Thailand On Sale - Again

Thailand on sale - again

BANGKOK: -- The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) says it plans to revive a recent campaign to promote Thailand as a regional shopping centre for tourists.

Porntip Onnum, a TAT director for tourism business investment, told journalists that to achieve the goal, TAT had joined forces with NCC Management and Development Co., the management of the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, to organise the "Amazing Thailand Grand Sale Fair 2006" at the centre early next month.

A similar shopping campaign called Grand Thailand Sale tried to attract visitors after the 1997 fall of the baht.

The fair, held from June 1-4, is expected to attract around 200,000 visitors and generate more than Bt300 million revenues to local businesses.

"Each year Thailand earns about Bt100 billion from shopping generated by foreign visitors, or around 30 per cent of the country's total tourism revenue. So, TAT believes that the Amazing Thailand Grand Sale Fair 2006 at The Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre will further publicize the kingdom's potential as a regional shopping centre, which will result in more foreign tourist arrivals in the kingdom for shopping in the future," said Ms. Porntip.

Meanwhile, NCC Management and Development Co. projected that a number of foreign visitors at the Amazing Thailand Grand Sale Fair 2006 would be honourable guests attending royal and state ceremonies to celebrate the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's ascension to the throne this year.

"We're delighted and honoured to welcome the international guests at the fair," a top executive of the company told journalists.

--TNA 2006-05-17