Date: 08 August 2003

The New York-based Travel+Leisure Magazine, one of the world's most leading travel magazines with a readership of about 950,000 per issue opened to the subscribers to participate in the World's Best Awards Reader's Poll in which participants were asked to name their favorite cities, islands, hotels, tour operators, airlines, cruise lines and car rental agencies. There are nearly 200,000 respondents voting in the poll, providing a definitive guide to the travel sphere as evaluations came from the most perceptive travelers.

According to the poll, Bangkok was named the Best Tourism City in Asia and in the Top 3 World's Best Cities with the score of 87.11 while Hanoi, Hong Kong, Kyoto and Shanghai are among the Top 5 in Asia, respectively.

In addition, The Peninsula Bangkok was named the "World's Best Hotel" while the seven others were also named in the list of the "Top 100 Hotels", including The Oriental Bangkok ranking in the Top Ten, Amnpuri Phuket ranking 12th , The Regent Chiang Mai Resort & Spa with a score of 86.71, The Regent Bangkok, scoring 85.90, the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Tower Bangkok 83.36, and the Shangri-la Bangkok 83.11.

The evaluation of the cities is based on the following characteristics: sights, culture/arts, restaurants/food, people, shopping, and value. While hotels were rated in terms of rooms/facilities, location, service, restaurants/food, value, with optional criteria- for business and for families.

The winners of the 2003 World's Best Awards were honored at a presentation ceremony luncheon held by the Four Seasons Restaurant in New York and at a celebratory party.

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