In looking back to the beginning of the Tourism Organization of Thailand (TOT) which later on was changed to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), we can see that promotion of the tourism industry has satisfactorily moved forward. This industry has contributed a great deal to the country in accordance with all the National Economic and Social Development Plans. Benefits from this industry are income in the form of foreign currencies, income distribution and job creation in tourist areas both in Bangkok and in the province. The number of tourists rose from 80,000 in 1960 (the year that the TOT was founded) to 6.16 millions in 1993. The tourism industry has been first in bringing in the highest amount of foreign currencies to the country, since 1992 up till the present time.

Despite its steady growth, the tourism industry has to face competition in the world market, economic and political disturbances in various regions, and changes in social, economic, cultural and environmental conditions. The TAT is well-aware of the afore-mentioned problems. It, therefore, tries to eliminate changes that may cause negative impact and set bases for solutions to the various problems. Attempts are especially made to preserve the physical condition of tourist areas and to instill awareness in preservation of natural resources for the advantage of long-term tourism. Other measures have also been taken to maintain the sustainable tourism industry.

For the past thirty-six years of the TAT and for its future into the boundless world, the TAT is confident of achieving the first rank in the world's tourism industry, with support and collaboration from the government and the private sector.

An oratory made by Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat, the Prime Minister who founded an agency for tourism

Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat who became Prime Minister on February 9, 1959 and was deceased during his tenure of office on December 8, 1963. He was the Prime Minister who put all his heart into developing the country and enhancing its stability in order to bring progress to the Thai people. He was a man with foresight and a clear vision who was responsible for establishing many agencies which play important roles in the economic development of the country and its society. Today, the Tourism Authority of Thailand is one of those agencies founded by him...more »

Reminiscence of the TOT
Lt. General Chalermchai Charuvastr
Director of the Tourist Organization of Thailand. 1960-1976

The promotion of the tourism industry of Thailand was concretely established under the name of "Tourist Organization of Thailand or TOT" on March 18, 1960, being the first organization in Thailand to be responsible specifically for the promotion of tourism. In 1979, by virtue of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Act, B.E. 2522, the name was changed to the Tourism Authority of Thailand...more »

Thirty-Six Years of the Tourism Authority of Thailand

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is known among the people as a government organization that supplies information and dato on tourist areas to the public, publicizes Thailand so as to encourage Thai and international tourists to travel in Thailand, conducts studies to set development plans for tourist areas, and to co-operate with and support the production and development of personnel in the field of tourism.

Throughout the thirty-six years since the founding of the Tourism Organization of Thailand up until now, the TAT has been determined to work incessantly for the development and progress of tourism...more »

Local offices of the Tourism Authority of Thailand

Since the inception of the Tourist Organization of Thailand, the number of tourists both local and foreign has increased tremendously. The influx of tourists has necessitated the expansion of its capacity and responsibility to include different regions of the country. The expansion has been administered in adhering to the principle of promoting and preserving the local culture and customs, giving information, advice and offering service tourists. The Tourism Authority of Thailand is also responsible for giving co-operation and co-ordination to those involved in promoting tourism, including Government officials, developing places of tourist interest and in protecting resources connected with the tourism industry. Besides, the Tourism Authority of Thailand supports and organizes training in order to attract more efficient personnel into the tourism industry...more »

Resorts in Bang Saen, Bang Phra and Khao Yai

On March 24, 1964, by the resolution of the Cabinet, three resorts under the responsibility of the Government's Lottery Bureau were transferred to be cared for by the TAT (then known as the TOT). These resorts were the Bang Saen Hotel, the Bang Phra Golf Course and the Khao Yai Hotel, all of which were in deteriorated condition with structures made of low-quality material and a deficit in their operation...more »

San Kamphaeng Hot Spring, Chiang Mai Province

San Kamphaeng Hot Spring Project, launched in 1984, is a business joint-venture between the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Mu Baan San Khumpaeng Agricultural Co-operative Limited. Each party contributed on million Baht as investment capital, two million Baht in total. By the agreement No. Or 10/2530, both parties aimed at developing the San Khumpaeng Hot Spring area a tourist site, with an objective to render mineral-water bathing service to local people and Thai visitors...more »

Work Plan for Loan for the Development and Promotion of Tourism

The Tourism Authority of Thailand requested Chulalongkorn University to conduct a feasibility study of the investment for the development of tourism, as indicated in the Sixth National Social and Economic Development Plan (1987-1991), in eight sub-regions all over the country, namely the upper and the lower parts of the North, the Northeast, the East, the West, the east of the upper part of the South, the west of the upper part of the South, and the lower part of the South. From this study, the TAT would proceed with projects under the Work Plan for Loan for the Development and Promotion of Tourism...more »

Duty-Free Shops in Town

A duty-free shop is used as a strategy in developing merchandise quality and encouraging more tourists' spending-another way to increase the country's income. Realizing this, the government supported the duty-free shop business operation by giving permission to the TAT to set up another duty-free shop in town, in addition to the one at Don Muang Airport, on April 25, 1989...more »

Roles of Administrators of the TAT and the TAT in the Tourism Industry

The tourism industry has played a significant role in the country's social, economic and political development. Ever since Thailand has paid particular attention to the promotion of this industry, it has yielded concrete benefits to the nation, ten of which can be regarded as great achievements as follows...more »

Promoting Tourism in Thailand
Worldwide

Thailand's tourist industry is a viable business generating billions of baht in income each year for the fact that the country has much to offer in terms of a variety of tourism resources be they beauties of nature or a rich cultural and historical heritage as well as other tourist attractions which have contributed in making Thailand one of the world's vital tourist attractions which have contributed in making Thailand one of the world's vital tourist attractions...more »

Master Plans for Development of Tourism and Research Topics

Not only is the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) involved in promoting tourism it also plays a crucial role in seeing to it that tourism develops in the appropriate manner and direction. It is, therefore, necessary to have a master plan for tourism development in order to determine a policy framework within the direction of sustainable tourism development...more »

Safety Measures for Tourists

Safety measures for tourists is yet another crucial component in the development of the tourism industry as any place or country that cannot guarantee the safety of a tourist's life or property will obviously be less attractive as a tourist destination...more »

Laws Protecting Tourism in Thailand

TAT once proposed the idea that a low concerning the tourist business and tourist guides be drafted but the proposal met with opposition from the private sector. Later on, the private sector would come to realize that without such a law the business could be chaotic and appealed for the law to be passed. TAT thus hastened to draft the Tourist Business and Guide Bill with collaboration between representatives form both the government and private sectors. The Bill was passed by the National Assembly on May 18, 1992, followed by a Ministry Regulation adhering to that bill which became effective on May 28, 1993...more »

Creating Personnel for the Tourism Industry

Having been categorized as a service industry, it is important therefore, to offer services in an impressive manner. This will motivate tourists to return to the area or entice others who have not yet been here to pay a visit themselves. The individuals working in the travel industry are those who will come into closest contact with tourist and play a vital role in providing the services mentioned, it is essential then to create qualified personnel as well as to develop skills and elevate the standards of service alongside the promotion and development of the tourism industry...more »

Development of Sustainable Tourism

The highest goal in social and economic development is the endeavour to improve the quality of life and to create a safe and peaceful society and eliminate problems and strife. In order to achieve these goals sustainable development must, therefore, be instituted...more »

Awards conferred upon the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Its directors from national and international organizations.

During the past 36 years TAT has been in operation, apart from generating economic growth by making tourism the country's number one industry for several consecutive years, TAT has also brought fame to the country in several ways, for example, in the way it has handled public relations from 1960-1995 that has earned the organization and its directors several awards both nationally and internationally...more »

Important Events during Thirty-Six Years

The tourism industry is important to the country's progress, modernity security and prestige--all of which Thais take pride in. To make the country become one of the world's top tourist spots, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has played an important role, experiencing a series of important events as follows...more »

TAT's Visions and Strategic
Objectives

- In constant search of Excellence.
- Best marketing strategies.
- Good cooperation among tourism operators.
- Emphasis on sustainable tourism.
- Regional collaborative efforts for tourism...more »