Thread: 2015 Discover Thainess at WTM 2014

2015 Discover Thainess at WTM 2014

Has the good lady discovered Thainess.


Speech by H.E. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul
Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand
2015 Discover Thainess Networking Lunch, WTM 2014
Monday, 3 November 2014, 11.30-13.30 hrs.
Sawasdee kha and good afternoon.
Mr. Thawatchai Arunyik, Governor, Tourism Authority of Thailand,
Distinguished guests and media,
Ladies and gentlemen,
On behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand and the Thai tourism industry, I would like to extend to you a warm welcome. Thank you for your support and for sparing your valuable time with us today.
The Kingdom of Thailand has been a democratic country for over 80 years and is still developing on the path towards the ideal form of democracy. Along the way, we have faced and overcome adversity. At this point in time, a full reform of the country is now undergoing the necessary processes as we lay a solid foundation for a general election.
Tourism Policy
Under the current administration, I have been given charge of the tourism and sports portfolio. I am honoured to take up this very critical position because the Cabinet, headed by General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, recognises the tourism industry as one of its priority economic sectors. We see tourism as a primary source of foreign exchange earnings and means of income distribution, especially to the provincial areas.
1.1 Improving Facilities and Security in Tourist Attractions
The most important development has been the restoration of peace and stability in Thailand. The Thai government has introduced and enforced a series of measures and developments in order to help improve the experience of travellers and tourists visiting the kingdom. In addition to robust marketing campaigns, we are also working hard to address some of the underlying challenges that have impacted the industry over the years.
Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and Phuket International Airport have seen actions to clampdown on illicit taxi operations. Phuket has also witnessed its popular beaches in Patong (ป่าตอง), Surin (สุรินทร์) and Bang Tao (บางเทา) being returned to their natural pristine states, following a clear-out of beach encroachment. In addition, Pattaya (พัทยา) and Hua Hin (หัวหิน) have witnessed their beachside walk being cleared out of illegal business operations.
The government gives the first priority on security measures especially for tourists by planning to implement more surveillance cameras and lighting tourist destinations across Thailand. More tourist police will facilitate and ensure safety for tourists. Zoning laws will be improved to enhance sustainability at various tourist destinations.
In addition, major efforts are being made to ensure that all tourist attractions have clean toilets and facilities for people with disabilities, who will comprise a growing percentage of future travellers in view of ageing societies worldwide.
1.2 Thailand as a Destination of ASEAN, ASEAN for All
The emergence of the ASEAN Economic Community will open up many opportunities to build upon Thailand’s geographical advantage at the heart of the 10-member community. We maintain strong regional tourism cooperation with our neighbouring countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion, all of which are committed to foster closer social interaction and economic cohesion in Asia as well as facilitate travel into ASEAN.
At the same time, intra-ASEAN travel will also grow, creating more synergies between the peoples of the region and enhancing inter-cultural contacts and friendship. It will also allow us to tap the potential of the many long holiday weekends to attract short stay but high-spending traffic from the neighbouring countries, which are all within three to four hours flying time of each other, similar to European countries.
Marketing Situation in the United Kingdom and European Union
We count the British and Europeans as good friends of Thailand. Thailand has enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship with the United Kingdom and Europe. These markets proved to be a bedrock of our industry in the early stages of its development in the 1970s and 1980s.
Today, European visitors are generating amongst our longest average lengths of stay. In 2013, UK visitors had an average length of stay of roughly 17 days per person per visit, about double the 9.85 day average of all visitors to Thailand. European visitors as a whole had an average length of stay of 16 days in 2013.
Of the over 26.5 million international visitor arrivals to Thailand in 2013, a total of 6.1 million arrivals were from Europe, a market share of 23 percent and an increase of 12 percent over 2012. By the end of this year, we are projecting more than 6.5 million (6,512,000) visitor arrivals and earnings of 8.8 billion GBP (458 billion Baht) from the EU market.
In 2013, Thailand welcomed more than 840,000 (847,678) UK visitors, an increase of 3 percent over 2012. By the end of this year, we are projecting more than 879,000 visitor arrivals and earnings of 1.2 billion GBP (64 billion Baht) from the UK market.
Looking to the future, in 2015, we are projecting 6.9 million European visitors and earnings of 9.7 billion GBP (505 billion Baht) for tourism income and 909,000 visitor arrivals and earnings of 1.3 billion GBP (68.6 billion Baht) from the UK market.
Ladies and gentlemen,
“2015 Discover Thainess”
Here at WTM, it is my pleasure to unveil our new global marketing and promotion campaign “2015 Discover Thainess” to the world.
2015-Discover-ThainessOur new campaign will emphasise the priceless treasures of Thailand, which give Thainess its charm and makes us unique as a people, society and culture. ‘Thainess’ is the distinctive character, which creates the competitive advantage for Thailand.
The marketing messages will concern the Creative Tourism concept where tourists can immerse themselves in the Thai way of life, Thai culture and hands-on Thai experiences; such as Thai boxing, Thai massage, Thai cooking, and Thai classical dance. The “Thainess” lifestyle is reflected in all our indigenously-designed handmade products and services.
We would like to pass on the Thai way of happiness to international tourists worldwide in the coming 2015 Discover Thainess campaign. We have designed a number of activities so visitors can fully experience Thainess, which is all about warm hospitality, ‘sanook’ or enjoyable fun and a variety of emotions. The destinations in each part of Thailand can deliver their unique memorable experiences to travellers; for example, tourists will be impressed with the perfect harmony of Thai life and nature at Klong Roi Sai community (ชุมชนคลองร้อยสาย) in Surat Thani. Or travellers can feel the serene and energetic lifestyles at the same time in Trat, like scuba diving, kayaking, and fishing. Apart from these activities and destinations, many more places in Thailand awaits discovery.
Upcoming Events
Looking to the future, we have also designed a calendar of monthly festivals and events all the way until the end of the year 2015. All focus on the “Thainess” theme and offer your clients plenty of colour, excitement, fun and happiness. The biggest event will be held in January 2015, which will take the form of a “Thailand Happiness Carnival.”
14th-18th January 2015, the Opening Ceremony and Festival of “2015 Discover Thainess” at Lumphini Park in Bangkok.
14th-17th March 2015, the “Wai Kru Muay Thai Ceremony” (the sacred rituals of Thai boxing) at the Ayutthaya Historical Park, Ayutthaya province.
10th-16th April 2015, there will be the traditional fun and happiness celebrations that mark the Thai New Year when Songkran is marked with all its wet-and-fun gusto in Bangkok and major tourist attractions in Thailand.
25th November 2015, the “Loi Krathong Festival” in Bangkok and major tourist attractions in Thailand; such as Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Tak, Ayutthaya, Samut Songkhram, and Ratchaburi, which are highlighted as featuring the country’s most spectacular and unique time-honoured traditions.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I know you are all very busy at this travel mart and hence will end on that note. Because this is my first time here, I also need to learn from you and get your valuable feedback and suggestions on what we can do to help us maintain the flow of regular business in a highly competitive environment. I look forward to having a highly productive and fruitful experience here in London.
I would like to thank all of you for joining us here today and for your ongoing support. We are looking forward to welcoming you to “2015 Discover Thainess” in Thailand.
Thank you and sawasdee kha.
- See more at: 2015 Discover Thainess at WTM 2014

Originally Posted by Yasojack

The Kingdom of Thailand has been a democratic country for over 80 years and is still developing on the path towards the ideal form of democracy.

Sorry, but no sale.

Thainess, an interesting concept if it existed.

Yet discussing real Thainess could see you arrested and imprisoned.

Strange ol' place. Strange little people.

No murder mystery weekends then?

Originally Posted by Sumocakewalk

Originally Posted by Yasojack

The Kingdom of Thailand has been a democratic country for over 80 years and is still developing on the path towards the ideal form of democracy.

Sorry, but no sale.

...and these types of surface fantasies are instilled generation after generation.

Originally Posted by Hans Mann

Thainess, an interesting concept if it existed.

Oh it exists.

Just not as promoted.

^if you mean what I think you mean, then there are other more colorful names for that.

DNA Chromosome sequence 20-8-1-9