Heritage trails tourism cross-border rally showcases gems of Myanmar & Thailand

Bangkok, 20 June, 2018 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Myanmar Tourism Marketing (MTM) are proudly organising an overland, cross-border travel rally that includes five days of touring and unique border crossings into Thailand.

TAT Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications Mr. Tanes Petsuwan said, “This is a great way for our two countries to boost cross-border travel and raise the number of tourists coming to Thailand through overland tours. The routing, which starts and ends in Yangon, explores new ways to travel to and from Thailand in line with the TAT’s ‘Open to the New Shades’ promotional campaign under the successful Amazing Thailand branding.”

The trip will feature over 30 vehicles and 80 participants including senior officials from Thai government agencies. Representation from the private sector will also be strong with delegates from travel agencies, traders, media as well as Myanmar influencers; namely, ‘Miss Grand Myanmar 2014’ and ‘Miss Myanmar International 2018’.

Covering 2,500 kilometres over five days (19 to 23 June 2018), the rally routing runs as follows: Yangon – Dawei – Kanchanaburi – Nakhon Sawan – Phitsanulok – Sukhothai – Tak – Myawaddy – Yangon, embarking and departing Thailand through border checkpoints.

19 June: Cross into Thailand at Phu Nam Ron Temporary Border Checkpoint in Kanchanaburi province; senior officials from TAT and related agencies will welcome participants.

21 June: Welcome reception in Sukhothai with a meeting to promote tourism between Thailand and Myanmar.

23 June: Cross back into Myanmar at Mae Sot Border Checkpoint.

The five-day rally is expected to generate three million Baht in revenue and publicity about Thai tourism from Myanmar media and influencers to promote inbound travel from Myanmar to Thailand.  In 2017, over 386,600 Myanmar tourists came to Thailand (up 7%) and generated 16.653 billion Baht in revenue (up 11%).