Thailand organises Grand Motor Caravan for October

The Tourism Authority of Thailand is organising a “Grand Motor Caravan” as a simultaneous celebration of His Majesty the King of Thailand’s 80th Birthday Anniversary on 5 December, 2007, and World Tourism Day on 27 September.

The roughly 5,000 people expected to participate in the caravan will each plant three trees in the provinces to be visited, thus helping to offset its environmental impact.

Being organised together with Grandprix International and the Thai Tourism Promotion Association, the first “Low Emission:Tourism Thai” grand motor caravan will be held between 29-30 September 2007.

Applications to join the caravan are now being accepted at the various TAT regional offices. The application fee is 800 baht /1 car/2 persons/1 hotel room. Each participant will receive a T-shirt, cap, sticker, souvenirs, and a complimentary dinner.

According to TAT Governor, Mrs. Phornsiri Manoharn, “The caravan is designed to promote domestic tourism and better distribute income nationwide, both of which are important policies of TAT.”

“However, we also recognise that motor-vehicle emissions are major contributors to global warming. Hence, it was decided to offset the environmental costs of the caravan by planting trees in each of the provinces to be visited.”

Minister of Tourism and Sports, Dr. Suvit Yodmani will preside over the opening ceremony on 29 September, 2007 at Sanam Luang, Bangkok. The caravan will then head in separate groups to Chonburi, Petchaburi, Nakhon Nayok, Kanchanaburi, and Sukhothai provinces. Two groups are planned:

Group A: Departing from Bangkok, 5 routes: 1. Bangkok– Chonburi- Bangkok (60 cars), stay at Pattaya Park Hotel 2. Bangkok– Phetchaburi-Bangkok (120 cars), stay at Hua Hin Grand Hotel 3. Bangkok– Nakhon Nayok – Bangkok (60 cars), stay at Khao Yai Grand Hotel 4. Bangkok- Kanchanaburi – Bangkok (60 cars), stay at Royal River Kwai Hotel 5. Bangkok– Sukhothai – Bangkok (organized by the Thai Tourism Promotion Association, 2 buses).

Group B: Departing from TAT regional offices, 22 routes: 1. Northern region 4 routes 2. Central region 8 routes 3. North East region 5 routes 4. Southern region 5 routes.

Motor-caravans are organised regularly by TAT every year to take advantage of Thailand’s vastly improved highway network, generate interest in new destinations, and promote travel both within Thailand and the neighbouring countries of the Greater Mekong Subregion and ASEAN.

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