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thailand : TAT TO PROMOTE TOURISM IN THAILAND’S UPCOMING NORTHEAST REGION |
 TAT TO PROMOTE TOURISM IN THAILAND’S UPCOMING NORTHEAST REGIONUbon Ratchathani, 21 November, 2009 — The Tourism Authority of Thailand is to promote “Tourism Season in Ubon Ratchathani” in Northeast Thailand as part of an effort to publicise the attractions of a region that is set to emerge as an important bridgehead to neighbouring Laos and the Greater Mekong Subregion.
Ubon Ratchathani, one of the largest provinces in Northeast Thailand, borders the Mekong River and boasts numerous cultural, historical and natural heritage attractions, as do many of the surrounding Thai provinces such as Mukdahan, Sakhon Nakhon and Kalasin.
The winter season is perfect for visiting Northeast Thailand because the weather is pleasantly cool. The “Tourism Season in Ubon Ratchathani” campaign was officially launched on 21 November 2009, as part of the “Visit I-san Year 2008-2010”. The campaign was developed by TAT to help boost the hotels and tour operators in the region and publicise its cultural and historical attractions during this high season.
Ubon Ratchathani, the largest and one of the most important provinces of Northeast Thailand (known locally as I-San), is located 630 kilometres from Bangkok. It is probably best known as a gateway to Laos.
During the winter season, some beautiful attractions in Ubon Ratchathani include the flower fields on top of Soi Sawan Waterfall, the Dong Na Tham Forest, the Sao Chaliang Rock Pillars and the Huai Pok Waterfall.
According to Ministry of Tourism and Sports figures, in January – March 2009, Ubon Ratchathani welcomed 306,628 visitors, Mukdahan (209,458), Nakhon Phanom (130,318) and Kalasin (99,731).
The Northeast region is shaping up as an important part of the Asian Highway, and the East-West and North-South Economic Corridors, a huge network of highways which will link the South China Sea with the Bay of Bengal, and Singapore with Kunming.
In the next few years, these highways will make it possible to drive comfortably throughout the Greater Mekong Subregion. In addition, low-cost airlines are providing strong connectivity between the cities of this region.
The first Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge over the Mekong linking the Thai province of Nong Khai and Lao capital of Vientiane was opened in 1994 with Australian government funding.
A second Friendship Bridge between Thailand and Laos opened on December 20, 2006 linking two provinces on both sides of the Mekong river, viz., Savannakhet in Laos and Mukdahan in Thailand. This was funded by the Japanese government.
The Thai and Laotian people share a lot of cultural, historical and ethnic heritage and the Northeast region is home to an interesting mixture of cultures from various tribes since ancient times.
In March 2009, the first rail service between Thailand and Laos (Nong Khai – Tanalaeng) opened, and has gone a long way towards enhancing bilateral tourism and trade. It has made it easier for international tourists to visit the two countries. Two passenger train services from Bangkok-Nong Khai-Ban Thanaleng operate daily.
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