Hat Yai Fun fair to restore festival spirit and boost tourism
Local authorities in Thailand’s southern province are gearing up for a fun fair this Friday to boost tourism after the recent series of bombings that hit the town has led some holiday makers to choose other destinations.
Suthep Kuesang, head of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Southern Region 1 Office, said the one-day-event would be held amid tight security to restore confidence among foreign tourists who have stayed away from the region following the September 16 bombings in Hat Yai that killed four and injured nearly a hundred.
Dubbed ”A Colourful Hat Yai Fair”, Friday’s event will kick off amid Friday afternoon with a colourful musical and costume parade along the city’s main thoroughfare followed by a concert and food fair.
”The tight security would give tourists confidence in their safety”, Mr. Suthep said, adding that he hopes it will help local tourism, investment and trade affected by the bombings to recover in three months.
Mr. Suthep said that in order to speed up the area’s recovery in tourism and commerce alike, the province has planned more events this month, including the annual Chinese vegetarian food festival, as well as Hari Raya or Eid-el Fitr, a three-day celebration at the end of the time fasting represented by Muslim Ramadan.
A Thailand Special Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
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