Thailand named favourite Swedish tourist destination

BANGKOK, Dec 30 (TNA) - Thailand ranks first among Swedish travellers, as the Scabndinavian's country's favourite tourist destination, according to a recent survey by a Swedish tourism magazine, a senior Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) official reports.

Suvalai Pinpradab, director of TAT's Southern Office Region 4, responsible for tourism activities in Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi provinces, said that RES monthly magazine recently conducted a survey among its readers in which Thailand was chosen as their most popular tourist destination, followed by Australia.

Thailand was also voted by the magazine's readers with having the best food and shopping, Mrs. Suvalai said.

The southern resort of Phuket remains the most popular tourist destination by chartered flight passengers, while Lanta Island in Krabi province, near Phuket, came second in the same category.

Tourism activities in Krabi and Phang Nga are now peaking as tourists, mostly Westerners, visiting the areas have led to nearly full occupancy hotel bookings, "as high as 95 per cent," she said.

The TAT is cooperating with Phuket organisations in sponsoring a gala New Year's celebration December 31-January 1 at Pa Tong Beach and many tourists are expected to participate in the party.

TNA