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Minister Kobkarn: Thailand is entering the sports tourism era

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“Thailand is entering the sports tourism era”
by Frederik Guy Hoff Sonne

640px-We_Hot_for_World_Cooling.jpg

BANGKOK: -- Thai minister of tourism and sports Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul made some clear-cut statements about the future for tourism in Thailand when speaking at the Thailand Travel Mart Plus 2016 in Chiang Mai, June 9, 2016.

“Thailand is entering the sports tourism era,” and should be the “dream sports destination” for international sports visitors in the future, she said at the event, that was first organized in 2001 with the objective to promote the tourism and service business in Thailand and its Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) counterparts.

Moreover the minister proposed a marketing budget of 100 million baht (US$2.8 million) from the cabinet to grow the burgeoning sector.

Sports tourism is a fast-growing sector of the global travel industry and equated to $7.68 billion in 2012. There are no clear classification of the sports tourism, but it’s often two-pieced into observing big sports events; Tour de France or the ongoing Euros 2016 or being active yourself; hiking, canoeing or bicycling, which might be most relevant in the case of Thailand for the time.

Kobkarn however said she believed major events like Thailand Golf Championship and FIVB Volleyball Grand Prix and rising sports champions the likes of Ratchanok Intanon (badminton) and Ariya Jutanugarn (golf) will aid the kingdom’s image as a sports destination on the world stage.

Demand is increasing

Danish travel agency in Thailand, Live Travel, recognizes the potential outlined by the minister.

“I see a great potential in this type of travel and I’m positive that more Danes will expand their holiday in Thailand to also including bicycling,” Lars Vinterberg partner at Live Travel says.

Lars Vinterberg and Live Travel have specialized in travels combining exercise, mostly cycling, and more chilled leisure.

His company has experienced a 20-30 percent increase on the demand of these types of holidays in one year.

“More Danes are interested in doing their hobby at their vacation and more important, they want unique experiences. Bicycling tourism is that kind of vacation. You get exercise, unique experiences and you get to come close to the population.” Lars Vinterberg explains.

Cycling is a form of exercise that is growing rapidly also among local Thais in these years. Cycling clubs are opening both on exercise and the competitive level. The Thai government launched a huge “Bike for Dad”-campaign in December 2015 to urge the Thais to put on a helmet and get on the bike while safety for cyclists has seen improvements.

So Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul quotes are part of a zeitgeist in Thailand. Lars Vinterberg teamed up with a local partner called SpiceRoads and they have for years now been working with cycling trips in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

However, for cycling tourism to properly take off in Thailand, Vinterberg urges the Thai authorities to improve road safety levels in the country.

Source: http://scandasia.com/thailand-is-entering-the-sports-tourism-era/

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-- (c) Copyright Scandasia 2016-06-16

"However, for cycling tourism to properly take off in Thailand, Vinterberg urges the Thai authorities to improve road safety levels in the country."

Seems like a bit of a deal-breaker to me, having shared Thai roads with lunatics. psychopaths and ignoramuses (ignorami?) for some years. Cycling Tourism? Thailand? On Thai roads? with Thai drivers? Seriously? Or just flying a kite?

Can anyone imagine the carnage of tourists riding bikes on Thai roads. Where are the bike lanes trumpeted by General Grumpy? Last I heard they'd been invaded and taken over by street vendors, at least in Chatuchak.

Sports tourism? Seriously? or has Kobkarn had a sudden rush of blood to the head and this is just more Thai insanity?

Winnie

Edited by Winniedapu

This woman shouldn't be allowed out on her own far less near a microphone.

She is no doubt carried away with the fact that, in Thai minds anyway, a ' Thai ' team won the English Premier League. Incidentally i still haven't seen anyone wearing a Leicester City shirt yet, maybe restricted to King Power employees.

Edited by NongKhaiKid

However, for cycling tourism to properly take off in Thailand, Vinterberg urges the Thai authorities to improve road safety levels in the country.

Thailand stands a better chance of hosting the Winter Olympics then they do of improving road safety levels. cheesy.gif

Hilarious.

Dream on you crazy diamond...

"However, for cycling tourism to properly take off in Thailand, Vinterberg urges the Thai authorities to improve road safety levels in the country."

Seems like a bit of a deal-breaker to me, having shared Thai roads with lunatics. psychopaths and ignoramuses (ignorami?) for some years. Cycling Tourism? Thailand? On Thai roads? with Thai drivers? Seriously? Or just flying a kite?

Can anyone imagine the carnage of tourists riding bikes on Thai roads. Where are the bike lanes trumpeted by General Grumpy? Last I heard they'd been invaded and taken over by street vendors, at least in Chatuchak.

Sports tourism? Seriously? or has Kobkarn had a sudden rush of blood to the head and this is just more Thai insanity?

Winnie

I lived on Samui back in 2011/2012 and a mate and I cycled a 70km loop around the island a few times a week; back then there was one other cyclist we passed (pretty much in the same spot each time). I was back there 18 months ago and rented a road bike for a few weeks, and there were literally hundreds of cyclists - so I concur that cycling is rapidly growing.

I also concur that the roads can be deadly for cyclists, but, paradoxically, I feel much safer cycling in Thailand than in my native Australia.

I often knock old Popcorn, but today I offer congratulations, as I have witnessed a first.

"Thai minister of tourism and sports made some clear-cut statements...."

Or maybe it's just poor reporting of what she said or lost in translation.

"dream sports destination” for international sports visitors in the future.

Has she just popped a pill, jumped on google translate or are the natives forgetting the word WET before the dream bit?

What is an international sports visitor? A skiier? That rules them out unless they fancy taking a shot at Snow City in Dreamworld. A cyclist? They all end up dead. A mountaineer? The mountains are out of bounds unless you want to buy an illegal Bangladeshi tribesman. But then I'm forgetting.....they are coming here from faranglands far and wide to play.....BADMINTON...forgot that we can't play crap sports back home. Badminton was always a sport that the less gifted sports folk played at school so I guess Thailand can be a hub for those.

<deleted>

"dream sports destination” for international sports visitors in the future.

<deleted>

There's one person who certainly seems to be dreaming.

I guess being the wife of a Pol Maj General......she probably has to endure listening to him each evening....but IMO, she's quite smart.....just a little dopey sometimes!

I'm almost afraid to even hint at this but when's this lady going to announce Thai Space Tourism ?

If you say so, mush.

I'm almost afraid to even hint at this but when's this lady going to announce Thai Space Tourism ?

Oh No, just what have you done ? gigglem.gif

Start promoting Extreme Biking with a hefty life insurance attached. File under "suicide tourism".

What! Cannot be. Not a hub of sports tourism? I'm so depressed.

This woman shouldn't be allowed out on her own far less near a microphone.

She is no doubt carried away with the fact that, in Thai minds anyway, a ' Thai ' team won the English Premier League. Incidentally i still haven't seen anyone wearing a Leicester City shirt yet, maybe restricted to King Power employees.

I have - he came from Leicester.......

wai.gif

This woman shouldn't be allowed out on her own far less near a microphone.

She is no doubt carried away with the fact that, in Thai minds anyway, a ' Thai ' team won the English Premier League. Incidentally i still haven't seen anyone wearing a Leicester City shirt yet, maybe restricted to King Power employees.

I have - he came from Leicester.......

wai.gif

Ahh, not a genuine fan then ?

"However, for cycling tourism to properly take off in Thailand, Vinterberg urges the Thai authorities to improve road safety levels in the country."

Seems like a bit of a deal-breaker to me, having shared Thai roads with lunatics. psychopaths and ignoramuses (ignorami?) for some years. Cycling Tourism? Thailand? On Thai roads? with Thai drivers? Seriously? Or just flying a kite?

Can anyone imagine the carnage of tourists riding bikes on Thai roads. Where are the bike lanes trumpeted by General Grumpy? Last I heard they'd been invaded and taken over by street vendors, at least in Chatuchak.

Sports tourism? Seriously? or has Kobkarn had a sudden rush of blood to the head and this is just more Thai insanity?

Winnie

I lived on Samui back in 2011/2012 and a mate and I cycled a 70km loop around the island a few times a week; back then there was one other cyclist we passed (pretty much in the same spot each time). I was back there 18 months ago and rented a road bike for a few weeks, and there were literally hundreds of cyclists - so I concur that cycling is rapidly growing.

I also concur that the roads can be deadly for cyclists, but, paradoxically, I feel much safer cycling in Thailand than in my native Australia.

Christ were did you live in OZ, they cycle around my way here in Thai at night, and you'd need to see the chaos it causes, I wouldn't be surprised if 2 a night didn't get hit

sports where?

Hilarious.

Dream on you crazy diamond...

This guy sounds like the financial analyst I just fired.

Sport Tourism. Sheesh.

Introduction to Thai Fighting: get thoroughly pummeled by a local gang of drunk Thais.

Zip Lining 101: Only a few die each year so this sport will be exhilarating.

Baby Tiger Bashing: One club does the trick, keep your "prize", or turn it into an energy drink.

Ferry Capsizing Swimming: Be the first to reach shore after your ferry sinks.

Propeller Dodging: Swim underwater while dodging all the speedboats.

Elephant in Musth Riding: Horny bull elephants are waiting to speed you off into the jungle.

For the ladies: don a bikini, get raped, the perfect ending to your holiday.

Then experience quality Medical Tourism, for sports injuries.

Edited by mtls2005

"However, for cycling tourism to properly take off in Thailand, Vinterberg urges the Thai authorities to improve road safety levels in the country."

Seems like a bit of a deal-breaker to me, having shared Thai roads with lunatics. psychopaths and ignoramuses (ignorami?) for some years. Cycling Tourism? Thailand? On Thai roads? with Thai drivers? Seriously? Or just flying a kite?

Can anyone imagine the carnage of tourists riding bikes on Thai roads. Where are the bike lanes trumpeted by General Grumpy? Last I heard they'd been invaded and taken over by street vendors, at least in Chatuchak.

Sports tourism? Seriously? or has Kobkarn had a sudden rush of blood to the head and this is just more Thai insanity?

Winnie

I would love to ride a bicycle here in Thailand unfortunately I have one thing holding me back and that is I don't want to be wiped out by some crazy Thai who thinks he is an F1 driver.

Would, if it was safe, be wonderful to cycle right around Thailand

If chasing bar girls can be considered as a sport, then she may have a point giggle.gif

sports?

like the ping pong ball show?

not much "sport" in bicycle versus pick up truck.

i remember when this couple announced they had entered Thailand.

I thought I wonder if they will make it?

You would think TAT would have given them one truck to escort them from the rear with caution lights.

BUT NO.

Young couple cycling around the world killed in Thailand road accident:

http://www.treehugger.com/bikes/rip-couple-cycling-around-world-killed-thailand-road-accident.html

It's often too hot and polluted for sports and that is just one of many problems with this pet idea of hers. "Come to Thailand and have a heat stroke in the burning cloud forests!"

She really needs to get a new set of talking points, we've heard this before from her and it never goes anywhere, except the 2.8 million dollar marketing budget part. What a sad waste of money, there are so many things that need fixing and could use that money I am sure.

How about a health and safety awareness campaign to prepare the ground for a Thailand in 2030 that would actually be nice to bicycle around in during the few months when it is cool enough?

It's often too hot and polluted for sports and that is just one of many problems with this pet idea of hers. "Come to Thailand and have a heat stroke in the burning cloud forests!"

She really needs to get a new set of talking points, we've heard this before from her and it never goes anywhere, except the 2.8 million dollar marketing budget part. What a sad waste of money, there are so many things that need fixing and could use that money I am sure.

How about a health and safety awareness campaign to prepare the ground for a Thailand in 2030 that would actually be nice to bicycle around in during the few months when it is cool enough?

Preparation

Planning

Budget management

Repairs and Maintenence

Accountability

All good ideas. should be thought about.

Nah, it'll never catch on.

Back to the old ways then. Nothing to learn from the foreigners, what do they know? They're not even buddhist and they don't understand Thailand.

Where's my brown paper envelope?

And so it goes...

Winnie

Nothing says sport tourism destination like Thailand. Can't beat the oppressive humidity and heat, it's natural "hub."

Another joke. Please stop! cheesy.gif

Thailand is entering the sports tourism era.

Aye, an' all the fitess lasses are down in Pattaya. Why aye! Their world champions of the wet T-shirt competition. Just saying like. Well I best be off me banes gagging for some pop down the cash and carry.

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