The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) is eyeing to adjust the number of tourists expected to visit Thaiand this year up by 5-10% after the political situation has eased while next year’s target is set at 15.5 million visitors with an estimated revenue of 600 billion THB.
TCT President Kongkrit Hiranyakit said the overall tourism situation this year had recovered promisingly as evident in the number of foreign tourists visiting Thailand in June.
He anticipated the number to rise by another 5-10% from a total of 14.1 million visitors last year.
The TCT will hold a meeting on 15 July to confer about the situation and revise the visitors’ figure which was earlier set at 13 million as a result of the prolonged street protest in the capital.
However, the domestic situation has now returned to normal and other countries have already lifted travel warnings against Thailand.
The TAT will still emphasize on the campaign “Amazing Thailand Always Amazes You” next year while additional marketing plans will be made on spa and green tourism businesses.
May 26th, 2009
Samui Regatta, from 1st to 6th of June 2009
For the eighth consecutive year, the island of Koh Samui will be host during 7 days its famous regatta.
Regarded as the last destination of Asian Yachting Great Price, this race always attracts the best skippers of all categories as well as international yacht captains.
In 2008, a record of 33 boats and their crew (more than 300 people!) raced around the island's shores.
For 1500 baht/person you will be able of getting onboard the beautiful Seatran Discovery Yacht and admire the race from the closest point of view (food, drinks and music onboard).
Departure from the Seatran company pier in Bangrak (near Big Buddha) at 9am and return around 4pm.
For more info, visit the official website:
www.samuiregatta.com
March 27th, 2009
Thai 'spider-man' rescues autistic boy
An unusual disguise has helped a Bangkok fireman rescue an eight-year-old boy who had climbed on to a third-floor window ledge, Thai police say.
The firefighter dressed up as the comic book superhero Spider-Man in order to coax the boy, who is autistic, from his dangerous perch.
Police said teachers had alerted the fire station after the boy began crying and climbed out of a classroom window.
It was reportedly his first day at the special needs school.
Efforts by the teachers to persuade the pupil to come back inside had failed.
But a remark by his mother about his passion for comic superheroes prompted fireman Somchai Yoosabai to rush back to the station, where he kept a Spider-Man costume in his locker.
The sight of Mr Somchai dressed as Spider-Man and holding a glass of juice for him, brought a big smile to the boy's face, and he promptly threw himself into the arms of his "superhero", police said.
Mr Somchai normally uses the costume to liven up fire drills in schools.
December 15th, 2008
Whale sharks found around the island
Ask almost any diver what is one of the things they would most like to see when diving and a good majority will tell you, “a whale shark of course”.
Well, for those divers, Koh Samui is currently the place to be to get that rare opportunity to dive with these gentle giants.
The whale shark is known as a slow filter feeder that is the largest living fish species. It can grow up to 12.2 m. (40 ft.) in length and can weigh up to 13.6 tons.
This species of shark, despite its enormous size, does not pose any significant danger to humans. It is a frequently cited example when educating the public about the popular misconceptions of all sharks as “man-eaters”. They are actually quite gentle and can be playful with divers.
There are unconfirmed reports of sharks lying still, upside down on the surface to allow divers to scrape parasites and other organisms from their bellies. Divers and snorkelers can swim with this giant fish without any risk apart from unintentionally being struck by the shark’s large tail fin.
So if anyone reading this has been looking for a good reason to either start diving or to get back into the sport, now seems a good time as you will be greatly rewarded with the honor of seeing and swimming with one of natures most beautiful, gracious and hard to find awesome sea creatures.
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