THE TOURISM AUTHORITY of Thailand is adding another sub-chapter to its epic “Amazing Thailand” and “Discover Thailand” campaigns this year with the launch of the “Slow Life Ride in Hidden Cities” activity, which aims to encourage tourists, both local and foreign, to take to the road on two wheels.
A follow on from last year’s “12 Cities … You Can’t Say No” campaign, which was designed to boost local tourism, the new activity aims to promote sustainable tourism and raise environmental awareness.
Organised in collaboration with Nation Broadcasting Corporation, with which TAT has been worked to motivate more Thais to take up cycling, the project begins with a pilot phase that takes cyclists to Phatthalung in the South on May 29, to Rayong in the East on June 26, to Chaiyaphum in the Northeast on July 24, to Nakhon Pathom in the Central province on August 28 and to Lamphun in the North on September 25.
“Bike tourism is still the hottest trend in Thailand,” says Sujitra Jongchansitto, deputy governor for domestic marketing of Tourism Authority of Thailand.
“The statistics compiled for 2015 show that the bike business increased by 30 per cent, with more than 400,000 Thai tourists and some 30,000 foreign tourists from Netherlands, Switzerland, England, Japan, China, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia turning to bicycles to travel around the country. Put together, that generated more than Bt1.3 billion for the country.
“Up to now, we have focused on motivating Thais to take up cycling. This year, we want them to experience the delights of living a slow life and introduce them to communities. For example, in Nakhon Pathom province, you can ride in Nakhon Chaisri, experience the way of life on the river and learn about lotus farming as well as fruit and flower cultivation. Of course, you can do the same tour by car but why would you want to pollute the air? You can join several activities and workshops with local people in each of the communities and help them to earn a better income,” she says.
According to Sujitra, while average tourist spending has increased from Bt2,000 to Bt3,000 a day, only 10 per cent of this money has been finding its way to communities.
“So we needed to come up with a way of ensuring better income for the communities. Obviously, it’s impossible for a community to support 1,000 cyclists at one time but cyclists could stay longer and spend more. That the idea behind the slow ride. In addition to the pleasure of cycling, visitors will also have the chance to learn about the communities and the different cultures in all five regions of Thailand. We expect the number of tourists taking part in the cycling tourism campaign to increase to 450,000 this year, generating Bt1.5 billion in revenue.
Last year’s “12 Cities … You Can’t Say No”, also centred on the bicycle, was a valuable learning experience. For example, Visitors to a community in the North were delighted to be welcomed with Thai desserts in a small basket, an idea that was later suggested to communities taking part in the South.
“We work on both demand and supply,” Sujitra explains.
“With regard to the supply side, we try to stimulate the community, the municipality and the province to provide bicycles for the tourists.”
Nation Broadcasting Corporation is equally enthusiastic about the new campaign.
“We have been organising bike activities for three years now in an effort to teach Thais how to share the road with a group of cyclists and promote the importance of environmental conservation. This year we are taking cyclists to 22 provinces as well as participating in this ‘Slow Life Bike’ campaign, which focuses more on bicycle tourism,” says Nongnat Hanwilai, NBC’s senior vice president.
“The five provinces selected for the pilot each have a unique feel and culture.”
The cycling groups, which will be limited to 300 participants, will first get to enjoy the slow life in the South where they will visit Phatthalung’s Thale Noi Waterfowl Reserve, home to assorted flora such as lotus, bulrush, reed, and grass used for thatching as well as migratory and indigenous birds. They will also cycle to Chaloem Phra Kiat 80 Phansa Bridge to catch the sunset.
Rayong has plenty of attractions to offer and the organisers have selected the Royal Naval Memorial Prasae Frigate and Thung Prong Thong, where the cyclists can dismount and stroll on the wooden walkway over the Golden Mangrove Field to admire the many different plant species.
In Chaiyaphum, the focus will be on the fields of wild flowers known as Siam tulips (dok krajeaw), in Pha Hin Ngam National Park. These delicate flowers bloom at the beginning of the rainy season and form a pink carpet that stretches as far as the eye can see. There’ll also be a stop at the west end of the park to admire the strange rock formations from which Pha Hin Ngam gets its name.
The trip is Nakhon Pathom will commence with a visit to Phra Pathom Chedi, at 127-metres high, the tallest stupa in the world.
The pilot project wraps in Lamphun, a town that has managed to retain the enchanting ambience of a small but old community and is home to the ancient temple of Wat Phra That Hariphunchai, one of Thailand’s most revered.
“We will also take the tourists to visit Mon villages in Chaiyaphum and see the demonstrations of various handicrafts such as reed-weaving in Phatthalung,” says Nongnat.
“And each of the provinces has a branch of Pracharat Sukjai, the state-sponsored shop that offers a variety of One Tambon One Product (Otop) merchandise,” Sujitra adds.
“These stores serve as both distribution centres for local products and local tourist information centres. The products are carefully selected, quality control is high and the packaging is always interesting.”
HIT THE ROAD
– To take part in the “Slow Life Bike” campaign, register well in advance at www.NationTV.tv/slowlifebiketrip or Facebook.com/slowlifebiketrip.
This source first appeared on The Nation Life.