Food & Hotel Thailand 2009

Food & Hotel Thailand 2009, held at the Royal Paragon Halls in the heart of Bangkok, has been awarded host status of the 1st Asian Culinary Cup supported by WACS and attracting an expected audience of up to 5,000 local and international chefs. This global culinary event is held in addition to the comprehensive activity programme that includes the Thai Association annual conference, Hostec Asia, Thai Restaurant Congress, the Thai Retailers Summit and the Food & Beverage Association of Thailand’s International Wine Challenge.

Food & Hotel Thailand 2009 will welcome an expanded number of International participants with many new groups and international participants with many new groups and independent exhibitors joining the event for the first time and it is expected to attract another record number of local & international buyers. As part of the Allworld Apple series of food & hotel events Food & Hotel Thailand holds the unique status of being “Asia’s 5 Star Hospitality Event.”

Recommend Areas to Stay.
1. Hotels in Siam (Close to the Event)
2. Hotels in Asoke (Convenient access to BTS Skytrain)

Chiang Mai High Land rank top 10 resort course in Asia

Congratulations to the Chiang Mai Highland Golf and Spa Resort that recieved the rank of 8th out of the top 10 resort courses in Asia by Golfing Magazine that has a readership of up to 85% American golfers and is one of the top golfing publications in the USA.

Bangkok and Chiang Mai voted among world's top cities in 2009

This news is a bit old but I find that it is still interesting enough to be posted here.

New York, July 16, 2009 — Two cities in Thailand, Chiang Mai and Bangkok, were voted among the top 10 cities in the world, according to Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards, the results of which were published in the August 2009 issue of the magazine.

Travel + Leisure readers selected Bangkok and Chiang Mai as the third and fifth best cities in the world, respectively — as well as second and third best cities in Asia. The Thai islands of Phuket and Ko Samui were awarded the third and fifth best islands in Asia.

Among The Top 100 Hotels in the world, eight were in Thailand, including the Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle in Chiang Rai (#7), the Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok (#20) and the Anantara Golden Triangle in Chiang Rai (#53). And 11 Thai hotels were also named among the top 40 resorts and city hotels in Asia.

The 14th Annual Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards ranks the best cities, hotels, resorts, cruises and airlines worldwide. The awards are the results of an annual, impartial survey that allows its readers to vote for their favorite travel destinations around the world.

The 8th Hua Hin / Cha-am Thailand Golf Festival 2009

The festival for golf lovers at the heavenly seaside resorts of Hua Hin / Cha-am, Thailand at 8 different courses ... 8 different challenges

800 Baht Fixed Green Fees at 8 championship courses daily throughout August-September 2009

The Tourism Authority of Thailand invite all golf lovers to join in the fun during the Hua Hin / Cha-Am festival throughout August-September 2009. Offers and Scheduled Events include:

- The lowest green fees of the year, priced at just 800 Baht at all major courses in Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan from 1st August - 30th September 2009 (Fees do not include caddies or golf buggies, and are not available at courses when organized events are taking place)
- Invitations to appy to compete in organized tournament every Sunday for just 1,200 Baht (Fees include caddy and dinner), with lots of lucky prizes. Players achieving a hole-in-one at designated holes can win a car on the last day of the festival.
- Chances to browse and buy from a wide range of specially-discounted golf products with 10 - 30% reduction on Pro Shop products at all courses. Further information can be obtained from TAT Phetchaburi on 0 3247 1005 - 6 and TAT Prachuap Khiri Khan on 0 3251 3885 during government office hours or from any of the 8 participating golf courses.

Participating Golf Courses
Banyan Golf Club
The Imperial Lake View Hotel & Golf Club
The Majestic Creek Golf & Resort
Sawang Resort & Golf Club
Royal Hua Hin Golf Course
Palm Hills Golf Resort & Country Club
Kaeng Krachan Country Club and Resort
Springfield Village Golf & Spa

More Information of the Festival

Accommodation at Hua Hin and Cha-Am

AMAZING THAILAND GRAND SALE 2009 Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket and Hat Yai June 1 – August 31, 2009

The Amazing Thailand Grand Sale, Thailand's annual three-month shopping extravaganza offers world-class shopping, a diverse selection of quality products and services, special discounts of 10 - 70 per cent and promotional offers being extended by leading department stores, shopping complexes, King Power Duty Free shops, airlines, hotels, spas, golf courses, online travel agencies, hospitals, jewellery shops and participating retail outlets along designated ‘Shopping Streets’ in Bangkok and at special events held in the popular tourist destinations of Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya, Hua Hin and Hat Yai.

The ‘Shopping Streets’ provide a convenient opportunity to spot great buys in an exotic range of unique crafts and cottage industry products, including exquisitely hand-crafted decorative items for home and living and fashion accessories, available in the traditional as well as contemporary design.

In addition to discount offers of up to 70 per cent from participating establishments, check out the special promotions offered by retail and service outlets displaying the ‘Thailand Grand Sale’ decal. These include free gifts, vouchers and lucky draw prizes.

To take advantage of special discounts, promotional offers and other privileges between 1 June through to 31 August, simply look out for the "Amazing Thailand Grand Sale" decal on display at participating outlets.

Bangkok Hotels
Chiang Mai Hotels
Pattaya Hotels
Phuket Hotels

Thailand Waives Visa Fee as Part of Drive to Revive Tourism

Thailand is trying to expedite the revival of the Thai travel and tourism industry, the Royal Thai government has agreed to exempt the fee for tourist visa applications for a three month period, effective 5 March, 2009 to 4 June, 2009.

Thailand presently gives Visa on Arrival for citizens of 20 countries for a stay not exceeding 15 days. Citizens of another 42 countries are allowed a visa-free stay in Thailand not over 30 days. Those who wish to stay longer than those periods have to apply for visas at the Thai embassies or diplomatic missions abroad before their arrival in Thailand.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is personally spearheading efforts to revive the tourism industry and boost the country’s competitive position to offset the impact of the global financial crisis.

Mrs Phornsiri Manoharn, TAT Governor said “The support we are getting from the highest levels of the Royal Thai government is a clear indication that Thai travel and tourism is back to business with excellent deals and marketing support for our friends in the travel trade.

“Thailand is and continues to be a wonderful diverse tourism destination with great beaches, food, spas, hotels, nature, sports and smiles. We are welcome all visitors around the world.”

On 3 February, 2009, Thai Cabinet approved a visa exemption scheme for transit passengers through Suvarnabhumi International Airport who must wait long hours to catch a connecting flight. The waiver will allow transit passengers to temporarily leave the airport premises on a short visit or to shop at places near the airport without a visa.

Each year Thailand welcomed a thousand of transit passengers daily, many of whom must stay at the airport for up to eight hours.

In 2009, TAT is conservatively expecting 14 million visitor arrivals, with tourism revenue projected at 505 billion baht (US$14.46 billion).



List of Destinations and Hotels in Thailand