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.

The Bang Saen Hotel
The hotel building, of twenty-nine rooms, and one hundred and fifty bungalows were transferred to the TAT in July, 1964. They were renovated and re-painted. During its early stage of operation, the hotel was financially supported by the government. After 1969, it was self-sufficient. The hotel building and bungalows were improved to meet standards. Modern facilities was provided-new refrigerators, fresh water shower rooms, signs and placards for directions and places nearby. However, Pattaya was developed to become a tourist spot of the nation, and it was frequented by more tourists, suggesting a change in the tourists' demands. The TAT's investment for the improvement and expansion of the hotel business came to a halt because the hotel then continually experienced a deficit in 1981. At the suggestion of Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board, the Cabinet approved the privatization of government enterprises that could not support themselves. The Board of Directors of the TAT agreed to lease part of the hotel to a private company, and the TAT had part of the hotel building maintained to be used as Institute for Hotel and Tourism Training. A contract was signed between Bang Saen Beach Resort Company Limited and the TAT on September 12, 1983, indicating that the hotel should be operated for tourism only and the lease shall cover fifteen years, starting from October 1, 1983 to September 30, 1998.

The Bang Phra Golf Course
The Bang Phra Golf Course was transferred to be run by the TAT in March, 1964. An 18-hole golf course, with an eight-room motel and four bungalows, it is one of the oldest golf courses in Thailand. Under the management of the TAT, the golf course, with panoramic scenery, was developed. Foreign experts were invited to improve the greens and fairways to an international standard. The motel was renovated and enlarged to thirty-six rooms. A conference room that could accommodate 200 people was constructed. In 1969, the golf course was financially able to support itself, without relying on government budget.

In 1984, the government set a policy to privatize government enterprises that were not self-reliant. The TAT thus considered that a private company could invest in and manage the Bang Phra Golf Course though it was very self-reliant. From studies, it was found that the management system was still inflexible and that expenses tended to exceed income; therefore, the private sector was invited to manage the golf course. Forty percent of all the shares were evaluated in the form of property and good will values. The private sector was allowed to invest in 60% of shares for thirty years. Japan Golf Promotion Inc. Company signed a contract with the TAT on July 21, 1986, forming Bang Phra Golf Company to run the business operation up to the present.

The Khao Yai Hotel
The hotel business was transferred to the TAT in October, 1964. Included on the hotel compound were a golf course, sixteen bungalows and a ten-room guest-house. After being run by the TAT, the hotel was added with more buildings-thirty bungalows, eighteen motels, eight guest-houses and one conference room, to meet the demand of tourists. Service buildings were also built-restaurants and refreshment stands, an office building and reservation office, souvenir shops and a residence for the hotel manager.

Later, by resolution of the Cabinet on December 30, 1991, in agreement with a resolution of the Economic Committee, rental houses and residence owed by government units and enterprises were not allowed on Khao Yai.

For this reason, the TAT turned over all the buildings and structures to the Department of Forestry on March 1, 1992.