Chiang Mai (Thailand) – June 10, 2016 (travelindex.com) – Thailand is positioning itself as a dream destination for sports tourism by promoting the Kingdom's world-class sports facilities, its extensive expertise, and its reputation as a successful host of regional and international sporting events and tournaments.

His Excellency Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Thailand's Minister of Tourism and Sports, presented the plan to develop Thailand into a sports hub to delegates of the Thailand Travel Mart Plus Amazing Gateway to the Greater Mekong Sub-Region 2016 (TTM+ 2016). The event opened today (June 8, 2016) at the Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Centre and was attended by tourism professionals from around the world.

His Excellency said: “Thailand is entering the age of sport and tourism, and I would like to invite the world to take advantage of the many opportunities the Kingdom offers to sports-loving tourists – whether enthusiastic amateurs, professionals, or anything in between. Sport can open up a new way for people to enjoy and experience Thailand – be it playing golf or football with friends, cycling or jogging through the countryside, or meeting and competing with Thais in one of our gyms and sports centers.”

Sports like golf are already very popular with tourists in Thailand, and the kingdom boasts over 300 world-class golf courses. Now, the Thai government, supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, wants to showcase even more sporting opportunities to visitors. These include 5,000 boxing rings, many with Muay Thai training centers, over 50 diving clubs, and a steadily expanding network of cycling paths in both urban and rural areas, which is spreading nationwide and is being promoted by the government.

Thanks to these world-class facilities, Thailand has hosted numerous international sporting events, including the 1997 and 2007 World Weightlifting Championships, the 2014 Asian Beach Games, the 2015 Asian Cycling Championships, and the 2015 World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) at the Chang International Circuit in Buri Ram Province. Popular sailing events, such as the annual King's Regatta off Phuket, also take place here. Thailand has also hosted the Asian Games four times and the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) three times.

Furthermore, Thailand boasts a proud sporting tradition, and many of the kingdom's athletes have made a name for themselves internationally. These include badminton player Ratchanon Inthanon, the first Thai woman to top the world rankings in women's singles and the 2014 world champion, and rising golfer Ariya Jutanugarn, the first player in the history of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour to win her first three consecutive tournaments and currently ranked 10th in the world. Team sports are also very popular in Thailand, and the Thai national volleyball team recently ranked 13th in the world.

Regarding training and facilities, there are four national training centers in Saraburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Songkhla, and Chiang Mai. In addition, private facilities are available to sports enthusiasts throughout the country, including Thanyapura Phuket. This center boasts some of the best sports facilities in Asia, including two 50-meter Olympic-standard swimming pools, and is the first FINA (Fédération Internationale de Natation) training center in Southeast Asia. Numerous international athletes and teams, including the British and Australian national swimming teams, train in Thanyapura.

Furthermore, Stamford International University in Bangkok recently partnered with Real Madrid to offer the first MBA in sports management in Thailand, thus training a new generation of sports coaches.

HE Kobkarn concluded: “The Thai people have always been passionate about sports, but now we want Thailand to be perceived as a center of sporting excellence, attracting people who come here to improve their skills and pursue their favorite sports on land and in the water. With our active outdoor lifestyle and diverse range of destinations, we have the potential to be a magnet for athletes.”

International Public Relations Department, Tourism Authority of Thailand, 1600 New Petchaburi Road, Makkasan, Ratchathevi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand, Tel.: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48, Fax: +66 (0) 2250 0246, E-mail: [email protected], Website: www.TATnews.org