Thailand launches new tourism campaign

BANGKOK, October 27 (TNA) - The state-run Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is organising a new tourism campaign, themed "Hug Thailand", to stimulate domestic tourism in 12 cities which should not be missed. TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn told journalists on Tuesday that the new campaign is a continual activity of the previous campaign, themed "Discover Thainess 2015", with the new one aimed to encourage international tourists to travel around Thailand, particularly in the 12 areas in 24 provinces, namely Lamphun in the Thai North, Buriram in the Thai Northeast and Satun, Phang-nga and Ranong in the Thai South. Yuthasak said the 12 Thai areas have beautiful scenery and traditional ways of life the international travellers may not have seen or known. According to the TAT governor, the new campaign should also earn Thailand more tourism-related revenues by more than 400 billion baht during the campaigning period, from now until mid-2016. The TAT governor then invited the public to join in with a TAT contest by sending in pictures of themselves hugging a place or product from the 24 listed provinces, through the website, www.กอดเมืองไทย.com, to win a grand prize of free tour packages around Thailand for the whole next year from Thai Smile Airline. Interested persons are welcome to start sending the photos from November 2 until December 31, 2015. (TNA)