Tourism Authority of Thailand Expands in the U.S. with New Chicago Office
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The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) recently held a soft opening for its newest international office in Chicago, marked by a warm gathering alongside Team Thailand, Chicago.
Situated within the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Chicago, the TAT’s new office is set to be fully functional by August 1st, with an official opening ceremony scheduled for September. This marks the TAT’s third office in the Americas, complementing the ones already established in Los Angeles and New York.
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In collaboration with Team Thailand, Chicago, the TAT is dedicated to broadening the ‘Friends of Thailand’ network across the US.
Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, said “The TAT Chicago Office would play a pivotal role in helping to boost the number of travellers from the Americas Region to Thailand to reach 1.43 million visitors, generating a revenue of 105.53 billion Baht. This would contribute to this year’s target of 35 million visitors from all markets and an income of 1.92 trillion Baht.”
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The Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) outlined a strategic approach to boost Thailand’s tourism sector, emphasizing five key inspirational concepts designed to enrich travelers’ experiences: 1) It starts with our People, 2) Our offerings are diverse, 3) Wellness extends beyond just massage, 4) Sustainability is our way of life, and 5) This is why your stories in Thailand will be endless, accompanied by five essential activities in Thailand.
Aligned with the government’s ‘Ignite Tourism Thailand’ vision, these activities include: Must Beat (engaging in Muay Thai), Must Eat (savoring Thai cuisine), Must Seek (exploring Thai culture), Must Buy (acquiring Thai fabrics), and Must See (watching Thai performances).
The TAT’s Chicago Office celebrated its soft-opening on April 23 with a religious ceremony, coinciding with Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year. The event featured the Song Nam Phra ritual, where a Buddha image is purified with scented water to honor Lord Buddha and bring prosperity, and the Rot Nam Dam Hua ritual, promoting Thai soft power in the U.S.
The ceremony was attended by notable figures including Mrs. Katanawadee Kalayanamit, the Consul General of Thailand in Chicago, Mrs. Natnapang Damrongsoontornchai, Deputy Consul-General, and Mrs. Suprattana Gamolvej from the Thai Trade Center in Chicago, along with Team Thailand, Chicago staff.
From TAT, key attendees were Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor, Mr. Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, Deputy Governor for International Marketing, Mrs. Titiporn Maneenate, Executive Director for the Americas, and Mrs. Malinee Nitikasetsunthorn, Deputy Executive Director for the Americas.
The event also saw participation from the Honorary Advisor and the President of the Thai American Association of Illinois, along with strategic tourism partners and local media representatives.
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