Each of the five teams of finalists will have six days and five nights in one of five chosen locations (Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Samui and Pattaya), in order to explore and fulfil given assignments: the task for each team is to explore the attractions and activities and then upload pictures, write blogs, and upload videos via numerous sources of online social media. The winning team, the one that gets the most online votes, will receive a cash prize, holiday package, and other prizes worth US $15,000 in total. 

 

More importantly, the purpose of the event is to inspire international travellers to set their feet on Thai soil. 

 

“This campaign will improve the perception on Thailand’s as contestants will see by their own eyes what it is like during their stay; therefore, it promotes an improved understanding amongst international press, especially those of great influence like bloggers, who travellers are more likely to believe. The ultimate goal of this campaign is to encourage and expand Thailand’s virtue and to rebuild confidence in international travellers. 

 

“We have publicized via online media since September 1st 2009 launching a website, stirring interest by means of social media and social networking such as YouTube, Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter. We made a direct marketing approach to travellers through the most reputable traveller websites such as WAYN (where are you now). Strikingly, this campaign has captured the attention of digital travellers because even though only two weeks has passed there have been 52,871 visitors and 16,770 views of the video campaign. These figures are considered the highest numbers since TAT’s first online campaign resulting in approximately 155 teams of applicants to date,” Suraphon Svetasreni, Deputy Governor for Policy and Planning stated.