Royal projects become more popular among Thai tourists

BANGKOK, December 8 (TNA) - Royally-initiated projects of late His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej have become more popular destinations for Thai tourists, especially those in the central and northern Thai regions. Tourist and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkura told journalists of the information on Thursday, saying that the Chang Hua Man (ชั่งหัวมัน) Royal Project in Petchaburi Province and the Royal Agricultural Station Angkhang in Chiang Mai Province have particularly welcomed more Thai tourists considerably. Kobkarn acknowledged that the number of Thai tourists visiting the Chang Hua Man Royal Project in Petchaburi's Ta Yang District as of last month soared to more than 54,000, a nearly 50 per cent year-on-year jump. Kobkarn pointed out that during the December 1-6 period alone, the Chang Hua Mon Royal Project welcomed more than 20,000 Thai tourists. The minister revealed that the Royal Agricultural Station Angkhang also welcomed more than 23,000 tourists, mostly are Thais, as of last month, a 75 per cent year-on-year surge. According to the minister, the Thai government's ongoing tourism stimulus measures through tax breaks are also expected to boost local tourists' spending up to more than 70 billion baht in December 2016 alone, helping distribute incomes to people in provincial areas as officially targeted. (TNA)