TAT launches pocketbook giving travel advice to those who visit provinces off the beaten track

[Lite Beer]

TAT launches pocketbook giving travel advice to those who visit provinces off the beaten track

BANGKOK, 26 April 2015 (NNT) – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched a new pocketbook that gives travel advice to tourists who visit any of 12 'must not miss' cities, in a bid to boost the number of tourists who travel to these unique destinations.

TAT deputy governor Sukree Sithivanich disclosed that the Tourism Authority is promoting Lampang, Phetchabun, Nan, Buriram, Loei, Samut Songkhram, Ratchaburi, Trat, Chanthaburi, Trang, Chumphon and Nakhon Si Thammarat in year 2015.

He explained that the 12 provinces selected as 'must not miss' destinations all had tourism potential and marketable identities. Each of the provinces was also easily accessible from the country's primary tourism cities, and will provide novel alternatives for tourists.

Mr. Sukree said the contents and photographs in the pocketbook will likely inspire potential tourists to take a trip to the destinations. Through the release of the pocketbook, the TAT hopes to stimulate more tourism activity by Thais as well as foreigners.

The tourism authority expects 2.2 trillion baht to be generated from tourism this year. 1.4 trillion baht of revenue is expected from foreign tourists whereas 800 billion baht is expected to be generated from the travels of Thai tourists.

-- NNT 2015-04-26

[Yann55]

Can't wait to see that new pocketbook made with taxpayers money, I need a giggle.

The last TAT pocketbook I saw (in a Bangkok hotel a month ago) was called 'how to avoid problems in Thailand - Tips on Thai culture' or something to that effect and it was hilarious. Obviously aimed mostly at Chinese tourists but pretending otherwise.

It doggedly listed behaviour and etiquette which existed 20 years ago (OK, 10) and are now compleeeeetely a thing of the past.

For example it said that 'Thais are a soft-spoken people, so please do not raise your voice in public or you will shock the locals'. Like I said, hilarious ! Anyone who lives here can't miss how most Thais (both men and women) now tend to scream at the top of their voices in public, especially when they are in a group and young(ish). If they've had a couple of drinks on top of that, then watch out for your ears. There may be a few 'khunyins' around (you know, the would-be chic older ladies with bouffant hairdos that look like they're the work of a demented coiffeur on the rampage) who still speak in hushed tones, and I wonder what they think about other Thais screaming in public at the top of their donald-duck-voices.

I won't go into every other item listed on that booklet but 80% were just as crazy as this one. A piece of anthology, really.

Edited April 26, 2015 by Yann55

[asanee]

NO indication of what language it is in.

Anyway, such booklets/thick magazines abound in Thai-most even cover all 78 chiangwats, many are TAT-cosponsored and are to be found in any Se-ed or B2S bookshop chains. After a dozen or so they become utter boring repitetive.

Many guidebooks like LP etc. simply copy them for the general descriptions for out of the way places.

[wabothai]

Most foreign tourist have already an itinerary made up before they leave.

Nothing wrong though with a booklet about the off beaten track. Plenty of those.

Are hotels or B&B's listed?

For the off beaten track a GPS is recommendable. TAT may want to rent them.

[torpedo1970]

'Thais are a soft-spoken people, so please do not raise your voice in public or you will shock the locals'

GTFOH what planet are these people on??