Sirima Eamtako, Bangkok (2011-01-31)

THE TOURISM Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) Cha-Am office plans to reach out to alternative source markets this year, to boost 2010's one million arrivals by 10 per cent this year.

TAT Cha-Am director Nongnit Tengmaneewan said the office would seek to attract Russian leisure travellers and Indian weddings, while maintaining a mix of 70 per cent Thais and 30 per cent foreigners.

The office will meet Russian agents in a tabletop sale in Hua Hin next month, and will jointly organise a roadshow to India with TAT Hua Hin in July.

Two domestic roadshows are also being planned with TAT Hua Hin and Samut Songkram in March, to Chiang Rai and Lampang in the north and Udon Thani and Khon Kaen in the north-east.