The northern part of Thailand is becoming less attractive for tourists as its charms as a cultural and arts center are losing its luster, according to a survey by the Tourist Authority of Thailand.

In 2004, only 13 million tourists visited the North, generating some 70 billion baht (1.69 billion US dollars) of earning, which is lagged behind Bangkok with 306 billion (7.3 billion dollars) and the South with 156 billion (3.7 billion dollars), showed the survey.

The tourist industry in the North might have experienced a slowdown since the region's main tourist destinations such as Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai have lost their charm through constant development, Saowaluk Chimada, vice-president of the Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce, was quoted by Sunday's The Nation newspaper as saying.

She added the region's role as a handicrafts manufacturing center has made it more commercial and less cultural authentic.

Saowaluk urged the government to set aside funds to assist tourism-related businesses and organize overseas road-shows to boost tourism in the region.

Cultural tours to temples, museums and other attraction should also be promoted to lure visitors, she said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 16, 2005)