The public and private sectors are joining hands in organizing a “Reconciliation Festival” to return happiness to the people and promote national reconciliation.
The festival is taking place until July 27th at Sanam Luang ceremonial ground in Bangkok.
According to the Spokesman of the Internal Security Operations Command, Colonel Banpot Poolpian, the six-day festival aims to mobilize support for the national reconciliation, which will lead to the next phase, national reform.
It follows reconciliation activities held in the provinces, where local people are able to meet and interact. This will create mutual trust and reduce suspicions among the people, especially between conflicting parties, or people who hold different views on political and social issues.
Colonel Banpot stated that the festival would be another step to show that the situation in Thailand was back to normal. The Internal Security Operations Command has been assigned by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to help create unity in Thai society.
The Reconciliation Festival consists of several activities, such as prayers for peace and happiness by major faiths in Thailand, a bazaar of low-priced products, exhibitions, music, cultural performances, and film screenings.
Activities to return happiness to the people will continue until mid-August, when Thai people celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s birthday anniversary.
Meanwhile, the Tourism Authority of Thailand is working on a series of tourism marketing and promotion activities to attract tourists to the Kingdom during the remainder of this year as well as the years to come. Among the strategies is the plan to reiterate the charms of Thai culture and heritage, including a talk-of-the-town activity – “Thailand Happiness” Street Festival Extravaganza over the 25-26 July 2014 weekend.
During the two-day period, the primary business and shopping district of downtown Bangkok is to be converted into a giant festival of happiness, joy, fun, and Thai smiles as part of a big-bang effort to show the world that Thai tourism is bigger than it ever was.
Thailand remains a safe tourist destination, offering a wide variety of tourist attractions, ranging from unique culture, abundant natural beauty, and a remarkable variety of activities, including soft-adventure, spa, shopping, and medical tourism.
The NCPO has launched several measures over the past two months in order to boost tourism. Efforts to achieve national reconciliation and return happiness to the people have been focused upon in the 3-phase roadmap.
