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Back to ‘Amazing Thailand’
Sirima Eamtako
(TTG Asia)
Thailand has reintroduced the favoured ‘Amazing Thailand’ tourism marketing
campaign that was used from 1998 to 2004.
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor, Ms Phornsiri Manoharn, said it
would be relaunched at the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) in Singapore.
The short life span of the ‘Thailand Unforgettable’ slogan, launched in
August last year, has been scrapped, and TAT is reported to have already
spent some 20 million baht (US$557,000) on the logo design alone. Ms
Phornsiri said it would have cost TAT another 200 million baht to continue
promoting that brand, which was not as well supported by the trade, for
another nine months.
Tourism minister, Dr Suvit Yodmani, said: “The re-introduction of Amazing
Thailand is a result of a comprehensive evaluation at the ministerial level.
We found the slogan still being widely accepted globally, and it is cost
saving (compared to creating a new brand) for the TAT.”
This year, TAT was allocated a tourism budget of 3.6 billion baht, down from
4.2 billion baht last year. The target is 547 billion baht in tourism
revenue from 14.8 million arrivals, a 13 per cent increase on last year’s
figures.
Association of Thai Travel Agents president, Mr. Apichart Sankary, said:
“The private sector has found both Visit Thailand Year and Amazing Thailand
to be the two most successful campaigns. Amazing Thailand in particular is
seen by international tour operators as the perfect representation of the
country. Thailand Unforgettable is too abstract and intangible.”
According to Ms Phornsiri, the TAT is giving the Amazing Thailand logo a
facelift, incorporating a more colourful and trendy symbol, but still
representing the feel of “Thai-ness”. TAT will also re-introduce Amazing
Thailand at ITB in Berlin in March.
CBS Travel Asia CEO, Mr. Chaladol Ussamarn, said he hoped the campaign would
be used to promote the country indefinitely as it was the most catchy and
suitable slogan. But Ms Phornsiri said the TAT had not decided on its
duration, which would be evaluated with the private sector after a year.
Mr. Chaladol added TAT should also proactively promote Thailand under the
brand at other high-profile international tradeshows, besides ATF and ITB.
“The most immediate task is to try to get the brand published in the
brochures of overseas tour operators,” he said, adding TAT should also
reiterate that Thailand had more to offer than just Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya
and Koh Samui.
“Under the Amazing Thailand campaign, emphasis should be placed on emerging
destinations such as Krabi, Khao Lak and Koh Chang.”
A View from the Top
Open House at Siam Royal View
The beautifully landscaped entrance to the Siam
Royal View development.
Denis Wilson,
Property Consultant
The first impression you get driving through the imposing entrance of Siam Royal
Views development at Khao Talo, is of a beautifully landscaped central avenue
flanked by discreetly stylish villas of varying size and style.
In our experience first impressions often flatter. In this case, our initial
views were strengthened as we toured the individual homes.
The villas themselves are deceptive. Access from the street is via secure hard
wood gates set in superbly detailed boundary walls. As the gates swing open, the
sheer sense of space and light that greets you is unbelievable.
The gardens spread out on both sides of the impressive entrance doors and the
whole area at the front of the house provides what can only be described as a
welcoming feel.
The sense of space and light grows as you enter into the home and rooms seem to
expand around you.
At this point you begin to notice the subtlety of the design detail, as your
eyes are drawn to interesting structural and decorative features.
Developers of the project Siam Royal View pride themselves on their adherence to
the strictest European standards of construction, we can see why!
The impression of quality is everywhere. The specification of the kitchens for
instance, is outstanding. Granite work surfaces, highest quality tiles and
finest European appliances are the norm. Similarly, the bathrooms in the various
villas that we visited, offered levels of luxury and convenience that I have
only experienced in 5 star hotels.
One outstanding feature that we noticed in a number of the villas that we viewed
was that the baths in the master bedroom suites were designed and positioned to
take full advantage of the fantastic views over the Pattaya skyline.
While we are on the subject of “views”, all of the villas are terraced down the
slope and because of the clever low-rise design of the roofs, enjoy unobstructed
panoramic views over the entire bay from Jomtien to Naklua.
We loved the concept of outdoor living that these villas exemplify. The main
living area and bedrooms all had direct access to the terrace and pool in most
models, while some enjoyed exotic features such as a Sala or, Jacuzzi (which we
understand are options with all house models).
We were shown around the complete Siam Royal View project. We saw everything
from modest 2 bedroom villas to the grandest hill-top mansions all of which
shared a common factor. While the development maintains a consistency of
external appearance, every villa that we viewed was absolutely unique. Clients
have the ability to work together with Siam Royal Views architects and after
sales coordination team to design the home that both meets their personal and
family requirements and reflects their own taste and style.
We were staggered by the fact that two versions of the same villa type could
look and feel so completely different.
We can categorically say, that this is one of the most unique developments that
we have visited in terms of quality and style; made even more special of course,
by those fabulous views.
All of the villas enjoy
unobstructed panoramic views over the entire bay from Jomtien to Naklua.
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