Thailand Tourism Milestones1960-an 

  1960 A Tourist Organisation is established as an independent office under the Royal Thai government to promote tourism

  1963 The first seminar on travel and tourism is held on October 17-18.

  1965 The first overseas tourism promotion office is opened in New York, United States

  1968 The first local office is opened in Chiang Mai

  1969 The 18th Annual Conference of the Pacific Area Travel Association (PATA) is held in Bangkok, the first PATA conference in Thailand

 1970-an 

 

1976 The National Plan on Tourism Development - the country's first development blueprint -- is formulated with the assistance of the Netherlands Institute of Tourism Development Consultants

The Centre for Facilitation and Safety Protection of Tourists is established under the Crime Suppression Division to deal with tourist complaints and issues related to safety

  1979 The Tourism Organisation of Thailand (TOT) is upgraded to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)

 1980 - an   1981 The Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (HTTI) is set up under TAT

 

1982 The Rattanakosin Bicentennial is held in the capital of Bangkok, to commemorate 200 years of the founding of the Chakri dynasty

The 31st Annual Conference of the Pacific Area Travel Association (later changed to Pacific Asia Travel Association) is held in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Pattaya to coincide with the Rattanakosin Bicentennial 1982

 1984 The Thai Convention Promotion Association (TCPA) is founded to publicize

Thailand as an international convention destination. The association is today known as the Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA)

  1985 The ASEAN Tourism Forum is held in Bangkok

 

1987 Visit Thailand Year is celebrated, commemorating the 60th Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej

The tourism development master plan is included under the Overseas Economic Co-operation Fund Loan Agreement package to the amount of 1,342.03 million baht covering the years 1988-1991

  1988 The Tourist Assistance Centre is set up to increase the efficiency in

handling tourist complaints and emergencies

"Thailand Arts and Crafts Year 1988-1989" is launched to celebrate and support Her Majesty Queen Sirikit's efforts in the preservation of folk arts and crafts

 1990-an  

 1990 The ASEAN Tourism Forum is held in Pattaya, the first time outside a capital city

1992 The Tourist Business and Guide Act B.E. 2535 is promulgated to regulate tour operators and guides

 

1993 The Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle Project (IMT-GT) is launched

The 1st Thailand-Myanmar Friendship Tour via the Mae Sai - Keng Tung route is organized

The 2nd Thailand-Myanmar-China Friendship Caravan Tour is held The foundation for the Protection of Environment and Tourism is

established

Citizens of the 56 nations entitled to get 15-day entry visas on arrival are granted an extension of another 15 days

  1995 The ASEAN Summit Conference is held in Bangkok

 1996

Thailand holds several major international travel conferences:

 

  The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Organisation meeting on ASEAN Tourism Related Laws

The American Society of Travel Agents World Travel Congress The SKAL World Congress in Bangkok The Pacific-Asia Travel Association (PATA) annual conference and its

associated events The first Mekong Tourism Forum The PATA Travel Mart

The PATA Chapters World Congress

  1996 The Agency of Co-ordination of Mekong Tourism Activities (AMTA) is established to formalise tourism co-operation among the Mekong countries

 1998 The "Amazing Thailand" promotional campaign is launched covering the 1998-99

period and commemorating the Celebrations on the Auspicious Occasion of His Majesty the King's 6th Cycle Birthday Anniversary on December 5, 1999

  1999 Thailand hosts another series of major international conferences :

 

  The PATA Adventure Travel & Ecotourism Conference in Chiang Mai The World Youth & Student Travel Congress convention in Bangkok

The German Travel Agents Association (DRV) annual congress in Bangkok