Baidu tourism application to be developed for smartphone users

BANGKOK, June 14 (TNA) - The state-run Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has collaborated with China's largest search engine, Baidu, to develop the Baidu Map application for users of smartphones and tablets to provide them with information on tourist destinations in the Thai Kingdom in both the Chinese and the Thai languages. Visiting General Manager of International Business of Beijing-based Baidu Co., Ltd. Hu Yong and TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the tourism cooperation between Baidu and TAT on June 13, aimed to attract more quality Chinese tourists to Thailand up to 35.4 per cent in the future. Yuthasak told journalists that the development of the Baidu Map application in the dual languages will also help Thai tourism business operators increase their access to Chinese customers who will, in turn, travel to Thailand and communicate with local people more easily. Yuthasak acknowledged Thailand is the first country in Asia that Baidu has agreed to develop the Baidu Map application, in which TAT tourism promotional programmes will also be publicised, including the Amazing Romance Thailand, set to be launched next month to guide lovers of 100 romantic and wedding sites in the Thai Kingdom, and the Women's Journey, set to be launched in August to guide female tourists of shops and their privileges. Besides, TAT and Baidu will launch the Smart Guide application, where all information on tourist destinations in Thailand will be given through a voice recording system, like a personal tour guide walking with Chinese tourists. According to the TAT governor, the Smart Guide application has been launched for two popular tourist destinations in Thailand as the pilot projects, including the Temple of the Emerald Buddha inside the Grand Palace in Bangkok and the Sanctaury of Truth in Pattaya City of seaside Chon Buri Province in the Thai East, along with voice information on restaurants and popular dishes with their ingredients to facilitate the Chinese tourists, especially those who travel to Thailand by themselves. (TNA)