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BANGKOK: The Tourism Authority of Thailand has honoured the kingdom's top attractions and best tour guides in a ceremony in Bangkok on Saturday.
Two Singaporean journalists, a blogger and three tour operators from Singapore garnered accolades as well as for helping to promote tourism.
Besides Bangkok and beaches, Thailand's rich and colourful culture is a huge draw for its tourism sector, which makes up six per cent of the kingdom's GDP.
But prolonged political instability means tour operators are bracing for a drop in visitor numbers this high season.
This has not stopped the Tourism Authority of Thailand from acknowledging the kingdom's stand-out attractions or from putting on a show.
The Thailand Tourism Awards were given out in recognition of the best and brightest in the kingdom's travel sector. But there is also another category called "Friends of Thailand" where tour operators and journalists from Europe and Asia were also recognised for their help to promote Thailand.
Among the recipients from Singapore is Gillian Lee, who was honoured for her work in the travel trade publication "Tourism ASEAN". She has studied and lived in Thailand and said visitors should not be deterred by reports of political tension.
Gillian Lee, marketing director, Tourism ASEAN, said: "In tourist areas like shopping centres and attractions, you don't feel the political tension at all. Unless you were to go to the main grounds, near the Grand Palace, you'll be able to see the protests. But other than that, you won't feel anything. So I believe it shouldn't affect tourism in Thailand."
Blogger Eugene Tang echoed the sentiment. Eugene Tang, founder, singaporesights.com, said: "If you travel now in Bangkok or anywhere, I think it's pretty safe."
Though protesters remain at Bangkok's Government House, the area is isolated from almost all tourist areas in the capital, and hopes are high that a peaceful solution will end the strife for good. - CNA/vm
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