Mumbai, 31 January 2014: In a major vote-of-confidence for Thailand, the Miss Indian Princess International 2014 has decided to go ahead with its schedule of rehearsals and pageants in Thailand from February 6 to February 14, 2014. The contestants and crew will travel to several parts of Thailand including Hua Hin, Ayutthaya, Chai-Nad, Kanchanaburi and Phetchaburi.
“It is immensely encouraging to note that the event managers are confident of carrying out their plans smoothly in Thailand. Tourism Authority of Thailand has been underlining that Thailand is a large country and it remains possible for tourists to visit (other parts of) the country without being inconvenienced by the ongoing anti-government demonstration in Bangkok,” says Sethaphan Buddhani, director, TAT Mumbai Office.
As a part of Miss Indian Princess International 2014, 40 beauty pageant contestants from India and elsewhere and 17 crew – a total of 57 persons – will travel to Thailand.
Additionally, Thomas Cook India relays a positive outlook and traveller sentiment: “Given that our bookings included destinations that are beyond Bangkok, like Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Krabi, Koh Samet and Hua Hin, our sales teams indicate that travellers are not cancelling their Thailand plans; if at all, they may opt to defer their plans to a later date,” says Shibani Phadkar, Senior Vice President & Head, Leisure Travel (Outbound) products, contracting, operations & tour management, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd.
Also, within Bangkok, since tourists are not a target in the on-going demonstrations and emergency, tourist and emergency vehicles are permitted to navigate rally areas with ease. Bangkok being a large city, it is possible for local residents and international visitors to carry out their daily schedules without being inconvenienced. Apart from the rally sites and demonstration marches, life in the most parts of Bangkok continues as usual.
Thailand welcomed nearly a million and a half (precisely 1,049,856) Indian tourists during 2013. Visitor numbers remained stable and consistent during the peak season, even while demonstrations took place in some pockets of Bangkok.
Visit: www.tourismthailand.org / www.amazingthailand.co.in