The Leader of Asia Pacific Travel and Tourism

  What´s Best for Thailand - Quality or Quantity Tourism?
The PATA Thailand Chapter is organising a day-long seminar Friday January 23 entitled, "Quality and Quantity - What Is Best for Thailand´s Tourism Industry?" The event is co-sponsored by the TAT. At the heart of the debate is the conflict between quality (higher yield) and quantity (mass) tourism. The dilemma has implications for government policies, Thailand´s economic performance, the socio-economic well-being of its population, the environment, and the integrity of cultural heritage sites. Industry leaders will analyse tourists´ evolving needs and best practice case studies of operators who have taken a position on the quality versus quantity continuum. Mr. Santichai Euachongprasit, TAT's Deputy Governor for International Marketing, will address the subject of why Thailand will always be a competitive destination. Apart from leading hoteliers, tour operators, airline and attraction operators, speakers include Mr John Koldowski, Director of PATA´s Strategic Intelligence Centre, Mr Bert van Walbeek of the Winning Edge, and Professor Jutamas Wisansing from the Hospitality and Tourism Faculty of Assumption University. The event will take place in a Bangkok city centre Chapter-member hotel. The seminar costs 1,950 baht for Chapter members and 2,250 baht for non-members. The price includes coffee breaks, lunch and the seminar documents. To book or for further information, email: pata@asiaaccess.net.th. Tel: 02 237 5195/9.

  Time for a Festive Christmas Lunch
The PATA Thailand Chapter and SKAL International Bangkok members invite you to join the PATA/SKAL 2008 Christmas luncheon. It takes place Tuesday December 9, starting 12 noon at the Grand Rachada Ballroom, Chaophya Park Hotel & Resort. The luncheon includes sponsored wine or beer, carol singers, Christmas music and door prizes. During the lunch, members will hold a silent auction to raise money for the PATA/SKAL AIDS Babies Milk Fund. Lunch is only 699 baht for PATA/SKAL members or 799 baht for non-members. To book, fax 02 237 5190. Email pata@asiaaccess.net.th.
Note: Chaophya Park Hotel & Resort is best accessed by MRT subway, Ratchadarpisek station. Take exit 1 and walk 5 minutes to the hotel.

  Visit the Splendour of the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall
World Travel Service is offering tours to see one of the finest displays of Thai arts and crafts ever assembled. Clad in white Italian Carrara marble and decorated with impressive fresco paintings dating from the reign of King Rama VI, the magnificent Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall has been used to welcome visiting royalty and dignitaries on numerous occasions. In this opulent setting you will discover an exquisite display of hundreds of objects meticulously created by artisans trained by H.M. Queen Sirikit's SUPPORT Training Center. This is a foundation where underprivileged villagers are taught traditional arts and crafts skills. The exhibits represent the highest standards of beauty and creativity. Prior to visiting the museum, you can visit Wat Rajbopit where the curving walls of the buildings are covered with beautiful glazed tiles. The doors are inlaid with mother of pearl, the work of master craftsmen. The tours are on Wed, Fri and Sun from 0830 to 1200 and cost 1,000 baht per person. Tourists must comply with a dress code. Private tours can also be arranged every day except Mondays. Tel: (+66) 2233 5900. Email: tours@wts-thailand.com.

Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall

  Ibis Package for Samui
Ibis Bophut Samui is now offering a special opening package for the price of 1,840 baht nett per night inclusive of breakfast for two, for standard room, valid until December 20, 2008. Guests can enjoy their breakfast from 4am till noon and benefit from a 24/7 hot and cold snack and bar service. The Samui property complements the Ibis Sathorn Bangkok in Soi Ngam Dupli. Both hotels provide all the quality and services of the worldwide ibis standard, including a well-designed en-suite bedroom, flat screen TV, and wireless broadband internet. Tel: (+66) 2264 5777. www.ibishotels.com

Ibis Bophut Samui

  The First Novotel in Thailand Certified by Green Globe
Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square is the first Novotel hotel to receive Green Globe Certification. This is the first time such an award has been given to an Accor hotel in the Asia Pacific region. Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square is committed to a sustainable development strategy to preserve the environment and combat global warming through waste management, energy saving and related policies. Novotel has committed its entire network to sustainable development. Tel: (+66) 2209 8888. www.novotel.com/asia.

  Pullman Offers Luxury in Khon Kaen
Accor has announced the opening of the second Pullman hotel in Thailand. The Pullman Khon Kaen Raja Orchid (formerly the Sofitel Raja Orchid) is in the heart of Khon Kaen city. Offering some of the best five-star accommodation and events facilities in Thailand´s northeast, the hotel is ideal for corporate travellers, meetings and events. Pullman has refurbished its extensive facilities including guest rooms, meeting facilities, and a new business centre with meeting rooms. It has added Teppanyaki grills to the Sushi Bar, and expanded its bakery. Tel: (+66) 43 322155. www.pullmanhotels.com.

The Pullman Khon Kaen Raja Orchid (formerly the Sofitel Raja Orchid)

Make Your Tourism Message Really Travel in 2009 If your tourism promotion budget for 2009 is under pressure, switch to PR instead of expensive advertising. Bangkok-based ScottAsia Communications specialises in achieving maximum media exposure for hotels, tour operators, airlines, travel associations and travel event organisers. ScottAsia has an impressive track record in securing positive editorial coverage in trade, consumer, business, online and traditional media outlets across Thailand, Asia and the world. "We can easily place Thailand´s travel products and services in front of specific audiences around the world," said ScottAsia´s managing director Ken Scott. ScottAsia is currently offering special retainer rates specifically for tour operators and travel agents in Thailand for 2009. Tel: (+66) 2860 8227. Email: PRresults@ScottAsia.net.

Century Park Adds Big Value to 4-Day Packages The Century Park Hotel in the Din Daeng area of Bangkok is offering four-day/three-night "Dining Paradise" packages suitable for leisure or business visitors. Each package includes "dine around" vouchers, personalised check-in/out, a daily newspaper, tea/coffee making facility, shuttle to the Victory Monument skytrain station, two hours´ use of a meeting room, afternoon tea, evening cocktails and late check-out until 1600 hrs. The packages are 9,500 baht (executive deluxe room), 14,500 baht (junior suite), and 19,500 baht (executive suite). Packages are liable to 10% service and 7% VAT and are valid until January 15, 2009. Tel: (+66) 2246 7800. Email: corporate@centuryparkhotel.com.

Really Discover Bangkok Exotissimo Thailand has launched a new range of unique Bangkok day trips. The company´s "Signature Tours" are designed to show travellers the real Bangkok by delving deep in to the culture and history of the capital city by using expert guides. The tours can be booked conveniently online. In the upcoming months, similar excursions in Chiang Mai and Phuket will be added to the company´s expanding list of innovative tour offerings. Find out more about Exotissimo´s Bangkok "Signature Tours" at: http://www.exotissimo.com/bangkok-excursions.html.

  Discover a Spiritual Corner of Thailand at Christmas
World Travel Service is offering a spiritual trip for Christmas. The three-day/two-night "Mekong River of Faiths" trip December 24-26, will visit Nakhon Phanom and Sakhon Nakhon in the far northeast. The itinerary takes in both Buddhist and Christian sites, including a riverside shrine in Mukdahan built to honour seven Catholics who refused to renounce their faith. They were killed by police during a Franco-Thai conflict in World War II. They were beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1989. The trip includes Mass at Ban Tha Rae, where Thailand´s largest Christian community lives. If you book before November 16 the fee is 10,900 baht per person, twin sharing. The price includes all arrangements as specified in the programme, hotel accommodation, meals and air tickets on PB Airways. For a full programme and further information, email tours@wts-thailand.com. Or call Tour Manager Mr Viraj Chimprasert. Tel: (+66) 2233 5900 (10 lines).

About the PATA Thailand Chapter The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Thailand Chapter is a voluntary not-for-profit membership organisation that supports the responsible development of the travel and tourism industry in Thailand. The Chapter organises tourism training seminars, disseminates useful information to its members and the media and supports the strategic objectives of PATA head office. The Chapter comprises both private and government sectors. Further information: www.pata-thailand.org.

Further information PATA Thailand Chapter Tel: (662) 237 5195-9 Fax: (662) 237 5190 E-mail: pata@asiaaccess.net.th