Bangkok--July 14--TATThe Amazing Thailand 1998-1999 campaign, designed to attract new and repeatvisitors to the Kingdom, is to be promoted through the issuance of international phonecards. The project, one of several promotional activitiesbeing planned by the Tourism Authority of Thailand(TAT), is jointly undertakenby the Thai Chamber of Commerce (Thaicham) in the U.S. the Telemed Corporationand TAT.The above was announced at a press conference held on July 11 at the officeof the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue. Chairingthe conference was Mr. Pradech Phayakavichien, Deputy Governor for Planning and Development of TAT. Also present was Mr. Somsak Pitakmongkonkul,President of the Thai Chamber of Commerce in the U.S.According to Mr. Pradech Phayakavichien, who also acts as the Amazing ThailandProject Manager, TAT is providing support to the Thai Chambor of Commerce andTelemed Corporation to produce international phonecards to promote variousprojects and activities involving the Amazing Thailand 1998-1999 campaign amongThai expats overseas and foreign visitors to generate more interest in visitingor re-visiting Thailand. During the two-year period of 1998-1999, Thailandwill be offering both new and superior excitement and delight to its guest.The TAT Deputy Governor added that the TAT office in New York has alsoarranged a press conference in cooperation with the Thai Chamber of Commercein the U.S. to announce developments on public relations activities concerningthe Amazing Thailand campaign. These include Thai food promotion in Thairestaurants in states from Massachusetts down to Florida, display of posterspromoting Thai food exhibitions, and distributing of promotional materialson Amazing Thailand. A major attraction of the activities is the specialprice given to lucky customers of Thai restaurants every3-4 months in theform of complimentary international air tickets and accommodations to Thailand.The planned international phonecards, according to Mr. Somsak Pitakmongkolkul,President of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, U.S., will feature threes majorthemes: cultures, mountains and beaches. Reproductions of the sights andscenes to appear on the cards will emphasize on the culture legacy andtraditions, culinary delights and attractions of the country, all inesthetical and colorful design befitting the grandeur of Amazing Thailand.The card itself can be used in more than one hundred countries to call over200 destinations world-wide.The Amazing Thailand phonecard project will be officially launched on July16-18 during the Made in Thailand Solo Show to be held at World Trade Centerin New York City. The show is jointly organized by the Department of ExportPromotion, Ministry of Commerce through its Commercial Center, Tourism Authority of Thailand in New York and the Thai Chamber of Commerce.The TAT Deputy Governor said it was gratifying that the promotion and publicityif the Amazing Thailand 1998-1999 campaign has progressed satisfactorilyand enjoyed the enthusiastic support of agencies concerned. The internationalphonecard project itself, he added,has great potentiality in helping foreignersto learn of what to expect in Thailand duriing 1998-1998 and that the carditself could become a collector item. Other promotional activities wouldinduce potential visitors worldwide to visit or re-visit the country again.For Thailand in 1998-1999 will indeed be an amazing destination, unique and unforgettable. End.