More than 15,000 establishments in seven of Thailand’s most important tourism cities are set to take part in the ‘Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2014’ to be held between June 15 and August 15.

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched a special website to promote the grand annual shopping event, which will be held in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hat Yai, Pattaya, Hua Hin and Samui. 

 

The participants include department stores, shopping centres, accommodation, spa and beauty, golf courses, entertainment centres and restaurants.

 

The website includes a shopping tips feature to help visitors get better deals, understand the VAT refund process and avoid buying sub-standard products. 

 

A special section has also been created to promote the locally-made Otop products, income from which goes a long way towards boosting rural income and supporting local artisans.

 

The Grand Sale is designed to boost tourism and visitor expenditure, further building the image of Thailand as a major shopping destination, and contributing to job creation and distribution of income nationwide.

 

Thawatchai Arunyik, TAT governor, said: “This year’s Grand Sale has a special meaning because it will be an important part of our tourism recovery strategy for 2014. This campaign will help provoke an income to tourism sectors and entrepreneurs in the participating areas and we hope visitors will take full advantage of the great discounts.”

 

The two major activities during the event are up to 80 per cent discounts at department stores, shopping centres, shops, spas, hotels and other Grand Sale participants; the Amazing Thailand Grand Sale Shopping Challenge on June 18, where well know celebrities in various fields from Asian countries will have a shopping competition in participating complexes and centres.

 

A total of 15 teams from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, India, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Taiwan, China, Japan and Korea are competing this year. The winner team will receive a cash prize of 100,000 Baht ($3,072).

 

The event will also features two lucky-draw prizes of “Travel 365 days in Thailand” for two couples (one from abroad, one local) to enjoy a trip within Thailand. Visitors will get a coupon from participating partners, which upon expenditure of every 500 Baht by cash or any credit card at any one place. However, if they pay by Visa card, they will get two coupons.

 

The winning couples will get free Thai Airways’ return air-tickets and Centara’s hotels and resorts chain. They can take their any time within 365 days.

 

The tourist spending on shopping via credit cards alone will grow by 20 per cent over last year, according to TAT estimates. - TradeArabia News Service