Bangkok/ Phuket – 12 May 2014 – Thailand has been honoured by the Olympic Council of Asia to host the 4th Asian Beach Games during 14-23 November, 2014 in Phuket, one of the kingdom’s best known beach destinations in the Andaman Sea.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will be co-hosting this international sporting event, which will take place at Phuket’s famous beaches of Patong, Karon, Kata, Nai Yang, as well as Bangneow Dam, Chaofa Mine and Saphan Hin Sports Centre.
TAT Governor, Mr. Thawatchai Arunyik said, “Being selected as the host country of the Asian Beach Games 2014 is a good opportunity for Thailand, especially for Phuket, to show to the world that our tourism and sporting facilities are of an international standard. The event will definitely show that apart from being a famous beach destination in Asia, Phuket also has the potential to be the region’s leading sports destination.”
The Asian Beach Games 2014 will be held under the slogan: “Celebrate Charming Sunshine” with the logo of the competition featuring two sugar palm trees, the symbol of Laem Phrom Thep, one of the famous viewpoints in Phuket. The wording “4th Asian Beach Games” will sit between the two palm trees, signifying the sport athletes of Asia who are joining the competition in the place which is full of friendship. There will also be three cartoon characters (mascots) of sea turtles named Sintu, Samut and Sakorn to be used as the symbol of luck.
It is anticipated that more than 3,500 athletes and officers from 45 countries in Asia will be joining the game, which will feature 19 types of sports competitions; such as, beach volleyball, beach basketball, sailing, windsurfing, paragliding, jet-ski, water ski, triathlon, beach soccer, and beach athletics.
TAT estimates that the Asian Beach Games will help stimulate the number of tourist arrivals to Thailand by 50,000 visitors, generating tourism revenue of more than 500 million Baht.
The TAT Governorsaid, “It is fortunate that the event is scheduled at the right timing for visiting Phuket or at the start of the high tourist season. Those joining the Asian Beach Games will be blessed with charming sunshine, sand, sea and, of course, sports. They will surely be fascinated with this most famous beach destination of Thailand.
For further details, please visit www.phuketthailand2014.com
Contact Information:
International Public Relations Division
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48
Fax: +66 (0) 2253 7419
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.tatnews.org
