Thailand ready to host World Scout Jamboree 2003

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is mobilising all its resources for the 20th World Scout Jamboree, one of the world's largest youth gatherings.

Thailand won the bid to host the Jamboree at the 34th World Scout Conference in Oslo, Norway, in 1996. The event is being organised by the National Scout Organisation of Thailand and Department of Physical Education, between December 28, 2002 to January 7, 2003 at Hat Yao in Sattahip district, Chonburi, about three hours drive from Bangkok.

About 20,000 scouts, their relatives, officers, and volunteers aged 15-25 from 82 countries totalling about 30,000 people from around the world are expected in Thailand. Participants hail from the National Scout Organizations which are members of the World Organization of the Scout Movement.

The theme for the Jamboree is "Share Our World, Share Our Cultures". It offers an opportunity for participating scouts having different backgrounds, including race, language, culture, climate, religion, and so forth to share this world camping experience together and inspire them to be responsible for themselves, society, and the world.

In addition to dozens of activities, the scouts will participate in the Opening, Closing and Inter-Religious ceremonies, and New Year celebrations.

TAT Governor Mrs. Juthamas Siriwan commented, "TAT joins the people and government of Thailand in extending a warm welcome to the scouts from around the world.

"We are working closely with all our public and private agencies to help ensure that the scouts have a successful stay in Thailand. TAT will be making tourism information available to delegates as well as organising a series of training and seminars to help the 3,000 Thai volunteers assist the visiting scouts."

TAT has set up 11 information booths to distribute tourist literature throughout the 11-day event. There will also be a number of product display points to introduce Thai tourism destinations.

Special meet-and-greet facilities will be set up at Bangkok International Airport to help delegates with their arrival formalities and facilitate transfers to/from the airport to the venue.

TAT is working with the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) and Thai Eco-tourism and Adventure Travel Association (TEATA) to offer an extensive range of discounted pre- and post-Jamboree tour programmes.

The tours will cover all major parts of Thailand and range from half-day to five-day trips which will cost between US$13-700 (or about 600-30,000 Baht). Activities will include biking around the Thai communities in Bangkok and nearby vicinities, jungle trekking, bird watching, canoeing, rafting, diving, spa and natural therapy, as well as the country's many popular destinations like Phuket and Chiang Mai.

Last April, TAT organised a training session called "Tourism for Scouts" and will organise another session between December 3-8 to be participated by 150 Thai scouts who are high-school students.

During these sessions, the scouts are briefed about the Thai tourism industry and its significance to Thai society and the economy. They are also trained to be temporary tour guides, thereby encouraging them to promote a better understanding of the country to the visiting scouts.

Mrs Juthamas said, "The Jamboree is expected to generate foreign receipts of about 300 million Baht in registration fees and an additional five billion Baht in expenditure. It will help build long-term relations amongst Thai youth and their global friends, and encourage the promotion of youth development activities.

"We hope it will boost the country's image as a hospitable venue and a safe and value-for-money destination. In future, we hope many of the scouts will come back to Thailand for a holiday, and bring their families and friends with them."

Scout visitors, both international and Thai, will only be allowed to visit the Jamboree on 29, 30 December 2002 and again on 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 January for one half-day visit only. This will be between 09.00 and 12.00 hours or between 14.00 and 17.00 hours.