|
Volunteer Vacations in
Thailand winner announced
Andrew J Wood
Since May of this year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT)
online “Voluntourism” campaign called “The Little Big Project” (with the
tagline: You’ll Be Amazed how LITTLE can make such a BIG difference) has
witnessed an overwhelming response of 4,695 applicants from around the
world.
Ten finalists were chosen to compete over the past 3 months and raise
US$5,000 for their volunteering project during the course of a 2-week stay
in Thailand. The winner of “The Little Big Project” initiative is Phuket’s
Team, Richard Browsdon from UK and Vimalin Chalermporn from Thailand.
Throughout the fundraising competition all 5 teams (2 finalists per team)
have shown their volunteering spirits with project development activities in
5 chosen areas in Phuket, Phangga, Chiang Rai, Petchaburi, and Prachuap
Khiri Khan.
They have also shared their experiences via personalized blogs and online
media, with the winner decided by having received the highest votes from
these social media channels.
This has created global awareness and inspired huge numbers of travelers
from around the world to examine the emerging volunteering-based tourism
trend going on in Thailand with over 5 million viewers checking in on the
project via social media.
TAT Governor Suraphon Svetasreni, “The Little Big Project is the first
online campaign in Asia to promote the new trend of “volunteering while
travelling,” more commonly known as Voluntourism, which is a response to the
new generation of travelers whose attitude is to make a difference and make
the world a better place, starting with themselves.”
He announced proudly that, “The Little Big Project’s Thailand-based
Voluntourism digital campaign won the inaugural Digital Innovation Asia
Awards as the most influential initiative to highlight the growing industry
trend of Voluntourism. The award was conferred by Digital Innovation Asia
with the support of the Pacific Asia Travel Association, and we are glad to
see that our efforts have been recognized.”
|
|
 |
DASTA solicits ideas from
tourism-related businesses
at latest hearing
DASTA Deputy Director Dumrong Saengkaweelert
and Thaweepong Wichaidit, manager for the Pattaya Special and Adjacent
Areas Office, held another public hearing with tourism officials about
problems that could be solved with government funds.
Thanachot Anuwan
The Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration continued
work on the proposed 15 billion baht sustainable-tourism “master plan”
for Pattaya, quizzing tourist-related businesses at its latest public
hearing about problems that could be solved with government help.
DASTA Deputy Director Dumrong Saengkaweelert and Thaweepong Wichaidit,
manager for the Pattaya Special and Adjacent Areas Office led the Aug. 8
hearing at the Discovery Beach Hotel with about 50 tourism operators
attending.
Dumrong said the project to develop cooperation with tourism operators
was organized to help solve problems efficiently and overcome obstacles
faced by the private sector. Participants were encouraged to brainstorm
ideas to build a strategy for tourism development over the next five
years.
One initiative announced was a DASTA partnership with Siam Commercial
Bank to provide low-interests loans of up to 5 million baht to
tourism-related businesses.
The hearing was the sixth held by DASTA on the master plan approved in
August 2011. It called for 15 billion baht in funding over 10 years for
132 projects in Pattaya and nine surrounding districts.
Very little of the plan has been implemented, as national politicians
have shown little enthusiasm to fund the long list of pork-barrel
projects largely suggested by Pattaya Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome. Last
year, the Cabinet axed 56 projects and cut the total package by 38.5
percent to 9.2 billion baht over eight years.
In 2012, the government gave Pattaya only 135 million baht of the 15
billion baht plan - about 1 percent. For 2013, the government allocated
only 299 million baht of the reduced package, or about 3 percent of
funds requested.
Set up by a 2003 royal decree, DASTA was given a mission to integrate
and oversee tourism development in areas designated to have superb
natural environments, cultural and traditional importance and have been
developed for tourism purposes.
With its sprawling nighttime industry and many environmental problems,
Pattaya’s bids for DASTA status - and the millions in baht that come
with it for projects - were repeatedly turned away. But in July 2008
Bangkok officials conceded, admitting Pattaya formed a “distinctive”
area for international tourism and could retain its status as a draw for
foreign currency if developed properly.
Thus began more than three years of discussions and proposals that
culminated in 29 public hearings and private meetings and the March 2009
designation of a 928 sq. km zone that comprises Pattaya and the eight
districts.
|
|
Bangkok Airways holds customer satisfaction survey lucky draw
Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited recently held a customer satisfaction
survey lucky draw at the company’s head office. Prote Setsuwan (second
left), Bangkok Airways’ Vice President for Marketing, presided over the
Lucky Drawing on July 19, together with Darunee Debavalya (third left),
Loyalty and Relations Marketing Director, and the Bangkok Airways team. The
winner will obtain round trip economy class tickets.
Bangkok Airways Customer Satisfaction Survey is conducted twice a year to
explore their satisfaction with the airline’s service and ensure that the
airline can continue providing the customer with the best possible service.
For more information please visit
www.flyerbonus.com
Chonburi workers, residents clean Bangpla Sroi Canal
City workers clean out
the Bangpla Sroi Canal in Chonburi. Perhaps if the South Pattaya Canal
was kept in such good shape, there wouldn’t be a flooding problem there.
Chonburi residents and government workers joined
together to clean up the Bangpla Sroi Canal in honor of HM the Queen’s
81st birthday.
Mayor Decho Khongchayasuwat led the Aug. 8 outing aimed at prodding
residents to care more about the environment, dispose of trash properly
and preserve the environment in accordance with the wishes of HM Queen
Sirikit.
City workers and residents picked up trash, cleared debris and helped
restore the canal to a more-natural state. (CPRD)
|
