The agency is also attracting French tourists looking to escape the crowds at the Olympics next month.
Release date: June 8, 2024 21:01
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Released in 1999, Nang Nak is one of the most popular Thai ghost stories to be adapted to film in recent years.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has said the country should promote “ghost tourism” for international visitors interested in horror-themed locations, a move that could further boost its “soft power.”
Thai ghosts are a soft power asset and ghost-themed films help promote Thai culture around the world, said Siripakorn Cheasamuth, vice president for Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the US at the Transport Department of Thailand.
Speaking after meeting with the Spanish ambassador to Thailand, he said Spanish tourists are interested in exploring haunted places with intriguing legends.
Despite the large number of potential tourist destinations in the country, the TAT has not officially promoted this aspect of tourism.
Tapanee Kiatpaibool, governor of the Authority of Thailand (TAT), said on Saturday that Thailand’s soft power promotion is successful, with many foreign film and TV production companies considering doing business in Thailand recently.
Tapanee cited season three of HBO’s hit TV series “White Lotus,” which is being shot in Bangkok, Phuket and Koh Samui, and Hollywood blockbuster “Jurassic World 4,” which is due to start filming in Krabi and Trang next week.
She said the latter is expected to generate revenue of more than 650 million baht during its one-month filming period.
In a separate move, TAT announced it would work with French supermarket giant Carrefour to launch Thai tourism packages during the 2024 Olympics, which will be held in France from July 22 to August 11.
Under the slogan “Olympic Getaway”, the campaign aims to attract French nationals to Thailand who may be looking to escape the influx of tourists in their home country during the Olympics.
About 2,000 tour packages have been offered for French tourists, Mr Siripakorn said, adding that he was preparing to work with airlines to allow direct flights from Paris and connecting flights from other airports in the country.
