Bangkok is expected to be the Number One city for international visitor arrivals in the year 2013, welcoming 15.98 million tourists from all over the world. This forecast by MasterCard tips Bangkok to overtake New York City, London and Paris which have reigned among top three spots for many years. This is in line with several other awards and recognitions by publications, print and online, and travel websites during recent years.

A good portion of this number will certainly be incentive achievers, meeting attendees, conventioneers and other business-related travelers. It is a proven fact that Bangkok draws higher number of participants if it is selected the destination for the travel programs and events.

Planners of any event often look for unique and special features for their programs as many participants will have already visited the City of Angels of the orient, since some 65% of visitors to Thailand are repeaters, an enviable fact to other destinations.

Among the uniquely Thai attributes is Thai Cuisine, which can be experienced at a Thai Cooking Class on offer with great popularity not only in Bangkok but also at all major destinations in Thailand. Thai Cooking can be offered as accompanying persons program or an interactive team bonding activity for the entire group, when a light competition is built in.

Muaythai or Thai Boxing is another prominent indigenous treasure from the country. This unique martial art has taken the extreme sport world by storm, and competitions are organized around the world, televised and promoted extensively. Muaythai Camps in Bangkok and many other locations have sprung up to meet demands of fitness enthusiasts, young and not so young, male and female who can spend a day, a few days, weeks or months experiencing, learning and training the world's most effective self defence art. Short visit to a camp during an excursion or scavenger hunt or a gala dinner in a boxing stadium can be arranged and will be the highlight of a program.

For those in a competitive and stressful corporate world, Mental Detoxification Program can be a mild but effective inclusion of a travel program. MDP is known to be highly effective in improving health, creativity, productivity & job performance while reducing and eliminating the detrimental effects of stress and anxiety, emotionally and physically. This unique program is essential to all executives, easy to implement and is very cost-effective. Ultimately, it helps one to become a more self reliant and self motivated individual. MDP can be conducted anywhere with total flexibility but is of course highly effective in a relaxing environment of a beach or mountain resort, or a Meditation Walk on serene grounds of a temple.

Thailand has so much more to offer for successful travel programs with unforgettable experiences. Contact CDM for "win win" proposals. 

Bangkok continues to add to its portfolio more facilities and some special accommodation options.

The opulent St. Regis Bangkok enjoys the superb location in elite business and shopping surroundings. The 227 rooms including 51 suites are plushly furnished and complemented with refined amenities expected of truly luxurious hotels. 3 bars & elegant lounges and 3 exceptional restaurants offer special wining and dining experiences. 8 meeting rooms with combined space of 1,515 m2 equipped with latest technology accommodate up to 300 for banquet or 270 for classroom set up meetings, plus smaller meeting spaces. Seemless service is the norm here. The Elemis Spa and outdoor pool with a view are on the 15^th floor for time well spent. Among other things, St. Regis Bangkok upholds the legacy of the Bloody Mary since its creation at the St. Regis NYC in 1934.   

Sofitel So Bangkok is distinguished as an urban design hotel with themed accommodation created around the five elements: Water, Earth, Wood, Metal and Fire. A masterpiece of design collaboration by world renown names, its features offer state of the art technology for today's lifestyle with superb comfort and trendiest everything. Room inventory and categories are 88 So Cosy, 102 So Comfy, 20 So Club, 11 So Studio, 3 So Suite Spa, 5 So Suite, 8 So Lofty and 1 So VIP - all with floor to ceiling windows for great views. 5 innovative restaurants & bars for fine dining, socializing, partying or chilling out. The location across the city's green Lumpini Park adds an enviable advantage. The pillarless Ballroom with InspiredMeetings concept is 380 m2 in area with capacity of 250 for banquet, complemented by 4 Social Rooms and The Box - a 50 m2 glass box suspended in mid-air with creative space for events and small functions. So SPA and So FIT and the infinity pool with a view top the list of essential wares for a hotel of choice.

The Okura Prestige harmoniously combines elegant Japanese style and the charm of Thai hospitality, incorporating the ACS philosophy; Best Accommodation, Cuisine and Service together with the Japanese Wa (harmony) principle, resulting in a 5-star product with unrivalled hospitality, cutting edge technology and luxurious modern comfort. The Okura Prestige is part of the award-winning Park Ventures Ecoplex building in the heart of leading commercial and diplomatic district. 240 guest rooms and suites in the 33-storey building offer impressive views of the city, are luxurious in style, contemporary in design and convenient in modern technology. Food & Beverage offerings include a Michelin Star fine dining as well as the Up & Above all day dining and bar. The Grand Ballroom's 380 m2 area accommodates 200 for banquet and 300 for cocktails, with a supplement of 3 smaller meeting rooms. The Spa and Fitness Centre and on the same floor as the stunning 25m cantilevered infinity pool anchored to the building exterior on the 25th floor.

Play, relax, indulge and reveal amid jet-setters, fashionistas, exotic designs, mystical elements and up-and-coming artists in an innovative spectrum where fashion meets culture. W Bangkok is the city's newest addition to Bangkok's ultra modern hotel scene. 407 rooms and suites comprise 244 Wonderful rooms, 106 Spectacular rooms, 19 Cool Corner rooms, 20 Studio Suites, 2 Fantastic Suites, 10 Marvelous Suites, 1 Wow Suite and 1 Extreme Wow Suite - for the serious WOW-Factor seeker. The adjacent Heritage Building, formerly Russian Embassy, offers 4 Duplex suites. Dining experience is revolutionized with upturned and infused culinary with dynamic redefining of gastronomy at the Kitchen Table whereby WOOBAR comes alive as a literary salon, music lounge, cozy parlor with signature cocktails and favorite drinks. There are over 1,300 m2 of combined event space with the Great Room accommodating 350 for banquets and 400 for receptions. Health and wellbeing are the things at AWAY Spa and SWEAT Fitness Centre.

Definitely a unique sports program, the King's Cup Elephant Polo is on its 11th year taking place in Hua Hin, the "aristocratic" beach destination 2 hours drive west of Bangkok during 12-16 September.

The event starts off with a blessing ceremony followed by tournament matches for 4 days sprinkled with elephant fruit buffets, escalating to the Grand Final Match and trophy ceremony. Spectators can enjoy the matches and visit some attractions in the area such as Hua Hin Hills Vineyard, Sam Roi Yod (300-Mountain Peaks) National Park and Mrigadayavan Summer Palace.

Elephant Polo teams representing Audemars Piguet, King Power, Mercedes Benz, PwC, AmEx, Blue Label and IBM competed in the fun and friendly matches with 3 trained pachyderms a side. Testimonies by those who attended are all of great enjoyment and relaxing discovery of the destination.

Why not convince your sports-minded clients to sponsor or participate in the tournament in 2013?

Hotels in Hua Hin are the Anantara, Dusit Thani, Sheraton Hua Hin, InterContinental, Hyatt Regency and Hilton Hua Hin plus a host of local boutique-style properties.    

Thailand's 3rd largest island, Koh Samui in the Gulf of Siam has gained popularity as an oasis of natural beauty with its white sandy beaches, dazzling coral, luscious lagoons, picturesque waterfalls, swaying coconut trees and crystal clear water. Samui is part of the 80-island archipelago in the Angthong National Marine Park, a kayaking and snorkeling haven. On Samui, most noticeable developments have been a collection of upscale luxurious hotels and resorts with their own distinct characters and features. Small exclusive and high end incentive programs are therefore suitable for this paradise island. Conrad Samui features 80 free standing pool villas with private balconies on the panoramic hill on a secluded location with views of the blue sea. There are 3 restaurants, a lounge, a private wine cellar and a function room full length glass windows and grass lawns breakout with capacity of 65 for meeting and 96 for dinner. The Spa treatments unite contemporary luxury with ancient healing traditions. W Retreat represents the style and sophistication where WOW takes centerstage. The 75 Retreats offer custom-designed interior, private patios and breathtaking views. The adaptable event space accommodates 80 for meetings and 50 for banquet. The Banyan Tree Samui is nestled in a series of cascading terraces on a private hill cove overlooking Lamai Bay in the island's southeastern coast. Accommodation is all villas in Thai style architecture elevated to benefit from the panoramic views. The Events Centre has 2 rooms to accommodate 50 participants, and a board room for 12, then the Ballroom accommodates 120 for banquet. 3 restaurants, one by the beach with sand between your toes, and 2 bars.  The Banyan Tree Spa offers Asian-inspired body and beauty treatments and features The Rainforest, an east and west hydrothermal experience.

Four Seasons Samui's villa accommodations come in several categories and locations, from beachside to hillside, all with luxurious furnishing and features and a private pool. The Khob Fah (edge of horizon) function room with chic decor hosts 40 in theatre style and 40 for banquet set up, with a view of the gulf and nearby islands. 2 restaurants, a beach bar and beachside dining complement the deluxe facilities and the spa offers a wide range of treatments and therapies in the shade of the beach bar or the private verandahs. First of the uber luxury collection on Koh Samui is the Six Senses Samui, set around a gently sloping headland on the northern tip of the island amidst 20 acres of green hillscape. 66 split level villas, all with views, and 52 of which with private infinity-edges pools. Dining On The Hill is the casual restaurant serving all meals and Dining On The Rocks is that post card perfect venue for a memorable evening with new Asian Cuisine topped with a stunning panoramic view.