What makes you smile about Thailand? Winner of the #ThaiMillionSmiles Sweepstakes Announced!

Jun 20, 2018Apr 23, 2019 • Uncategorized

The #ThaiMillionSmiles social movement sparked a community of Thailand admirers to get vocal about why they love the country, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand could not be happier to see how fans showed their gratitude and love for the destination!

The campaign encouraged users to post on Instagram what made them smile about Thailand as part of a collaborative partnership and social sweepstakes by TAT and Operation Smile. Photo submissions were entered on Instagram for a chance to win a free trip to the Land of Smiles, as well as to support the children who benefit from Operation Smile, which provides free surgical care for children born with cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities.

Seeing posts filled with beautiful smiles and touching captions made TAT so grateful for the growing community of people enamored with Thailand. Through this campaign and all of the beautiful submissions, the Tourism Authority of Thailand can “[share] our bliss with all the children in need” said Charinya Kiatlapnachai, Director of TAT New York. Joined by celebrity ambassadors, including TV personality and fashion photographer Nigel Barker, and actor and star of CW’s Vampire Diaries Michael Trevino, TAT and Operation Smile alike are committed to helping smiles across the globe.

After countless submissions, TAT is happy to announce Abby Knisley as the Grand Prize Winner! Her post (which included a 10-picture gallery!) was inspiring. In addition to the Grand Prize, TAT has contributed to Operation Smile in Abby’s honor.

Traveling to Thailand alone, suddenly, forever changed my life. I quickly overcame my fear of being alone in a foreign country for 2 weeks where I didn’t speak the language, didn’t know where I was going, or how to even get there. Suddenly, it became easier to do anything in life that scared me. Thailand made me strong, brave, fearless, and so appreciative to be able to experience all of its beauty. I have never felt as alive as I did while I was there. (And I clearly learned how to take a killer selfie 😉) #thaimillionsmiles

A post shared by Abby Knisley ✌🏻💕🌍 (@abbyknisley) on Mar 22, 2018 at 7:13pm PDT

TAT also received many other fantastic pictures and comments. Take a look at other memorable messages below about Amazing Thailand:

Smiling from ear to ear. 😁 There is nothing like connecting with another soul.🐘 I gained a new spirit animal today. Coming to Thailand has opened my eyes to the true beauty of exploring the unknown. My life will forever be changed. Always remember we are all connected! I can’t wait to come back! 🙂 . . . #blessed #backpacking #travelphotography #kanta #chiangmai #thailand #elephantsanctuary #travel #thailandgram #amazingexperience #worldbstsky #amazing #landscapes #instatravel #roamer #travelblogger #nature #animalencounter #animalplanet #travelchannel #vice #thailandinsider #animalsofinstagram #thewanderingtourist #ig_fotogramers #ig_nature #thailanddestiny @kanta_elephant_sanctuary #thaimillionsmiles @tourismthailand

A post shared by Ross the Roamer (@rosstheroamer) on Nov 20, 2017 at 3:38pm PST

What makes me smile when I think of Thailand? Helping others, learning new skills, realizing that although we live two completely different worlds we are able to understand one another and that we are not so different after all. We all wish to be happy in life. This picture was when I went on my second solo mission trip to Thailand! This is what makes me happy. This is what makes smile. Oh and of course, Fifi too. How I miss her 🇹🇭 #thaimillionsmiles #chiangmai

A post shared by Kelley Ann (@whereiskelley) on May 23, 2018 at 6:07pm PDT

Simple Tea house breakfast puts a smile on my face every time . Maggi sauce eggs, crustless steamed white bread with thai tea custard, oil laden french toast, sunny side up eggs with chinese sausage and leg ham and a free flowing tea. Seeing how the better half eat and I think they’re onto something #onlokyun #bangkok #bangkokfood #thailand #teahouse #ThaiMillionSmiles

A post shared by Linda Nguyen (@lindaanguyen_) on Mar 14, 2018 at 7:51pm PDT

To #ThaiMillionSmiles: There is no phrase more fitting to this beautiful land than ‘one of a million smiles.’ Behind every one is pure love, selflessness, and a strong willingness to share its fascinating culture. I initially came here to explore, but left with a greater understanding of what is important: Cherishing the life we lead and striving for positive connection to everything around us. Until next time. ☀ . . . #elephant #thailand #chiangmai #passionpassport #lonelyplanet #travel #worlderlust #artofvisuals #getlost #discoverearth #travelphoto #travelworld #keepexploring #globe_travel #exploretheglobe #nakedplanet #instapassport #instatraveling #igtravel #mytravelgram #travelingram #sharetravelpics #worldtravelpics #earthfocus #internationalhappinessday

A post shared by McKayla (@mmkaykay) on Mar 20, 2018 at 7:58pm PDT

Last year my whole family came together since a very long time, because it had been so many years we all felt like this was the first priority….. because our family is spread over the whole world it was difficult but not impossible…. And finally in april the moment was there… we began our trip… and we were speachless….not only because we hadn’t seen our family in a long time but also we got to know an amazing piece of the world…. we had no idea that there was a place so special and so pure which you can’t describe with words! We met so many purely kind people and the purest form of food and nature that it blew our minds…. not only we got so lucky to have this amazing experience but also we found our happy place… this was a once in a lifetime experience… i have never seen my mom so truely happy and alive, to see her like this made me so blessed and it putted the biggest smile on my face! Unfortunatly i can’t afford to take her there again by myself so this is why i share this with the world….#thaimillionsmiles @nigelbarker @thailandinsider ☀

A post shared by Anne Eva (@anne_eva_p) on Apr 26, 2018 at 8:03am PDT

Thank you to Operation Smile and our celebrity ambassadors for being a part of this movement and supporting this wonderful cause. A special thank you to all who participated and shared their touching captions. Congratulations again to Abby, we can’t wait to welcome you to Amazing Thailand!

You can follow @ThailandInsider on all platforms to be the first to learn about other upcoming sweepstakes and fun events with TAT!