Thailand Casts a Wide Net for Diverse Tourists (Including Gays & Muslims)

THE NEW YORK TIMES
By Thomas Fuller

The Silom district of Bangkok, which is popular with gay men.

THAILAND---Tolerance, the Thais have learned, is good for business. In recent advertising and marketing campaigns, the government here in “the land of smiles” has actively gone after categories of tourists that for reasons of political sensitivity or outright discrimination are shunned in some neighboring countries. It is the only Asian country, travel industry analysts say, that has a government-sponsored campaign — “Go Thai. Be Free.” — aimed at gay and lesbian travelers. Thailand, which is overwhelmingly Buddhist, is also marketing itself to Muslims.  [link]