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Monday, October 13, 2008

Thailand 's youngest minitry

The OTOP Tourism Villages Project is being developed by Thailand 's youngest ministry, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. Formed in the latter haft of 2002, the Ministry is moving ahead with and an energetic programme designed to maintain and upgrade the quality of Thai tourism. local products and destinations.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has cabinet -level status and the administrative and operational powers to address issues relate to infrastructure controls and legislative matters. Its main focus is ensuring that Thailand remains a high quality and sustainable tourism destination.

The Tourism Authority to Thailand (TAT) come under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and is in charge of international and domestic marketing. Within the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, specific responsibility for tourism and hence for the OTOP Tourism Villages project has been given to a unit called the Office of Tourism Development.

In practical working terms this means that the Ministry of Tourism and Sports is responsible for setting policies and strategic action plans as well as working with the public and private sectors to ensure their effective implementation. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is also responsible for training programmes, using information technology in the administration and management of tourism, and working with other government ministries as well as local administrative organisations, and private and community groups to ensure the development of sustainable tourism.

The office of Tourism Development has been responsible for developing the first eight OTOP Tourism Villages. each of which is a noted OTOP producer, into viable tourism destinations.The Villages are

1. Ban Thawai in the Chiang Mai

2. Doi Mae Salong in Chiang Rai

3. Ban Dan Kwian in Nakhon Ratchasima

4. Ban Ko Kret in Nonthaburi

5. Ban Khiriwong in Nakhon Si Thammarat

6. Ban Bang Chao Cha in Ang Thong

7. Ban Don Kaidee in Samut Sakhon

8. Ban Aranyik in Ayutthaya.

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