THAILAND TOURISM FESTIVAL READY TO ROLL-OUT

The kingdom’s multi-billion baht travel and tourism industry is set to put on a colourful display at the Thailand Tourism Festival 2000 to be held at the IMPACT Exhibition Centre, Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi province, from November 17 to 26, 2000.

The 10-day festival, the biggest and most spectacular ever organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, will be a multi-purpose extravaganza of product displays, conferences, exhibitions and colourful music and dance performances.

TAT Governor Pradech Phayakvichien said, “This year, the event is even more special because TAT is commemorating its 40th anniversary. At a time when the economic crisis affected many other sectors of our economy, travel and tourism flourished, generating foreign exchange and saving jobs. “There is no doubt that we are a major social and economic force for the country.”

Jointly organised by TAT and other tourism-related public and private sectors, the Tourism Festival 2000 will be structured to promote the significance of tourism for the people and economy of Thailand, as well as a better understanding of the value of the Kingdom’s cultural and national resources.

Throughout the festival, many aspects of life from all the regions of Thailand will be highlighted through a variety of tourism-related activities including cultural performances, four-region Thai villages, product demonstrations, exhibitions, seminars plus a consumer trade show.

The four-region villages will feature demonstrations of local handicrafts, cultural events and traditions as well as cultural performances. Various performing arts and cultural events will also be shown on the central stage daily between 6:00-10:00 pm.

These will include dances by provincial drama colleges and Rajabhat Institutes from all regions, Khon (or Masked Dance), the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, Puppet and Shadow Plays, Thai Classical Concerts, Talk Shows and other local performances such as long-drum dances, Likae (or Thai Opera), etc.

TAT Governor Pradech Phayakvichien commented, “All these events will underscore TAT's policy and fundamental belief that preserving the Kingdom’s cultural heritage, Thai identity, local traditions, natural resources and the environment are critical to the success of the travel and tourism industry.”

One of the festival highlights will be the Exhibition of Thai Jewellery and Silk which will showcase the ability of Thai craftsmen to produce local products of an international standard.

Two important objects on display will be the replicas of the Supannahongse Barge and the Narai Songsuban Barge. The former is made out of one kilogramme of gold and engraved with 5,500 diamonds and gems which took 59 artisans about ten months to complete. The latter has been sculpted out of 1.55 kilogrammes of gold and studded with 3,975 diamonds, gems and other precious stones. It took 50 artisans nine months to compete. A number of tourism-related exhibitions on information technology and sustainable tourism will also be held alongside the festival. An Internet cafe and 3D cinema showing 6-8 minute travel programmes will be open throughout.

A miniature light and sound presentation of the Bridge over the River Kwai will be demonstrated. TAT holds many such light and sound presentations at major historical attractions nationwide, and tickets for these will be available at the Festival.

A series of tourism conferences and seminars designed for both local and international tourism specialists as well as government agencies and academics will run parallel to the trade show.

Topics to be covered will include “TAT’s 40th Anniversary: Success or Failure” on November 20, “Role of Local Communities in Sustainable Tourism Development” November 22, “A Decade of Youth Travel Promotion Plan” on 23 November and “Standards of Ecotourism Management” on November 24.

TAT has organised the popular Thailand Tourism Festival since 1980. This year, the TAT pavilion will feature a history of TAT and the work it has done to make Thailand one of the most important and successful destinations in the Asia-Pacific.

The festival is expected to be well attended by Thai people and expatriates living in Thailand as well as travel and tourism related companies and overseas buyers.