Bangkok –The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is joining forces with local authorities and tourism-related organisations to arrange special holiday events and tour programs nationwide under the “where to go during this long weekend” theme, all aimed at helping people celebrate this year’s Mother’s Day holiday.

This year, Mother’s Day falls on Tuesday, 12 August, and many Thai people have been given Monday, 11 August, as a holiday too as part of the national campaign to stimulate the country’s economy by encouraging domestic tourism, so people travel and spend money during long breaks.

Mr. Thawatchai Arunyik, TAT Governor said, “In order to mark this important occasion and boost domestic tourism over the long holiday period, TAT has organised two special events, one each in Hat Yai and Lopburi, which promise to bring joy to visitors and boost income for the hosted destinations.”

The “Thai Buddhist Blessing and Merit Making Ceremony” is set to take place on 9-10 August, at Wat Hat Yai Nai in Hat Yai, Songkha as Buddhist-based travel that reflects the Thai Southern region’s indigenous culture and promotes tourism in Hat Yai and the vicinity.

The Hat Yai event highlights include paying respect to the world’s third largest reclining Buddha image, story-telling of the legend of the reclining Buddha, Hat Yai tourism exhibition, demonstration of a local food market, shadow puppet performances, comedian show and manora dance as well as entertainment by leading Thai singers. In addition, spectators will get the change to receive 999 Buddhist amulets when they register to join activities in the event.

For music lovers, TAT is organising the “The Land of Happiness: The Charming Art of King Narai Reign” festival on 11-12 August, at Narai Rachaniwet Palace, Lopburi. The highlights include a performance from a symphony orchestra, a Bullet Contemporary Dance, video presentations, a dancing fountain show, a vintage car exhibition, folk performances, concerts and a wide range of entertainment by famous Thai artists.

TAT will also organise a number of rally, caravan and bus tours to various parts of Thailand to encourage the Thai people to travel and spend during the long holiday period.

On 9 August, there is a one-day caravan tour from Bangkok to Ayutthaya for 30 cars with 60 participants, another one-day Folk Family Tour from Bangkok to Saraburi for 20 cars and 40 participants; and a Do-It- Yourself Youth Tour from Bangkok to Chachoengsao for 20 cars and 40 participants.

On 9-10 August, there are several caravan programmes including a Family Road Trip from Bangkok to Prachuap Khiri Khan for 50 cars and 130 participants, a caravan tour of Bangkok and Kanchanaburi for up to 20 cars and 40 participants, a caravan tour in Bangkok and the vicinity for 20 cars and 40 participants, as well as a Mini Family Rally from Bangkok to Suphan Buri for 20 cars and 40 participants.

On 9-11 August, a longer, three-day/two-night caravan tour of Bangkok to Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan is available for 20 cars and 50 participants.

Throughout the period of 8-12 August, there are several bus tours, starting from Bangkok to various destinations including Phang Nga, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buriram, Nakhon Phanom, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Kamphaeng Phet and Sukhothai.

The TAT Governor said, “We are promoting road travel, so that several family members can travel together. Interested parties can choose either to participate in the car rally programmes to the popular destinations in the Central or Eastern regions of the country or join any of the bus tour programmes that are setting out to explore Thailand’s Northeastern or Southern areas.”

These Mother’s Day tour programmes have drawn a lot of interest more than 1,000 Thai tourists and now they are fully booked.