Winners of “One and Only” social-media competition to be announced

BANGKOK - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) held a gala event to announce the winner of a social-media competition designed to raise the profile of the “Discover Thainess” marketing campaign amongst the world’s young people.

The winner of the “One and Only” campaign was chosen from amongst three finalist teams – the Mind-Blaster Team from Singapore, Simonides Rafal Team from Poland, and ThaiBy Team from Belarus. The winning team received prizes worth more than one million Baht, including a luxurious Thai accommodation package and prizes from the Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Centre under the Royal patronage of H.M. Queen Sirikit; such as, a handmade model of the Suphannahong Royal Barge, Hanuman Khon Mask and Phra Narai Khon Mask.

ThaiBy Team from Belarus is the winner of the “One and Only” campaign.

The event, held at the Dusit Thani Hotel Bangkok, presided over by Mrs. Juthaporn Rerngronasa, TAT Acting Governor and Deputy Governor for International Marketing, (Europe, Africa, Middle East and Americas).

Launched on 23 February, 2015, the “One and Only” campaign was aimed at helping foreign visitors learn and experience Thai culture, lifestyle and tourist attractions. It was aimed at travellers from around the world, especially young people active on the social-media networks.

To join, participants had to choose one of five activities under the “Discover Thainess” theme: Muay Thai, traditional Thai dancing, Thai cooking, making Thai-style floral garlands, or speaking Thai.

TAT uploaded a sample video clip for each activity for participants to use as a guideline for making their own video. Participants had to film themselves indulging in the same activity, submit the clip to TAT, and win a chance was selected as one of the three finalists.

The three finalists were invited to Thailand and travel for FREE to participate in the activities related to these five topics. They visited interesting attractions; such as, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho, saw Khon (a Thai classical masked performance), visited Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Bangsai Arts and Crafts Centre, as well as learned Thai cooking, Thai traditional dancing, Thai flower garland making, and Muay Thai.

The teams had to make video clips of their travel experiences and activities and upload these for viewing at http://discoverthainess.tourismthailand.org/

On 25 July, in the first stage of the competition, the winning team was announced as selected by a judging committee. The event was attended by Mr. Buakaw Banchamek, a famous Muay Thai boxer and Mr. Chumpol Jangprai, Chief of the Thai Cuisine Academy.

A second stage of the online activity is also under way. TAT has invited the Thai general public to cast their own votes in judging the clips of the three teams between 15 July – 31 August, 2015. The winner of this vote will be announced later along with the prizes. Details are available at the website: www.tourismthailand.org/oneandonly.

Mrs Juthaporn said, “This campaign fits in perfectly with our strategy to make more cost-effective use of social-media networks to reach target markets worldwide, especially young people. It also helps us raise the profile of our marketing theme “Discover Thainess” and enhances global awareness of our culture, cuisine, sports, arts and heritage.”

“We hope it will encourage more tourists to travel to Thailand and boost our tourism revenue. I would like to thank all the competing participants, the members of the judging committee, and all those who took time to view the competing video clips and cast their votes.”

sourced:traveldailynews.asia