Bangkok, 8 April, 2022 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Thai Airways International (THAI) and THAI Smile Airways (THAI Smile) to stimulate tourism growth from India, which is one of Thailand’s important source market for visitor arrivals.

At today’s signing ceremony held at THAI’s Headquarters in Bangkok witnessed by Mr. Suvadhana Sibunruang, THAI Acting Chief Executive Officer; Mr. Viset Sontichai, THAI Smile Acting Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Napintorn Srisunpang, Vice Minister of Tourism and Sports, the agreement was signed between Mr. Nond Kalinta, THAI Chief Commercial Officer and Mr. Tanes Petsuwan, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Asia and South Pacific.

Mr. Napintorn Srisunpang, Vice Minister of Tourism and Sports, said, “Following the materialisation of the Thai-Indian Air Travel Bubble arrangement and the reopening of commercial flights between India and Thailand, this latest agreement between TAT and THAI and THAI Smile will certainly help accelerate the planned recovery of the Indian market, which is an important source market for visitor arrivals from South Asia to Thailand.”

Mr. Suvadhana Sibunruang, THAI Acting Chief Executive Officer, said the agreement will see THAI and THAI Smile cooperating with TAT on the recovery marketing efforts and joint promotions as well as offering privileges to travellers on over 30 flights a week between India and Thailand on six round-trip routes:

• Bangkok-New Delhi 14 flights a week (THAI);
• Bangkok-Mumbai 7 flights a week (THAI);
• Bangkok-Chennai 7 flights a week (THAI);
• Bangkok-Bengaluru 7 flights a week (THAI);
• Bangkok-Kolkata 7 flights a week (THAI Smile) starting 11 April 2022;
• Bangkok-Phuket-Mumbai 7 flights a week (THAI Smile) starting 10 April 2022.

THAI is planning to expand the summer 2022 network with 34 additional routes covering cities in Asia, Australia and Europe, and is also considering increasing the frequency of existing flights in response to the anticipated growth in demand. Passengers on THAI’s international routes will be able to connect domestically within Thailand using THAI Smile’s services. 

At TAT, this latest agreement with THAI and THAI Smile forms part of the overall recovery marketing efforts in response to the materialisation of the Thai-Indian Air Travel Bubble arrangement since February, in which TAT plans to join hands with airlines to help enhance the image of Thailand as the preferred destination for Indians wanting to travel abroad.

Mr. Tanes Petsuwan, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Asia and South Pacific, said, “TAT is moving forward with our pro-active strategy to rebuild and maintain Thailand’s position as a top destination for Indian travellers. Working closely with THAI and THAI Smile, which operate multiple Thailand-India flight routes, is a key factor in our strategy.

“In line with the ‘Visit Thailand Year 2022: Amazing New Chapters’ campaign, the focus is on attracting high-spending special interest groups by working with celebrities and influencers to attract weddings and honeymoons, luxury, and millennials.”

Mr. Tanes explained ongoing marketing activities in the Indian market through the TAT New Delhi and Mumbai Offices included working closely with the local travel and tourism industry on updating travel advisors and operators on existing and new tourism offerings in Thailand, as well as the safety measures and relaxed entry requirements in place, offering joint promotions and special privileges in conjunction with the THAI and THAI Smile flights, offering joint promotions aimed at the luxury market, and the holding together with airlines of networking sessions in key cities to further promote Thailand’s tourism appeal.

To promote Thailand as a wedding and honeymoon destination for the Indian market, TAT is organising an Amazing Thailand Wedding EXPO 2022 this month to boost travellers from the segment.

TAT will also head-up Thailand’s presence at India’s largest tourism promotion event – South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE) 2022 – scheduled for 18-20 May in New Delhi.

As efforts by TAT and others to rebuild the Indian market grow, based on the load factor of the current flights operated by THAI and THAI Smile between Thailand and India, it is expected at least 13,000 Indian tourists will visit Thailand per month. This estimate does not include Indian tourists using other airlines.

In 2019, a total of 1,995,516 Indians travelled to Thailand generating tourism income of 86,372.01 million Baht. In term of arrivals, this represented a growth of 24.85%, and in income a growth of 27.45%.

The post TAT signs LOI with THAI and THAI Smile Airways to grow Indian tourist numbers to Thailand appeared first on TAT Newsroom.

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Bangkok, 5 April, 2022 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is hosting the ‘Amazing Songkran 2022 Celebrations’ at 10 temples in Bangkok and the ‘Songkran Music Heritage Festival 2022’ in Ayutthaya and Songkhla, as well as supporting other Songkran festivities in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Samut Prakan.

Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said, “The Royal Thai Government has allowed the Songkran 2022 festivities to take place under universal prevention and COVID-free setting guidelines and to highlight the traditional and cultural aspects of the festival. As such, TAT is placing emphasis on honouring the centuries-old origins and traditions of the Thai New Year, a time when family comes first, respect is paid to seniors, and people visit the temples to take part in age-old ceremonies.”

The biggest and most important of Thailand’s annual festivals, Songkran in its purest form is a religious festival steeped in Buddhist and Brahman traditions. Marking the end of a 12-month cycle when the sun moves into April and there was traditionally a gap between rice harvesting and planting, Songkran in Thailand is officially observed as a three-day national holiday from 13-15 April, although celebrations can go on for longer – up to a week in some places.

This year, all Songkran festivities hosted or supported by TAT will take place in accordance with universal prevention guidelines against COVID-19. All participants are asked to kindly strictly follow these rules at all times, which include being fully vaccinated with an approved COVID-19 vaccine, or showing a negative test result using an Antigen Test Kit of no more than 72 hours.

Songkran 2022 festivities hosted by TAT

‘Amazing Songkran 2022 Celebrations’ from 9-17 April, at 10 temples in Bangkok

TAT has scheduled traditional festivities that honour the centuries-old origins and traditions of the Thai New Year at 10 temples in Bangkok’s old quarters; namely, Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Wat Rakang, Wat Suthat, Wat Kalayanamit, Wat Prayun, Wat Ratchanatdaram, Wat Mahathat, Wat Saket (Phu Khao Thong), and Wat Ratchabophit.  

Throughout the nine days, visitors are invited to mark the first step into the Thai New Year by taking part in the Song Nam Phra activity, and capture the moments at a special photo corner and augmented reality (AR) spot, as well as enjoy lucky draws and collect souvenirs.  

Particularly during 13-15 April, TAT has arranged special festivities at Wat Saket and Wat Ratchabophit, including traditional culture and performances; such as, Khon masked dance, Thai-style antiphon singing, and Thai puppet show, as well as demonstrations of authentic Thai dessert making and fruit carving.

‘Songkran Music Heritage Festival 2022’ from 12-21 April, in Ayutthaya and Songkhla

TAT has selected Ayutthaya’s Wat Phra Ram and Songkhla’s old town as venues for the ‘Songkran Music Heritage 2022’ to enhance local and international awareness of both locations’ historical and cultural significances. Festivities at both locations will honour the centuries-old cultures and traditions of Songkran, while presenting modern day entertaining elements.

At Ayutthaya’s Wat Phra Ram, TAT has arranged a host of aged-old rituals and celebrations, including the Song Nam Phra activity, making Chedi Sai or sand stupa, demonstrations of handicraft products unique to the province; such as, weaving Pla-Ta-Pian fish mobiles (symbol of good health and prosperity), and traditional cultures and performances; such as, Khon masked dance and Likay Thai opera theatre. There will also be a fair selling handicraft products and famous cuisine of Ayutthaya and nearly provinces.

The temple itself will be decorated in a traditional vibe of Songkran, and will be featuring photo spots with visual idea decorations highlighting the province’s two unique symbols – elephant and Pla-Ta-Pian fish – in creatively different shapes and forms; such as, a Pla-Ta-Pian fish mobile tunnel, bamboo-woven elephant, and ‘Nong Chuenjai’ Pla-Ta-Pian fish mascot. Nearby archaeological ruins will be brightly illuminated.

At Songkhla’s old town, TAT has also arranged a host of aged-old rituals and celebrations, including the Song Nam Phra activity, making Chedi Sai, demonstrations of famous cuisine of the province; such as, Khao Yam or spicy rice salad, and traditional performances; such as, Nora dance drama. Meanwhile, there will be a mapping story presented by ‘Nong Mila’, the mermaid mascot specially created for the event to honour Songkhla’s most photographed tourist attraction – the Golden Mermaid statue on Samila Beach. Here too, there will also be a fair selling handicraft products and famous cuisine of Songkhla and nearly provinces.

Songkhla’s old town, which is dotted with colourful Sino-Portuguese style houses, will also be brightly illuminated and decorated in a traditional vibe of Songkran with a twist, reflecting the city’s former glory as the commercial trading centre of Southern Thailand. Among key items are Thai-style bird cages and kites as well as vivid colour party flag strips that will be used to adorn the town in combination with Chinese lanterns, and lighting in coordinating colours with Nora’s beaded costumes. Meanwhile, the specially-created landmark for photo-taking opportunity will feature the famous handwoven fabric of Ko Yo.

Particularly during the three-day holiday, from 13-15 April, TAT has scheduled music concerts featuring famous Thai bands and singers at both locations in Ayutthaya and in Songkhla.

Visitors to the TAT-hosted Songkran 2022 events are encouraged to dress in traditional Thai period costume, wear Thai clothing, or polite smart casual attire.

Songkran 2022 festivities supported by TAT

‘The ICONIC Songkran Festival 2022’ from 8-17 April, at ICONSIAM in Bangkok.

Key festivities will focus on the traditional and cultural aspects of Songkran, including Song Nam Phra, and Rot Nam Dam Hua – a ritual to pay respect to the elders, family-focused activities, kite displays, merit-making activities, and a replica of a Thai temple fair.

‘Water Festival’ by Thai Beverage Plc (ThaiBev) in 6 Thai cities

13-15 April, 2022, at 9 historic piers along Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River; namely Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Wat Prayun, Wat Kalayanamit, Wat Rakang, Maharaj Pier, Lhong 1919, SookSiam at ICONSIAM, and Asiatique the Riverfront.

13-15 April, 2022, at Lanna Ancient House, Charoen Prathet Road, Chiang Mai.

13 April, 2022, at Inthayongyos Road, Mueang Lamphun.

13-14 April, 2022, at Ban Chiang Archaeological Site, Udon Thani.

13-14 April, 2022, at Wat Chaisi, Mueang Khon Kaen.

11-12 April, 2022, at Phuket’s old town.

 ‘Nam Thip Pi Mai Muang Chiang Mai’ from 12-16 April, in Chiang Mai

This aged-old ceremony of creating ‘Nam Thip’ or “lustral water” was first reintroduced by TAT last year using water from three sacred water sources at Wat Buppharam, Doi Angkhang or Doi Inthanon, and the Ping River, which were part of the 108 sacred water sources obtained for the Coronation of King Rama X.

This year, the ritual will be held once again to mark the 726th anniversary of Chiang Mai on 12 April, and will be using water from the three sacred water sources and 6 additional sources at Wat Pha Lat, Wat Pa Dat, Wat Dap Pai, Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, Wat Tharathip Chai Pradit, and Wat Phut En.

 This year, the ceremony of creating ‘Nam Thip’ is scheduled to take place on 10 April at Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, and a total of 10,726 bottles of ‘lustral water’ will be given to visitors to Chiang Mai during 12-16 April at 10 distribution locations via advance registration. Visitors are also encouraged to visit these temples which boast magnificent Lanna architecture.

Phra Pradeang Songkran Festival 2022, from 22-24 April, in Samut Prakan

Taking place at the Phra Pradaeng City Hall, this remains one of Thailand’s most fascinating ways to celebrate Songkran. Phra Pradaeng is where the local people observe Mon ceremonies in a traditional way, and their New Year traditions are very different to those found in the rest of the country. For a start, the celebrations here take place a little later, and feature a range of cultural activities, including a spectacular floral procession, a parade of the local Mon people in their colourful traditional outfits, a Miss Songkran parade, and a Mister and Miss Songkran Beauty Contest. Visitors will also have the chance to join merit-making activities in the local temples, pay respect to community elders, and enjoy folk plays and cultural performances, as well as enjoy famous cuisine of Phra Pradaeng.

Cultures and traditions for enjoying Songkran in Thailand

Visit the temple

Like Christmas in the West and the New Year in China, Songkran in Thailand is when families travel long distances to come together.  And on Songkran Day itself (13 April), Thais visit…

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