<div id="subtitle">Vodka and lemongrass: Thai tourism authorities unveil new cocktail to entice tourists</div><div><p>Cuba's got the Mojito. There's the Singapore Sling and the Manhattan. Thailand hopes a newly created drink called "Siam Sunrays" will enter the world's cocktail lexicon and help draw tourists back to the country.</p><p>The Tourism Authority of Thailand unveiled the drink Thursday, calling it "Thailand in a glass — the new punch in Thai tourism."</p><p>The cocktail consists of a shot of vodka, coconut liqueur, a dash of chili pepper and sugar, lime juice, a few slivers of lemongrass and ginger — shaken not stirred, then strained into a glass — with ice and soda water.</p><p>It's the latest strategy to revive Thailand's key tourism industry, which was battered by political protests last year that culminated in a weeklong shutdown of Bangkok's two main airports. The airport seizure stranded more than 300,000 travelers at the start of the peak holiday season, dealing a devastating blow to Thailand's tourist-friendly image.</p><p>"Successful signature drinks are one way to fast-track holiday destinations onto the world tourism map," the tourism authority said in a joint statement with the Thai Hotels Association.</p><p>Siam Sunrays was the winner of a competition sponsored by the two agencies to create a national cocktail.</p><p>"Thailand's new signature drink is based on very Thai ingredients," the statement said, adding that the drink was now available at hotels and resorts across the country.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=43170733&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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