Time to travel to Thailand!

As part of its post-crisis recovery campaign, the Thai tourism industry recently hosted “Thailand’s Best Friends Forever Mega Fam Trip” or Thailand’s BFF. It was one of the largest familiarization trips in Thailand enjoyed by more than 900 travel media, bloggers, celebrities and travel industry executives from 47 countries and territories around the world.

The fam trip was designed to convey a powerful message that the Thai tourism industry is back to normal. It was also geared to help dispel any lingering doubts about the return to normalcy of the country and thereby restore visitors’ confidence in returning to Thailand for leisure or business.

The Royal Thai Government established the Tourist Organization in 1960 to be specifically responsible for the promotion and marketing of Thailand’s tourism. It was renamed the Tourist Organization of Thailand (TOT) in 1963. As Thailand’s tourism continued to grow and increasingly played pivotal role as one of the country’s top export earners, the government saw the need to place greater emphasis on promoting and marketing the kingdom as a tourism destination among global travelers. In 1979, the government passed a bill that brought the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) into existence. Now on its 54th year with headquarters in Bangkok, 35 offices in Thailand and 26 offices overseas, the TAT has helped make Thailand one of the world’s favorite destinations for global travelers. Visitor arrivals grew from 81,000 tourists in 1960 to 22 million in 2012.

I was lucky enough to be part of the fam trip group that was organized by the TAT in conjunction with Thai Airways. TAT’s Philippine representative Milky Evangelista and Thai Airways passenger sales supervisor Fannie Galang accompanied our fun press group from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to explore the Kingdom of Thailand. 

A hectic but fun schedule was set for our group to show us the wonders of Thailand. After our afternoon arrival, we checked in at the very centrally located Amari Watergate (www.amari.com). We were then brought to Siam Niramit (www.siamniramit.com) where we had dinner and watched a show that highlighted Thailand’s rich culture and history.

On the second day, our group visited the world-famous Madame Tussauds museum in Bangkok (www.madametussauds.com/bangkok) where we posed with wax figures of world leaders, actors and historical figures. A quick lunch ensued and we were given free time to shop before the Mega Fam reception. It was glorious for us as everything was on sale, with some items at 80 percent off! Of course, Thailand had a tax refund incentive for foreigners as well. After the quick shopping trip, we proceeded to the welcome reception that was presided over by Admiral Narong Pipatanasai, Commander-in-Chief of Royal Thai Navy and Deputy Chief of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), who oversees the tourism industry.

After the reception at the Centara Grand Hotel at Central World, our group was able to immerse in the festivities of the “Thailand Happiness Street Festival,” where the primary business and shopping district of downtown Bangkok was converted into a giant festival of happiness, joy, fun and Thai smiles. In an extravaganza never before held in Thailand, the entire Ratchaprasong area came alive with colorful parades, great shopping, fashion shows, concerts and culinary delights with the theme “Thailand Happiness.”

TAT governor Thawatchai Arunyik said, “This fam trip will be a critical component of our recovery program, especially for the second half of this year, when we have to double our efforts to bring visitors back.”

I did not need any  convincing at all. I have been to Thailand several times — even during the time of protests as well. Even during those uncertain times, Thailand had always felt like home to me and, to this day, I always feel safe there.

Our third day brought us to the ancient city of Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was my third time in Ayutthaya and I never get tired of the sight of these majestic temples. We checked out different temples and local Thai delicacies in Ayutthaya before heading to Blue Elephant Restaurant (www.blueelephant.com/bangkok) for an early dinner. We were served nine dishes that certainly hit the spot. This popular restaurant and cooking school has branched all over the world and served the best of Thai cuisine.

After the sumptuous dinner we had at Blue Elephant, our group headed to Asiatique The Riverfront (www.thaiasiatique.com), Thailand’s newest and very well organized night market, where we caught Muay Thai Live — The Legend Lives (www.muaythailive.com). The show brought to the fore how the famous Muay Thai, a Thai combat sport, originated spanning its historical beginnings to present day Thailand. I enjoyed the amazing stunts in this show!

Within the Asiatique The Riverfront’s complex is a massive night market. I was impressed on how organized the night market was and how practically everything was sold there — from jewelry, arts and crafts to food, souvenirs and clothing.

The last day of our fam trip brought us to Or Tor Kor Market, the food market of Bangkok, which I consider heaven for foodies like me. This often unvisited market right by Jatuchak market is a place I never miss whenever I go to Thailand. The market sells ready-to-eat Thai meals like fresh (and peeled) crabs, prawns and fruits. One of my favorite purchases at the market is the giant cotton fruit or santol that is almost as big as my head and weighs roughly 1.5 kilos each. Of course, the Thai lanzones is a must every time it is in season (ask for the pointed, sweeter longkong, not the roundish langsang).

After having my fill of more food, our group trooped to Art in Paradise 3-D Museum (www.artinparadise.co.th) where we had the best time posing for all these wacky photos that trick the eye! Two hours wasn’t even enough in this super fun place! We had lunch before heading to the airport.

It was a short but fun-filled trip. Thailand is probably the country I have visited the most in my life and I always have a great time there!  For those who worry about the political situation, don’t be. Everything is back to normal. Now is the time to travel back to Thailand.

Check out www.tourismthailand.org, a website that will answer any query you have about Thailand! 

(Thai Airways flies nine times a week between Manila and Bangkok connecting to over 70 destinations worldwide and utilizing the state of the art Boeing 777 with its legendary Smooth as Silk service. For information on the airline’s latest promotional fares, e-mail [email protected] and [email protected] or call 580-8420. Visit www.thaiairways.com/ph.) Photos by Pepper Teehankee

(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)