Monday, September 9, 2024 The Thailand Tourism Authority (TAT), in collaboration with renowned Thai designer Pipatchara, orchestrated an event titled ‘Unveiling Thailand’s Charm: A 2024 Showcase’ in conjunction with ‘A Royal Gala Night’ to coincide with New York Fashion Week at the Mandarin Oriental. The occasions were honored by Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana and attended by notable guests, media representatives, TAT associates, and Thailand enthusiasts. The events were spearheaded by Ms.
Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the TAT Governor. The showcase highlighted the ‘5-Must Do’ experiences in Thailand, which included Must Taste, Must Try, Must Buy, Must Seek, and Must See. It began with a Must Taste segment, where attendees savored organic Thai chocolates, symbolizing the rich culinary heritage of Thailand.
This was complemented by a Must Try of traditional Thai dance interpreted through modern exercise routines. The Must Buy element emphasized Thailand’s burgeoning fashion scene, showcased through the internationally acclaimed Thai brand, Pipatchara, highlighting the fashion industry’s role in promoting local resource conservation and community involvement. Ms.
Thapanee said “Here in New York, we are showcasing the five essential experiences in Thailand, each representing a facet of the kingdom’s unique charms, from food, fashions, and arts and crafts to culture and scenery. Through these special showcases, we’re inviting travellers to discover our beautiful country, experience our culture in new ways, and witness how we’re shaping the future of tourism.” A Must Seek feature showcased virtual reality videos that offered a virtual tour of Thailand’s lesser-known locales.
Additionally, traditional Thai paintings by artist Subannakit Kraikum, depicting the nation’s culture and festivities, adorned the venue, completing the Must See aspect of the showcase. Following the daytime events, ‘A Royal Gala Night’ highlighted Thailand’s commitment to fashion and sustainable tourism, aligning with TAT’s strategic vision to foster a high-value, sustainable tourism sector in Thailand. The gala featured a fashion show by Pipatchara Kaeojinda, co-founder of Pipatchara, where sustainability was the central theme.
The show narrated the transformation of waste into elegant, purposeful fashion items, crafted in collaboration with local artisans and Thai community members. Ms. Pipatchara said “A key element to creating our art is the Thai local community being a focal part of our process.
The collection you see here today is our craft created with and by local artisans and members of our community. Today, we are proud to connect the fashion community with our Thai community.” “The partnership with Pipatchara underscores TAT’s commitment to sustainable tourism that benefits visitors, communities, and the environment.
Our initiatives include the STAR system and Thailand Tourism Awards to assess and recognise eco-friendly practices in the industry. Here in the US, our partnership with Tourism Cares aims to positively impact local communities,” Ms. Thapanee concluded.
The United States remains a pivotal market for Thailand, with more than 930,000 American visitors in 2023. From the start of the year until August 21, Thailand welcomed 632,378 U.S.
visitors. With a goal to attract 1.13 million U.
S. tourists in 2024, TAT’s initiatives include the ‘Come Re-Discovery Your Thailand’ project with Virtuoso, the Thailand Meaningful Map with Tourism Cares, and an assortment of marketing endeavors, such as a collaboration with HBO for the filming and promotion of ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3 in Thailand..
