Director’s Message

I HOPE you are looking forward to a great year. In the past few months some parts of Thailand, notably those located along the Chao Phraya River had been affected by massive flooding.

However, we are happy to note that things have gone back to normal in Bangkok and the surroundings. Most tourism areas that were affected in Bangkok, notably the Jatujak Weekend Market, most popular among Malaysians, and other tourism attractions in Ayutthaya are now operating as before.

While the flooding had a minor impact on tourism areas like Chiang Mai, Pattaya and the southern destinations such as Koh Samui, Phuket, Hat Yai and Krabi, we have recently launched a recovery campaign called Beautiful Thailand. This campaign is aimed at restoring tourist arrivals for the duration of the high season.

Our Malaysian friends and media had always stepped in to help us during our time of need. The Malaysian government as well as private organisations and individuals have shown their concern by contributing in cash and kind to those affected by the recent flood. For this we are extremely grateful and thank the Malaysians on behalf of the Thai people.

Despite the setbacks of the last few months we are happy to note that for the first 11 months of the year the number of Malaysian tourist arrivals to Thailand had increased by 15.92 per cent over the same period last year. Up until the month of November, the total number of Malaysians who visited Thailand stood at 2,093,987 which made up 12.24 per cent of the 17,105,283 total arrivals.

These figures amply illustrate the confidence that Malaysian tourists have in Thailand as their favourite holiday destination.

Many events and festivals are back on track such as the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations in Bangkok's Chinatown, provinces such as Suphanburi, Chachoengsao and Nakhon Sawan.

In the south, the Lantern Festival kicks off the tourism calendar in Hat Yai. This is followed by the Trang Underwater Wedding in mid-February, a one of its kind event that had become popular among those who wanted to tie the knot with a difference. Meanwhile, in the north we have the Chiang Mai Flower Festival held on the first weekend of February annually and the on-going Royal Flora Ratchaphruek.

As you can see there are no shortage of events and festivals for you to enjoy and take part in throughout the year all over the country. So see you in Thailand soon.

Thank you and sawatdi khrap.

MR WIBOON NIMITRWANICH
Director
Malaysia & Brunei