Mountain mists and meteor showers

Phu Cheefa

Stunning natural phenomena that occur at different times of the year are the focus of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's (TAT) new campaign to lure visitors back to the country. Among the wonders showcased by "12 Months, 7 Stars, 9 Suns" are herds of wild deer in Khao Yai in May; the swarming prawns of Ubon Ratchathani in August, the blooming waterways of Ranong in October; full moon in Phangnga Bay; meteor showers in Sakon Nakhon province; Sunrise at Phu Cheefa peak in Chiang Rai province; the rainbows of Tee Lor Su National Park in Tak province; and the mists of Pang Ung, Mae Hong Son.

After the red shirts

For the campaign, the TAT will spend Bt40 million of the total Bt450million special budget recently allocated to restore tourists' confidence after the redshirt riots and Emergency Decree.

The new campaign will run during the lowseason period  June to September - and is expected to bring a 5percent growth in tourist revenues this year.

TAT chairman Weerasak Kowsurat said he was asking for cooperation from the selected attractions' local authorities in helping organise facilities to support tourists.

  Thailand still 'dangerous destination'

According to the TAT, 29 countries are alerting their citizens over travel to Thailand in the wake of the government's midApril Emergency Decree.

As of April 26, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have placed Thailand at the top of their "dangerous destinations" list with a levelfive rating of "do not travel" while Cyprus, Singapore, China, Philippines and Cambodia are retaining a levelfour rating of "reconsider your need to travel".

Only three countries have reduced their warnings over travel to Thailand. In France and Italy it has been dropped from "Reconsider Your Need To Travel" (level four) to "Use a High Degree of Caution" (level three) while Hong Kong has scaled down its advice from level two's "Exercise Caution" to level one's "Be Alert to Own Security".