TRAVEL & TOURISM
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Back to ‘Amazing Thailand’

A View from the Top


Back to ‘Amazing Thailand’

Sirima Eamtako
(TTG Asia)

Thailand has reintroduced the favoured ‘Amazing Thailand’ tourism marketing campaign that was used from 1998 to 2004.
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor, Ms Phornsiri Manoharn, said it would be relaunched at the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) in Singapore.
The short life span of the ‘Thailand Unforgettable’ slogan, launched in August last year, has been scrapped, and TAT is reported to have already spent some 20 million baht (US$557,000) on the logo design alone. Ms Phornsiri said it would have cost TAT another 200 million baht to continue promoting that brand, which was not as well supported by the trade, for another nine months.
Tourism minister, Dr Suvit Yodmani, said: “The re-introduction of Amazing Thailand is a result of a comprehensive evaluation at the ministerial level. We found the slogan still being widely accepted globally, and it is cost saving (compared to creating a new brand) for the TAT.”
This year, TAT was allocated a tourism budget of 3.6 billion baht, down from 4.2 billion baht last year. The target is 547 billion baht in tourism revenue from 14.8 million arrivals, a 13 per cent increase on last year’s figures.
Association of Thai Travel Agents president, Mr. Apichart Sankary, said: “The private sector has found both Visit Thailand Year and Amazing Thailand to be the two most successful campaigns. Amazing Thailand in particular is seen by international tour operators as the perfect representation of the country. Thailand Unforgettable is too abstract and intangible.”
According to Ms Phornsiri, the TAT is giving the Amazing Thailand logo a facelift, incorporating a more colourful and trendy symbol, but still representing the feel of “Thai-ness”. TAT will also re-introduce Amazing Thailand at ITB in Berlin in March.
CBS Travel Asia CEO, Mr. Chaladol Ussamarn, said he hoped the campaign would be used to promote the country indefinitely as it was the most catchy and suitable slogan. But Ms Phornsiri said the TAT had not decided on its duration, which would be evaluated with the private sector after a year.
Mr. Chaladol added TAT should also proactively promote Thailand under the brand at other high-profile international tradeshows, besides ATF and ITB.
“The most immediate task is to try to get the brand published in the brochures of overseas tour operators,” he said, adding TAT should also reiterate that Thailand had more to offer than just Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya and Koh Samui.
“Under the Amazing Thailand campaign, emphasis should be placed on emerging destinations such as Krabi, Khao Lak and Koh Chang.”


A View from the Top

Open House at Siam Royal View

The beautifully landscaped entrance to the Siam Royal View development.

Denis Wilson,
Property Consultant

The first impression you get driving through the imposing entrance of Siam Royal Views development at Khao Talo, is of a beautifully landscaped central avenue flanked by discreetly stylish villas of varying size and style.
In our experience first impressions often flatter. In this case, our initial views were strengthened as we toured the individual homes.
The villas themselves are deceptive. Access from the street is via secure hard wood gates set in superbly detailed boundary walls. As the gates swing open, the sheer sense of space and light that greets you is unbelievable.
The gardens spread out on both sides of the impressive entrance doors and the whole area at the front of the house provides what can only be described as a welcoming feel.
The sense of space and light grows as you enter into the home and rooms seem to expand around you.
At this point you begin to notice the subtlety of the design detail, as your eyes are drawn to interesting structural and decorative features.
Developers of the project Siam Royal View pride themselves on their adherence to the strictest European standards of construction, we can see why!
The impression of quality is everywhere. The specification of the kitchens for instance, is outstanding. Granite work surfaces, highest quality tiles and finest European appliances are the norm. Similarly, the bathrooms in the various villas that we visited, offered levels of luxury and convenience that I have only experienced in 5 star hotels.
One outstanding feature that we noticed in a number of the villas that we viewed was that the baths in the master bedroom suites were designed and positioned to take full advantage of the fantastic views over the Pattaya skyline.
While we are on the subject of “views”, all of the villas are terraced down the slope and because of the clever low-rise design of the roofs, enjoy unobstructed panoramic views over the entire bay from Jomtien to Naklua.
We loved the concept of outdoor living that these villas exemplify. The main living area and bedrooms all had direct access to the terrace and pool in most models, while some enjoyed exotic features such as a Sala or, Jacuzzi (which we understand are options with all house models).
We were shown around the complete Siam Royal View project. We saw everything from modest 2 bedroom villas to the grandest hill-top mansions all of which shared a common factor. While the development maintains a consistency of external appearance, every villa that we viewed was absolutely unique. Clients have the ability to work together with Siam Royal Views architects and after sales coordination team to design the home that both meets their personal and family requirements and reflects their own taste and style.
We were staggered by the fact that two versions of the same villa type could look and feel so completely different.
We can categorically say, that this is one of the most unique developments that we have visited in terms of quality and style; made even more special of course, by those fabulous views.

All of the villas enjoy unobstructed panoramic views over the entire bay from Jomtien to Naklua.