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 :

Publication of Or Sor Tor magazine was launched in August, 1960 and sold at a price of 1.50 baht per copy. It presents tourist attractions and gives suggestions on how tourists can get to places of interest in the way a guide-book does. Profits from the sales made this magazine self-sufficient, despite a lack of support from the government. At present (1995), 70,000 copies are published and each copy costs 50 baht. It remains the most popular travel magazine among Thai readers, with the highest total sales in the country.

Organization of the first training program for professional tour guides : In January, 1961, the TAT, in collaboration with the Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University, offered training for 120 tour guides. At present, co-operation includes other academic institutions, organizing training programs for tour guides in general and those for ad hoc commission. As of September 30, 1995, the number of participants of these programs was 18,643.

The first elephant round-up show : On November, 1961, the TAT, in collaboration with the State Railway of Thailand and Surin's Board of Officials organized an elephant roundup show as a way to promote tourism to Surin Province. This show was later organized yearly on the this show was later organized yearly on the third week-end of November, and it contributed a great deal to the development of Surin.

During November 3-14, 1962, the TAT hosted a general assembly of International Union of Official Travel Organization (IUOTO) at Sala Santitham, This was the seventeenth general conference of the Union, leading Thailand into the international scenario in tourism; IUOTO later became World Tourism Organization--WTO.

During October 17-18, 1963, the first seminar on Thai tourism, entitled "Travels and Tourism, 1" was held at Sala Santitham, It was the first time that the TAT invited those responsible for tourism management from both the government and private sectors, to take part in the seminar for exchange of ideas.

During April 17-25, 1964, a caravan of cars "Touring the South" was organized, visiting Chumphon, Ranong, Phangnga, Phuket, Trang, Phattalung, and Songkhla, Many tourists joined this caravan, causing these southern provinces to realize the importance of tourism. After this, roads were improved and hotels and shops were opened to serve tourists. At present, this caravan tour still remains popular but its format has changed to that of a car rally.

In 1965, the TAT's first branch was opened in New York, and more branches have been established worldwide. The total number at present is 17. In 1968, the first domestic branch was wet up in Chiang Mai, and more branches have operated nationwide, totaling 22 branches in 1995.

During July 24-31, 1968, the 18th Conference of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) was organized for the first time in Thailand, with Bangkok and Chiang Mai as venues of the conference, which helped publicize Thailand worldwide.

During July 2-3, 1970, a seminar on traveling in the South was organized for the first time in Hat Yai, Songkhla, to set a plan for developing the South. Songkhla and Hat Yai were developed to become centers for tourism in the South, aiming at expanding the market to Malaysia and Singapore.

During June 23-25, 1971, the 3rd conference of the ASEAN Permanent Committee on Tourism was held in Chiang Mai, the result of which was acceptance of package tour.

In October, 1971, Chiang Mai Airport was upgraded to become an international airport. On October 5, 1971, a jumbo jet (Boeing 747) of BOAC Airlines made the first landing at Don Muang Airport.

During November 12-14, 1973, a seminar on "The Tourism Industry : The New Phase of Phuket, 1" was held in Phuket, setting a plan to develop Phuket as center of marine tourism in the South and distributing the masterplan for the development of Phuket's tourism to those in the business.

In 1974, a German Committee on traveling books sent questionnaires to tourists from all over the world to select the ten best cities to visit worldwide. Bangkok came eight on the list.

At The beginning of 1975, documentary films to introduce Thailand to international tourists were made. First was "Destination Thailand" and second was "Travel Tales of Thailand" both of which won in the PATA's film competition, In 1994, a video on "Thailand--Fields of Jade" was made and it won the first prize in Italy. In 1995, an Italian film company was hired to make a film, "Treasures of Thailand" which subsequently won a Silver Plague a ward from the competition of Merio Bella Vista Gold Award in Italy.

In January 1976, with the co-operation of Thailand's Broadcasting Station, the Royal Thai Navy's Broadcasting Station, Sor Wor Por Station, Nung Por Nor Station and Free Asia Station, the TAT organized a radio program, "Touring Thailand" to be broadcast nationwide.

In 1976, a development plan for tourism was set up with the assistance of Netherlands Institute of Tourism Development Consultants. This was considered the first development plan for tourism, setting a framework of Thailand's tourism development in a systematic manner. It was also used as a model for development of local tourism throughout the country.

In March, 1976, with the help from the division of Crime Suppression, the Department of Royal Thai Police, a tourist assistance center was established to accept complaints and ensure security for tourists. In October, 1977, by the resolution of the Cabinet, a Tourist Police Force, an ad hoc unit. Was founded under the Division of Crime Suppression to serve the need of tourists and ensure their safety.

In February 1977, with the co-operation of the City of Chiang Mai, the first flower festival was organized to promote tourism in Chiang Mai and support flower growers. More recently, the festival has been held during the first week of February up until the present.

In co-operation with Sukhothai Province and the Department of Fine Arts, the TAT organized the first Loy Krathong festival during November 24-26, 1977. Subsequently, this has become an annual event in Sukhothai Province.

The year 1979 was the UN's International Children's Year. Thai children nationwide were invited to enter a painting contest. The paintings that won in the contest were made into Christmas cards, and the cards used for special occasions, as a way to publicize Thailand through children's attitudes.

During June 9-24, 1979, together with Automobile Association of Singapore, the TAT organized the first caravan tour from Singapore the Pattaya, with sixty-five cars participating, The tour visited the southern provinces and proceeded to the East during the time when most tropical fruits were in season. This helped create a good impression of road traveling among tourists. Now, this caravan tour is organized annually.

In April, 1979, the Cabinet approved the setting up of an institute of r hotel and tourism training. In July of the same year, through the UNDP program experts from the International Lab or Organization (ILO) were assigned to help establish the institute, with a budget of 11 million Baht allocated for the founding of the institute's buildings at Bangsaen. It was named "Institute for Hotel and Tourism Training", first operated on November 5, 1980. Up till now (1995), a large number of graduates from this institute have worked in the field of tourism.

The year 1980 was designated by the Cabinet as "A Visit Thailand Year", to develop domestic tourism among Thai people. Cultural shows were organized in different regions throughout the country. In the Central region, "Visit Thailand and Promotion of the Thai Heritage fair" was first held at Suan Amphon. This fair Has become an annual event and received great interest from the public; it was thus expanded to the "International Travel Show (ITS)".

In Jun 1980, a mobile unit was founded to disseminate knowledge on the tourism industry to people, students, officials and community leaders to create understanding, unity and co-operation in the conservation of tourist resources. At present (1995), this unit is still very active in urging the public to contribute to the conservation of tourist resources.

During November 28 - December 5, 1980, the first "River Khwae Bridge Week" was organized to promote tourism in Kanchanaburi Province. A Light and Sound show was performed at the River Khwae Bridge, together with a fair and other forms of entertainment. This has become an annual event in Kanchanaburi.

In April, 1980, a project for studies of the tourist market in the Northeast was launched to study and analyze the situation of the tourist market and of social and economic conditions, which resulted in the development of tourist areas and routes in the Northeast. In 1991, with the assistance of the European Community, the TAT made a study on the development plan of the Northeast, analyzed tourist market both domestic and overseas, and the study yielded three concepts to tourism--eco--tours, cultural tours, and tours to view the folk way of life which would cover Laos and Cambodia so as to expand tourism to Indo-China.

During November 1-13, 1981, American association of Travel Writers chose Thailand as a venue for their annual conference. This conference was attended by 300 travel writers and mass media personnel from the U.S. and Canada, who could help publicize Thailand to create better understanding of the country's image.

In 1982, to celebrate the bicentennial of the Rattanakosin era, activities contributing to the promotion of tourism and revival of the country's ancient customs were organized throughout the country. Academic conferences and seminars, on national and international levels, were held to develop and promote tourism. For example, during February 15-17, 1983, Thailand was chosen by PATA to be a venue for its thirty-first annual conference. In 1996-marking the golden jubilee of H.M. the King's accession to the throne, PATA has made the decision to use Thailand as a venue for its forty-fifth annual conference during April 21-25, 1996.

In July, 1982, a master plan to develop tourism in the lower part of the North and Kanchanaburi Province was made.

During August 9-11, 1982, a seminar was held, aiming at solving problems arising from tourism development as stated in the Fifth National Social and Economic Development Plan. The seminar was participated in by those in the field of tourism, from the government and private sectors, as well as mass media personnel. The result was used to solve problems caused by tourism.

During February 2-4, 1983, a technical seminar aiming at solving social and economic problems in the North was held in Chiang Mai. This seminar found ways to solve problems arising from public services related to tourism, promote the tourist market and public relations, and improve rules and regulations as well as laws concerning tourism, in order to conserve tourist resources.

In April, 1983, with co-operation from Association of Sports' Promotion of Thailand, the TAT organized the first Kites' Festival at Pramane Ground to conserve and revive Thai kite flying so as to upgrade its standard to match that of other sports. This festival also aimed at attracting foreign tourists. H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously presided over the opening ceremony of the first festival, which has subsequently become an annual event.

On April 1, 1984, the Association of the Tourist Business in the South set up the Thai Federation of Province Tourist Associations--TFOPTA, aiming at solving problems occurring in tourist towns. The solution was submitted to the government sector so that it could be practically implemented.

In 1984, with collaboration from the government sector, the TAT set up a program to promote the standard of restaurants and food shops for tourists, paying particular attention to the cleanliness of the cooking process, in places where foods were sold and served to tourists. Any restaurant or food shop that could meet the standard would be given a framed certificate from the TAT, depicting a food vendor.

On September 5, 1984, Thai Convention Promotion Association (TCPA) was founded. This association was to co-operate with the private sector to organize meetings and conferences and to promote Thailand as a venue for international meetings and conferences.

During April 7-11, 1985, the first ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) was held in Bangkok. The forum was successful in the promotion of tourism among ASEAN countries. Later, during January 13-18, 1990, the second forum was organized as a continuation of the first one to develop tourism in the ASEAN region side by side with introducing this region to the world market.

The year 1987 was designated by the Cabinet as "Visit Thailand Year" to commemorate the sixtieth birthday celebration of H.M. the King on December 5, 1987 and the silver jubilee of H.M. the King's accession to the throne on July 2, 1988. This event contributed to the country a great deal and the number of tourists increased.

The UN's World Food Council (WFC) chose Thailand as venue of the sixteenth conference during May 21-24, 1990, (Thailand became a member of WFC in 1987). This conference boosted Thailand's reputation as one of the most important food producers in the world.

In May, 1990, the first training program for youth leaders to conserve Thai tourism was set. Two youth leaders were selected from each of secondary schools in all provinces over the country to be trained in conservation of tourist resources. Later, this program was organized every year.

On May 18, 1992, the Tourist Business and Guide Act was promulgated, enforcing those in the tourist business to register and to obtain a license by November 13, 1992. This act aimed at upgrading the standard of tour organizations to an international level.

In October, 1990, UNESCO announced Sukhothai Historical Park, Kamphaeng Phet - Si Satchanalai Historical Park, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park, and Thung Yai Naresuan - Huai Khakhaeng Wildlife Conservation Area as World Heritage sites, and in 1991, Ban Chiang Archaeological site was added to the list. This was to be beneficial for the promotion and conservation of tourist resources, making Thais realize the value of environmental conservation.

A program for the Revival of Tourism in Pattaya and Its Neighbor, 1992-1995 was set up by the Cabinet's decision to allocate the budget of 7,000 million Baht to all parties concerned, both from the government and private sectors, to solve the problems of Pattaya's deterioration.

During 1993-1995, with co-operation from Association of Astronomy in Thailand and Think Earth
- Think Sky Program, the TAT publicized the natural phenomenon of a total eclipse of the sun on October 24, 1995, which lasted for fifteen minutes. News on preparation for observation and viewing of such phenomenon were publicized both domestically and internationally.

In July, 1993, the TAT received a report on guidelines for the promotion of Thai and Indo-Chinese tourism, getting ready to promote tourism after the opening of the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. Tourist routes were developed. The quadrilateral, triangular and hexagonal economic policies were promoted, indicating Thailand as a gate-way to Indo-China.

The year 1994 was designated by the Cabinet as the year of "Thai Culture Heritage" to revive and preserve folk culture. The activities included academic seminars and four region cultural shows. These cultural promotion activities were later extended to 1997--designating 1995 as "the Year of Culture and Development", 1996 as "the Year of Culture and Tourism", and 1997 as "the Year of Culture and Mass Media".

On April 8, 1994, the opening ceremony of the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge was presided over by Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand and President of the People's Council of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. This bridge connects the tourist route from ASEAN to Indo-China.

The years 1995-1996 are designated by the government as the commemoration of the golden jubilee of H.M. the King's accession to the throne. Activities have been organized throughout the country to celebrate this special occasion, including campaigns to preserve the environment. Moreover, 1995 is also the Year of Information Technology (IT'95), with the slogan, "Advanced Communications, Advanced Thailand".

In 1995, preparation was made to publicize the 700 year celebration of the founding of Chiang Mai which is to be held in 1997.