Bangkok--27 Feb--Hill & Knowlton Aims to draw tourist shoppers in supporting Bangkok as a world-class shopping and lifestyle destination Aiming to offer a unique shopping experience at the heart of Bangkok, Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association (RSTA) today announced its ‘Do you have a Boarding Pass?’ programme — a collaboration between RSTA and its partners including leading airlines and the district’s shops and restaurants to offer a special discount for tourists and shoppers. The programme lasts for twelve months starting from March 2008 to February 2009. Mr Chai Srivikorn, President of RSTA, said, "The ‘Do you have a Boarding Pass?’ programme is RSTA’s first programme in Thailand to combine maximum retail members and airline participation for the benefit of shoppers and tourists. To strengthen Ratchaprasong position as the leading shopping and lifestyle district in Asia Pacific, we have joined force with our partners consisting of six leading airlines including All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, China Airlines, Gulf Air, Korean Air and Royal Bruni Airlines together with more than 150 participating shops and restaurants from RSTA’s members to offer a special discount for boarding-pass tourist holders. We believe that following the programme's launch even more RSTA shops and restaurants will join in this exciting initiative." More than 150 shops and restaurants from RSTA’s members including Gaysorn, CentralWorld, President Tower Arcade, Erawan Bangkok, and Amarin Plaza, are ready to offer up to 50% discount for the programme's tourist shoppers. Boarding-pass tourist holders presenting their passports are entitiled to receive the discount from every participating store such as wellknown Thai and international fashion and accessories brands Kloset Red Carpet, Senada Theory, Sretsis, Daks, Furla, Moschino, Givenchy, Pendulum, The Best Gems, Jewel & Gems, finest restaurants Xinn Tien Di, C’est Bon, Spa products, home d?cor and collectable arts stores such as Thann Native, Private Collection, Maya Ethnic Craft, and health and beauty stores including ISOPTIK, and HydroHeatlh. "Apart from the other activities we have continuously initiated for tourists the ‘Do you have a Boarding Pass?’ programme is also the RSTA’s most outstanding activity. Since 2002 we have received great cooperation from both the government and the private sector in developing Ratchaprasong district as one of Asia Pacific’s top business centres and world-class shopping and lifestyle destinations. RSTA has continuously organised annual events and activities such as the Taste It All food festival, Christmas Lighting and New Year Countdown to attract the maximum number of tourists," Mr Srivikorn added. Ratchaprasong district is blessed with four distinctive features — luxurious lifestyle, energy and excitement, spirituality, and convenience and safety — all supporting Bangkok's efforts to become a world-class shopping and lifestyle destination." Interested persons are encouraged to visit the website www.ratchaprasong.org or please contact 0-2612-5972 for more information.About Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association (RSTA) Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association or RSTA was officially formed in 2003 and so far has nine members consisting of Amarin Plaza, CentralWorld, Erawan Bangkok, Gaysorn, Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, Holiday Inn Bangkok, Intercontinental Bangkok, Maneeya Center and President Tower Arcade. The association aims to improve and promote Ratchaprasong to be one of Asia and the world’s leading shopping districts. It covers a total area of one million square metres with 600,000 square metres of shopping area and more than 900 retail shops. Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok, Arnoma Hotel, Central Chitlom, Narai Phand and Big C Supercenter Rajdamri are RSTA’s alliance partners in developing the district. The founding of RSTA demonstrates good cooperation between private companies and the government sector to promote Bangkok as a world-class shopping destination. RSTA has worked actively with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) on the district’s development and preservation plan including various physical development and maintenance projects as well as promotional campaigns. Visitors can access more information at www.ratchaprasong.org. For more information please contact: Shutchada Chantarangsu / Orawan Chuenwiratsakul Hill & Knowlton Thailand Tel. 0-2627-3501 Ext. 109 , 212 Mobile phone 0-8-1810-1959 Email: [email protected]