Australia's leading travel writers will descend upon Thailand in August 2009 for their annual general meeting - expect to be the largest off-shore event for the association since its inception in 1975.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand has taken the initiative to host the Australian Society of Travel Writers AGM which will include three days in Bangkok, and a series of six tours of up to seven days duration.
The director of TAT in Australia, Mr Silachai Surai, said up to 200 guests were expected for the meeting on August 22, and at a series of functions and sightseeing in Thai capital on Ausgust 21 and 23.
After the meeting, writers, photographers and consultants will fan out across the kingdom to Hua Hin/Kanchanaburi, Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai, Pattaya/Ko Samet/Ko Chang, Lower Isan, Phuket/Krabi/Khao Lak, and Ko Samui/Ang Thong Marine National Park.
Thailand last hosted the ASTW in 1999. The Public Relations Manager of TAT Australia, Mr Pongsak Kanittanon, first suggested Bangkok as venue for the 2009 AGM at a luncheon held on the Gold Coast in June for the Governor of TAT, Mrs Phornsiri Manoharn.
Pongsak said there was immediate overwhelming support for the idea from the Government of Thailand and from prospective sponsors. The Annual General Meeting of the ASTW formally accepted the TAT offer in Shanghai on October 25.
