Day: December 8, 2017

Bangkok, 08 December, 2017 – Japan’s wintertime illumination has arrived in Bangkok in the form of the ‘Thailand Illumination Festival 2017’ currently lighting up a 39 rai (62,400 sq. m) plot of land on Ratchadapisek Road with more than one million LED lights.

Privy Councillor General Surayud Chulanont (above picture), said: “The Thailand Illumination Festival 2017 offers both local and international tourists a chance to admire the kind of spectacular LED light display that other cities are famed for, right here in Thailand.

“This wonderful exhibition was created in commemoration of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and in honour of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun.”

Visitors are invited to enjoy “The King of Our Heart” exhibition and the outstanding high point of the event, a fabulous light-and-sound display presenting the royal compositions of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. They can also play charitable games and taste street food from over 30 leading restaurants. There is also a music performance nightly.

Organised by Apollo (Thailand), the manufacturer and distributor of IDEMITSU and DAPHNE lubricants, the Thailand Illumination Festival 2017 is also a charitable event where proceeds from visitors will go to the Chaipattana Foundation and Siriraj Foundation.

According to Mr. Yuiji Matsuyama, President of Apollo (Thailand), the Thailand Illumination Festival was inspired by the luminous garden lighting festival in Japan, which each city holds during every winter, with their own distinct displays and styles.

Consequently, this attracts a lot of tourism to places like amusement parks and shopping malls, as well as in the city streets themselves where the beautiful lighting is on full display. It has become one of Japan’s winter traditions.

Mr. Matsuyama said: “Therefore, Apollo (Thailand) brought this festival in Bangkok to help create a tourist attraction in the heart of the city to help promote the tourism industry in Thailand.

“This is the key to stimulating the Thai economy. It is also intended as a social activity that fosters a sense of sharing among our staff and the public, as well as giving everyone an opportunity to make merit through donating to charity.”

The Thailand Illumination Festival 2017 is open to the public with free admittance from 5 December 2017 to 6 January 2018. From Monday to Thursday, the event is open between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.  From Friday to Sunday, the event is open between 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.

The APOLLOTHAI COUNTDOWN 2018 takes place on 31 December 2017 amid the spectacular illuminated garden with a mini-concert by Atom Chanakan, the Sincharoen Brothers and Jennifer Kim.

The exhibition is located on Ratchadapisek Soi 8 (opposite the Esplanade shopping centre on Ratchadapisek Road) in Bangkok

Bangkok, 08 December, 2017 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched a new “Experience Thailand and More” pocketbook, focusing on four key experiences that enhance its ASEAN Connectivity initiative with new destination combinations.

Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn (above picture), TAT Governor, said: “This year, ASEAN celebrates the 50^th anniversary since its founding. This, coupled with the integration of the ASEAN Economic Community, inspired TAT to expand our ongoing initiatives to promote ASEAN as a single destination with Thailand as the region’s primary aviation and tourism hub.

“The launch of the four ‘Experience Thailand and More’ recommended travel routes that connect cities in ASEAN is also in line with TAT’s latest marketing concept of ‘Open to the New Shades’, which highlights how visitors can discover new perspectives in existing Thai attractions, or indulge in experiences in new tourist attractions in the Kingdom and beyond.”

These ‘Experience Thailand and More’ routes include:

‘A Journey to ASEAN Ancient Kingdom’, which connects the ancient cities of Chiang Rai, Lamphun and Chiang Mai in Thailand with Mandalay and Bagan in Myanmar while promoting Northern Thailand as the hub of the historic trails in the North of ASEAN;

‘ASEAN Peranakan and Nature Trail, which links the Andaman coastal cities of Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun in Thailand with Langkawi and Penang in Malaysia whilst highlighting Phuket’s distinctive Peranakan culture and distinctive gastronomic scene;

‘Mekong Active Adventure Trail’ that combines Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket and Ubon Ratchathani in Thailand’s Northeast (Isan) with Si Phan Don in Lao PDR., and Stung Treng and Kratie in Cambodia. The trail showcases Buri Ram as the sports city and is ideal for travellers who love combining sports with adventure travel experiences;

‘ASEAN World-Class Culinary and Heritage Cities’ highlights culinary travel experiences in major and unique cities including Bangkok, Samut Songkhram and Ayutthaya in Thailand, Kuala Lumpur and Malacca in Malaysia, and Singapore. The route focuses on food culture, local cuisine, world-class restaurants and top things to do in the featured cities with Bangkok as the world’s gastronomic hub.

The “Experience Thailand and MORE” pocketbook is available upon request via the TAT’s Services Promotion Division.

In 2018, TAT will host the ASEAN Tourism Forum from 22-26 January in Chiang Mai. Among the post-tours are also included a number of ASEAN Connectivity itineraries, further strengthening TAT’s commitment to promote ASEAN as a single destination.

In Photo: Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn (middle), TAT Governor, headed the panel discussions on experiencing Thailand and more with experts in different fields, including Dr. Kosol Tang-Uthai (2nd from left), President of the Phuket Peranakan Association, speaking on cultural tourism; Mr. Chaichanok Chidchob (3rd from left), Vice President of Buriram United Football Club, speaking on sport tourism; and Mr. Lapon Sornpradit (2nd from right), travel professional from Grand Booking (Thailand), speaking on history and tourism. Joining them at the press conference on 8 December 2017 included Miss Thapanee Kiatphaibool (far left), TAT’s Office of the Governor Executive Director; and Mr. Nithee Seeprae (far right), TAT Director of product promotion department.

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