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Thailand is on a charm offensive in Bahrain this week determined to convince potential holidaymakers to visit the popular destination in South East Asia and to urge those already planning a trip not to cancel their journey following civil unrest, writes Stan Szecowka.
The Mšvenpick Hotel Bahrain is holding a Thai cusine and cultural festival this week and a two-day 'amazing Thailand' fair will open at Al A'ali shopping complex in Seef tomorrow.
Thai Ambassador Suphat Chitranukroh has been at the forefront of the promotional push as back home the authorities launch a massive clean-up operation in Bangkok's charred commercial district as the city prepares for the resumption of business after its worst riots in modern history.
Mr Chitranukroh told GulfWeekly shortly after a stunning performance by a troupe of Thai dancers at the Muharraq hotel's Silk's Restaurant that both events in Bahrain were vitally important. "We have to restore confidence in our stability and convince people living in Bahrain to visit Thailand for its good food, hospitality and culture," he said.
In partnership with The Royal Thai Embassy, Mšvenpick Hotel Phuket and Qatar Airways, the Mšvenpick Hotel Bahrain officially opened its week-long festival on Saturday.
Attended by over 200 guests including government officials, diplomats and members of the media, the event was opened by the ambassador, assisted by the hotel's general manager Heinz Kraehenbuhl.
The event started with a cocktail reception at the poolside terrace followed by dinner and guests were entertained by the cultural dancers flown in to Bahrain from Thailand.
Authentic Thai cuisine was prepared by Thai chefs from the hotel group's sister property in Phuket.
The Thai festival runs until May 29 with a nightly live performance from the Sbun-Nga Dance Company and one diner will get a chance to win a six-night stay at Mšvenpick Hotel Phuket with a return ticket from Qatar Airways.
Thai cooking classes are also being held at the hotel and a cooking demonstration will form part of the entertainment at the Al A'ali Thai Fair which also boosts the chance to win a trip to Thailand.
In the wake of the unrest, the state Tourism Authority of Thailand has cut its target for arrivals this year to 13 million from 15.5 million and slashed its revenue target by a fifth to $14.8 billion.
The Tourism Council of Thailand, a private sector body, has also cut its target of arrivals to 13 million from 16 million.
Thousands set off from the Gulf states annually on the eight-hour flight.
Although 54 people have been killed and over 400 injured since May 14 normality is starting to shine through with government offices and schools reopening.
Thousands of volunteers, including hundreds of high school students, descended on the commercial district with brooms and garbage bags, carting away refuse and scrubbing graffiti off the walls. "It's very upsetting, it was a nightmare in Bangkok," said one student, "I am sad but we will bring it back to life."
Whether tourism bounces back fully will depend on the extent of future protests by the red shirts, mainly rural and urban poor, who are demanding new elections, claiming the country's current leadership is propped up by the military and a Bangkok elite that has disenfranchised them.
