ASEAN to Thailand project to promote Thailand as the regions Dream Destination

Museum of the Descendants of the Dragon

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is launching the ‘ASEAN to Thailand’ project with the key objective of enhancing the recognition of Thailand as an attractive and fun place to visit, and as a ‘Dream Destination’ in the heart of ASEAN.

Mr. Thawatchai Arunyik, Governor of TAT said, “The project is one of several tourism promotion activities to promote Thailand’s tourism as a must-visit destination among ASEAN citizens, especially as all Southeast Asian countries are now moving towards the integration under the ASEAN Economic Community framework, which will come into effect in 2015.”

As part of the ‘ASEAN to Thailand’ project, TAT will be inviting members of the media from ASEAN countries to take part in a specially-organised familiarisation trip that will showcase the old towns in the central provinces of Ayutthaya, Ang Thong and Suphan Buri, some of which have played vital roles in the history of the ASEAN region.

Mr. Thawatchai said, “The tour route has been carefully selected to showcase the central provinces of Thailand that provide great examples of ASEAN’s old towns. We believe that by presenting this fact that Thailand boasts many shared history and culture of ASEAN through the region’s media would help foster strong bonds of friendship between member nations, and as a result attract more travellers from ASEAN to Thailand.”

The press familiarisation trip will be take place from 23-25 September, 2014. A total of 14 media members from seven ASEAN countries – Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Lao PDR., Vietnam Singapore and Thailand – have confirmed their participation.

Mr. Thawatchai said, “As we are rapidly approaching the implementation of the AEC in 2015, we have to be prepared to cope with the changing situation. Several on-going tourism marketing activities have been put in place to affirm Thailand’s status as one of the region’s most preferred tourist destinations.

“Our key aim is to enhance the awareness of Thailand as the ‘ASEAN Dream Destination’, so that travellers and tourists from ASEAN will want to come here to experience our rich cultural heritage as well as the wide variety of tourist attractions, tourism products and services that Thailand has to offer.”

To promote strong relations between Thailand and ASEAN tourism, TAT has also launched a website http://en.aectourismthai.com/ to share travel news and information about Thailand and its role in ASEAN and to keep readers and tourists updated of regional travel trends.

Ayutthaya Historical Park

The agreement on the AEC integration signed by Thailand and other ASEAN member countries will see the Southeast Asian region become a single market with free flow of products, services, investment and labour across all 10 member nations. Tourism is one of the service sectors that is being promoted via regional cooperation to make this region a single attractive destination for international travellers.