PHOTO: A more typical serenity has returned to Thailand perhaps bringing with it record numbers of tourists. (Photos by James Ruggia)

With the State of Emergency now lifted for more than a week in Bangkok, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) wants to put the recent unrest in Bangkok  behind it and promises to make that effort the focus of the next Thai Travel Mart Plus (June 4 to 6) at Bangkok’s Exhibition Centre Hall, IMPACT Mueang Thong Thani. “There is no doubt that small- and medium-sized companies were affected by the recent political crises, and it is important to help them protect jobs and revenue,” said TAT Governor Thawatchai Arunyik. “We are now forging full speed ahead with recovery plans. The TTM+ will be an ideal opportunity to bring business back for the rest of the year and help us meet our targets.”

The Mart’s primary purpose is to help small- and medium-sized companies, products and services in Thailand and the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries of Cambodia, China’s Guangxi and Yunnan Provinces, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Thailand gain international exposure, especially for those who cannot afford to attend the expensive travel trade shows abroad. The application period for hosted buyers closes on March 31.

For tourism in Thailand, peace couldn’t come quickly enough. In January and February, the 4,494,168 international visitors to Thailand represented a decline of 4.09 percent over the same period of 2013. With political peace restored, though not resolved, the TAT is returning to its original optimistic projection for 2014 of 28.6 million international tourist arrivals.  Last year, Thailand received 26.7 million tourist arrivals, a 19.6 percent increase over 2012. In 2013, Thailand welcomed a total of 826,350 U.S. tourists (up 7.51 percent) and Canada contributed 230,082 visitors (up 4.89 percent).

This year, four major products will be highlighted in a special pavilion at the Mart; Ecotourism, Health and Wellness, Wedding and Honeymoon and Experience Thai-ness. All four themes are major pillars in Thailand’s tourism brand campaigning. The overall Mart will be broken into nine categories: Hotel / Resort, Tour Operator / Travel Agent, Entertainment, Transportation, Golf Course, Association, NTO, the Greater Mekong Subregion and Other Travel Services.

Despite Bangkok’s recent havoc, the TAT continued  to successfully position the kingdom as one of the world’s top honeymoon destinations, a positioning that has recently been affirmed by Google, which ranked the country as fifth in the world for people seeking honeymoons on the Internet. On March 24, the TAT hosted a symposium entitled Thailand for Two – A Romance Symposium in Bangkok. Fourteen top honeymoon agents from the U.S., Canada and Latin America attended the symposium and explored Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket on a FAM that ends April 1. The TAT’s list of U.S.  honeymoon agents has grown from just a few to 1,600.

The “Plus” in the Travel Mart’s title refers to Thailand’s Mekong River neighbors. The TAT sees its role as a regional aviation gateway as a major proponent of, and catalyst for, its own tourism.  “The TAT has been playing a key role in building, promoting and facilitating the tourism industry of the GMS for nearly three decades, and this long-term effort is now starting to bear fruit,” said Arunyik.

New transportation infrastructure such as cross-border roads, bridges and checkpoints opening for both local and international visitors, as well as the recent opening of the new Asian Highway, has enabled Thailand to more firmly establish itself as a hub. Travelers can now enter Myanmar via Chiang Rai in the North; Lao via Mukdahan, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani and Nong Khai in the Northeast; and Cambodia via Sa Kaeo at the Aranyaprathet border in the East.

PHOTO: Chiang Mai and Phuket actually saw their numbers increase during Bangkok’s street demonstrations, thanks to attractions like this temple in Chiang Mai.

The TAT has joined with its Mekong neighbors to create six itineraries that link provinces in north, northeast and eastern Thailand with destinations in the three neighboring countries – Cambodia, Lao and Myanmar.

Route 1 traces the Path of Tai Civilization over three countries in Chiang Rai, Mae Sai, Tachilek, Chiang Tung, Muang La, Mae Sai and returns to Chiang Rai.

Route 2 features World Heritage Cities in Mukdahan, Savannakhet, Lao Bao, Dong Ha, Hue, Danang, Hoi An, Savannakhet and returns to Mukdahan.

Route 3 traces Khmer Civilization through Sa Kaeo, Poipet, Siem Reap and returns to Sa Kaeo.

Route 4 highlights Mekong River cruising linking Thailand, Lao PDR and China beginning in Chiang Rai, Chiang Khong, Huay Xai, Luang Namtha, Boharn, Muang La, Chiang Rung, Chiang Saen and Chiang Rai.

Route 5 explores cities near the Mekong River: Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Vientiane, Nong Khai and Udon Thani.

Route 6 combines three cultural lands in visiting Ubon Ratchathani, Champassak, Pakse, Kon Pa Paeng,  Prasat Wat Phu,  Ho Chi Minh City and returning to Ubon Ratchathani.