Thailand sets its tourism benchmark at a high notch
Pattaya - One of the biggest assets of any country is its people. Also the culture that has prevailed within the country for centuries and how it is portrayed to the tourists plays a pivotal role. Thailand is one of the countries of the world that has proven why it is must-see destination.
The Business Times had an opportunity to visit some of the developing cities in Thailand recently together with a group of travel agents from Sri Lanka which was organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) together with the local officials TAT Sri Lanka. The tour was around the cities of Pattaya, Bangkok, Ayuththaya and Kanchanaburi.
They say first impressions are lasting impressions and the immigration officers were the first to welcome and greet a tourist into Thailand and that’s where the country is sold as a tourist destination. A warm and welcoming smile didn’t cost anything for the immigration officers that made it comfortable for all tourists as a safe and welcoming destination.
First stop in Thailand was Pattaya, a very well-known tourist destination for night life entertainment. While the hustle and bustle of the city with delicious street food was round the corner, there are many other attractions to be entertained and showcase the culture and traditions that are being followed by the people for many years.
Legend Siam Pattaya – Thailand’s first and largest cultural theme park showcases the Thai pride through legends in different periods of the Thai civilisation. The park was opened in March this year and presents local wisdom and identities from 77 provinces nationwide to the world through art, culture, traditions, beliefs, ways of life, products, food, plays and performances, the whole root of Thai identity.
Pattaya Floating Market – a one stop shop for Thai street food built on a river bank in around 150,000 square metres. Some 10 million Chinese tourists visit the Pattaya floating market every year. Tourists take a boat ride, buy food from the vendors along the river bank and most Chinese tourists sit around a small table on the floor and enjoy the tastiness of the street food. There are also clothing, arts and culture boutiques. The floating market is located within a 2-hour ride from Bangkok. There is also sling adventure, Thai costume studio, performances and a Thai culture village within the market.
Singha D’Luck Cinematic Theatre – a technologically advanced theatre performance that took everyone who visit on a completely unique experience. It was a two hour performance by 90 actors on stage and in the air where projection mapping, animatronics, aerial silk, pyrotechnics, interactive projection performance, water bowl acrobatics, stunts, robot and creative innovation are combined together in one show. The theatre can accommodate more than 1300 people and each ticket is priced at 3000 Thai baht which is equivalent to Sri Lankan Rs. 18,000. The ceiling of the theatre is full of railings where each character, either people or artificial magnificent animals are hung and brought into the scene. A tourist will definitely have a breathtaking experience with the technology that is adapted in the theatre. It’s been two years since the theatre has been opened and everyday there are more than 800 people to watch the show from Tuesday to Sunday.
Art in Paradise – an interactive 3D art museum where hand painted pictures on the walls come alive by videoing on the mobile phone using an application. It’s the augmented reality technology that is used to capture in a video recording. The venue is suitable for children and adults to capture memories on social media.
Sanctuary of Truth – A religious construction according to Buddhist and Hindu motifs completely made of teak wood from the northern part of Thailand. Not a single iron nail is used to join the big pieces of carved wood. It is yet another tourist attraction where the structure is being built for more than 20 years and depending on the materials the constructors keep building the structure.
( Bangkok, Ayuththaya and Kanchanaburi tourist attraction sites’ article will appear in the next week’s paper).