On September 27th (Saturday), "The 7th Tourism Awards 2008" and "The 6th Friends of Thailand Awards 2008" were convened at Bangkok as hosted by Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). "Friends of Thailand Awards" intends to award foreign organizations and individuals in recognition of their contributions to promotion of tourism to Thailand.

These awards started in 1996 and have been convened every 2 years since then. But, "Friends of Thailand Awards" was not convened in 2006, then it counts 6th this year, to which JTBF had an honor of being selected and invited. As I attended the awarding ceremony as a representative of JTBF, I would like submit a brief report of it. This time, 2 organizations (including JTBF) and 3 individual persons were awarded from Japan.

Venue for the awarding ceremony was Bangkok Convention Centre, 22nd floor of Central Grand which was newly opened in the Central World district in April this year. The ceremony started 19:30. Prior to that, entrance admission started 17:00 followed by Kinnari Dance （Note）, rehearsals of prize-awarding procedures, etc. After the ceremony was over a certain time was spent for ceremonial photograph taking for each group as well as the reception party. It took more than 5 hours in total.

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat was scheduled to attend to make an opening speech, but he could not make it because of an unexpected flight delay from the local district. Even though he could not attend this time, the 1st ceremony was presided over by General Chawalit Yongjaiyuth, then Prime Minister, and the 2nd one was presided over by Mr. Chuan Leekpai, then Prime Minister as well. It suggests that Thai Government put a strong emphasis on the tourism industry and regard TAT as a reliable driving force of the promotion. Mr. K. Komachi, newly assigned Ambassador from Japan, and other Ambassadors from 7 countries also attended.

The Awards consisted of 3 groups. Other than afore-mentioned "Thailand Tourism Awards" and "Friends of Thailand Awards", the 3rd one was "Tourist Guide Awards".

"Friends of Thailand Awards" was most highlighted to award foreign organizations and individuals. Other 2 groups were to award Thai organizations and individuals.

"Friends of Thailand Awards" is categorized further down to followings. The sequence of prize-awarding was also in this order.

International organization: 2 organizations from Japan (JTBF falls into this category)
International individuals: 16 individuals from 14 countries (2 Japanese)
International tour operators: 26 organizations from 17 countries
International media: 2 organizations & 22 individuals from 19 countries (1 Japanese）
International airlines: 11 organizations from 10 countries
　　　　　　　Total: 41 organizations and 38 individuals

2 organizations and 3 individuals from Japan are as follows.

International organization: JTBF (recommended by TAT Tokyo), Hiroshima-Thailand Association (recommended by TAT Fukuoka)
International individuals: Mr. A. Akio (Minsai Center, recommended by TAT Tokyo), Ms. S. Kimura (Thaisinn Express Co.、recommended by TAT Osaka)
International media: Mr. Y. Yoshitome (FM North Wave, Sapporo FM, previously Dentsu Thai, recommended by TAT Tokyo)

Award winners are selected by Judgment Committee based on recommendations from 21 over-sea branches of TAT and 23 representatives as well.

Representatives from 41 organizations and 38 individual persons stepped up on the stage and received an awarding prize one by one as handed by H.E. Weerasak Komsurat, Minister of Tourism and Sports. The prize was 30 cm high, over 4 Kg weight and Kinnari imaged （Note）.

Other than foreign 79, over 200 Thai persons also received medals one by one from Minister. Awarding ceremony on the stage took nearly 2 hours. Minister should have been the most hard working person during the ceremony.

In the past 1st through 5th "Friends of Thailand Awards", 1996-2004, 24 organizations and 15 individuals received the awards from Japan, which is far over other countries. It was interesting to find famous names such as Mr. N. Sakata (golfer), Mr. Y. Tsuchiya (previous governor of Saitama prefecture) and Kinoshita Circus.

It was a big event indeed with 600 attendants (award winners, TAT stuffs and others) and spending should have been quite a large amount. All of these things make you understand TAT put a high priority on this event as well as promotion of tourism from foreign countries.

On a program directory, JTBF was introduced as follows.
"Outstanding Achievements : JTBF is a non-profit organization that has continuously supported tourism to Thailand for the last 5 years. It has arranged trips and orientation for Japanese tourists to Thailand. JTBF often acts as a spokesperson for TAT Tokyo, providing information and a positive image of Thailand for its members and the Japanese public."

In fact, since its establishment of 2002, JTBF has been contributing to promotion of tourism to Thailand in responding to advisory inquiries from Royal Thai Embassy and TAT Tokyo as well. Tourism Committee and Long-stay Committee of JTBF have been major driving forces.
2003: JTBF submitted a recommendation report "Development of Tourism Industry in Thailand" responding to an inquiry from Thai Government.
2006～2008: JTBF have been sending a mission to Thailand every year. Agenda included a meeting with TAT executives to exchange discussions and proposals in terms of promotion of tourism and long-stayers. Especially in 2006, mission members visited Phuket in responding to a request from Royal Thai Embassy and publicized a report in regard to recovery from Tsunami damages (Visit to Phuket Island). In 2008, we visited Pattaya in responding to a request from TAT and publicized a report in regard to new appealing features of current Pattaya including improvement proposals (Pattaya, this old but new tourism spot).

（contributed on 2008/10/11）

Note（Kinnari）：Kinnari is a celestial musician, half-woman and half-bird which comes from Indian mythology. Kinnari as well as Kinnon (half-man and half-bird) are familiarized by Thai people. On the picture (2nd low), is seen Kinnari as the awarding prize is projected on the background screen.

Royal Thai Embassy / Board of Investment / Tourism Authority of Thailand / JTECS / AOTS / JCC Bangkok / JFTC /