The past three years of the travel industry have been challenging for all due to strict border controls imposed by the government to curtail the harm brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. But this challenge has not stopped Thailand from moving forward, especially in its tourism.
Although the current numbers of Filipino visitors to Thailand are not yet promising as a result of the pandemic, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Deputy Governor for International Marketing in the Asia & South Pacific Tanes Petsuwan said he is optimistic that the Philippines will rebound in due time to the original numbers.
“We wish to deliver fresh travel experiences through new segments like sustainable and responsible tourism and health and wellness; while still highlighting Thailand’s strength in nature, food, and culture. TAT aims to create a meaningful travel experience that will not only be meaningful for travelers but also for the communities and the environment. We are actively encouraging tourists to engage with the people of Thailand as we want to reconnect with the world,” says Deputy Governor for International Marketing Asia and South Pacific, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Tanes Petsuwan.
Worry no more as TAT is pushing for full recovery in the tourism industry in 2023. Thanks also to low-cost carrier AirAsia Philippines for increasing its flight frequency to Don Mueang International Airport from Ninoy Aquino International Airport to 11 times weekly in November to accommodate the fast-growing Filipino foot traffic to Thailand. The Manila-Bangkok route is the top spot among the airline’s preferred and most profitable international destinations in Q4 of 2022.
“It is an honor to be working closely with the Tourism Authority of Thailand as we remain aggressive in the promotion of the country as a viable leisure destination for Filipinos. We are greatly inspired by the relaxation of Thai border protocols which immensely improved guest interest and confidence to travel to the Land of Smiles. We are closing 2022 with 11x weekly flights to Bangkok – twice every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday – to accommodate the fast-growing Filipino foot traffic to Thailand,” AirAsia Philippines Chief Executive Officer Ricky Isla shares.
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Fortunately, Orange Magazine, together with other members of the media, was invited last month to be part of AirAsia’s Route Story Conference in Bangkok and Pattaya, Thailand. This is in line with TAT’s endeavor to encourage Filipino tourists to travel again to the Land of Smiles.
Wat Suthat Temple
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Temples have always fascinated me because of their intricate designs and the grandeur views. The first agenda of our trip was to visit Wat Suthat Temple in Bangkok.
Known to be a Buddhist temple, Wat Suthat Thepwararam is a royal temple of the first grade and one of 10 such temples in Bangkok. This temple is well-known for its impressive 19th century murals in the main chapel. Inside the viharn of the Wat Suthat, it houses the eight-meter tall Phra Si Sakyamuni (in subduing Mara posture), the biggest Buddha image in Thailand. It was built in the center of Bangkok.
Interestingly, the famous The Giant Swing is just located outside the temple on Bamrung Mueang Road. The huge red swing in front of the temple is called Sao Ching Chaa. You can also buy a wide range of Buddhist religious items from nearby shops.
Of course, our group did not miss to experience Thailand’s electric three-wheelers tuk-tuks to drive us along the old part of Bangkok. It’s like e-jeepney here in the Philippines.
Park Klong Talat
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We stopped at Park Klong Talat to explore the flower market in Bangkok. This flower market is located in Wang Burapha Phirom Subdistrict, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok where vendors sell a vast array of flowers, fruits, and vegetables.
It is the primary flower market of Bangkok and has been cited as a “place of symbolic value” to Bangkok residents. If you are obsessed with flowers, this flower market would be the best place for you!
Floral Café at Napasorn
After visiting the temples and walking on the street of flowers, we visited the popular Floral Café at Napasorn to have some refreshments and make our own flower garland designs. This café is a quirky place to find as it can be found along the street of flower shops. The ground floor is a florist ebullient in country-bohemian vibes. It has a narrow crooked stairway where nooks and crannies are stuffed with all kinds of quirky knick-knacks. On the upper floor, the coffee shop is sumptuously decorated with oversized mirrors, bric-a-brac, cake stands full of luscious cakes.
When we left the café, I thought we’re already done visiting temples. But I was wrong. I was reminded that there are over 40,000 temples in Thailand so it is no surprise that you can see temples anywhere you go!
Wat Arun Temple
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Boarding the boat to cruise along the river, we reached our destination at Wat Arun Temple. It is a Buddhist temple in Bangkok Yai district of Bangkok, Thailand, on the Thonburi west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The temple derives its name from the Hindu god Aruṇa, often personified as the radiations of the rising sun. Since Wat Arun is a Buddhist temple, visitors must wear culturally appropriate clothing— this means trousers or long skirts and tops that cover your shoulders.
ICONSIAM
As they say, no tour is complete without shopping so we proceeded to the newly opened ICONSIAM or “The Icon of Eternal Prosperity” which presents the best of Thainess to the world. ICONSIAM brings together all aspects of unrivalled Thai wisdoms, including arts, culture, tradition, food and way of life from 77 provinces across the country. SOOKSIAM has been conceived as a place that presents the cultural heritage of each of the four main geographic regions of Thailand, capturing their arts, handicrafts, performing arts and local wisdom.
Thai Bus Food Tour
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We also went on a unique food tour in Bangkok via a double-decker bus. We visited some of Bangkok’s iconic landmarks such as Wat Traimit (Temple of Golden Buddha), Wat Saket (Temple of the Golden Mount), and the Loha Prasat Temple. I also enjoyed the authentic Thai dishes while on the bus, especially the Thai Massaman chicken curry and the mango sticky rice!
King Power Mahanakorn Tower
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In the evening, we transferred to Thailand’s new architectural landmark King Power Mahanakorn Tower, located in the heart of Bangkok’s central business district at Chong Nonsi BTS station. At 314 meters tall, the skyscraper was the tallest in the Thai capital at the time of its completion in late 2016.
The 78-story mixed-use development includes a five-star hotel, residences, an observation deck, and retail establishments. It was a memorable experience for me as I witnessed Bangkok’s spectacular views from Thailand’s highest observation deck!
Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden
If you want to explore an exotic tropical garden in the heart of Thailand, Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden is a very nice place to visit. This must-see spot is a 500-acre botanical garden and tourist attraction located in Pattaya.
Aside from examining the wildlife, tourists can also experience religious ceremonies, martial arts demonstrations, massages, and elephant shows. I highly recommend this massive garden as it has so many picture-perfect opportunities with a spectacular variety of things to marvel at, including the dinosaur statues and figures in the location and the 600 acres of tropical vegetation and stunning landscaping, to name a few.
Grande Centre Point Space
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Our group also experienced the extraordinary world of space travel through Thailand’s first “Space” themed hotel, Grande Centre Point Space. In this hotel, there is a wide range of facilities that combine “outer space design and innovative technology,” from cutting-edge façades inspired by space shuttles to space-themed facility settings.
What I like about this hotel is that it offers rooms with relaxation and an unforgettable experience in mind with its design and a space travel theme. It boasts its conference rooms at the Space Convention Center that are brand new and fully equipped with modern lighting and audio visual capabilities. Guests can also choose from a wide selection of buffet and opulent menu options from both local and international menus, as well as enjoy a variety of exciting water activities.
Sanctuary of Truth
Don’t leave Thailand without seeing the magnificent wooden castle The Sanctuary of Truth located in North Pattaya. It is the largest wood building in Thailand that uses only wood to build it as the ancient Thai carpenter style.
The unfinished wood museum is a hybrid of a temple and a castle that is themed on the Ayutthaya Kingdom and of Buddhist and Hindu beliefs. Inside this sanctuary there are wood statues and wood carving pieces that tell the philosophy of life. Just a reminder for tourists to dress properly before going to this sacred place, meaning no short tops, sleeveless shirts, and short pants.
Pattaya Ocean Marina
Exploring Thailand’s nearby islands by yacht sailing is the best way to end the trip. Cruise through Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Southeast Asia’s largest marina, to explore the crystal clear waters of the Land of Smiles.
Established in 1995, this must-try water attraction has a panoramic view and is famous for being Pattaya’s only prestigious yachting destination, overlooking the Gulf of Thailand. Before we went back to Pattaya Ocean Marina port, the group boarded the Catarman and cruised to Hat Sai Kaeo to see the beautiful white sandy beach island which is about 800 meters long.
At Sai Kaeo beach, you can swim or just sit and relax and go to have a meal on the beach to watch the sunset atmosphere. As for accommodation, there are many options for different prices.
Indeed, the Land of Smile is a wonderful country to explore this new year with all aspects of tourism. Sure enough, Thailand has it all.
Note: Thailand has now fully re-opened its borders, and travelers are no longer required to present a vaccination certificate or any proof of a test to enter the country.