Thailand gains in UNWTO ranking

BANGKOK, 14 May 2012: Thailand’s tourism in 2011 moved up a single notch from 12th to 11th in the United Nations World Tourism Organisation’s world’s top destinations  based on just annual tourism receipts.

The latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer reports increases in receipts for a swath of destinations, worldwide, that make up the membership of the organisation. The data is sourced from  member countries and taken at face value.

Thailand was also among five destinations that saw international tourism receipts in 2011 grow by US$5 billion or more. It reported income rising by US$6.2 billion from US$20.1 billion in 2010 to a record US$26.3 billion last year.

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Phuket race changes sponsor

PHUKET, 14 May 2012: The Phuket Race Week regatta moves to a new home after its previous venue and sponsor, Evason Phuket & Six Senses Spa, announced it was closing later this month.

This year’s race will now be hosted at Cape Panwa Resort, 18 to 22 July, and will  adopt a new name, Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Race Week, to reflect the change.

The new owners of the former Evason Phuket sent messages to travel agents, earlier this month, advising them to find alternative accommodation as the property was closing later this month.

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Minister challenges GHF evaluation

AYUTTHAYA, 11 May 2012: Culture Minister Sukumol Khunplome insists Ayutthaya will continue as a UNESCO World Heritage Site although the historical ruins topped the Global Heritage Fund’s list of 10 most endangered heritage sites in Asia. The fund is neither related nor linked to UNESCO.

Thailand’s Ayutthaya Historical Park was first listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO in1991.

“Although Ayutthaya topped the warning list released by the Global Heritage Fund, we should note that the report was not prepared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation  (UNESCO).”

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Thailand beefs up flood protection

BANGKOK, 10 May 2012: Thailand will be better prepared this year to deal with the rainy season, potential floods and run-off from the north, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra insisted during a water management projects briefing earlier this week.

She confirmed that emergency flood prevention measures would be in place by August.

However, the PM noted that it was still imperative to partner with foreign investors to underwrite Thailand’s long-term water resources management plan.

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More films shot in Thailand

BANGKOK, 10 May 2012: Thailand earned a record of Bt1,267.33 million from on-location film shoots in Thailand in the first four months of 2012, according to the Thailand Film Office Department, which is supervised by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

The department reported, Tuesday, that for January to April this year there were 237 films, documentaries, advertising, TV series, and music videos filmed on location in Thailand. They generated Bt1,267.33 million in revenue compared to 237 productions and circulated Bt458.26 million during the same period last year.

Of 237 productions, there were 37 documentaries, 138 advertising, 32 television series, nine music video productions and 21 films.

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Rain stops play at park

MAE HONG SON, 10 May 2012: Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation said Tham Pla-Namtok Pha Suea National Park’s Pang Ung reservoir will be closed until 30 September.

Tham Pla-Namtok Pha Suea national park head, Veerachai Mongkolpan, said the temporary closure of the park’s Pang Ung reservoir zone was due to safety risks during the rainy season as well as the need to give the park breathing space to recover from tourism-related damage.

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Ministry drops centre in TAT’s lap

CHIANG MAI, 9 May 2012: Ministry of Tourism and Sports says its mega project to give Chiang Mai at Bt1.8 billion convention centre is nearly complete and hopes it will open this December.

MOTS’ Department of Tourism general director, Supol Sripan, said the convention centre is nearly finished and waiting some interior furnishings and fitting.

The latest update in April showed 99.40% of construction was finished representing a 0.31% delay that should have seen the project reach the 99.71% point.

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Floods and drought alerts

BANGKOK, 9 May 2012: Thai Metrological Department continues to warn residents in northern Thailand of heavy rain and possible flash floods.

The department said a strong southwest monsoon was causing scattered to fairly widespread rain with isolated heavy rainfall in northern provinces.

Residents in  risk areas should be aware of the danger of flash floods if they live near rivers or canals.

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Wonder deals at domestic fair

BANGKOK, 8 May 2012: Tourism Authority of Thailand partners with tourism associations to sell discounted packages to South Thailand that should boost bookings during the low season.

All the packages are geared to the domestic market and go on sale at the Wonderful Thailand, Wonderful World 2012 fair, 10 to 13 May, at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. Two other smaller shows on diving and golfing are included in the fair.

TAT deputy governor for domestic marketing, Thawatchai Arunyik, said that TAT has partnered with several associations to promote tourism in the south under the concept of “Travel to the South with Tour Operators” (Tiew Tai Gab Tour).

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TAT sells booths for domestic fair

BANGKOK, 8 May 2012: The Tourism Authority of Thailand is inviting tourism businesses to take part in its domestic tourism fair, Thailand Tourism Festival 2012, 6 to 10 June, at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani.

The five-day event will be held on the sidelines of the trade show Thailand Travel Mart Plus 2012 hosted at the same venue.

This year, the domestic show has adopted the theme Miracle Thailand Year that emphasizes Thai identity, traditions, culture and local knowledge.

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