Chiang Mai voted best destination among Chinese tourists

CHIANG MAI, THAILAND, June 5 (TNA) - Thailand's northern resort Chiang Mai Province has been voted "Best Destination" among Chinese tourists, representing a top prestigious honour for all locals. Chiang Mai Governor Suriya Prasartbandit told journalists on Friday that he received the top prize from Thai Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul in Bangkok earlier this week, calling on local people to keep upgrading the city to maintain the champion status. The top prize is under the "Best of Thailand Awards Voted by Chinese Tourists", which were jointly organised by the state-run Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok and China's Weibo.com networks over the past month, during which the Weibo.com website was opened for free votes from Chinese tourists on where they considered the most favourite travelling destinations and Chiang Mai was voted the top. According to the governor, his province's De Lanna Chiang Mai was also awarded the "Best Value Hotel" by Chinese tourists, while many spa businesses and restaurants in the province were voted the best ones by the Chinese travellers as well. The governor, thus, foresaw that Chiang Mai should attract at least additional 30 per cent of Chinese visitors this year, compared to last year's. (TNA)