Thailand’s popularity as N°1 travel destination on the Asian Continent is largely deserved, due to its infi nite variety and richness. We created GoodLife in Bangkok & Thailand to introduce you to this magnificent country. We invite you to discover in this first issue just a few of its attractions, and we’re perfectly aware that we’ll need many more issues to totally cover all that Thailand has to offer.
GoodLife IN Thailand N°2-2010
Parution September 2010
BTS SKY TRAIN ROUTE TO THONBURI NOW IN OPERATION
Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS), the operator of Bangkok's SkyTrain — a rail based mass transit system, has launched the new 2.2-kilometre extension linking the Saphan Taksin Bridge Station to Krung Thonburi Station and Wong Wian Yai Station on the Thonburi side of Bangkok. Thailand’s Prime Minister, HE Mr Abhisit Vejjajiva, presided over the inauguration ceremony held on Friday May 15, 2009.
This new service links Sathorn Road, one of Bangkok’s prime business districts, to Thonburi on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The extension is the first of its kind across the Chao Phraya River and provides commuters with a welcome alternative to having to drive bumper-to-bumper across the bridge during the rush hour.
The service to and from Krung Thonburi Station and Wong Wian Yai Station operates from 6 am till midnight daily. The Wong Wian Yai station is the last station on the Silom Line.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand, in collaboration with Central Retail Corporation Limited, Central Pattana Public Company Limited, and Centara Hotels and Resorts have launched the “Amazing Shopping Paradise” campaign running from January 1 to December 31, 2009 in an attempt to promote short-haul-travel from East Asia countries such as China, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, and others who are passionate shoppers and wish to visit Thailand — the Land of Smiles.
The Amazing Shopping Paradise campaign aims to present shoppers with lots of content related to travelling and shopping. The campaign’s main feature will be its website www.amazingshoppingparadise.com. The monthly "Campaign" section includes games and quizzes which come along with changing themes.
GOLF TRAVEL MART 2009
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will be organising the Golf Travel Mart 2009, during 12 – 16 May, in Bangkok, Chon Buri, Phetchaburi, and Prachuap Khiri Khan.
The Golf Travel Mart 2009 is to be launched to promote golf tourism and to increase the number of visitors in this niche market. The objectives are to stimulate new promotional golf packages, and promote Thailand as a leading golf destination in the international market.
TAT in its 2009 Marketing Plan aims to shift its international market-base to quality tourists through niche market promotions; such as, golfing. It plans to turn Thailand into a “Golf Paradise” for international golfers which would increase the number of quality tourists, as well as increase spending in other sectors; such as, shopping, health and spa, which is suitable for golfers and their families.
The golf market is a market with high potential growth, as the number of golfers is increasing, particularly female and junior golfers.
TAT PARIS RAISES THAILAND’S PROFILE AT TOP MODEL FRANCE 2009 CONTEST
The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s office in Paris — TAT Paris — is working to increase Thailand’s visibility and awareness among the French crème-de-la-crème by hosting or participating in a series of high profile talk-of-the-town events that are of interest to affluent niche market target audiences.
Most recently, TAT Paris was one of the key sponsors of the 2009 Top Model France contest organized by casting.fr, the online fashion magazine.
The semi-finals for female contestants was held on February 22nd and on March 1st for male contestants. The final round, which was held on March 31st, was broadcast live via the newly-launched CAP24 TV network covering the Paris metropolis and the suburbs. CAP24 has an audience of 800,000.
The contest was held at the Salon du Louvre, right in the heart of Paris.
ROYAL CLIFF BEACH RESORT AND PEACH WIN EIA MONITORING AWARD
The 5-star Royal Cliff Beach Resort and its world-class, multi-purpose meeting facility Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall (PEACH) were presented the EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) Monitoring Award 2008 by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in recognition of their outstanding environmental management practices.
TAT PARIS RAISES THAILAND’S PROFILE AT FRENCH TRAVEL TRADE FAIR
The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s office in Paris — TAT Paris, represented the Kingdom of Thailand at Tourissima — the most important tourism trade fair for Nord-Pas de Calais (one of the 26 regions of France). The fair was hosted in the city of Lille, the tenth largest city in France, February 13 – 15, 2009.
An extremely densely populated region with some 4 million inhabitants — equivalent to 7 per cent of France's total population, Nord-Pas de Calais is the fourth most populous region in the country, most of whom live in urban communities.
The city of Lille, the administrative centre of Nord-Pas de Calais, has a population of 230,000, consisting largely of individuals who are frequent travellers with high disposable income.
To attract attention and draw visitors to TAT’s “Thailand” booth, the entrance was designed to be visually-striking. Ornate Thai-style motifs in shimmering gold, reminiscent of the magnificent hand-crafted artwork seen on temple doors, were hand-drawn and painted on to the front façade of the booth, reflecting the essence of Thai-ness.
Mrs Pataraporn Sithivanich — Director of TAT Paris, and Mr Philippe Bertholet of Best Tours, one of the leading travel wholesalers in France, were both present to welcome visitors.
THAI received « Best First Class Lounge 2009 » Award by Skytrax According to Skytrax, « THAI’s Royal First Class Lounge at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport is much more than just a comfortable area to wait for a flight. It offers a genuine luxury, with well-developed facilities and services ».
THAILAND’S READINESS IN COMBATING THE INFLUENZA A (H1N1)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Thailand is monitoring the situation very closely in the wake of recent Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak in the Americas, Europe, and other parts of the world. Until now,there is no confirmed Influenza A (H1N1) case in the Kingdom, and Thailand should be considered to be safe from the virus.
However, in the light of the decision by the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise the current level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 4 to 5, Thailand is actively implementing policy and measures to prevent and control the spread of Influenza A (H1N1).
With experiences gained from the successful combat and containment of SARS ( Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ) during 2003-2004 and the Avian Influenza during 2004-2005 2003, Tha iland is prepared for this current outbreak. On 29 April 2009, by the instruction of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, the National Committee on the Preparedness and Response to Pandemic Influenza has been established as a national inter-agency mechanism for policymaking and strategic determination to prevent and control the pandemic influenza under given circumstances, as well as to assist affected persons.
MINI MARATHON & FUN RUN 2009
May 24, 2009
Mai Khao Beach, Phuket
The Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation will be holding its fifth Mini Marathon & Fun Run on Sunday, March 24th, 2009. The objective of this fun-filled family event is to raise funds for its annual contribution to the Phuket Marine Biological Centre’s Marine Animal Stranding Rescue Project which aims to rescue, treat, rehabilitate and release injured turtles, dolphins, whales and dugongs.
This year’s event comprises of a 10.5 km mini marathon, 3.5 km fun run and a 2.5 km "family love turtles" walk rally focusing on bringing awareness about turtles and the beach environment. This walk rally takes place along the beach to the Foundation’s Awareness Centre at Turtle Village scheduled to open on May 1st.
THAILAND TOURISM FESTIVAL 2009
June 4 – 7, 2009
At Challenger Hall 1-2, Impact Muang Thong Thani Exhibition Centre
Pakkred District, Nonthaburi Admission is free.
At 40,000 square metres, the Thailand Tourism Festival (TTF) is billed as the country’s largest travel and tourism showcase event that includes a vast range of activities to promote the preservation of Thai culture, traditions and local way of life.
Spectacular stage performances and live demonstrations of local arts and crafts add a colourful festive feel to the event as hundreds of professional travel and tourism operators and service providers from all regions of Thailand offer quality tourism products and services and travel specialists help individual travellers and families to plan their trips.
For first-time visitors to Thailand, TTF provides an excellent introduction to the Thai kingdom. A visit to TTF is also a quick and convenient way to get the latest updates on new tourism products and services, as well as to compare prices and shop for the best bargains and attractive deals — all in one stop.
BTS SKY TRAIN ROUTE TO THONBURI NOW IN OPERATION 
AMAZING SHOPPING PARADISE
GOLF TRAVEL MART 2009
TAT PARIS RAISES THAILAND’S PROFILE AT TOP MODEL FRANCE 2009 CONTEST
ROYAL CLIFF BEACH RESORT AND PEACH WIN EIA MONITORING AWARD
72 hours Amazing Thailand
TAT PARIS RAISES THAILAND’S PROFILE AT FRENCH TRAVEL TRADE FAIR 
According to Skytrax, « THAI’s Royal First Class Lounge at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport is much more than just a comfortable area to wait for a flight. It offers a genuine luxury, with well-developed facilities and services ».
MINI MARATHON & FUN RUN 2009
JUNE 5-7, 2009
THAILAND TOURISM FESTIVAL 2009
