The annual Amazing Thailand Grand Sale is being organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) together with VISA International.

This year, special attention is being paid to promote the sale of locally-made products; such as, handicrafts, apparel, decorations, and homeuse products made under the umbrella of the One Tambon One Product (OTOP) scheme.

The OTOP scheme allows villages all over Thailand to specialise in making local products with the government providing support for marketing, distribution and sales.

This contributes significantly towards job creation, and poverty alleviation in the provinces. Popular retail and wholesale markets where OTOP and locally-made products are available include Chatuchak Market (JJ Market), J.J. Mall, MBK, Platinum, and others.

TAT Governor Suraphon Svetasreni said, "Thailand is a shopping paradise for worldwide visitors, thanks to our value-for-money factor and extensive diversity of products and services..."

Also participating this year are the King Power duty-free outlets, jewellery and accessories, golf courses, restaurants, and online travel agents. Local shopping streets will be organised in all the participating cities.

Shoppers will also get shopping discounts of up to 80 per cent on a broad range of products and services and up to 20 per cent off on food and beverage. They will have a chance to win lucky-draw prizes.

Those who book their travel plans in advance with participating tour operators and airlines in their respective countries will get additional be nefits; such as, special discount cards from leading retail outlets, discounted travel insurance, and Fast Track coupons to cut waiting times at airport immigration channels.

Mr Suraphon said, "Thailand is a shopping paradise for worldwide visitors, thanks to our value-for-money factor and extensive diversity of products and services..."

Participating travel agents in Malaysia are Airlink, CIT, Keris Travel, Globalite, HYT, KlangValley Travel, KTS, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Malaysian Harmony, My Axis, Skyzone, Tous of Peninsular and Thai Airways International. For further details and a full list of all the participants and their various special offers and rewards, please click www.tourismthailand.org/ thailandgrandsale.