Bangkok, 11 June, 2018 – Thailand’s annual shopping extravaganza is to get a complete innovative makeover this year with a special focus on the shopping and dining delights of three provinces that border Thailand’s neighbouring countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion.
From 1 June-31 August, 2018, the “Thailand Shopping & Dining Paradise 2018”, organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in cooperation with its long-standing partners among the credit card companies, department stores, airlines, shopping centres, hotels and tour operators will allow shoppers to receive numerous discounts.
In addition to Bangkok, this year, for the first time, there will be a special focus on Tak province (which borders Myanmar), Buri Ram (which borders Cambodia) and Udon Thani (which is close to the border with Lao PDR).
The focus on these provinces is in line with the Thailand 4.0 strategy of the Royal Thai Government to advance a more balanced social and economic development agenda, create more economic growth and job opportunities, and generate a more equitable distribution of income between the rural and urban areas.
The event aims to promote tourism during the Green Season and attract visitors by featuring various products and services in the fields of fashion, Thai designs, community-based products, travel and tourism services, and restaurants.
According to Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, “Each of these provinces has its own unique culture and character, but the shopping and dining activities will also include many of their surrounding provinces in the East, Northeast and Western regions of Thailand. We are targetting a turnout of 40% of foreign tourists (ASEAN countries, East Asia, South Asia and Oceania) and 60% of Thai tourists.”
The “Thailand Shopping and Dining Paradise 2018” is designed to motivate both Thai and foreign tourists to travel to and around Thailand and boost Thailand’s image as a diverse, innovative, creative and value-for-money shopping destination.
Although the entire project will cover a three-month period, specific activities will be held on specific dates.
Bangkok
The “Thailand Shopping and Dining Paradise 2018” will be held at MBK Avenue, MBK Centre during 15-17 June, 2018, with activities; such as; “Cook It Yourself”, “Do It Yourself” and “Food for Charity”. Special menus will be curated by celebrity chefs to raise funds for the Children’s Foundation.
As many new attractions, shopping and entertainment complexes are linked by the direct walkway to the mass transit system, the Skytrain, “The Most Fun Shopping Route” will be introduced to connect the participating shopping complexes and department stores along Rama I Road, Sukhumvit Road and Bangna-Trat Road.
These include the MBK Centre, Siam Discovery, Siam Centre, Siam Paragon, Siam Square One, Siam Square, Central Department Store, ZEN Central Group, CentralWorld, Gaysorn Village, Terminal 21, The Emporium, The Emquatier, Mega Bangna, Platinum Fashion Mall, Show DC, Tang Hua Seng (Thon Buri), Tang Hua Seng (Bang Lamphu), Asiatique, and River City Bangkok.
This will be ongoing throughout the campaign period from June to August 2018, in Bangkok.
Over 270 leading shops and restaurants; such as, Modern Trade, Robinson Department Store, Lifestyle, TK Garment Outlet, Hong Long Minimart, Ha Yaek Group (2559), Boonrot Mae Sot, and Rim Mei Market will participate under the theme “Travel, Shopping, Dining in the Land of Mae Sot” during June – August 2018.
A gala opening ceremony and exhibition of the “Thailand Shopping & Dining Paradise 2018” will be held at the Robinson Lifestyle Mae Sot during 8-10 June, 2018, featuring a lineup of the quality products and services, a food festival and cultural performances.
Buri Ram
A special event will be held during 29 June – 1 July, 2018, at Buri Ram Castle under the theme “#Blue City, Variety of Good Products”, featuring over 100 exhibitors of Thai design products, leading sports brands, local food and community products. Culinary promotion activities will include “Cook It Yourself” “Do It Yourself” and “Food for Charity” by celebrity chefs.
Buri Ram entrepreneurs, food shops, boutique hotels, and tour operators will participate in the “Thailand Shopping and Dining Paradise 2018” sales promotion during June-August 2018.
Udon Thani
A special event, “Udon Serves Happiness in All Menus”, will be held during 6-8 July, 2018, on Thong Yai Road, in front of the UD Town Department Store, Amphoe Mueang, Udon Thani. Visitors will enjoy cultural performances and “Do It Yourself” activities; such as, painting Ban Chiang pottery, indigo dyeing, as well as tasting local foods; such as, Duck Spicy Salad, Som Tam (Papaya Salad).
In Udon Thani, the “Thailand Shopping and Dining Paradise 2018” sales promotion will be organised during July – August 2018.
In all these events, TAT has received the kind cooperation of participating partners; such as, VISA card, Thai Hotels Association, Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association, airlines, etc., to offer special discounts and rewards; such as, lucky draws and gift vouchers.
Thailand is known as a shopper’s paradise. In 2016, the daily expenditure of international visitors was about 5,237.62 Baht per person, of which 1,278.20 Baht, or 24% was on shopping. Shopping by visitors alone generated about 397 billion Baht in foreign exchange for the Thai economy.
Shopping in Thailand is always an excellent opportunity to stack up on some really amazing Thai products. At dozens of department stores, shopping complexes and retailers in Bangkok and all the popular tourist cities, visitors will find an amazing range of high quality goods; e.g., clothing, jewellery, leatherwear, bags, shoes, etc. The best gift items are the unique locally-made products including those from the Royal Projects, handicrafts, Thai silk products, decorative and designer items and household products.
For more information, www.thailandshoppingdining.com
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