Amazing Thailand New Year Countdown Display

MORE than one and a half million people turned out in Bangkok to watch a spectacular, five-minute fireworks display that ran along the length of Bangkok's Chao Phraya River for more than 1,400 metres at midnight on 31st December 2018 as part of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's "Amazing Thailand Countdown 2019" celebrations to mark the arrival of 2019.

The dazzling New Year countdown display, the largest of its kind ever organised in #Bangkok, lit up the sky along the river. It was viewed by locals and international visitors from riverside hotels and unique travel destinations. 



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The Largest Indian Wedding in Thailand

SPLASH Beach Resort, Mai Khao Phuket is positioned to become a favorite destination wedding venue in the region after Kishore Samtani, an entrepreneur from Hong Kong, hosted a reception banquet and 5 day destination wedding celebration for more than 1,300 guests at his son's wedding in the 19-hectare grounds during November 28 – December 3, 2018.

The wedding of Kunal Samtani, son of Kishore Samtani, to Divya Vaswani was the largest wedding ever held in #Thailand with five-day of festivities held at Splash Beach Resort where a 3,200 square metres air-conditioned marquee, Thailand’s largest, was built for the wedding celebrations. The resort served guests more than 25,000 meals, 12,000 coconuts, over 1,500 bottles of premium liquor and champagne including Dom Pérignon, Yamazaki Single Malt throughout the 5-day celebrations.

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Panoramic views from the heart of Bangkok

THAILAND'S highest 360-degree observation deck and rooftop bar at 314 meters high, offering spectacular panoramic views of the city from Thailand's tallest building. The new premium attraction opened its doors to the public on 16 November 2018. 

Located on the 74th, 75th and 78th floor of the King Power Mahanakhon Building, highlights of the indoor and outdoor observation deck include one of the world's largest glass tray floors, Thailand's highest Rooftop Bar, and Thailand's fastest video-themed elevators -- which allows visitors to ascend to the 74th floor in 50 seconds.

Situated in the heart of Bangkok's central business district and directly connected to Chong Nonsi BTS station, the attraction is to become a global landmark destination.

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Bangkok Airways and Philippine Airlines partnership

BANGKOK Airways and Philippine Airlines (PAL) are all set to embark on a partnership to expand convenient connections for passengers traveling between Philippines and Thailand. This will enable Bangkok Airways’ passengers to travel on Philippine Airlines’ flight between Bangkok and Manila while PAL passengers flying from Manila will be able to connect seamlessly on Bangkok Airways’ flights to Chiang Mai, via Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Passengers on these codeshare flights will be checked-in all the way to their final destination. Plans are underway to expand this partnership further to include other destinations in Thailand which are gateways to the most popular Thai beaches, resorts and other breathtaking cultural and natural attractions.

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Hole in one

FOR the second year running, Hua Hin in Thailand has won the International Association of Golf Tour Operators Award for Golf Destination of the Year in Asia. The award carries enormous weight as it is voted for by specialist golf tour operators who are IAGTO members.

Awards like these are well-deserved for the Tourism Authority of Thailand who have invested significantly to attract golf visitors to the Kingdom and inspired investment in golf tourism and hospitality excellence.

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Multi-dimensional waterpark and entertainment complex for Phuket

PHUKET'S tourism industry has received a major shot in the arm with the unveiling of Blue Tree Phuket, a USD40 million investment (undiscloed local and overseas investors) and multi-dimensional destination waterpark and entertainment complex set over 140 rai in Cherng Talay. 

Positioned as Phuket’s premier family attraction, Blue Tree is located within easy reach of Phuket’s popular central west coast and will be the island’s first international-standard, fully integrated waterpark and family entertainment complex, placing it at the cutting-edge of a growing demand for inland tourism on the island. 

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A little piece of paradise

PHUKET is celebrating its most recent award after being named the ‘Second Best Beach in the World’ by prestigious business publication US News & World Report. It continues to win accolades from major international media for its white sands, aquamarine waters and limestone cliffs that attract millions of travellers to #Thailand every year. 

This island was hailed as “a little piece of paradise” according to the magazine. #Phuket also continues to expand its appeal as it shifts upmarket. It is also quickly established itself as one of the superyacht hubs of Southeast Asia, a tropical playground for various groups of quality tourists who enjoy all the finer things in life that the island has to offer. 

Along with its tropical appeal, Phuket beckons to travellers wanting to experience its world-famous cuisine. Phuket was listed by UNESCO as a Gastronomic City in 2015 and will be included in the Michelin Guide Bangkok, Phuket and Phang Nga 2019.

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Golfing Shangri-La

THE Shangri-La Chiang Mai 2 Ball Golf Championship is a must play event for golfers wanting the best of everything. Golfers will experience Thailand’s rich culture, tantalising food, luxury spas and generous hospitality. 

Chiang Mai’s mountainous terrain and valleys has enabled renowned golf course designers to build breathtakingly beautiful golf resorts. Just as impressive as the courses is the pampering you get from the knowledgeable and well-trained caddies.

The Shangri-La Chiang Mai Golf Championship is a collaboration between Australian based Go Golfing and Thailand’s Golfasian. This powerhouse partnership delivers Asia’s biggest and richest tournaments as well as boutique events like this one.

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Rejuvenation for Ko Phi Phi’s famed Maya Bay

MAYA Bay in Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park will not allow visitors during a much needed four-month rejuvenation period from 1 June to 30 September, 2018. The DNP announced at a press conference held on 15 May that access to Maya Bay will be strictly off limits during the four-month rejuvenation. It will not allow boats to enter the bay in front of the beach, or even drop anchor at nearby Loh Samah Bay.

Travellers can still catch a glimpse of the Bay’s stunning beauty, made famous by Leonardo DiCaprio’s movie ‘The Beach’ at a 400-metre distance, or between the two cliffs that form a natural entrance to the lagoon. But this will be strictly supervised and carefully monitored by the DNP. During the four-month period, the DNP will undertake a coastal and marine environment quality evaluation study on the condition of reef and beach resources, environmental control, and tourism management.

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Michelin Guide Bangkok expands for 2019

FOLLOWING the introduction in December 2017 of the first Michelin Guide Bangkok 2018, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to announce that this year will see the launch of an expanded edition also covering Phuket and Phang Nga and with increased focus on Bangkok’s inner zone and surrounding provinces. 

The Michelin Guide Bangkok, Phuket and Phang Nga 2019 will be released at the end of this year, in the same bilingual Thai and English format and in both print and digital versions. 

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Recharge your battery

HOLIDAY Inn Vana Nava Hua Hin, Thailand, Asia’s first integrated Holiday Inn hotel and water park, has demonstrated its commitment to innovation and sustainability by installing Hua Hin’s first electric car charging station. Launched in partnership with leading renewable energy company Energy Mahanakhon, the new ‘EA Anywhere’ charging station is a state-of-the-art facility that meets IEC international standards and can support all types of electric vehicle, including hybrid plug-ins (PHEVs) and battery-operated vehicles (BEVs).

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Better Together: An Asian Adventure

PLANNING a family holiday can be a daunting task; and to help alleviate some of the stress, Amari properties across Thailand’s beach destinations in Hua Hin, Phuket and Koh Samui, as well as Johor Bahru in Malaysia, have created getaways just for the family.

Take in the Andaman Blues with Amari Phuket - The largest island in Thailand, Phuket is the perfect base to explore Thailand’s south. Located on a tranquil end of Patong Beach, Amari Phuket is a calming retreat just a stone’s throw away from bustling activities of Patong; filled with beachside activities, markets for exploring the local way of life, and plenty of adventures to keep the little ones occupied.

Theme Park Fun with Amari Johor Bahru - Centrally located in the city, Amari Johor Bahru makes it easy to explore this unique spot in the southern tip of Peninsula Malaysia. From delicious food and street art, to the Angry Birds Activity Park just a short walk from the hotel, the city has activities for the whole family.

Enjoy an Island Escape with Amari Koh Samui - Freshen up on the island of coconuts, Koh Samui. This island in the Gulf of Thailand is renowned for its vast coconut plantations and offers a unique perspective to the south with its picturesque beaches and rolling hills providing plenty of activities for the family. Nearby is Angthong National Marine Park, home to 42 islands. A highlight of the park is Emerald Lake, a stunning inland saltwater lagoon that is a must-see.

Splash Away at a Waterpark with Amari Hua Hin - Beat the tropical heat with a day at a waterpark with Amari Hua Hin, which is ideal for a quick jaunt from Bangkok as this royal seaside retreat is only a three-hour drive away. The city has been the go-to seaside escape for Bangkok residents as well as tourists alike. Amari Hua Hin offers the perfect break from bustling Bangkok, providing guests with a haven to slow down and relax. Hua Hin is also home to Vana Nava, the only jungle-themed water park in Thailand with waterslides and activities for all ages, including a dedicated Kids Zone water playground so even the little ones can cool off.

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Shades of the River branding for Thai Air Asia

THE Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Thai Air Asia are delighted to announced a co-branding partnership as part of the broad strategy to promote the action-packed Amazing Thailand Tourism Year 2018.

It also incorporates the latest Amazing Thailand Go Local project as well as this year’s communication concept of Amazing Thailand’s ‘Open to the New Shades’.

The co-branding partnership will see the airline brand its newest Airbus A320 aircraft with the ‘Shades of the River’ design, reflecting the Thai local way of life. The modern graphic and airline livery features a glimpse of the daily life of a Thai fruit vendor, who’s selling her goods out of a wooden boat while rowing past amazing scenes of natural beauty, complemented by Thai artisan design motifs.

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Surfboards fly free

AIRASIA, Australia’s Official Airline of Surfing, has announced changes to its baggage policy as part of its partnership with Surfing Australia and state surfing bodies. From May 1, surfers from across Australia will be able to travel with their surfboard to and from surfing hot spots such as Indonesia, Thailand, the Maldives, Japan and the Philippines, at no additional cost.

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More reasons to tee off in Thailand

TWO of the biggest golf tour operators in the Asia Pacific region, Golfasian and Go Golfing, have announced they will expand their event portfolio to six annual tournaments in #Thailand and #Vietnam. These events will attract more than 1,700 golfers for an average stay of 10 nights. Now, that’s big business in the world of #golf tourism.

These industry trendsetters are breaking new ground with the launch of a Golf Week exclusively for singles and solo travellers in Pattaya in September. In October, Chiang Mai will host a ‘couples only’ tournament. And, they have parlayed the huge success of their Centara World Masters tournament in Hua Hin to launch another boutique event there in October.

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Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort named among the World’s Best Islands

THAILAND'S iconic island escape, Koh Phi Phi is one of 14 islands listed by Travel + Leisure as ideal choices for the ultimate romantic escape Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort is a highly recommended stay for honeymooners from around the world visiting Thailand. 

Koh Phi Phi was the only #destination selected in #Thailand in a list recently published by Travel + Leisure magazine alongside other idyllic islands including Mauritius in Africa, Hainan Island in China, Cebu Islands in the Philippines, Crete in Greece and St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
  
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Thailand’s national park seasonal closure of attractions

#THAILAND currently has a total of 147 national parks, covering an area of 70,038.65 square kilometres or 13.64 percent of the land area of the country. Of the total, there are 59 national parks in the North, 43 in the South, 25 in the Northeast, and 20 in the Central, Western and Eastern Regions.

This year, the DNP closes several attractions in 66 national parks nationwide, including in 24 national parks in the North, in 28 national parks in the South, in nine national parks in the Northeast, and in five national parks in the Central, Western and Eastern Regions. 

This is normal practice, as it closes several attractions every year for a certain period, depending on weather and park conditions. Dates are varied, and the closure is often due to extreme weather, especially during the rainy months, that may create unsafe conditions and allows for some ecological recovery time.

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A waterfall, a rain tree, a cave and a floating nun

THE history of Kanchanaburi is very much about the impact from the World War II era, there is a lot more to see and do in this picturesque province than just revisit war history. Explore and find Thailand’s most impressive waterfalls, one seriously enormous tree, and a whole host of temples including one featuring a floating nun. All this and more makes it a perfect backdrop for one of the country’s best event destinations that features a bit of everything from the surreal to the sublime.

One of the most beautiful natural attractions in Kanchanaburi is the Erawan Waterfall that attracts thousands of Thai and foreign tourists. Its ease of access is a big plus given its location in the Erawan National Park, Si Sawat district and covers a total area of about 600 square kilometres off Highway 3199, which is the same route as the Srinakarin Dam.

Tham Kra Sae is the famous and dangerous point in Kanchanaburi located in Saiyok district. This small cave is tucked into towering cliffs near the site of a former prisoner of war camp along the infamous Thai-Burma Death Railway. Visitors arriving by car can walk along the sleeper track and visit the Buddha statue enshrined in Kra Sae Cave. There is a restaurant and souvenir shop catering to tourists in the area of the train station.

An enormous rain tree, which is part of the Fabaceae family native to Latin America, is situated on one rai of land in Ko Samrong, Mueang district. It is an awe-inspiring sight with a trunk measuring 7.83 metres in diameter and is said to be over 100 years old. This giant tree should be part of any pilgrimage to Kanchanaburi. There is no entrance fee and the site is open daily from 06.00 – 18.00 Hrs.

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Follow the footprints

WHEN dinosaurs walked the earth, they left big footprints wherever they trod. Physical evidence of this is prevalent around Isan in #Thailand, with massive #dinosaur footprints at the Phu Faek Forest Park in Kalasin. 

As the story goes, a family noticed strange footprints in the middle of a rock terrace back in November 1996. They later informed Thai geologists who came to survey the site. They discovered 21 footprints in total, belonging to carnivorous dinosaurs, believed to have lived in the area 140 million years ago. At present, only four footprints can be clearly accessed by the public.

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Dinosaur adventure off the beaten track

PHU WIANG National Park is like many other dinosaur-related travel sites around #Thailand. It is weird, wonderful and wacky, located well and truly off-the-beaten track, or the so-called ‘tourist trail’, and is hundreds of miles away from Bangkok, in Thailand’s Northeast region of Isan. 

All around Isan, visitors are most likely to find huge #dinosaur statues towering over a park, at a zoo or alongside a temple. Dinosaurs eve decorate the tops of some public lamp posts as a shout out to the region’s big lizardry claim to fame. 

Khon Kaen province is famous for dinosaurs, and this yarn is all about travelling to the heart of dinosaur country in the Phu Wiang mountains where several important paleontological discoveries were made, including two previously unknown species: ‘Phuwiangosaurus Sirindhornae’, a 15-metre (49 feet) long sauropod named after Thailand’s beloved Princess, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, and ‘Siamotyrannus Isanensis’, an ancestor of Tyrannosaurus Rex (T-Rex) named after Thailand and Isan.

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