Bangkok Voted Number 1 City in Asia in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards

Thailand has once again been recognized as a premier travel destination in the 25th Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards, one of the highest accolades in the industry. This year’s awards reflect the opinions of a record 46,476 readers who participated in the survey, and who honored the Land of Smiles in several categories including the world’s top cities and the top cities, best islands, and favorite resorts in Asia.

Judged on factors such as Shopping, Ambience and Friendliness, Bangkok came in with a #4 ranking on the Top Cities in the World list, one spot behind Florence, Italy, and ahead of other world-class destinations like Vancouver, Sydney and Buenos Aires. As for the Top Cities in Asia, Condé Nast’s readers rated Bangkok #1 – edging out Hong Kong and Kyoto, who took 1st place in the 2011 survey – giving it high marks for its Restaurants, Lodging and Culture. Readers also heaped praise on Northern Thailand’s largest city and cultural centre, Chiang Mai, which earned the #5 spot in Asia sandwiched between Singapore and Ubud, one of Bali’s major arts and culture centres, and ahead of Tokyo and Shanghai.

Moving from the cities to the sea, Thailand continued to score high marks. In the Top 10 Islands in Asia category, it rang in with two of the top five selections once again. Phuket, ranked #2 on the list behind this year’s winner Bali, was favored for its beautiful beaches (scoring second-highest in Asia on that criteria behind only Lombok, Indonesia) and its wealth of activities; and Koh Samui, the #5 island in Asia, was buoyed by its lovely scenery and its diversity of lodging options and placed just a fraction of a point behind fourth-place Langkawi, Malaysia and one spot ahead of Hokkaido, Japan. Others making the list include Philippines favorites Luzon, Cebu and Mindanao, and Malaysian Borneo.

Visitors Urged to Get “Miracle Thailand Card” for Discounted Shopping

Visitors to Thailand this high season should make it a point to ask their travel agents and tour operators for a “Miracle Thailand Card” to help them take advantage of discounted shopping during their stay. TAT Governor Suraphon Svetasreni said the TAT is supporting this initiative, launched by one of Thailand’s leading banks, the Krung Thai Bank (KTB), in partnership with the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), to help all visitors get better value for money from their shopping experience.

Offered as part of a campaign entitled, “Miracle Thailand Card for the Miracle Journey in Thailand”, the card is valid for use from now until December 31, 2012. This will make it perfect for those planning to do their shopping for the Christmas and New Year period while in Thailand.

Further details about the Miracle Thailand Card are as follows:

AVAILABILITY: The Miracle Thailand Card is available from Krung Thai Bank branches, KTB currency exchange booths throughout Thailand, members of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), and other travel agents in Thailand, as well as some Tourism Authority of Thailand offices. Purchasers have to register the card on this website

It functions as a debit card with a minimum stored value of US$3. The amount can be topped up at any KTB branch or KTB currency exchange booth throughout Thailand. Cardholders are advised to make a one time top-up to avoid exchange rate variations. Any remaining amount will be refunded upon surrendering the card at any KTB branch when departing Thailand.

PRIVILEGES:

• Exclusive discounts of 5 to 70% from more than 400 brand-name stores at the top shopping centers in Bangkok: Siam Paragon, The Mall, The Emporium, Siam Piwat Group, MBK Centre, Siam Centre, Siam Discovery Centre, and Paradise Park.
• King Power: 10% discount at King Power duty free shop.
• Siam Niramit: 10% discount on show tickets.
• Siam Park City: Only 750 Baht from 1,150 Baht (normal price) for both the entrance fee ticket and a buffet, when purchasing a minimum of park tickets.
• Personal Accident Insurance valid for the first seven days after registration of the card.
• Life insurance and loss-of-sight coverage of up to 1,000,000 Baht and travel accident medical expense coverage of up to 500,000 baht, and First Aid Medical Expenses of up to 10,000 Baht. No advanced payment is required for First Aid Medical Expenses at any 260 high standard hospitals throughout Thailand.
• No surcharge for cash withdrawals from any ATM machines in Thailand, which helps save the cash withdrawal surcharge of up to 150 Baht usually levied by credit cards.
• Automatic 5% discount upon showing the Miracle Thailand Card when buying normally-priced products in Power Mall, Gourmet Market, Home Fresh Mart (except Pharmacy, Wine Cellar, Food Hall, Food Court, Take Home, Park Food Hall, Serviced Shop and rental shops). The 5% discount applies even if cardholders pay by cash or regular credit card.

For further information, please visit the Miracle Thailand Card page at Krung Thai Bank.

61 Thai Tourism Products Score High Marks in Best in Travel 2012 Poll

Thai tourism destinations, airlines, airports, hotels and spa resorts scored high marks in the Best in Travel 2012 Poll announced by the popular website Smart Travel Asia 2012. Altogether, a total of 61 Thai tourism industry products were listed in the poll rankings, some in the top ten and others in the top 25. The list was led by Phuket, which was ranked the second-best holiday destination in Asia. Bangkok ranked 4th best city for business and fifth in the top ten holiday destinations in Asia. Ko Samui ranked the 10th best holiday destination in Asia. Thai Airways International, Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and Samui Airport also fared well.

An analysis of the poll results also indicated that the award-winning products were located nationwide, including Hua Hin and Chiang Rai. TAT Governor Suraphon Svetasreni commented, “We are proud to see so many of our destinations and products scoring highly in these rankings. It clearly shows that the determined effort made by our entire industry to upgrade quality is paying off and getting global recognition.”

Here is a listing of all the Thai destinations and products that won awards: