A Panoramic Look to Thailand

The Evolution of Thailand's Tourism Promotion

by Dr. Prakash H. Karmadkar*,

- Published in Journal of Advances and Scholarly Researches in Allied Education, E-ISSN: 2230-7540

Volume 16, Issue No. 8, Jun 2019, Pages 43 - 45 (3)

Published by: Ignited Minds Journals


ABSTRACT

An organization called the Tourism of Thailand was founded by Prince Purachara Jayakara, the Prince of Kamphaengphet. When sitting as a train commander, the prince sent stories about Thailand to get published in the USA. In 1924, he set up an advertising department for the State Railway of Thailand to help tourists who visited Thailand and promote Thailand among foreigners. The office was originally at the State Railway of Thailand but was later moved to Hua Lamphong Railway Station. Subsequently after Prince Purachara Jayakara went to work for the Ministry of Commerce and Transport, the office also moved there but it was still working closely with the State Railway of Thailand.

KEYWORD

Thailand, Tourism of Thailand, Prince Purachara Jayakara, State Railway of Thailand, advertising department, tourists, foreigners, Hua Lamphong Railway Station, Ministry of Commerce and Transport

INTRODUCTION

A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century. Known as Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been colonized by a European power. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy. After the Japanese invaded Thailand in 1941, the government split into a pro-Japan group and a pro-Ally group backed by the King. Following the war, Thailand became a US treaty ally in 1954 after sending troops to Korea and later fighting alongside the US in Vietnam. Thailand After experienced several rounds of political turmoil including a military rule and monarchy, now it has been on the threshold of Democracy

ECONOMY

Located in Southeast Asia, Thailand covers a total area of approximately 513,000 square kilometers (198,000 square miles) and is the 50th largest country in the world and the 12th largest in Asia! Thailand is a newly industrialized country. Its economy is heavily export-dependent, with exports accounting for more than two-thirds of its gross domestic product (GDP). In 2017, according to the IMF, Thailand had a GDP of 15.450 trillion baht (US$455 billion), the 8th largest economy of Asia. Virtually all of Thailand's firms, 99.7 percent, or 2.7 million enterprises, are classed as being small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). As of 2017, SMEs account for 80.3 % (13 million) of Thailand's total employment. In sheer numbers SMEs predominate, but their contribution to the nation's GDP decreased from 41.3 percent of GDP in 2002 to 37.4 percent in 2013. Their declining contribution is reflected in their turnover rate: seventy percent fail within a few years

Thailand is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; victims from Burma, Cambodia, Laos, China, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, and India, migrate to Thailand in search of jobs

RELIGION AND CUSTOMS

Thailand is nearly 95 % Buddhist. In addition there are minorities of Muslims in Thailand (5-6 %), Christians (1%), and other religions. Thai Buddhism is supported by the government; the monks receive a number of government benefits, such as free use of public transportation. India and Thailand had bilateral diplomatic relations which were formalized soon after India achieved independence in 1947. The socio-eco-commercial-cultural relations with Thailand have shown considerable growth in diverse fields; these relations are not of recent origin. Religious, cultural, linguistic, and mythological and trade links have existed for over two millennia. Thailand has been perceived by Indian rulers as Swarnabhumi or the Golden Land. Hindu influence reached into Thailand over 2,000 years ago, through Emperor Asoka. The Emperor Asoka spread the gospel of Lord Buddha in 3rd Century BCE. Hindu influence is clearly visible in Thailand‘s religious practices, customs, traditions, deity worship, architecture of palaces and temples (wats), in the arts, sculpture, dance, drama, and literature. Royal coronation ceremonies are conducted with Brahmanical rites, and Thai Rama X. Several other socio-cultural habits and festivals of Thai and Indian people are similar. The Thai lore of Ramakien, a local version of Ramayana, and the wisdom of Lord Buddha bind the peoples together. Loy Krathong and Songkran are inspired by the two major Indian festivals Deepavali and Holi. The 800-year-old connection between the Tai people and Ahoms of North East India has served as an enduring link.

EDUCATION

Thailand has 14 universities. The highest-ranking university in Thailand is Mahidol University, which is ranked at number 601–800 just near to ranking of our university of Pune Almost Like India, the Compulsory education in Thailand covers the first nine years of ―basic education‖ (six years of elementary school and three years of lower secondary school). Education at public schools is free of charge until grade 9

POPULATION

It is 7 crore with 135 density per Km while the population of Bangkok is nearly 1 cores; the double of Pune(Maharashtra).The Bangkok Population is a truly cosmopolitan where people from all the word come to stay either permanently or for short duration under business and tourism segment.

TOURISM

Bangkok is one of the world‘s top tourist destinations. The city itself is a true tourist paradise, proved by the growing number of travelers coming each year. A side of the city itself, Bangkok is also surrounded by many interesting provinces that are worth visiting. Located at the north of Bangkok are Nonthaburi and Pathum.-This beautiful country is a potpourri of multiple cultures. From ascetic lifestyles of the monks to the throbbing nightlife and rave parties on the beaches, Thailand boasts of a wide spectrum of things. The tropical beaches of Thailand attract throngs of visitors every year. You can get a tan on one of its many beaches or enjoy the many water sports available for those looking for the ultimate adrenaline rush. Also known for its massages, it may be a good idea to get a relaxing back massage from one of the masseuse by the beach. Ornate Buddha deities and its glittering Thai temples and Wat Phra Kaew are a major attraction. There are many royal palaces in Thailand to visit. Sprawling gardens and beautiful architecture greet the tourist. One can also check out the ancient ruins at places like Ayuthaya and visit one of the many tiger temples in Thailand. Thailand is also known for its street food. attractions to tourist.

SUMMING UP

Thai commercial enterprises should focus on expanding economic partnership with India. The Indian economy is expanding at a rapid pace of 7.5% a year, making it the fastest growing major economy in the world. This has been possible due to proactive and innovative business-friendly policies like Make in India, Skill India, Smart Cities, Digital India and others. The Indian government‘s effort, in the words of PM Modi is to ―replace red tape with red carpet.‖ This has paid rich dividends with an over 40% increase in inflow of foreign investments into India in recent years. New Delhi and Bangkok need to further expand their strategic, security, defense, and economic cooperation given the geostrategic challenges as well as huge untapped potential. Both sides should invest the necessary energy, focus, and political capital in the relationship so that it can prosper rapidly to the advantage of people of the two countries as well as security, peace, and prosperity in the region. The good news is that both Thai and Indian leaders are aware of the threats and impediments ahead and are determined to overcome them. They are also conscious of the huge existing opportunities and strengths and are resolute to harness them to mutual benefit and advantage. The challenges to sustainable development are global in character include poverty and exclusion, unemployment, climate change, conflict and humanitarian aid, building peaceful. The greatest threats to the sustainable development on earth are population, global warming, excessive waste generation and the subsequent pollution of soil, air, and water. Some of the challenges are by 2030, consist of slower economic growth, long-lasting corruption and inequality, unfavorable demographics in various forms and widespread epidemics, but there are three surprising challenges of the Sustainable Development Goals. The greater sustainability movement, inspired by three E's, it‘s Environment, equity, and economics. So we can look after 1) End poverty 2) End hunger 3) Ensure healthy lives The development and environmental needs of present generations must be addressed without compromising the ability of future generations to

national and local environmental problems and development challenges such as loss of biodiversity, deforestation, stratospheric ozone loss, desertification and freshwater degradation.

REFERENCE

1. Thailand Archived 3 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine, The World Factbook. 2. Draper, John; Kamnuansilpa, Peerasit (2016). "The Thai Lao Question: The Reappearance of Thailand's Ethnic Lao Community and Related Policy Questions". Asian Ethnicity. 19: pp. 81–105. doi:10.1080/14631369.2016.1258300. 3. International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination; Reports submitted by States parties under article 9 of the Convention: Thailand (PDF) (in English and Thai). United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. 28 July 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 October 2016. Retrieved 8 October 2016. 4. David Levinson (1998), Ethnic Groups Worldwide: A Ready Reference Handbook, Oryx Pres, p. 287, ISBN 978-1-57356-019-1 5. Paul, Lewis M.; Simons, Gary F.; Fennig, Charles D. (2013), Ethnologue: Languages of the World, SIL International, ISBN 978-1-55671-216-6, archived from the original on 27 December 2007 6. Barbara A. West (2009), Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Asia and Oceania, Facts on File, p. 794, ISBN 978-1-4381-1913-7 7. "Population by religion, region and area, 2015" (PDF). NSO. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 December 2017. Retrieved 12 October 2017. 8. "World Population Prospects: The 2017 Revision". ESA.UN.org (custom data acquired via website). United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. Retrieved 10 September 2017.

Dr. Prakash H. Karmadkar*

MMS, PhD, HOD Research Centre P.E. Society‘s Institute of Management and Career Development Nigdi, Pune-44 drkarmadkar@gmail.com