town surrounded by mountains and far from the Gulf of Thailand beach resorts.

Most probably the one question most frequently asked by tourists desiring to go to Thailand is: "When should we go?". Not as easy to answer as you would think, without knowing more about what your friends want to do in Thailand. There are three basic seasons that form up the Thailand weather cycle: Dry Season. Wet Season and Hot Season. But within the country the weather alters a lot from the cool north to the hot and sunny south. Lets look at what the Thailand weather is like in each season:

Hot Season:

March to June: The warmest months. April is in particular hot, almost too hot, even for the natives. Set a foot outside and you will be melting within minutes, sweat dripping from all over. Hot season is beach season. Cool off in the blue ocean and enjoy the shade of the palm trees. Trekkers may find it too hot to really enjoy.

Wet Season:

July to November: The wet season is the worst time to spend time in the Thailand weather, no matter what you are looking to do. Its humid, hot and it rains several times a day. Not just a few drips, but real monsoon style, where the heavens seem to open. But the hotels are plentiful and cheap. A good choice for backpackers on a budget.

Dry Season:

December to February: The best season to visit Thailand. The Thailand weather is almost normal here, the sky is clear of clouds and its hot, but not too hot. If you can try to go at this time.

When you know when to go, you will have to recognize that theres big regional differences in the Thailand weather. Click the link to learn exactly when is the better time to go for where you are going.
Author: Huey Davis

The Phuket Film Festival is proud to announce a Spotlight on Taiwanese Film will take place during the second edition of the festival which will run June 4 - 11 2009 at the Coliseum Theaters in Phuket Town, on the beautiful international resort destination of Phuket, Thailand.

The 2009 edition of the Festival will screen over 40 award winning movies from 17 countries.



Supporting the Academy Award nominated and other award winning Taiwanese films will be directors, producers, actors and actresses traveling to the Festival from Taiwan. They will join other Festival VIPs on a special tour of the island to raise awareness of Phuket as a world-class film location providing a comprehensive range of international class production services.

Attending will be:
Keeping Watch – Fen Fen Cheng
The Most Distant Course – Liin Jing-Jie
Island Etude – En Chen
Sumimasen Love - Lin Yu-Hsien
Step by Step – Kuo Chen – ti

Producers Patrick Mao Huang and James Liu will also attend the Festival.

A number of "stars" from Taiwan will also attend the Festival in support of the "Spotlight". Talent are still being confirmed however the Festival has learned Joseph Chang and Jani Tsai will probably attend as well as Asian superstar Chie Tanaka who will be awarded the Festival's Asian Talent of the Year Award. Huai-Jhong Wu has also been confirmed to attend.

The Spotlight on Taiwanese Film is being held in line with the Festival's goal to "diversify cultural activities" on Phuket and to mark the growth of the Taiwanese film industry for film lovers around the world.

The "Spotlight" also supports the recent Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) "Two Islands, One Culture" promotional campaign held to stimulate travel between the two islands of Taiwan and Phuket.

A gala reception will be hosted by the Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in Thailand on Friday June 5, 2009


Web site: www.phuketfilmfestival.asia

IMPORTANT
Event dates and programme details may be subject to change.
Many of the festivals and events listed on Thailand's official calendar of annual events are traditional Buddhist or folk festivals, the date of which is either determined by the Buddhist lunar calendar and waxing and waning moon. These are not staged events. The festivals reflect the rhythm of life in rural Thai villages and local traditions as observed in times past. To ensure you have the most updated information, please reconfirm details prior to travel.

Contact:
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Email: info@tat.or.th
Website: www.tat.or.th
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 (120 automatic lines)
Fax: +66 (0) 2250 5511 (two automatic lines)

FOR EVENT INFORMATION,
please call 1672.

This is a good questions with an easy answer, yes! Thailand has had some political trouble recently but the good news is that most problems have mainly been concentrated in Bangkok. Also there have been no incidents which involved foreigners at all. The Thai people are undoubtedly passionate about the politics of their country but they are also one of the most respectful group of people in the world.

The Thai people respect foreigners and welcome foreigners to their country and this is regardless of whether there are protests or not. So yes this is a good time to go to Thailand and enjoy this wonderful country. Thailand has been for a very long time one of the favorite places for travel in the world and will continue to be for a very long time to come.

One of the most popular and safest destinations in Thailand is Chiang Mai. Located only one house flight from Bangkok it is a peaceful, beautiful and very welcoming destination. Chiang Mai for very good reasons is one of the most visited places in Thailand.

Chiang Mai is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand, and is the capital of Chiang Mai Province. It is located among some of the highest mountains in the country. Chiang Mai has become an increasingly modern city and has many attractions for the thousands of foreign visitors who come each year.

Chiang Mai International Airport receives up to 28 flights a day from Bangkok and also serves as a local hub for services to other northern cities such as Chiang Rai, Phrae and Mae Hong Son. International services also connect Chiang Mai with other regional centers, including Hong Kong (China), Jinghong, (China), Kaohsiung (Taiwan), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Kunming (China), Luang Phrabang (Laos), Mandalay (Myanmar), Manila (Philippines), Seoul (Korea), Siem Reap (Cambodia), Singapore (Singapore), and Taipei (Taiwan).

Chiang Mai is a great place for an eco tour and a meaningful travel experience. The city and surrounding areas have so much to offer. The city itself is such a great holiday spot with many guesthouses and shops and the many temples spread around the city give the city its charm.

Around Chiangmai there are many opportunities for the responsible traveler such as volunteering, hilltribe homestay, trekking and adventure sports. There is so much to do which can keep you busy for a very long time!

What does it mean to be a responsible traveler in Thailand and join an eco tour ? Anyone can be a responsible traveler! Responsible travel or eco travel as it is mostly called means to go travel or join an eco tour that follows the eco way of travel.

The Eco travel way is the essence of responsible travel. Eco travel follows the principles of responsible travel which means a way of travel that conserves the local environment and benefits the well-being of the local people.

It means respecting the local people and environment by leaving the place as you found it, and even improving it by environmental work or volunteering. Mass tourism tends to leave a big footprint which harms the environment and also creates a lot of inconvenience for the local people. Also eco tours try to benefit the local people as much as possible by employing local tour guides and using locally owned and operated facilities.
By: Sally Brown

Some of the major expenses of your trip to Thailand will come in the form of travel expenses and accommodation. These are the two things you must first concentrate on arranging first. Before you can book your flights, you must check with the hotels for the availability status. You cannot afford to skip this step if you are travelling during peak season because affordable accommodation may not be available for the chosen dates.

You can find a number of cheap flight deals to Thailand through out the year because a number of tour operators and airlines compete with each other to get more customers. One of the best ways of getting the cheapest flight deals to Thailand is by comparing prices. If you are flexible with your travel dates and days, you will be able to get a better deal on your tickets. Being one of the top holiday destinations, tickets during the weekends will be more expensive.

There are number of airports in Thailand. You must also check for various routes and landing options. You must check whether it is cheaper to land at Bangkok or other airports and modify your itinerary accordingly. Never setout to buy the first choice of tickets that you are offered. If you are using a travel agent ask them for various route options and demand for the cheapest tickets. If you do not demand they will put you on to the most expensive route.

The cost of the tickets will vary from one airline to the other so compare prices with all possible airlines. If you can put up with a little discomfort and avoid direct flights, you can save a considerable amount of money on your Thailand flights. Flights with a number of stopovers are much cheaper than direct flights. If you plan your trip well in advance, you will be able to book your tickets in advance. This will get you the best offers. You will always be able to get cheaper prices on your flight tickets when you book the tickets early. All the cheap tickets will be filled in first as the days go by and as it gets closer to the travel date, only expensive tickets will be available.

If you do not mind little disappointment, you can try your luck with last minute flight deals. However, you should be prepared to pay more as well if you do not get any good last minute flight deals. Nothing is guaranteed with last minute flight deals. You may or may not get the best deals. At times, you may have to reschedule your trip to a later date as all the tickets may be completely booked. Therefore, it involves a lot of risks. You will need to make rearrangements with your accommodation as well; depending on the hotel policy, you may lose a certain amount of money in rescheduling your accommodation. Assessing the pros and cons, it is best to book your tickets in advance so that you can be free from anxiety and last minute disappointments.
by: NeonX

Now in its seventh year, the Koh Samui Regatta is set to maintain its strong reputation as one of the highlights of the Asian sailing circuit.

The week long sailing extravaganza, now officially recognised by the International Sailing Federation, brings together many of the world’s top sailors guaranteeing a week of fun filled racing action and passionate partying.

The Regatta is organised under the auspices of the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand. Racing takes place over five days comprising of a mixture of coastal passages and around the cans.

The event culminates in a VIP gala dinner and awards ceremony at the Central Samui Beach Resort. Evening cocktail parties are held at various locations throughout the Regatta.




RACING
The Koh Samui Regatta includes five days of racing over a mixture of coastal passages and around the cans courses just off the East and North coast of one of Thailand's most beautiful islands. Most of the action will take place within site of the Eastern and Northern Coasts of Koh Samui.

There are five Race Classes:
Racing; Cruising; Sports Boats; Multihulls; Beach Cats

The Koh Samui Regatta, widely regarded as one of the best in the region, offers a truly international event with participants from Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, The United States, the United Kingdom, Italy and France. In past years, the event has attracted between 30 to 40 boat entries with an even mixture of keelboats and multihulls.

Koh Samui
At 247 square kilometres, Koh Samui is Thailand's third largest island. During the last decade the island has become one of South East Asia’s top five most visited tourist destinations.

The neighbouring islands of Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and the breathtaking Ang Thong National Marine Park offer visitors a wide range of activities such as sailing, scuba diving, snorkelling and adventure excursions.

Along with the island’s established infrastructure including international educational and medical facilities, a wide choice of high street shopping brands, exquisite dining venues, and beautiful white sandy beaches, Koh Samui stands out as one of the jewels in Thailand’s illustrious crown.

Contact
Thailand representative and event organizer
MobyElite
E-mail: ksr@mobyelite.com
Web site: www.mobyelite.com

IMPORTANT
Event dates and programme details may be subject to change.
Many of the festivals and events listed on Thailand's official calendar of annual events are traditional Buddhist or folk festivals, the date of which is either determined by the Buddhist lunar calendar and waxing and waning moon. These are not staged events. The festivals reflect the rhythm of life in rural Thai villages and local traditions as observed in times past. To ensure you have the most updated information, please reconfirm details prior to travel.

Contact:
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Email: info@tat.or.th
Website: www.tat.or.th
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 (120 automatic lines)
Fax: +66 (0) 2250 5511 (two automatic lines)

FOR EVENT INFORMATION,
please call 1672.

Are you tired of being in the city and seeing all those radiating lights everywhere? Have you had enough of car horns, congested roads, and heavy traffic and for all you know you encounter the same kind of things all over again everyday? Have you had enough of the hot, muggy, and sticky moments in the urban zone? If so, then you definitely need a break.

It’s not a crime to take some of your time into recreation and just momentarily break free from your usual routine. It’s not a crime to enjoy the comforts of the world and just be away from work, stress, deadlines, and even from demanding managers. Whether you’re an accountant, a teacher, a supervisor, or even a housewife there’s got to be occasional moments when you need to have fun and just be somewhere else. If your current daily activities are taking their toll then you need to have a vacation.

Most people take vacations less than once a year. Some, not at all! If you think that the only thing you are bound to do is work then think again. Moreover, if you think that escaping from work and taking vacations are worrisome activities, well, you’re missing half the slice of your pizza.

Studies reveal that vacations actually have psychological and health benefits. Here are some of the benefits of a well-planned vacation:

1. It encourages creativity.

A nice vacation is a chance to break the monotony. It is like taking a snooze on a busy afternoon. Vacations allow you to do things you quite enjoy doing. Taking a fine vacation gives you a time for yourself, like you’ve always wanted to, after ages of digging into a pile of work. It gives you time to communicate with yourself, to discover and rediscover who you are when you’re not the bank manager, nor the scowling supervisor, or the ranting professor. You get to enjoy activities you normally cannot enjoy and be emancipated from your job description.

2. It keeps stress levels at bay.

If there is one thing that makes you similar to machines, it is that you use up energy, too. Stress is the leading cause of heart disease. Its effect to the body is something you wouldn’t want to have when you’re aged 50. Take time to escape from work. You are entitled to it. Relax! If exhaustion is burning your spirits out then you’ve got to take it easy. Why not go camping with friends or with your family? Why not explore the countryside or travel to island resorts, like the ones you find in Barbados?

3. It fends off job burnout.

After doing the same everyday tasks for five or ten years, do you feel depleted? Many people do. Burnout is inevitable. Everyone has the tendency to get fatigued. It’s a matter of how you can cope with it. Well, here’s good news! Taking vacations actually holds back burnout and when it’s time for you to get back to work then you will be just as creative and dynamic as ever unlike your overworked colleagues.

4. It creates bonds.

Spending a quality time with your loved ones maintains strong relationships, and a well-maintained bonding with families, friends, and with anybody close to you reduces the ill-effects of stress. It also promotes marriage satisfaction among couples.

5. It switches you back in shape.

People who take vacations more often than others feel better about themselves. This psychological benefit has a feedback advantage. If your self-esteem is high, you feel alive, you get along, and you keep going. It works better than most energy pills.

So if you feel like your life is swallowing you up then jump off and get away for a while. Have a breath of fresh air, feel the breeze, enjoy the warmth of the sun, watch the waves, swim into the cool waters, and dive into the deep blue ocean. It’s time for you to have some fun!
By: joalesto

Are You Skilled In The Task Of Being Able To Acquire Slashed-Prce Last Minute Travel Deals?
6 Ways How...
The early bird gets the worm. This is why if you book your flights or hotel room early, you get good deals for your punctuality. But often, last minute travel can't be avoided. And we know what that suggests since you're booking flights last minute, you sometimes have to pay more. So are you still find cheap last minute travel seats and accommodations? Here are tips to make certain you do:
Use your frequent flyer status.
Membership does have its advantages and it is even more so in case you need to make inexpensive last minute travel arrangements. If you're a member of an airline's frequent flyer program, then you will be considered as a privileged passenger. That means you can take advantage of an ancient practice that airlines are still defending today - reserving some tickets for their VIPs.
If you must make last minute travel, go forward and flash them your card. You also get to earn a few bonus points in the process.
Go online.
Yep, these days, if you need anything, you go online. If you need cheap, last minute travel deals for a plane ticket, go to the airline's web site. There are many of them that display leftover tickets for a specific flight. These are seats that have stayed unsold even as the plane is getting ready for takeoff. You will get some nice deductions for filling up the seats.
You could buy the tickets online but be prepared to dash off to the airport or boarding gate. If you want last minute travel this inexpensive, you better measure up to it.
Got a credit card? Use it.
Some Visa card companies offer air miles programs on their cards. Check if yours is associated with an airline company. You can take advantage of these offerings in case you must travel pronto. And , you could even collect rewards points as well.
Check if it's that time of the year.
Airfare and hotel costs change, depending on the season. If you want cheap last minute travel deals, go off season when there are fewer travelers and companies are raring to fill their places and rooms. You could get a great discount if you only choose to travel when business is slow.
Buy bundled.
Many travel agencies purchase multiple flights and use them to promote package tours. In case your destination is included in these bundles, consider purchasing a seat. Though many of these trips sell fast, you could find inexpensive last minute travel with these agencies. This customarily occurs as the date of departure approaches. If there are packages that have stayed unsold, you can be certain that they're going to be sold at highly reduced prices.
The advantage here is that you not only get to cover the airfare, you also get accommodation (and probably breakfast) thrown in. All thrown in. Really, that should be way less than the cost of a regular flight and hotel booking.
Sign up for email alerts.
Many airlines and hotels send out alerts regarding great deals on their products. You might use these in case you need to travel last minute cheaply. Check your email boxes continually if there's a fair deal currently active around the time you have to travel. Just be careful, though.
If you go this route, ensure you really are going to travel. Most of these companies offer these deals as non-refundables.

You can also get good travel deals on site, after you have landed. Make a sacrifice of a day or two by staying at a pension house or hostel, somewhere cheap that you can sleep in and not stress about lodgings first.
There are numerous ways that travel can go wrong. You can get the incorrect documents and have your passport messed up that you have to replace it before you can even think of the country. You can get the worst flights that are always delayed and that can cause you countless inconveniences.
By: garko travel

Undoubtedly Thailand is one of the best tourist destinations for family vacations. However we can easily make a number of mistakes while planning our trip to Thailand. There are so many places in Thailand where you can find your accommodation and move around keeping your accommodation destination as your base. Most of us love to stay in a place that has breath taking scenic views that relax our tired mind and body. When we want to plan our trip, most of us get on to the internet and start making our searches about the best places in Thailand. We review the photos that are posted on the web and try to make our decision based on the information and the photos we review online.

One of the mistakes we can possibly make here is to treat all the tourist destinations in Thailand equally. From the reviews we read, all of them sound great and the photos too vouch for the same. Therefore, we think that all parts of Thailand have the same breathtaking views and pick some obscure island. Only when we reach there, we will come to realize, the destination that we chose is not as picturesque as we expected it to be. This can leave us in disappointment, which can ruin the entire holiday mood.

When you want to select your accommodation destination in Thailand never rush to make your decision. We make rushed decisions when we start our trip arrangements in the last moment. We should plan well in advance so that we will have enough time to review the holiday destinations in Thailand. There are number of travel agents who can help us plan our trip well. It is good to get help from an experienced travel agent who has travel packages to Thailand. Normally, travel packages will pick the best places in Thailand and leave out the less popular places. On the other hand, when you want to have a quite holiday, you might like to pick some less popular destinations in Thailand that attracts fewer crowds. Therefore, it depends entirely on you and how you want to spend your holidays in Thailand.

Thailand provides all types of experiences as you can do a wide range of things in Thailand. Discussing your needs with a local travel agent who enjoys good reputation will help a great deal. They will be able to put a customized tour package for you to meet your specific requirements.

Thailand has excellent nightlife outlets that you will enjoy as well as adventurous diving sites. It is better to write down what you want to do in Thailand so that you do not regret not doing something that you always wanted to do when you visit Thailand. You must choose your accommodation destination based on things you would like to do in Thailand. This will reduce the amount of time you will spend in local travel. Reaching Thailand without prior planning will be the biggest mistake you can make.
by: NeonX

When you have good friends around you, you really feel special to share in the spirit for friendship. You seek to do things for each other that will please and excite you. You can decide to go on a friendship holiday that will see you have great fun. There are many places that you can go on a friendship holiday. First, let us look at some of the gains that you will enjoy when you go on holiday with your friends. You will get a chance to relax and forget about your busy and hectic life. It is an opportunity to have fun with your friends as you explore different locations. You will also draw closer together and give yourselves an opportunity to really reflect on the issues that affect you and your relationship. There are no two ways in which to make friends; you have to spend time so that you can fully understand each other.

I cannot insist enough on the importance of looking for enough time to share and you can do this best through friendship holiday. You will have to look for a place where you can all feel comfortable to enjoy. Taking a friendship holiday does not have to be an expensive thing. You can look for a good place where you can spend the weekend. The idea is to go away for some time so that you can be alone. If you have a lot to spend though, take advantage of exotic locations and you will definitely not regret it. Apart from knowing which location to visit, you need to know the activities that you are going to be undertaking while you are on the holiday. If you are using a travel agency, let them guide you to some of the things that will leave you electrified with fun. Go for those activities that you will enjoy. It is pretty exciting how you can enjoy yourself with friends and you will not want to come back home.



A friendship holiday can also be in form of visiting a seminar. There are many friendship clinics that are organized by experts as they bring together people from all walks of life to give them some advice on friendships. This is an opportunity for you to be taught what goes into making a winning friendship. There is nothing more interesting and eye opening than this. If you really feel like you need to escape and learn, use the Internet to guide you on the next event where you can take a holiday together with your friends. As you enjoy your holiday, it is good to reflect on the good old days when you first came to know each other. Without a doubt, you will realize that true friends can outlast even your closest family. After all, when you are friends, you are family. Take time to really know the kind of friends you have and if you think they are worth going on holiday with you, let them come along. The best way is to share in the expenses as you go on holiday with them.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will be organising the Golf Travel Mart 2009, during 12 – 16 May, in Bangkok, Chon Buri, Phetchaburi, and Prachuap Khiri Khan.

The Golf Travel Mart 2009 is to be launched to promote golf tourism and to increase the number of visitors in this niche market. The objectives are to stimulate new promotional golf packages, and promote Thailand as a leading golf destination in the international market.




TAT in its 2009 Marketing Plan aims to shift its international market-base to quality tourists through niche market promotions; such as, golfing. It plans to turn Thailand into a “Golf Paradise” for international golfers which would increase the number of quality tourists, as well as increase spending in other sectors; such as, shopping, health and spa, which is suitable for golfers and their families.

The golf market is a market with high potential growth, as the number of golfers is increasing, particularly female and junior golfers. Thailand has great potential for the international golfing market due to its wide range of facilities that respond to demands compared to other countries in the region. These include over 200 golf courses, as well as many practice courses and golf academies for both adults and juniors that meet international standards throughout the country.

Destination diversity and the vast choice of golf courses located throughout the country are key factors attracting the large numbers of visitors coming to play golf in Thailand. From the beach resorts in the South, to the mountainous surroundings in the North, or the lively cities of Bangkok and Pattaya, there are golf courses to suit every preference. Combine this variety of quality golf with the excellent value for money, and visitors have the makings of a true golf lover’s dream come true. This has proven to be successful, as seen by the many golf travellers who now rank Thailand as the one of best top travel destinations in the world.

All of these make Thailand an attractive destination for golf tournaments; such as, the Royal Trophy and the Thailand Ladies’ Open (LPGA) which are world-renowned, and youth camps with young golfers participating from around the world. This has been evidenced by the World Golf Travel Agents Association recently awarding Thailand the ‘Best Up and Coming Destination’ for golf vacations. Thailand has hosted world-class golf tournaments attracting such players as Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, and Colin Montgomerie. Such courses as Blue Canyon in Phuket have played host to international tournaments together with the Thai Country Club and Alpine Golf Club in Bangkok during the last few years. The Thai Country Club will be hosting the high-profile Asian Volvo Masters for the next 3 years.

The selected international tour operators in the golf market, media persons, golf academies, and organizers from each TAT overseas office are invited to travel to Thailand. They will be participating in the Golf Travel Mart 2009 and testing some of the golf products on offer. The total number of participants will be 345 people, which includes 10 tour operators and 5 media, academies or organizers from each office. The targeted overseas markets include Japan, Korea, China, Australia, Scandinavia, the USA, and others.

Representatives from international tour operators and media participants are invited to participate in the Trade Meet at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre on 14 May, 2009. An introductory seminar on golfing products in Thailand will be presented to the international golf tour operators and media. The product testing activities and welcome party will bring all participants to Pattaya, followed by a farewell party in Cha-am/Hua Hin during 12-13 and 15-16 May, 2009, respectively.

Contact information:
International Public Relation Division
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48
Fax: +66 (0) 2253 7419
E-mail: prdiv3@tat.or.th
Web site: www.tatnews.org

A newly domestic campaign that Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched to express an invitation to tourists to experience the wonderful country, visit the beautiful tourist attractions both natural and historical sites and participate in various kind of cultural activities and events. Moreover, travel does not only refresh your body while taking a deep breath along the white sandy beach or climb up a high hill, it also stimulates economy through shopping the OTOP ; products of the Thai wisdom or tasting regional delicious food and fresh fruit.

Thai Travel Fest is organized to promote "the Best" of each region i.e. the outstanding tourist attractions as well as magnificent cultural performances. Furthermore, the consumer fair ; where special price of accommodation, package and spa from tourist private sectors, are avialable in the events of 5 Region Thai Travel Fest 2009, which is held in the major cities of each region :


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5 Region Thai Travel Fest @ Season of The East
1 - 3 May, 2009
at Pattaya, Chon Buri

5 Region Thai Travel Fest @ Amazing Mythical I-san
17 - 19 July, 2009
at Thung Si Mueang, Ubon Ratchathani

5 Region Thai Travel Fest @ The Charming Serene North
13 July - 2 August 2009
at Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University, Phisanulok

5 Region Thai Travel Fest @ The Zestful Splendid South
21 - 23 August, 2009
at Suan Somdej Phra Si Nakarindra 84 (Thung Tha Lad Park), Nakhon Si Thammarat

5 Region Thai Travel Fest @ The Central Paradise
18 - 20 September, 2009
at The SUPPORT Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand (Public Organization) - SACICT,
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

For more information, please call
- Tourist Hotline Tel. 1672
- Events Department, (Events Planning Division & Events Promotion Division)
Tourism Authority of Thailand Tel. 0 2250 5500 ext 3464-3468
- TAT offices nationwide

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has segmented and regrouped its core national tourism products into a seven-point package that will be marketed worldwide under the banner of “Seven Amazing Wonders” of Thailand.

Approved after the annual marketing meeting of TAT in the beach resort of Cha-am last week, the new campaign is designed to help attain a target of 14.8 million international visitor arrivals in 2007 and 15.7 million in 2008. The domestic tourism target is 82 million trips in 2007 and 83 million trips in 2008.

TAT Governor Mrs Phornsiri Manoharn said, “The new planning focus takes into account the many influencing factors at the global, regional, and local levels, ranging from changes in consumer behaviour, the impact of oil prices to branding and low-cost airlines.”

An exhaustive SWOT analysis of the Thai tourism industry indicated that while there were a number of issues to be addressed, “the good news is that Thailand has a generally very positive image in the world, which gives it a significant competitive advantage.

Mrs Phornsiri said, “In many travel magazines and lifestyle surveys, we are consistently ranked in the Top Ten for the quality of our beautiful beaches, entertainment and dining, value of products, recreational facilities, and shopping. Every year, we reap many awards in each of these categories.”

She noted that the new campaign will be underpinned by the strong branding slogan “Amazing Thailand” which proved hugely successful in 1998/99 and underscores the country’s image as a peaceful, hospitable country and a year-round tourism destination with high quality of value-for-money products and services.”

The “Seven Amazing Wonders” theme products are as follows:

Thainess
“Experience the Art of Thai Living” — which refers to traditional Thai hospitality, lifestyle and friendliness of the people

Treasure products
“Land of Heritage and History” — covering the World Heritage sites and historical places, temples, and Thai museums

Beaches
“Fun, Sun, Surf and Serenity of Thai Beaches” — the long-standing popularity of Thai beach resorts for international and domestic tourism

Nature
“Encounter the Sheer Beauty of Thai Nature” — focus on conservation and environment, and market Thai products within the framework of the worldwide attention being paid to global warming

Health and Wellness
“Land of Healthy Smile” — a rapidly growing market, highlighting Thailand’s preventive and curative therapies

Trendy
“Excite Yourself with a Myriad of Thai Trends” — targetted at the new generation of young travellers, and covering the new boutique hotels, shopping centres, restaurants, nightlife, and entertainment

Festivities
“Enchant Yourself with International Festivities in Thailand”— the ‘sanuk’ (fun) factor, featuring popular Thai events and festivals such as the Phuket Regatta, Elephant Polo, etc.

The 18 main markets which are targeted for intensive promotions are mainly in the Asia-Pacific, East Asia and Europe regions. Among the 20 emerging markets with strong growth potential are Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Russia and CIS countries, East Europe, UAE, and Saudi Arabia.

This year, TAT is to open offices in Dubai, Moscow and Vietnam, all of which are generating promising growth. It is also working actively in China which is projected to become Thailand’s top source of visitor arrivals by the end of this decade, overtaking both Malaysia and Japan.

Mrs Phornsiri said the core focus will be on attracting “quality tourists with high yield.” A lot of time and effort is to be directed at enhancing TAT’s e-marketing abilities through websites, blogs, discussion forums, travel clubs, mobile phone messages, etc, especially to reach the high-end target group in places like Japan, Australia and the US.

She said, “The fact that 60% of total arrivals are repeat visitors opens up excellent opportunities to attract more visitors by getting our loyal guests to recommend Thailand to more friends and colleagues.”

One key component of the campaign will be the nine Royal Discovery Initiative projects, all conceptualised and created by His Majesty the King and members of the Royal Family as part of Thailand’s “sufficiency economy” practise.

Mrs Phornsiri said, “This year, we are commemorating His Majesty the King’s 80th Birthday Anniversary. His Majesty is now the world’s longest reigning monarch and within two years, will become the longest reigning monarch in world history. This will be another cause for glorious celebration.”

The nine Royal Discovery Initiative projects epitomise the pride of Thailand. They cover areas such as agriculture, occupational training, education, traditions and culture. More details are available on the web site www.thairoyalprojects.com

On the small tropical island of Koh Samui off the eastern seaboard of Thailand there exists what has got to be the quaintest little airport on the planet.

Why is that? Well, for starters every building on the airport complex is entirely thatched over with palm leaves and not many airports can claim that can they? In the main public areas the exterior walls have wide-open sides for the ocean breezes to waft through keeping it at a nice cool temperature. The smiling staff who work there are ever-helpful and polite and greet every new-comer as though they have just come from outer space – which to those on this remote island is exactly how it must feel to them. It’s the opposite when you leave because the islanders really hate to see people depart from their island, they figure: having spent ALL that money to get there why would anyone want to leave? And it makes you wonder who really is nuts - the smiling islanders or the grinning farang!

When they gently direct you to Terminal One with pride in their hearts – you really have to chuckle because of course it’s the only terminal they have! There are no gate numbers to rush to, as all passengers arrive and depart courtesy of a clean and modern air-conditioned shuttle bus, which covers the distance from the plane to the main building or vice-versa in about two minutes flat. There is no carousel except the one going around in your head. There are no loudspeakers and no information screens. Just people cheerfully carrying out their tasks with absolutely no hustle or bustle on their minds. Time has almost stopped still.


There is only one single arrow-straight runway to handle both incoming and outgoing planes, which total no more than about twenty flights per day between 6.30 am when the airport opens for business at sunrise and when it closes at sunset exactly twelve hours later.

Playing the ace green card, Bangkok Airways, who built and own the airport (International Airport Code - USM) have attempted a truly unique experiment and one of which they can be proud. The actual buildings, which were finished in 1984, are not only pleasing to the eye but work hand-in-glove with the island’s natural environment. It is, in itself, a compelling advert for greenness in all its forms. The vast Bangkok Airport (BKK) may be the newest and flashiest airport in the world but I’ve never seen anyone standing around taking hundreds of photos of it like they do of Samui Airport. This airport almost seems to be smiling at you – wanting its photo taken. And for sure no other airport replaces its roof with fresh palm leaves every two or three years like they do here. The fact is, once upon a time, little Samui was the world’s largest exporter of coconuts and palm trees are one commodity they still have plenty of. Its what they have used for centuries on the roofs of their villas and bungalows and the ubiquitous salas that abound everywhere – so they figure; why stop there? Why indeed?


As the plane starts its gradual descent approach towards the narrow jutting peninsula on the northeast sector of the island you will now get a fantastic bird’s eye view of Samui and all the other outlying islands. You’ll see the surf breaking on the beaches and trace the wakes of small fishing craft as they criss-cross the incredibly green-blue turquoise sea. Then as you get closer you can make out the coral reefs growing beneath the dappling clear water. And if you look harder still you might even see a pod of dolphins jumping and dodging around the fishing craft waiting for the friendly fishermen to throw them a morsel. Phew, what a sight for sore eyes!


Frankly, the whole experience is just too much for the human soul to contemplate and you really cannot wait to land to check that it really wasn’t a figment of your imagination. Maybe the airport workers are not that wrong – because it certainly feels like you’ve just come from outer space - as surely nothing on this planet awaits the visitor more pleasingly than this tropical hideaway located in the balmy Sea of Siam. Jet lag? Well, you can’t get jet lag in paradise, but I bet you didn’t know that either did you?