| September 2005 |
Local school
children draw postcards for the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation
The Foundation have launched a new series of ten postcards, featuring
drawings of turtles by school-children. In July this year, the Foundation
organized a drawing contest with the theme “Life of Marine Turtles”, aimed
at creating an environmental awareness among children in the Mai Khao beach
area, including over forty students from Hong Yok and Mai Khao school who
participated in the competition. |
Asia Hotel
group set to lure Indians
As hoteliers are anticipating a business slowdown next year, Asia Hotel
executives hope to pick up the slack by penetrating new markets,
particularly well-heeled, big-spending Indians. Chinese and Indian tourists
are the two largest Asian customer groups, but on average the hotel's Indian
guests -- mostly high-income professionals -- spend more than the Chinese,
said Chookiat Srivatjanapong, general manager of the
Asia Pattaya Beach Hotel. |
Sheraton Grande Laguna
Phuket amongst top 5 resorts in Asia-Pacific
The Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket, part of Starwood’s Luxury Collection
and the largest hotel within Laguna Phuket, has once again been ranked
amongst the top 5 resort hotel’s in Asia-Pacific; this time achieving a
lofty #2 ranking. The 2005 ranking, based on a poll of readers of
Business Traveller Asia-Pacific
magazine, marks the fifth successive year that the hotel has been chosen
amongst the very best on the continent. |
Banyan Tree Spa at The Banyan Tree Phuket
We visited the
Banyan Tree Phuket, on the Andaman Sea in June - the beginning of the
monsoon season in Thailand. The only evidence of this was a very rough surf
and occasional overcast sky. The resort had something for everyone. |
Phuket Vegetarian
Festival
Phuket Island
is marking the introduction to the annual ceremonial vegetarian festival
now, as flags are put up all around the city. Meanwhile the Chinese Ruby
Goddess or Mazofu has been taken to the Navamind ground in the city for
devotees to pay respect. |
Jetstar Asia launch flights to Phuket
Jetstar Asia service 3K 517 will depart from Changi Airport in
Singapore at 7:05am arriving in
Phuket at 7:45am every Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The return
leg will depart Phuket at 8:45am, arriving in Singapore at 11:25am. |
Bangkok Airways expands network gems
Bangkok Airways will add two new routes to their ‘gems of Asia’ services
which will include Japan and
Malaysia links as well as
starting more convenient direct services within Thailand, it was announced
yesterday at their Happiness on the Beach function in
Sydney. |
Phuket Food & Beverage
Show
Phuket Food & Beverage Show and Hotelex Exhibition is planned for October |
Suvarnabhumi Airport
Thai Airways International prepares for First Two Aircraft Landings at new
Suvarnabhumi Airport. |
Le
Royal Méridien Baan Taling Ngam on Koh Samui
Le Royal Méridien Baan Taling Ngam, on the idyllic island of Koh Samui in
Southern Thailand, is offering Thai residents a special promotion that runs
from 20 September until 20 December 2005. |
Banyan Tree Phuket launches
Spa Pool Villa promotion
Banyan Tree Phuket has launched a promotion for its Spa Pool Villas with
prices from US$599+++ per couple per night, inclusive of one complimentary
90-minute couple massage. The promotion is valid until 31 October 2005 and
is subject to a minimum stay of two nights. |
Pattaya: Jewel of the East Coast
Thailand’s east coast, unfolding some 150 kilometers from the mouth of Chao
Phraya river to the Cambodian border, is dotted with beach resorts for all
seasons. Pride of the coast is
Pattaya, once a sleepy fishing village in
1960. Vietnam War in the last decade was a starting point for Pattaya to
spread its beauty and fame to outsiders when thousands of American troops
flooded into its shore and marked her a recreation center and vacation
paradise. |
Thai flavour
Bangkok
has now emerged as the front-line destination for tourists in Asia. The
number of Indians headed for Thailand has been growing at such a fast pace
that airlines have increased the number of flights to this choice tourist
spot that spells urban excitement. Donald Banerjee reports after a recent
visit. |
Dining in Bangkok -
Fogo Vivo
Churrascaria is a laidback kind of barbecue that originated in Brazil and
seems to be spreading like wildfire. The idea is simple: you walk in with
carnivorous intent and let the cuts of meat come to you. |
Don’t forget us – Phi Phi
Phankam Kitithorakul, the Chairman of the Ao Nang Tambon Administration
Organization (OrBorTor), which is responsible for the
Phi Phi Islands,
yesterday called for greater government support because, he believes, the
islands are being overlooked in favor of
Phuket and
Khao Lak. |
Grand Palace
Sightseeing Tour
This coach tour is a 'must see' for all visitors to
Bangkok.
The Grand Palace complex, which includes the Temple of the Emerald Buddha is
unquestionably one of the wonders of the world today. |
More bang for the buck in
Bangkok
For a visit to Bangkok, can you tell me when is the best time of year to go,
whether there are moderately priced but nice hotels near major sites, and if
there is a seaside resort nearby? |
Banyan Tree Bangkok
Banyan Tree Bangkok lies in the heart of exotic Bangkok and enjoys
magnificent views of the vibrant city and legendary rivers. |
Asian tourists favour sun and sand of
Pattaya
Pattaya beach resort, the jaded "old lady" of Thailand's tourism industry,
is witnessing a revival of sorts, demonstrating that a good location, sun,
sand and a spicy night scene are still a winning combination. |
Northern tourism stimulus
Northern Tourist Business Associations from 11 provinces gathered at
Lotus
Pang Suan Kaew Hotel, Chiang Mai August 26-28 to confer on “Industrial
tourist business association in 11 Northern provinces”, joining with
directors of Tourism Authority of Thailand Northern Office Region 1, 2, 3
and 4 and representatives of tour agents in the north region. |
Phuket - Airport bus
service to launch in October
The island is to get a regular bus service between Phuket City and the
airport |
Banyan Tree Phuket is 'Asia's best resort'
Banyan Tree Phuket, Thailand, is Asia's best resort, according to a new
resort and hotel guide published today. The luxury spa resort came out top
in an online poll of over 64,000 travellers for the second edition of Asia's
Best Hotels & Resorts. |
Novotel Beach
Resort Panwa Phuket opens
Accor will officially rebrand the
Panwa Beach Resort to Novotel Beach Resort Panwa, Phuket on 30 September
following the completion of a renovation programme that has upgraded product
and services to Novotel standards. |
Thailand set for property
boom
Adventurous investors are looking east for the latest opportunities, as
research from the Property Investor Show reveals that nearly 15% of property
investors believe that the Far East could present the biggest house price
rises in the next few years. |
