| The kingdom of Thailand lies in the heart of | | | | outstanding market with a growth of 97.45% |
| Southeast Asia, making it a natural gateway to | | | | during this period. Other main markets like the UK |
| Indochina, Myanmar and Southern China. Its shape | | | | were up +10.40%, Germany +21.04%, Sweden |
| and geography divide into four natural regions; the | | | | +46.06%, Norway +33.11%, and Finland +30.39%. |
| mountains and forests of the North; the vast rice | | | | Many of these visitors are coming to Thailand to |
| fields of the Central Plains; the semi-arid farm | | | | stay in luxury villas which are renowned |
| lands of the Northeast plateau; and the tropical | | | | throughout the world for their beautiful |
| islands and long coastline of the peninsula South. | | | | surroundings and amazing value. Luxury Phuket |
| The country comprises 76 provinces that are | | | | villas in particular stand out as being amongst the |
| further divided into districts, sub-districts and | | | | best in the world. Samui Villas and Krabi Villas are |
| villages. Bangkok is the capital city and centre of | | | | catching up however and are seeing a large |
| political, commercial, industrial and cultural activities. | | | | increase year on year in occupancy as guests |
| It is also the seat of Thailand's revered Royal | | | | seek something slightly different and quieter than |
| Family, with His Majesty the King recognized as | | | | the hustle and bustle of Phuket. |
| Head of State, Head of the Armed Forces, | | | | Thailand constantly is winning awards for its |
| Upholder of the Buddhist religion and Upholder of | | | | tourism infrastructure, recently The Swedish |
| all religions. | | | | travel publication, Travel News, recently presented |
| The Thai tourism industry is projected to end the | | | | the annual Grand Travel Award - the equivalent |
| year with a total of 13.8 million international visitor | | | | of the travel and tourism industry's 'Oscars' - for |
| arrivals in 2006. Revenue earnings from tourism | | | | the fifteenth consecutive year. |
| are now projected at 486 billion baht. | | | | Thailand ranked first in the "World's Best Tourist |
| The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has | | | | Country" category, making this the fifth |
| targeted 14.8 million international visitor arrivals in | | | | consecutive year that Thailand has won the |
| 2007 with estimated target revenues of 547.5 | | | | Swedish Grand Travel Award. The other top ten |
| billion baht. | | | | travel destinations deemed to be popular with |
| International visitor arrivals from East Asia rose | | | | Swedish travelers include South Africa, the United |
| by 23.54% to 5,694,169 in January-September | | | | States, Italy, China, Greece, Denmark, Spain, |
| 2007. Markets that have shown good growth | | | | France and Croatia. Other awards include Asia's |
| include Korea +41.52%, China +36.93%, Hong | | | | very own award-winning luxury travel and lifestyle |
| Kong +33.85%, and Taiwan +26.36%. Other | | | | magazine, DestinAsian, awarding Bangkok with |
| areas of growth were seen from European | | | | 'Best Leisure DestinAsian City' and The Oriental |
| visitors. International visitor arrivals from Europe | | | | Bangkok won the DestinAsian 'Best Hotel, |
| rose by 24.66% to 2,423,498 during | | | | Bangkok' award. |
| January-September 2003. Russia was the | | | | |