Thailand Tourism Milestones

1960-an
1960
1963

A Tourist Organisation is established as an independent office under the Royal

Thai government to promote tourism
The first seminar on travel and tourism is held on October 17-18.

1965

The first overseas tourism promotion office is opened in New York, United States

1968

The first local office is opened in Chiang Mai

1969

The 18th Annual Conference of the Pacific Area Travel Association (PATA) is held in
Bangkok, the first PATA conference in Thailand

1970-an
1976

The National Plan on Tourism Development - the country's first

development blueprint -- is formulated with the assistance of the
Netherlands Institute of Tourism Development Consultants

1979

1980 - an
1981
1982

The Centre for Facilitation and Safety Protection of Tourists is established

under the Crime Suppression Division to deal with tourist complaints and
issues related to safety
The Tourism Organisation of Thailand (TOT) is upgraded to the Tourism Authority
of Thailand (TAT)

The Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (HTTI) is set up under TAT

The Rattanakosin Bicentennial is held in the capital of Bangkok, to

commemorate 200 years of the founding of the Chakri dynasty

1984
1985
1987

1988

The 31st Annual Conference of the Pacific Area Travel Association (later
changed to Pacific Asia Travel Association) is held in Bangkok, Chiang
Mai and Pattaya to coincide with the Rattanakosin Bicentennial 1982
The Thai Convention Promotion Association (TCPA) is founded to publicize
Thailand as an international convention destination. The association is today
known as the Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA)
The ASEAN Tourism Forum is held in Bangkok

Visit Thailand Year is celebrated, commemorating the 60th Birthday

Anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej

The tourism development master plan is included under the Overseas

Economic Co-operation Fund Loan Agreement package to the amount of
1,342.03 million baht covering the years 1988-1991
The Tourist Assistance Centre is set up to increase the efficiency in

handling tourist complaints and emergencies

1990-an
1990
1993

"Thailand Arts and Crafts Year 1988-1989" is launched to celebrate and

support Her Majesty Queen Sirikit's efforts in the preservation of folk arts
and crafts

The ASEAN Tourism Forum is held in Pattaya, the first time outside a capital city
1992 The Tourist Business and Guide Act B.E. 2535 is promulgated to regulate
tour operators and guides
The Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle Project (IMT-GT) is
launched
The 1st Thailand-Myanmar Friendship Tour via the Mae Sai - Keng Tung
route is organized
The 2nd Thailand-Myanmar-China Friendship Caravan Tour is held
The foundation for the Protection of Environment and Tourism is
established

1995

Citizens of the 56 nations entitled to get 15-day entry visas on arrival are
granted an extension of another 15 days
The ASEAN Summit Conference is held in Bangkok

1996
Thailand holds several major international travel conferences:
The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Organisation meeting on ASEAN Tourism
Related Laws
The American Society of Travel Agents World Travel Congress
The SKAL World Congress in Bangkok
The Pacific-Asia Travel Association (PATA) annual conference and its
associated events
The first Mekong Tourism Forum
The PATA Travel Mart

1996
1998
1999

The PATA Chapters World Congress

The Agency of Co-ordination of Mekong Tourism Activities (AMTA) is established to
formalise tourism co-operation among the Mekong countries
The "Amazing Thailand" promotional campaign is launched covering the 1998-99
period and commemorating the Celebrations on the Auspicious Occasion of His
Majesty the King's 6th Cycle Birthday Anniversary on December 5, 1999
Thailand hosts another series of major international conferences :

The PATA Adventure Travel & Ecotourism Conference in Chiang Mai

The World Youth & Student Travel Congress convention in Bangkok

The German Travel Agents Association (DRV) annual congress in

Bangkok