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Deputy Prime Minister Gen Thanasak Patimaprakorn chaired the opening of the event, alongside Minister for Tourism and Sports Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, heads of other relevant agencies and consulates.
The launch took place at Siam Discovery department store and was organized to announce the government’s intention to develop Thai tourism which, next year, will focus on economic stability, integration, promotion of quality tourism and support for Thai ways of life towards sustainability.
The event saw the dispatch of 6 Thai Tourism parades, comprising a parade for the year’s emblem, a parade displaying traditions from 5 different regions, a parade featuring Thai flavors, a parade highlighting the colors of local festivals, a parade about sports tourism and a parade encouraging Thais to be good hosts.
All 6 will travel to Suan Lumphini and remain open for viewing in the area of the King Rama V monument.
Gen Thanasak urged all Thais to serve as good hosts to convince visitors to return to Thailand, noting that 60-70% of Thailand’s tourists eventually come back to the country and that Thai tourism has grown significantly over the past 3 years.
He said authorities are confident tourism expansion will meet a target of 7% this year and that the Kingdom will maintain its position as third in the world for tourism revenue.
