THE Thai Hotels Association (THA) plans to introduce a 50 per cent room rate discount during next two months to rebound regional markets.

THA president, Mr Prakit Chinamourphong, said the three- to four-star hotels which were members of THA would offer room rate of US$19 to US$99 for the travel trade and consumers from February to March. Main target markets in the region include China, India, the Middle East, Singapore, Hong Hong, South Korea and Japan.

He added shopping centres and tourist attractions in Bangkok and other key destinations also supported the campaign.

In additional, the campaign needs financial support for advertising from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and discounted air tickets from Thai Airways. THA will thus present this tactical proposal to Mr Weerasak Kowsurat, the new chairman of TAT board committee on Wednesday 14.

Since the closure of the gateway airports at the end of last year, hotels in Bangkok have been running 30 to 40 per cent occupancy even during the high season. The tactical campaign is expected to increase occupancy rate by 30 per cent.