Providing skills-based volunteering to help local businesses preparing to welcome tourists back into Thailand’s bustling capital.
BANGKOK – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) applauded digital travel platform Agoda, through its network of volunteers, for their tourism-related initiative aimed at helping local tourism businesses in Bangkok’s Talat Noi community to prepare to welcome back tourists.
Mr. Siripakorn Cheawsamut, TAT Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications, said, “Community-based tourism is an important element of the various Thailand tourism experiences on offer to visiting travellers, and TAT is delighted that Agoda is involved in further enhancing the promotion of tourism in the Talat Noi community.”
Through a partnership with TAT and HiveSters, a social enterprise that aims to preserve and help Thai culture flourish by empowering local masters, Agoda brought volunteers from its Bangkok office to Talat Noi on Tuesday, 22 February and Friday, 25 February.
Over the two days, the volunteers shared their technology, photography, marketing, and design skills with the local community.
Mr. Greg Wong, Agoda Managing Director, said, “Through this initiative, Agoda’s team in Bangkok offered a diverse range of skills, backgrounds, and experiences and provided guidance, support, and ideas to help these small to mid-sized enterprises in Talat Noi to flourish.”
Situated along the famed Chao Phraya River between Yaowarat (Bangkok’s Chinatown) and Bang Rak, Talat Noi – meaning ‘little market’ – is a charming neighbourhood of quaint shophouses and tiny winding streets with a character all of its own. Talat Noi is known for its food vendors and cultural activities, while street art is beginning to make an appearance in the area along with more hostels that are popping up.
The Talat Noi volunteer days followed similar outings where Agoda volunteers helped plant trees in Chiang Mai, and cleaned Bangkok’s Khlong Lat Phrao and Phuket beaches as part of the series of #MyPledge clean events. Similar activities have also been held in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Indonesia.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
