Holidays In Thailand

The Secrets of the Andaman Coast

2011-01-28T08:44:00.000Z

Along the western side of Thailand lies the Andaman Coast. This is a popular area for many visitors to see, not least because it has many attractions to share along its coastline.

Perhaps one of the biggest attractions of the Andaman Coast is its chameleon like nature. You can find many different characters along its length, one of which is Phuket. This lies at the southern end of the Andaman Coast, providing an excellent starting point if you want to start here and travel up the coast to see what it has to offer.

Don’t miss out on the Phang Nga bay, which was fortunate enough to be chosen as the site for Scaramanga’s hideout in ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’, one of the most famous James Bond films. Indeed Ao Phang Nga is a national park in its own right, giving you another slice of great landscape to explore while you are making your way along the Andaman Coast.

It is perfectly possible to spend the whole of your Thailand holiday based somewhere along this coastline. But you would be well advised to take the time to explore as much of it as you can. To this end you could find it easier to have a multi-centre holiday that allows you to see several locations during your stay in Thailand.

Krabi is another example of a good place to visit while you are travelling along this coastline. It isn’t far from the bay mentioned above, and in actual fact you can also see Phi Phi Island while you are there. This is another much loved part of Thailand that you’ll love. As you can see there is much to look forward to along this coastline, so it might be worth basing your trip to Thailand in this area. If you do you will be able to enjoy all that it has to offer, and stay in a variety of locations at the same time. It is certainly a part of Thailand that is unmissable, and not just because part of it has appeared in a James Bond film.

Chumphon – What Does It Have To Offer?

2010-12-30T07:55:00.002Z

Thailand has many incredible areas that are worth seeing. But you will need to go into the southern reaches of the country to explore Chumphon. This is a province that contains many other destinations and locations worth seeing, and as such you need to narrow down the actual area you want to stay in if you select Chumphon as the base for your Thailand holiday.

Chumphon is a popular spot for many holidaymakers to choose because it benefits from a seaside location. With well over one hundred miles of beaches to explore you can see how good it is as a holiday destination for lots of people. There are plenty of hotels dotted along its length so whatever type of accommodation you are looking for, you are bound to find something that is just right for you. Chumphon certainly doesn’t want for beaches, or for holidaymakers to fill them up.

In fact the beaches are the main attraction here, no matter which part of this province you decide to opt for. Many people choose to base their Thailand holiday in Chumphon simply because it is more laid back than some other areas of Thailand. This could be the ideal choice for a two centre holiday if you want one part to be a more laid back and relaxing one.

Chumphon is also well connected to other parts of Thailand, which is ideal if you want to go for the two centre idea. You won’t have any problems getting to or from Chumphon, thanks to its network of connections to other parts of the country.

As you can see, Chumphon is the place to head for if you want to indulge in some of the best beaches that Thailand has to offer. Water sports are plentiful in this region, and people looking for one of the best beach holidays on offer cannot help but fall in love with everything that Chumphon has to see. You will want to look more closely at all the hotels, apartments and other accommodations in the area, so you too can delight in a holiday based in Chumphon.

The Ang Thong Marine National Park

2010-11-30T15:36:00.002Z

Whenever you hear about a national park you tend to think of a relatively small area contained within a country or region. You certainly don’t think about a group of islands, all within the Gulf of Thailand.

But this is exactly what the Ang Thong Marine National Park is – a group of islands all huddled together, forming what could reasonably be called a slice of paradise. It is no wonder the islands are formally ‘closed’ every year for November and most of December, reopening the day before Christmas Eve. This allows the islands to replenish their natural resources, so they are not damaged or harmed by the people who visit for the remainder of the year.

The islands themselves offer many spectacular sights and experiences to behold. You will be amazed at how profound the place is, especially when you discover the depth and breadth of the wildlife, flora and fauna that is here. Generally speaking you can visit the national park on a day trip. A guided tour is the best option because it will ensure you see all the best parts of the park, without missing out on anything crucial. There are also camping sites in various places and on some of the islands though, so make sure you explore all the possibilities first so you can ensure you get the best out of your time in the national park.

Nature trails are many and varied on the islands, including those of Wua Talap Island and Phi Island. If you are booking a tour via a travel agent make sure you ask about all the potential routes and tours you could go on. This will enable you to plan the best option for you.

Of course you can also expect some sensational beaches on islands such as these. One of the best examples is Ao Kha. This is a smaller island in the group but it is equally worth visiting.

So you can see that this particular national park is rather unlike any other you may have visited – all of which makes it a must see location to go to.

The Cool Season is Hot in Thailand!

2010-11-01T15:52:00.000Z

Of course when we say ‘hot’ we mean hot in terms of it being somewhere crucial to go. We don’t mean the weather – because between November and February the weather in Thailand is rather more palatable and tolerable than it can be at other times of the year.

Now it may be November already – albeit only just – but it doesn’t mean you can’t consider the idea of booking a late holiday to Thailand. Alternatively you could start looking for potential holiday destinations for early in 2011. It all depends on what you want from a holiday and how badly you want to go there to get one.

Don’t let the phrase ‘the cool season’ fox you though. Generally speaking it could also be called the ‘more bearable’ season. Many people find the summer months too hot to handle, particularly if they aren’t used to going to such a location. If this is your first trip to Thailand you will probably fare better if you go during the cooler months.

Be sure to do some research before you book anything though. Heavy rains hit many areas towards the end of October so you may want to wait a while before booking your ideal trip there. It’s the perfect time to plan ahead for next year though. The cooler weather doesn’t come to an end until the end of February so you can see you’ve got four whole months to plan for what could be a memorable trip to some part of Thailand.

Which begs another question – whereabouts should you stay? The answer depends on whether you’re looking for culture or simply a good day at the beach. For many people the best solution is a bit of both. A good beach location that isn’t too far from one of the main cities is an ideal way to get the best of both worlds.

So you see it’s perfectly possible to stay cool in Thailand if you plan your trip for the right time of year. And we’re heading into that precise time period right now, so make the most of it.

Good Reasons To Visit Khao Lak

2010-09-30T12:21:00.002Z

Certain places in Thailand are quite well known for various reasons – think of Phuket and Bangkok for example. But would you add a place called Khao Lak to that list?

Granted, it may not seem very familiar to you now. You’ve probably not come across the name before at all, unless you happen to know someone who has been there already. But if you choose to go there yourself you will never forget the place, thanks to the experience it can give you.

So why should Khao Lak be at the top of your destination list for Thailand if you have never heard of it? If you take a look at some pictures of their beach you probably won’t need much more convincing to pay a visit. This destination may not be well known at the moment, but you will find yourself hoping it stays that way.

It has a reasonably large beach and it is quite deep too, enjoying beautifully soft sands that melt beneath your feet. Don’t expect too much in the way of facilities here though, as Khao Lak is not yet part of the thriving Thailand tourist industry. However this can be a plus as well as a minus, depending on which way you look at it. If you want a crowded beach that is heaving with tourists you should go elsewhere. Khao Lak can offer you a quieter and more relaxing time if you are prepared to take provisions with you.

There are places to stay nearby too, so if it’s a quiet and peaceful holiday you have in mind, this could be the ideal base for you. It is not so good for a family holiday though, which should appeal to those who want a quieter time!

It may seem hard to believe now but Khao Lak was a heavy casualty in the tsunami that struck a few years ago. Thankfully the region recovered and today you wouldn’t know that the beach and its surroundings were largely ruined back then. This seems to make Khao Lak all the more precious, and it is definitely worthy of appreciation in many ways.

Visiting Chinatown In Bangkok

2010-09-01T14:48:00.000Z

Every city has its charms and must see areas, and with Bangkok you can definitely add Chinatown to that list.

In order to enter Chinatown in the proper way you should head for the Odeon Circle. This is where you will spot the huge gate that marks the official entrance to Chinatown. The gate is large, red and very attractive, and it certainly warrants a picture before you go into the heart of Chinatown itself.

The size of the Chinese community varies in many cities, but Bangkok can certainly lay claim to a significant area to call its own Chinatown. If you happen to stumble across it while exploring other parts of Bangkok you will immediately see how different it is. In some ways it has shunned parts of modern society, as some of the practices here date back to the 1700s. It provides you with a fascinating visit to say the least.

You shouldn’t expect to have a relaxing time while you are in this area, although that is arguably part of its charm. If you can stand the heat and the constant activity that thrives all around you, you’ll love Bangkok’s Chinatown. It truly is an amazing experience that you’ll never be likely to forget. You can enjoy some serious shopping here too, and there is certainly no shortage of things to buy.

Check out the Sampaeng Lane too, because this is one of the main areas for market stalls. They are tightly packed together in a lane that does not allow for cars to pass. This means you can wander round and check out each stall as you find it. Half of the joy is in never quite knowing what you will find to buy. Some say you can buy whatever you like – you just have to know where to look for it!

Finally, if you have expensive tastes you might like to frequent some of Chinatown’s gold shops too. There are lots of them in this area of Bangkok, although there must surely be only a small percentage of people flush enough to make a visit worthwhile.

Visiting The Famous Bridge Over The River Kwai

2010-08-02T07:29:00.003Z

We’re all aware of the title of the film that made this bridge famous and brought it to attention in front of a much wider audience. But there is more here to be learned as well. To see the film is to scrape the surface of what actually happened, and if you visit Thailand you will have the opportunity to see the bridge itself.

The bridge is made from black iron, and it does indeed cross the River Kwai. It was constructed by prisoners of war back in World War II, and it was transported from Java under the supervision of the Japanese.

But while this bridge is still used by many people today, it is not quite the same bridge as was seen and built during the war. It was frequently under attack during World War II and this meant it sustained heavy damage. This led to a rebuilding effort taking place during the years after the war. If you visit the bridge today you will not be seeing the original. Only the end sections on either side remain from the original structure; the rest was rebuilt following the end of the war. However it still retains an air of mystery, drama and intrigue as you stand and imagine what it must have been like to construct it and heave it into place all those years ago.

The bridge has trains running across it regularly and you can get one of these trains to cross it yourself. The railway goes by the dramatic name of Death Railway, Kanchanaburi is the area you want to head for, but remember that while it is best known for the bridge itself, it has other sights and sounds you should experience as well.

There is a museum at Hellfire Pass for example, which is worth seeing as you can learn a lot more about the history of the area. As you can imagine there are memories, memorials and stories galore to be discovered, so make sure you uncover the true story of the Bridge on the River Kwai while you are in Thailand.

Island Bliss For The Kids In Phuket

2010-07-02T13:06:00.000Z

Do you find it easy to entertain the kids when you are on holiday each year? They can be pretty hard to tire out at times, and since they have an insatiable appetite for excitement it can be tricky to keep them amused all the time.

But as destinations go, Phuket in Thailand is a good choice if you do indeed want to entertain them in lots of different ways. Trail biking would be a good bet for starters, and of course this is an activity the whole family can enjoy as well. You can tackle half or full day rides and opt for the north or the south of the island. The south seems to be the best bet if you don’t want too many hills to contend with.

Many of these rides are proper tours with experienced guides, so you can look forward to learning more about Phuket without having to worry about getting lost. There are plenty of tours which take in villages, towns and the beach as well, so you really do get to see a lot. And since most kids love biking anyway they will love being challenged by the ride the whole way.

In fact Phuket can be an ideal destination for a more active holiday with the whole family as well. You can hop on the back of an elephant and take a ride, which the kids are sure to love. This is really only suitable for older kids though, so bear this in mind.

But if organised tours appeal to you, you might want to try out a canoe tour as well. There is no effort required here either, since your canoe is actually a kayak and you have a guide who takes charge of it for you. You will get to sit back and enjoy the surroundings as you find out more about various parts of Phuket.

In short, this is one part of Thailand that is absolutely ideal for families to go with their kids. If you are constantly in need of entertainment for them, you won’t fall short here.

Exploring The Opium Museum

2010-06-02T13:03:00.003Z

It might seem very strange to want to spend part of your holiday in Thailand exploring a museum that is dedicated to the subject of opium. But if you think you know anything at all about opium, this museum might prove you actually know a lot less than you think. This is one of the most unusual and fascinating museums in the world, so if you are in Thailand you should definitely consider giving it a try.

The Thai Excise Department can be thanked for providing the museum with some of its exhibits. This department seized plenty of goods over the years when opium dens were at their height, and now we can learn from them and discover more about the opium trade than we thought we ever would.

Baan Sop Ruak is the small village where this museum resides, and it lies in the region of the Golden Triangle. Smuggling was rife in this area for many years, so it is perhaps fitting that the museum should find its home here.

But this isn’t just a chance to find out more about the more recent times in smuggling history. Opium comes from poppies and as you explore the museum you will learn more about the poppies themselves, as well as finding out more about how the trade in opium developed through time. As such your visit may prove to be a lot more educational than you might expect, as you discover many of the secrets that the opium trade gives up during your exploration.

Many previous visitors have said they learned a lot from the museum; those who were doubtful of its worthiness as a visitor attraction were pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed the experience.

In addition to this it provides you with a great opportunity to find out more about northern Thailand itself. It is always good to learn more about a particular country, and while this is the unglamorous side of Thailand it is still worth discovering all you can about it.

As far as museums go, this has to be one of the most surprising, educational and eye opening ones Thailand has to offer.

Waterfalls In Thailand?

2010-05-04T14:43:00.002Z

Whatever you think of when Thailand comes to mind, it’s fair to say that waterfalls probably aren’t near the top of your list. You might be surprised therefore to realise there are waterfalls of particular note that are located in Erawan National Park.

Not surprisingly they enjoy the name of the Erawan Waterfalls. The word erawan comes from Hindu mythology, and relates to a white elephant with three heads. It is said that the seventh section of the waterfalls looks like this mythical elephant, which is why they have earned the name of the Erawan Falls.

There are seven tiers to the falls in all, and you can explore them all when you gain entry to the Erawan National Park. While there are other things to see and do within the park there is no doubt that the waterfalls are the biggest draw when it comes to pulling in the visitors. The falls themselves are located in the jungle, and since the seven tiers are not all located in the same area you can enjoy the experience of trekking through the jungle to find them.

Luckily there is a well worn footpath which leads to all the falls in turn, so you won’t have any trouble locating them. The falls are understandably very busy at the peak times of the year, so this isn’t the quietest or most serene venue you could visit. But with surroundings of real beauty and the chance to swim in the pools that the waterfalls plunge into as well, there is no reason why you shouldn’t head for the park while you are in Thailand.

The Erawan National Park is to the west of Thailand, north-west of Bangkok and to the south of Kanchanaburi. You can catch buses from Kanchanaburi if you wish, but make sure you leave early as you won’t want to spend anything less than a day at the National Park itself. This is an experience you won’t forget in a hurry, since it offers the chance to explore the jungle, witness plunging waterfalls and swim in freshwater pools as well.

Sukhothai Historical Park

2010-04-02T13:00:00.001Z

You can learn a lot about a country by visiting its many towns and cities. But you can learn still more by paying a visit to some of the parks and green open spaces each country has as well.

A classic example of this comes in the form of the Sukhothai Historical Park in Thailand. The fact that it is called a historical park and not a national park gives away some of the secrets you will discover there. Another clue comes from the fact that this is a World Heritage Site as deemed by UNESCO.

Sukhothai itself is now in ruins, its glory years stemming from way back in the 13th century onwards. But there is still enough to show us what life was like there back then, and the ruins are very ordered and smart looking even today. It might seem difficult to imagine the word ‘smart’ being used to describe ruins from many centuries ago. But take a look at a photo of the ruins of Wat Mahathat in Sukhothai and you will see what we mean.

The old walls of the city are still in place and many of the most notable ruins can be found inside these walls. You can wander around for hours soaking up the atmosphere and there is really nothing quite like it anywhere else in Thailand. This is certainly a site to be appreciated and you will learn a lot about the old Sukhothai, as there is also a much newer city which takes the same name. The differences between them could hardly be more pronounced however.

So how many ruins can you expect to see here in total? If you are expecting a mere handful of stunning sights you can up that number by quite a bit. Try 193 for size – this is how many ruins you have to appreciate while you are there. It is quite amazing and some people take a bike to get around the ruins more quickly.

Wat Mahathat may be the biggest sight of them all, but there are plenty more just waiting to be discovered by you on your visit to Thailand. Which one will you see first?

Try Elephant Trekking In Thailand

2010-03-03T10:16:00.002Z

There is no doubting the majesty and grace of the elephant. And if you are travelling to Thailand on holiday in the near future, you will have the chance to see them a lot closer than you ever have before.

Elephant trekking is a popular excursion to go on in Thailand. The elephants are trained carefully to provide this experience for tourists. They are used to walking around villages and various other locations so you can see them from a different angle. If you are slightly nervous of climbing up onto the back of an elephant, don’t be – they typically have seats on the back which make them very easy to sit on.

Some caution is of course required when you are thinking about trying elephant trekking. For example all elephants have handlers whom they are used to. Make sure you never go near any of the elephants unaccompanied because they may see you as a threat. These tours are quite safe provided you follow all the rules and apply some good natured common sense, so just bear that in mind.

The best elephant trekking opportunities are those which have been around for a long time. Unfortunately some people exploit the animals and this does not do them any good at all. That’s why you must do your bit to find elephant trekking companies that have been established for a long time, as they will take good care of the elephants.

There is no doubt that trekking in this way offers an altogether different side of Thailand for you to see. For starters you are riding high up and you have a unique angle to benefit from. Make sure you strap your camera around your wrist and make good use of it to fill up your photo album when you get back home.

You can spend as long as you like trekking in this way. Some tourists opt for an hour long experience initially, and then opt for a whole day out elephant trekking once they realise just how good it really is. Could you be one of them?

Visiting Doi Suthep

2010-02-01T12:25:00.002Z

Every country has its own beliefs and religions that are more prevalent than others. And in Thailand you will find many Buddhist temples that point to the beliefs that are inherent in this country.

And if you want to see one of these temples during your stay in Thailand, be sure you don’t miss Doi Suthep. Its proper name is Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, as Doi Suthep is actually a mountain. But people refer to it by its shortened name quite often. Just be careful that if you ask for directions you make sure you refer to the temple itself rather than the mountain.

One thing worth knowing when you are in Thailand is that the other two names – Wat Phrathat – can be seen several times. You will often come across temples that bear these two names. Basically they mean that the temple has relics of Buddhism inside, so as soon as you read the name of a temple you will know what to expect once you step inside.

The temple itself is reached via a long flight of stairs. On either side of the stairs themselves there is a dragon – make sure you take some photos of these to take back home with you.

The stairs seem to go on forever but the journey is worth it – as you will see when you reach the top and see the first few buildings of the temple. You won’t find it difficult to buy a few souvenirs of your visit to Doi Suthep, since there are plenty of sellers in the area by the temple who sell all kinds of things.

Remember as you go inside the temple you will have to take your shoes off. Look out for the Chedi, one of the most famous sights of Doi Suthep. Not only is it very big, it is also made from gold on the outside, and it is quite a sight in itself.

Be prepared to spend several hours wandering around and taking in the many sights of Doi Suthep. Many have to be seen to be believed.

Have You Found Siam Ocean World Yet?

2009-12-17T08:17:00.002Z

If you have never been to Thailand before, make sure your first visit takes in Bangkok. This is where you will find Siam Ocean World and it is well worth stumbling over!

You may even end up finding it on a shopping trip, because it is situated in one of the most unlikeliest positions you could imagine. Head for the Siam Paragon shopping mall and you will see what we mean. It is actually located in the basement of the mall, so you really can go out and do two completely different things in the same building.

So what can you expect to find in Siam Ocean World?

Well to begin with there are seven totally distinct areas to explore when you arrive. One of these is called Sea Jellies, which is perhaps the most unlikely name for a zone that you could think of. The one thing they all have in common is the ability to introduce you to all kinds of different sea living creatures – including many you will not be familiar with.

Ocean World is separated into two levels so you can expect to spend a few hours here exploring all that it has to offer. One thing you cannot fail to be impressed with is the scale of the place – the viewing areas are huge and you will be able to see more than you had perhaps bargained for in many cases.

You can see giant water rats (yes there really is such a thing), rays and of course sharks. All of these are great draws and bring the people flocking to see them. But perhaps the greatest feature of all is the long tunnel which enables you to walk underneath all of these creatures and see them up close. And if you are up for the ultimate experience you can even try a supervised dive into the tank itself to get about as close as it is possible to get.

As you can see, a visit to Siam Ocean World gives you a lot more than you may have bargained for. Enjoy!

Unmissable Bangkok – The Grand Palace

2009-10-19T09:15:00.000Z

Every city has its unmissable sights, and Bangkok is no different in that respect. So no matter where else you decide to go while you are there, the Grand Palace should be high up on your list of places to visit.

The Palace itself sounds like a single building, but its name is misleading. It is actually the name for a whole host of buildings created in the one space. Hence it is quite a sight to see, especially from a distance. The many spires and roofs all combine to make a distinctive mark on the skyline of the Thailand city.

As you would expect from a Palace like this, the King of Thailand used to live here. But that isn’t the case any more. It has been some decades since the King of Thailand has taken up permanent residence here.

Even though that is the case, you shouldn’t expect to see virtually all of the Palace buildings. Less than half of the location is available to look round, though that should be plenty to keep you occupied during your visit. Ironically if there is anything about the Grand Palace that will surprise you, it is the size. It does live up to its name in every sense of the word.

It is over two hundred years old too, and seeing the detail and dedication that went into the making of the Palace is something to remember for a long time afterwards. This is a building to be respected, as are the rules that surround any use of or admission to it. You might be on holiday but shorts and vest tops will not be tolerated. You must cover up – and that includes socks as well. It might sound strange but remember that this building also has religious connections so don’t underestimate what you need to do in order to see the inside.

Of course there is plenty to see outside as well, such as the statue of the half man, half bird called a Kinnara. This is just one of the many sights you won’t want to miss while you are marvelling at the delights of the Grand Palace, Bangkok.

National Science Museum Thailand

2007-07-24T09:07:00.000Z

19 July 2007

The Science Museum is located in Pathum Thani, north of Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand. It is the first museum that was opened under the management of the National Science Museum organization (NSM), and aims to involve its visitors in the excitement of science, ultimately to increase the public understanding of science and technology.

Through the use of interactive exhibits and everyday examples, visitors can see the links between science and technology that are present in nearly every aspect of our lives. By looking at examples close to home, science becomes more familiar and exciting.

The objective of the new traveling exhibition project of the museum is to reach out to audiences that are located in remote areas across the country and deliver hands-on science experiences not just those who visit the National Science Museum. Now, the museum takes this interactive exhibition on the road, spreading the fun of science throughout Thailand to schools, science clubs and organizations.

The prime targets are children and young adults. The content of the exhibition is curriculum-based and the themes are: mathematics, mechanics, magnetism, electricity, optics and light and perception.

Hüttinger won the contract to design and build the traveling exhibition consisting of 35 interactive hands-on exhibits. The initial set-up took place in July 2007 at the National Science Museum Thailand.

Thailand Invests in Film Tourism

2007-05-01T12:54:00.000Z

20 April 2007

More than 100 films from about 30 countries will feature in the fifth Bangkok International Film Festival (BKKIFF) that is scheduled to be held from 19-29 July, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The festival, which was to be held in January, was postponed due to the unavailability of screening theatres.

"But we are all set to go now," said Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, Chief Officer of the BKKIFF, who will be overseeing the festival, this year. He stated that it would be a "streamlined festival, where we’ve trimmed off the excesses" and added, "The focus will be on quality films which is really the heart of any film festival."

"This year, our main focus will be to provide the movie-loving audiences of Bangkok, with the films they’ve been waiting to see.” While there would still be a Red Carpet Opening night, it would be on a more modest scale as compared to previous festivals, in keeping with the Sufficiency Economy Theory of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

There will be more emphasis on the cultural and technical parts of the festival. "Promoting cultural events is an important part of TAT’s activities," informed Chattan. The Program Director of this year’s BKKIFF, is Kriengsak Silakong, who served in the same capacity when the festival was first started in 2003, before moving on to the World Film Festival of Bangkok. The former theatre stalwart from Bangkok said he hoped to work out a good program, with his team. The BKKIFF would have a strong Asian focus this year, with more movies and movie stars from the Asian region making their presence felt.

The jury members would also be mostly from Asia. "Asian films are in vogue now," said Silakong, who visited festivals in Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and India, to acquire movies. The final stop, of course, will be the Cannes Film Festival, in May. Chattan stated that the TAT would possibly hold a small function to announce the BKKIFF in Cannes, along the lines of the modest reception they held at the Hong Kong Film Festival recently.

As for the different sections of the festival, there would be three competition sections that would present the Golden Kinnaree Awards to the winners - International, ASEAN and Short Films. The ASEAN category is unique to this festival, and this year boasts of an arresting package of 10 films from the newly developed cinema of countries like Malaysia and Indonesia. The Short Film Competition is new to this year’s BKKIFF.

An important highlight of this year’s festival is that many of the competition films will have Thai sub-titles. The World Cinema section has about 20 movies from countries like Germany, France, Denmark, the U.K., while the Asian Cinema section has nearly 30 films from the region.

"The Asian films contribute to more than 50% of this year’s festival," said Silakong. As for the Thai Panorama section, he said they had a rich crop of 12 newly released films. There was also the possibility that the Opening Film would be from the kingdom, too.

Other features at this year’s festival, which are still being negotiated, are a special package of Greek movies, as well as a cluster of rare films from French master Luis Bunuel. A Lifetime Achievement Award would be given to the great special effects guru Ray Harryhausen. The festival also plans to have a tribute to a well-known director or actor, with five of the artist’s movies screened, in his presence. This is still being finalised.

"We also plan to hold seminars and workshops, which are a vital part of any film festival," said Chattan. He said the seminars would discuss topical subjects like anti-piracy, censorship and film shooting in Thailand. They would be conducted by well-known Professor Kittisak Suwannabhokin. There would also be an animation workshop, conducted by a well-known animation company from Okinawa, with a special focus on clay animation.

An important aspect of the BKKIFF would be the Bangkok Film Market that is being organised by the Federation of National Film Association of Thailand, from 23-25 July. With the big demand for Asian cinema on the world festival circuit, Chattan said the Film Market would give a boost to the sale of Asian and Thai films.

Ihg Grows Thailand Portfolio With New Hua Hin Resort

2007-02-20T14:47:00.001Z

19 February 2007

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announces the signing of the InterContinental Hua Hin Resort, scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2008.

InterContinental Hua Hin Resort is being developed by Proud Resort Hua Hin Company LTD, and will be managed by IHG. Occupying a prime beachfront location along Petchakasem Road, the contemporary Thai-style resort will have 120 rooms and three beachfront villas with private plunge pools. All rooms will have spacious outdoor lounges with daybeds and dining space, with some ground floor rooms featuring either private gardens or direct pool access.

Other facilities planned for the resort include a Spa InterContinental with outdoor garden treatment pavilions, five different pools spread across the grounds, specialty Thai-Chinese, Japanese and grill restaurants along with a tea lounge set within a courtyard.

Of the development, A. Patrick Imbardelli, chief executive of IHG Asia Pacific, said: “The entry of an InterContinental property in a key destination like Hua Hin reinforces InterContinental Hotels & Resorts’ appeal as a provider of memorable resort experiences.

This highly-anticipated luxury beachfront property will complement the unique offerings of our other Asia Pacific InterContinental resorts in Bali, Bora Bora, Tahiti and Moorea. With the anticipated increase in visitor arrivals to Thailand and the strength of IHG’s operating systems, we look forward to maximizing the potential of this unique property.”

Khun Sangvorn Lipatapanlop, Chairman of Proud Resort Hua Hin Co. Ltd, said: “We are very pleased to be working with IHG on this project. We are confident that their knowledge of the industry in Thailand and the InterContinental brand’s track record as a global leader in hotels and resorts management will ensure the success of InterContinental Hua Hin Resort.”

Hua Hin is acclaimed as Thailand’s first seaside holiday destination. Just two-and-a-half hours from Bangkok, Hua Hin is well known for its excellent beaches, historical attractions and golf courses. Frequented by Thai royalty and home to the Summer Palace, the destination is fast becoming a popular vacation destination for international and domestic travellers.

For more information visit Hotel Asia Pacific

New Bridge Brings Swell of Thai Tourists

2007-01-29T16:49:00.000Z

The new Second Friendship Bridge linking Thailand and Laos has provided for a swell of tourists entering Viet Nam on the Trans-Asia Highway.

The new bridge across the Mekong River has connected the central coast of Viet Nam with Thailand via the Trans-Asia Highway, which runs from central Viet Nam through Laos and Thailand to Myanmar.

Between 1999-2003, only 1,300 Thai visitors crossed into Viet Nam at the highway’s Lao Bao border gate in the central province of Quang Tri.

But thanks to the bridge’s opening on December 20, more than 1,500 Thai tourists entered Viet Nam via Lao Bao on the first day of the new year (January 1, 2007), according to the provincial tourism authority.

Recent policies to waive visas between Thailand, Laos and Viet Nam have also supported the boom.

The bridge is part of the Trans-Asia highway or the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) initiative which aims to boost trade, tourism and transportation along the highway.

Established at a Greater Mekong Sub-Region (GMS) group meeting in 1998, EWEC aims to integrate the region’s economies by renovating sections of the highway and strengthening its cross-border links.

Yood, a Thai driver who has transported goods between Laos and Thailand for ten years said the new bridge takes two hours off his journey by cutting out a tedious ferry queue.

The Friendship Bridge now offers north-eastern Thai residents much easier access to central Laos and Viet Nam where they can visit shopping centres or tour the Laotian countryside and Vietnamese coast.

EWEC tourism development aims to bring Laotians and Thais who live inland to central Viet Nam’s beaches.

Director of the Quang Tri-based DMZ (De-militarised Zone) travel agency Le Van Tham said that tours of central Viet Nam target high-income Thais at US$300 for an average four-day trip.

He added that World Heritage Road tours to the Central Highlands have also become increasingly popular with Thais and Laotians.

Bringing tourists to Laos

The bridge also makes it easier for Vietnamese tourists to visit Laos and Thailand.

Savanakhet, Lao’s second largest city, boasts tourist attractions such as the Ing Hang Tower, Huan Hine stone house, Phone Temple, and the Hortai Pitok ancient library.

The Noong Lom and Don Deang districts on the outskirts of Savanakhet attract travellers interested in visiting primitive forests.

Many Vietnamese tourists may also choose to visit the overseas Vietnamese community in northeastern Thailand. Large groups of overseas Vietnamese live in Mukhdahan, Nakhon Phnom, Sakhon Nakhon, Kalasin, Khonkaen, and other Thai towns.

Trisara Voted Hotel of the Year 2006

2007-01-29T10:23:00.001Z

Phuket-based resort spa Trisara has been crowned ‘Hotel of the Year 2006’ by the editors of The Gallivanter’s Guide, reinforcing the resort’s status as one of the most luxurious and illustrious spas not only in Phuket, but in the world.

Gallivanter’s Guide is a monthly newsletter with the aim of “unearthing idyllic places for the dedicated traveller” and the ‘Awards of Excellence” honour excellence in the industry from their objective, no-adverting point of view.

“Trisara has set a new benchmark for comfort, ergonomics and service,” said the newsletter’s editor and publisher Lyn Middlehurst. “It is a place in which one can truly relax as everything has been thought of. You would expect numerous high-end beach resorts throughout the world but in fact there are very, very few… Trisara has set a new standard of excellence that will be hard to match.”

The 42 suite and villa resort has also scooped numerous other awards including the ‘Number One Resort in South East Asia’ and ‘Third Best Resort Worldwide’ by Gallivanter’s readers, but also has been included in the Conde Nast Traveller’s ‘Hot List Hotels 2005’ and ‘Hot Spas 2006’.

For more information and reservations at this ocean view island resort, visit www.trisara.com.

Thailand named world's best tourist country

2007-01-19T12:55:00.001Z

Bangkok, January 19: Thailand has been voted as the World's Best Tourist Country in the Norwegian Grand Travel Awards 2007 held in Oslo, Norway earlier this month, according to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Ministry said that the Thai Embassy in Oslo reported that it is the fourth consecutive year Thailand won the annual award organised by Travel News Magazine of Norway.

Greece, Denmark and Italy ranked second, third and fourth respectively.

Meanwhile, Thai Airways International was also voted Best International Airlines in the airline category.

Norway's Travel News Magazine sponsors the Grand Travel Awards annually, this year being its 12th yearly event.

The awards were divided into 17 catagories.

The award granted to Thailand resulted from an opinion poll of more than 300 tourism industry-related companies in Norway.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Tribune newspaper in the United States on January 7 ranked Thailand as first among the top ten Top Value For-Money Countries under the Country Brand Index 2006 rankings.

To complete the top ten list, Indonesia, the United States, Turkey, Spain, India, Vietnam, Singapore, Greece and Hungary are included in the rankings.

Tee-off With Central Hotels & Resorts in Thailand

2007-01-16T09:47:00.001Z

Among the fascinating holiday packages that Central Hotels & Resorts has to offer are some new and exciting Golf Getaways across Thailand. Available from now until 31st October 2007 at Sofitel Central Plaza Bangkok, Sofitel Central Hua Hin Resort Hua Hin, Central Samui Beach Resort Samui, Central Samui Village Samui, Central Karon Beach Resort Phuket, Central Karon Village Phuket, Central Kata Resort Phuket, Novotel Central Sukhontha Hat Yai and Central Duangtawan Hotel, Chiang Mai. The packages are luring golfers with:

* One night’s accommodations with Buffet Breakfast at a Central hotels or resorts in Bangkok, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Samui, Phuket, Hat Yai or Chiang Mai.

* Roundtrip airport transfers except Bangkok, Hua Hin and Hat Yai.

* Welcome drink on arrival and fruit basket in room.

* Transfers to and from the golf course as well as green fee (18 holes).

* Arrangements to tee-off at some of Thailand’s best golf courses.

* 10% service charge and prevailing government tax.

Package prices start from Baht 4,100.- nett (or US108) per one golfer to Baht 17,360.- nett (or US457) per two golfers vary from property to property; while weekday/weekend as well as high and low season rates are also available.

For more information visit travelnow.com

Destination Air Shuttle Takes Off in Phuket, Thailand to Bring Better Access in the Andaman Sea

2007-01-09T10:03:00.001Z

Destination Air Shuttle, Thailand’s only seaplane shuttle service, will officially launch services from Phuket International Airport beginning January 2007. Offering 12 flights per day, leaving every 2 hours from Phuket International Airport, Destination Air Shuttle will serve Phi Phi Island, Krabi and Koh Lanta. Further landing locations are planned for Similans, Koh Racha, and Khao Lak.

Destination Air Shuttle provides reliable, safe and regular air shuttle services that will connect with international airlines arriving to Phuket. This significantly reduces the travel time from the usual half-day overland trip to less than 13 minutes to Phi Phi, 20 minutes to Krabi, and 30 minutes to Koh Lanta giving better accessibility in the region. It departs from Phuket International Airport and lands directly in the waterfront of most major hotel resorts.

As the only seaplane shuttle service in Thailand, guests can expect Service Reliability by reserving their flights through travel agents or directly through the Destination Air Shuttle website (destinationair.com). Upon arrival, passengers will take transfers from the international and domestic baggage claim area to the Destination Air Shuttle terminal, a short 200 meters, adjoining the main terminal.

Passengers will board one of Destination Air Shuttle’s passenger amphibian aircraft that take off from the runway and land in front of their island resort. Its fleet includes Cessna 208 and 206 aircraft, which are rated as the safest aircraft in the world and flown by experienced international pilots individually selected for their many years of safe flight experience and friendly customer service capabilities.

Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) President and CEO Mr. Peter de Jong said: “Accessibility is a key success factor for any destination. The Thai Andaman region already enjoys international and domestic accessibility via Phuket International Airport; however, Destination Air Shuttle’s local service will distribute the benefits of international and domestic travel much more broadly.

Destination Air Shuttle will open up new markets and opportunities for local people and the travel and tourism industry across a much wider geographic area. That’s great news for Thailand. We’re proud to have Destination Air Shuttle on board as a PATA member, and wish it and the region it serves a most prosperous 2007.”

Capt. Nithit Kesangam, CEO of Destination Air Shuttle, said: “This is an outstanding service to hotels and tour operators in the Phuket area. This is a fantastic shot in the arm for hotels and tourists going to Phi Phi, Krabi, and Koh Lanta.”

New Year Gift in the Form of Friendship Bridge for Mekong Tourism

2007-01-02T11:24:00.001Z

The recent introduction of the second Friendship Bridge between Thailand and Lao PDR is expected to provide a major fillip to tourism ties to and within the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS).

According to Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), linking the Lao province of Savannakhet with northeastern Thailand’s Mukdahan province, the second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge is a key component of a major economic and infrastructure development plan to facilitate transportation, trade, investment, and tourism in the Mekong Subregion.

The second 1.6-kilometer, two-lane bridge was funded via loans from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) to the tune of 4,011 million yen to Lao PDR and 4,079 million yen to Thailand. It was JBIC’s first Overseas Development Assistance loan for a cross-border infrastructure development embracing two countries.

The first Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge over the Mekong linking the Thai province of Nong Khai and the Lao PDR capital of Vientiane was opened in 1994 with Australian funding.

Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said the bridge would foster intra-regional trade and investment, facilitate travel to Myanmar and Vietnam and “in the future help to extend the corridor to China, Korea, India and Bangladesh.”

Lao Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh said the bridge was important to a landlocked country such as Lao PDR, and would enable it to boost the potentiality for transport services and expand trade and tourism with its neighbors.

According to TAT, the route connecting Vietnam and Savannakhet has been improved in the past through assistance from multilateral agencies and Japan. In Thailand, JBIC has financed improvement work on existing national highways that are part of the East-West Corridor. The new bridge will connect all these routes.

Although the bridge has international border control checkpoints, visitor flows will only begin after the relevant agreements are finalized between Thailand and Lao PDR. Cars traveling across the bridge will be charged 50 baht each and larger trucks, 350 baht. The two provinces that will certainly benefit on both sides of the river are Savannakhet and Mukdahan, where the people share a lot of cultural, historical and ethnic heritage.

In January-March 2006, overland Lao PDR arrivals to Thailand totaled 38,269, up 45.27 percent over the same period of 2005.

Thailand Boosts Northern Tourism; Expects 16 Million Foreign Tourists Next Year

2006-12-19T11:12:00.000Z

Thailand plans to boost tourism in its northern provinces intending to attract 16 million tourists and generate Bt66 billion (about US$1.8 billion) in revenue next year.

Tourism and Sports Minister Suwit Yodmanee held a meeting with governors, local officials, and tourism business operators in 17 northern provinces. During the meeting, he gave tourism development policies to promote tourism in communities to generate income for local villagers.

Natural landscapes and Lanna (Northern Thai) culture are strong points that attract tourists but local communities are the key to support tourism. The minister said his ministry will discuss with the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives to develop the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek expo as a permanent tourist attraction.

The minister said the project to build a convention and international expo centre will get the go-ahead and the feasibility study will be conducted, although the budget may be cut.

With the planned promotion campaign, approximately 16 million foreign tourists are expected to visit the Thai North next year, with at least Bt66 billion to be generated, said Mr. Suwit.

New Hotels for 2007

2006-12-12T15:35:00.001Z

The new Princess Resort, Ko Chang (part of the Dusit Hotels & Resorts Group) set to open in January 2007 including 96 rooms, private beach and sumptuous spa facilities. 80 per cent of the island of Ko Chang is registered as national parkland, with landscapes ranging from towering cliffs to lush rainforest. For divers and snorkellers, marine life is abundant, and visibility excellent.

www.royalprincess.com

The new Evason Hideaway & Six Senses Spa at Yao Noi is the fourth Evason boutique-branded Hideaway, and sets even higher benchmarks for excellence in Asia. Accommodation will provide generous personal space and present an uncompromised standard of luxury. There will be 56 uniquely designed villas, all with open-style bathrooms, creating an atmosphere of space and light within and offering magnificent views of the bay and surrounding forestation. Each villa also features its own infinity-edged pool with sundeck, creating an illusion of infinity between pool and bay, and reinforcing a feeling of seclusion. Dining and refreshment services cover international and locally inspired cuisine and a large selection of vintages from around the world.

www.sixsenses.com/hideaway-yaonoi/index.php - opens April 2007.

Six Senses Resorts & Spas are currently working on the new Soneva Kiri resort situated on Koh Kut/Kood. Set on 150 acres and 100 nautical miles from the new Bangkok airport and 20 minutes by speedboat to Cambodia, this project will have its own 12-seater Cessna aircraft with 8 luxury leather seats to make access even easier, using an airstrip on a nearby island with final transfer by boat. In total there will be 42 units – 63 bedrooms. Soneva Kiri is due to open in mid 2007 – around June. Soneva Koh Chang is another future development planned by Six Senses Resorts & Spas – 2007 completion date still to be confirmed.

A second Cape Panwa property is due to open in Chiang Mai in October 2007, following in the footsteps of the well-established Phuket resort.

www.capepanwa.com

Sala Phuket will be the newest addition to the SALA Resorts and Spas portfolio. Inspired by the success of its sister property, SALA Samui, SALA Phuket promises to take the new SALA Resorts and Spas brand to even greater heights! Located on Mai Khao Beach in the north of Phuket Island there will be 79 rooms. The resort is due to open in late 2007.

www.salaresorts.com

The stylish Krabi Pavilions resort is due to open in late 2007, following successful ventures in Phuket and Bali. Set within the Nopparat Thara National Park, a five minute longtail boat ride from Ao Nang, the resort will offer pristine secluded beach frontage and views of the Phang Nga Bay and the Phi Phi islands.

www.pavilions-resorts.com

Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts will open another property in Chiang Mai in 2007 – dates to be confirmed.

www.shangri-la.com

For more information visit nationalmedia.com

Phuket Set For Post-Tsunami Tourism Recovery

2006-12-11T14:29:00.002Z

Nearly two years after the devastating Indian Ocean Tsunami, experts suggest that tourism in Phuket is ready to boom once again.

The Sumatra-Andaman earthquake on December 26th 2004 sent a number of mighty tsunamis roaring through the Indian Ocean, killing hundreds of thousands of people in south and south-east Asia, including many in Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia and Thailand.

Around 10,000 individuals perished in Thailand alone and the country – along with its provinces – was left economically crippled.

Phuket, the biggest island in Thailand, suffered considerable damage to all of its popular beaches on the west coast and many of its resorts were left to cope with major clean-up operations.

But visitors have been reporting for some time that the island has been making remarkable progress, with very few areas still showing evidence of the tsunami.

According to the Kasikorn Research Center, just 2.51 million people visited Phuket in 2005, in comparison to 4.79 million in 2004. Of these, just 1.32 million were foreign tourists, compared with 3.5 million in the previous year. Tourism income fell by 67 per cent as a direct result of the tsunami but there is evidence now that visitors are once again flocking to one of the most breathtaking islands on the planet.

It is thought that by the end of the year, 4.7 million travellers will have visited the mountainous island, with 3.3 million of these arriving from overseas. While this is still shy of 2004's total, it suggests that tourism in Phuket is well on the way to complete recovery.

Boasting some of the world's most spectacular beaches, five beautiful golf courses and enough excursions to keep you occupied for a lifetime, Phuket has almost everything anybody could hope for from a holiday. The 2004 tsunami threatened to leave the island in dire straits for a number of years, but there are signs that tourism in Phuket is already big business again.

For more information visit travelconnect.co.uk

New Concept of Thai Tourism Gets Global Exposure at World Travel Market, London

2006-12-04T13:55:00.000Z

Thailand's new concept of 'self-sufficiency economy' tourism got its first international exposure at the World Travel Market, one of the world's largest trade shows, last month.

Based on His Majesty the King's self-sufficiency economy model, the new concept favours a 'quality over quantity' philosophy under which equivalent attention is paid to ensuring both sustainability and grassroots benefits from tourism.

Minister of Tourism and Sports Dr Suvit Yodmani outlined its concepts to members of the British and global media and travel agents in a number of public presentations, including media conferences and evening functions.

While marketing campaigns will continue normally, the Royal Thai government will pay more attention towards rehabilitation of popular attractions which have been affected by wear-and-tear due to the large influx of visitors, both foreign and domestic, over the years. This will be done in co-ordination with the relevant ministries, government departments and local administration units in a way that considers the carrying capacity of each attraction to ensure their long-term viability.

Alongside the 'hardware' of the tourism plant, the Thai government will also focus on boosting 'software', including training courses to upgrade human resources development to ensure service delivery and boost visitor satisfaction.

Hotels will also be encouraged to step up their commitment to environmental preservation. Marketing activities will be continued as normal but with a shaper focus on major markets such as high-income visitors, honeymoon and wedding parties, MICE delegates, corporate travellers and niche market segments such as golfers, health and wellness, enthusiasts of Thai cuisine, etc.

Dr Suvit noted that this year has been a very special year for Thailand, commemorating His Majesty's 60th anniversary of accession to the throne, making him the world's largest reigning monarch. He said he was happy to use the WTM as the first global travel show to unveil the new strategy, especially because he had a personal affinity with the UK where he spent many years as a young student.

Bangkok Beckons Tourists From India

2006-11-20T11:50:00.000Z

A holiday to Southeast Asia is always high on the priority list of Chennai's youngsters, especially those in the IT and ITES sector seeking to relieve themselves of stress.

Now Thailand, especially Bangkok, beckons revellers. A mere three-and-a-half-hour flight from Chennai, Bangkok promises value for money.

Besides its famous nightlife, Bangkok has newer attractions, including an animal safari and the Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden and Resort at Pattaya.

Tourists who land at the newly commissioned Suvarnabhumi Airport at Bangkok, located 25 km east of Bangkok and built at a cost of 155 million baht, get their visas on arrival.

Four flights are operated everyday by Indian (formerly Indian Airlines) from Chennai, besides Thai Airways, under a code-share arrangement with Air India.

For Indian tourists of all ages, the 600-acre Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden provides an interesting experience as visitors can pose for pictures with live cheetahs, tigers and birds. 'It is an ecstatic feeling to hug a tiger or a cheetah, as these endangered animals are tranquilised and freely mingle with the visitors at the Garden,' says T.C. Gopalan, a Chennai-based financial consultant and frequent visitor to Bangkok. Apart from the coral island on the Pattaya beach, the two-hour Tiffany Show is a must-see for tourists.

Other attractions include an elephant show, and a children's zoo keeps tourists spellbound in the backdrop of a visual treat of orchids, landscaped flower garden and a cultural show.

Booming Tourism Helps to Reshape Asian Economies

2006-11-13T15:28:00.001Z

13 November 2006

'Discover' Hong Kong, journey through 'Incredible India' or head off to 'Malaysia, Truly Asia.' Such advertising slogans should come as no surprise - tourism is gaining in importance in Asia and helping to reshape regional economies more towards services and away from a traditional reliance on manufacturing and exports.

With consumer wealth on the rise, particularly in India and China, which have more than 2 billion people between them, more Asians are travelling in the region.

The rise of tourism is already encouraging some governments to shift their economies more towards services, but the trend is a long-term one, analysts say.

'In the past 20 years in Asia the focus has been on industry, maybe in the next 20 years the focus will be on services,' said Sebastien Barbe, senior economist, Asia at investment bank Calyon.

Southeast Asia travel and tourism should generate almost 236 billion dollars in economic activity this year, more than the output of Hong Kong's economy, growing in nominal terms to about 522 billion dollars by 2016, the World Travel and Tourism Council says.

It estimates that tourism in Northeast Asia - China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and Macau - will generate more than 1 trillion dollars of economic activity in 2006, a figure that is expected to more than double in 10 years.

According to MasterCard International, the number of people earning 5,000 dollars or more a year in Asia is poised to rise sharply, increasing the number of potential travellers.

It says people earning less than 5,000 dollars a year do not tend to travel abroad. China should have 293 million people earning 5,000 dollars or more in 2014 versus about 119 million in 2004, while India's total is set to more than double to 102.5 million.

'We define 'middle class' as households that have significant discretionary consumption power (hence the 5,000 dollar income threshold), and they will be about 650 million in size by 2014 in Asia, with close to 300 million in China alone,' said MasterCard's Asia Pacific economic advisor, Yuwa Hedrick-Wong.

'They will certainly push up the growth of the service sector.'

Domestic tourists are also boosting tourism. Better roads, discount airlines and increasing car ownership have encouraged more Indians to travel in the last few years.

India's hotel industry is expected to grow robustly for the next three to four years as demand outpaces supply.

Suraj Arora, a 30-year-old Indian, based in Guangzhou, China, has just returned home to Punjab in northern India to take his parents and younger sister on their first trip to the Taj Mahal.

'They have always wanted to see it, but this is their first chance,' Arora said. 'Every year now I try to come home for one month to visit and take them somewhere new.'

Arora says he earns up to 8,000 dollars a month exporting electronic gadgets back to India and plans to spend about 10% of that on the week-long trip for his family.

Snorkeling in Thailand, Vietnamese Cooking and Two Nights in Hanoi Highlight Crystal Cruises' Return to Asia in 2007

2006-11-07T10:17:00.001Z

Renowned for its authentic and innovative shoreside excursions, Crystal Cruises is introducing more than three dozen new land adventures as part of the luxury cruise specialist's 2007 return to Asia.

Canoeing and snorkeling in Thailand, a Tate-do martial arts performance in Japan, longboat sailing along the Vietnamese Mekong Delta, cookery classes in Vietnam and Hong Kong and multiple-night overland adventures to Hanoi, Angkor Wat and Laos are but a small sampling of the new and carefully designed excursions Crystal Cruises is introducing to experience the allures of the East.

In conjunction with four cruises departing between March 29 and May 1 aboard the award-winning Crystal Symphony, tailored tours expose travelers to the exotic cultural heritage, enchanting history, and colorful outdoor adventures available throughout Asia's ancient dynasties. Among the more than three dozen new Crystal Adventures are:

Palate-pleasing excursions including a Kagoshima exploration to learn about the brewing of rice vinegar and liquors and visits to local produce markets in Hong Kong and Vietnam in conjunction with regional cooking demonstrations.
Two- and three-night overland adventures to Hanoi, Angkor Wat and Laos.
Canoeing and snorkeling off the coast of Thailand.
Visits to the imperial city of Hue and the preserved, ancient Vietnamese seaport, Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A Mumbai Jewish heritage journey to the Gateway of India, Knesseth Eliahod Synagogue, the Magen David Synagogue and Magen Hassidin Synagogue, as well as a visit to the fascinating local laundry called the dhobi ghats.
Restorative hot springs soaks in Taiwan and energizing spa treatments at the Cheraim Spa in Thailand.

'Today's sophisticated travelers are looking to explore the nuances of local culture and rich history while immersing themselves in the region's diverse traditions and landscapes,' explains John Stoll, Crystal's director of land programs. 'Our new Asian Crystal Adventures provide destination experiences beyond the typical city tours.'

Crystal guests can also choose to ride an elephant in Thailand, explore the Cu Chi tunnels in Ho Chi Minh City used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War, and dozens of other adventures throughout Asia.

Onboard destination experts, including speakers from the Smithsonian Institution, will add rich insights on Asian culture, history, art and literature.

On cruises ranging from 11 to 16 days, Crystal Symphony will visit 17 cities in nine different countries, including a maiden call at Chan May, Vietnam. A Trans-Pacific cruise from Los Angeles to Hong Kong on March 11 kicks off Crystal's Asia Collection:

March 29, 2007 - Hong Kong to Beijing, including an overnight in Hong Kong and Shanghai, and three nights in Beijing, plus Taipei/Keelung, Kagoshima and Dalian;
April 6, 2007 - Beijing to Hong Kong, including three nights in Beijing, an overnight in Shanghai, Osaka and Hong Kong, plus Nagasaki;
April 20, 2007 - Hong Kong to Singapore, including an overnight in Ho Chi Minh City, Laem Chabang (for Bangkok) and Singapore, Chan May; and
May 1, 2007 - Singapore to Dubai, including two overnights in Yangon and an overnight in Dubai, plus Phuket, Cochin and Mumbai.

Cruise fares begin at 4,295 dollars per person, double occupancy.

Crystal's complimentary land program in Beijing, with the season's first two cruises, showcases the Forbidden City, Tian An Men Square and the Great Wall, among other attractions, with luxurious accommodations at the Shangri-La Hotel. Crystal is also offering pre- and post-cruise land programs to Tibet, Xi'an and hotel stays at the InterContinental Hong Kong or The Peninsula Hong Kong.

The Award-Winning Crystal Difference

Aboard the 940-guest, 50,000-ton Crystal Symphony, refined elegance meets casual simplicity. With an emphasis on innovative product differentiation, the renowned Crystal experience is distinguished by classic service, abundant space, extensive choices, and quality, providing worldwide vacations that bridge the best of land and sea.

Together with the 1,080-guest, 68,000-ton Crystal Serenity, the ships of Crystal enjoy an unrivaled reputation for excellence, having received 'World's Best' awards from the readers of both Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure magazines for 10 consecutive years.

For more information visit www.digital50.com

Colourful Water - Loi Krathong Great Festival

2006-10-30T12:06:00.000Z

'Loi Krathong' is traditionally performed on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month, which usually falls on some day in November. The floating of a 'Krathong' - a banana-leaf cup - is intended to float away ill fortune as well as to express apologies to Khongkha or Ganga, the River Goddess. Some believe that the ritual is meant to worship the Buddha's footprint on the bank of the Narmada River, while others say that it is to pay respect to Phra Uppakhut, one of the Lord Buddha's great disciples.

The Loi Krathong Festival is celebrated nationwide in Thailand, especially where there are rivers, canals or sources of water, with different unique characteristics.

This year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has joint with Educational Institution and Thai Baot Association to present the Electric Float Procession from Taksin Bridge to Krungthon Bridge and the 12 lighten up buildings and historical sites along Chao Praya River during Loi Krathong Festival.

Thai Airways to Launch New Route to India, Increase Flights for Holiday Season

2006-10-24T09:54:00.001Z

Thai Airways International said it will launch a new route to India and increase the number of flights to meet rising demand for winter holiday travel.

The airline said it will start flying three times a week later this month from Bangkok to Hyderabad in central India. Hyderabad will become its sixth Indian destination.

The airline said it will also increase the frequency of flights on 18 international routes, including from Bangkok to New York and Europe, by 36 pct compared with its normal schedules to meet upcoming holiday demand.

'We have to increase the number of our flights because lots of Americans and Europeans are coming to Thailand for Christmas holidays,' said an airline official.

The carrier said the winter flight schedule, which also boosts the number of flights from Bangkok to Asian cities such as Yangon and Saigon, would be effective from later this month to March 2007.

Thai Airways said it will also increase the number of domestic flights from Bangkok to the kingdom's popular tourist destinations such as Phuket and Chiang Mai.

First Diamond Awarded to Mangosteen Resort, Phuket Boutique Hotel

2006-10-17T08:13:00.001Z

Phuket, Thailand, October 16

The first and only hotel brand to exclusively represent genuine boutique hotels has carefully selected Thailand's first Diamond Collection member property to add to its global collection of authentic boutique hotels and resorts.

Boutique Hotels & Resorts International(R) will make the announcement at a presentation on Saturday evening to Mangosteen Resort & Spa, Phuket's best kept secret. Boutique's Diamond Collection Award Plaque will be presented to the artistically gifted hotel owner, Mr. Hanjo Von Keller during the evening's special ceremonial dinner to be attended by government authorities, media, and industry executives.

The Mangosteen Resort & Spa is noted for exceptional attention to detail, uncompromised service and a new approach to boutique design. 'Becoming a member of Boutique Hotels & Resorts International will allow worldwide travellers to recognize Mangosteen Resort & Spa on a global basis and heightens the status of Phuket and Thailand along with Mangosteen. Identified as a Diamond Collection Boutique Hotel in this destination of choices, and within Boutique's worldwide collection, validates our style, quality, and commitment from our staff, the management, and ownership.'

Von Keller continued: 'Industry reports state that travellers preferred boutique experiences over commercial luxury to enhance their destination visit and this is why Mangosteen Resort is raising the standards for an exceptional experience in Phuket, Thailand.'

Boutique Chief Operating Officer, John Sears remarked, 'we've uncovered a truly extraordinary boutique hotel combination at Mangosteen: style, service, location, and an incredible passion from the staff. Mangosteen Resort reveals the true uniqueness and high commitment to quality for genuine boutique hotels around the world. Mangosteen, and Phuket make a very special reason for our frequent business meeting clientele and international guests to enjoy the Boutique flavour with this new boutique destination in Thailand.'

Sears concluded, 'Managosteen Resort is precisely what global travellers have come to associate from the industry's leading and highest sought hotel collection, Boutique Hotels & ResortsInternational.'

The Grand Opening of the World's Newest Suvarnabhumi Airport

2006-10-03T11:56:00.000Z

The highlights for tomorrow's grand opening of the newest Suvarnabhumi Airport will be broadcast throughout the country and even through out the word by the network of Modern Nine or Channel 9.

According to the Suvarnabhumi Airport's spokesman's the new international airport is providing Thai & Foreigners the confidence that Thailand has the capacity to welcome visitors in friendly Thai way. At dawn of 28 September, after the last flight has taken off from the Don Muang Airport. The thousands of light bulbs both from inside and outside of the passenger building and on the runway of Don Muang Airport will gradually dim until the old airport will be in total darkness.

On the other side of Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport located in the area of Bangplee, all the lights in runways would be lit up till the whole area of 'Cobra Swamp,' is flooded with lights, which indicate and tell the world that at this moment Thailand International Airport has been moved to Suvarnbhumi Airport.

Don't Leave This Off Your Thai Itinerary

2006-09-19T12:19:00.001Z

Bangkok is the first stop for most people visiting Thailand since it's home to the country's main international airport. But if you want a taste of the country that's a lot less gritty and urban, don't make it your last one.

A flight of an hour or so will bring you to two very different but equally worthwhile destinations, one at the northern tip of the country and one to the south.

In the north is Chiang Mai, the principal city of northern Thailand recently named one of the top 10 destinations in the world by readers of Travel & Leisure magazine. Southeast of Bangkok is Koh Chang, the second-largest island in Thailand that's being trumpeted as the country's next major resort area after tsunami-damaged Phuket. Both are worth adding to your Thailand itinerary.

Koh Chang

You might not have heard of this island 300 km southeast of Bangkok, but that could soon change. The area has been targeted by the Thai government for development into a major resort area.

The good news is that its laid-back beauty isn't likely to be completely destroyed by growth.
The country's second-largest island (also known as Ko Chang) is part of a national park, which means more than 70 per cent of its surface is untouched tropical forest.

Development will also be limited by the fact that an airport can't be built on island - the nearest one is an hour's ferry ride away in Trat.

Chiang Mai

You can't come to Chiang Mai without getting up close and personal with an elephant. The sloe-eyed giants are everywhere, from rustic carvings in the city's popular night market to hand-painted silk scarves in upscale handicrafts shops.

If you're worried about seeing animals exploited for the sake of the almighty tourist dollar, you're unlikely to suffer any pangs of conscience at the Patara Elephant Farm, about an hour's drive southwest of Chiang Mai. The farm is home to nine of the roughly 3,000 domestic elephants left in Thailand, and they get tender loving care from owner Theerapat Trungprakan and his small staff of elephant keepers, known as mahouts.

All (10,000) Signs Point to the Airport

2006-09-12T10:02:00.000Z

More than 10,000 traffic signs will be erected in order to help members of the public navigate their ways to Suvarnabhumi Airport. Transport Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal has instructed agencies to display permanent or temporary signs offering information on how to get to Suvarnabhumi Airport. The signs will be posted around Bangkok.

In charge of the signs are all transport-related agencies, including the Highway Department, the Department of Rural Roads, and the Expressway Authority of Thailand. Similar signs on possible routes to travel from Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok will be posted inside the passenger terminal.

Pongsak acknowledged that the initial testing period was beset by a number of hurdles as airport personnel adjusted to the new equipment. However, things should go smoothly over the next couple of weeks, as testing continues on major operating systems, according to the minister.

The Phuket Gay Festival

2006-09-11T13:34:00.001Z

The annual Gay festival always has the crowds cheering! One of Phuket's most popular events - it's vibrant, boisterous and flamboyant!

Each year the festival delivers a fun-filled entertainment programme with sizzling street parties, awards ceremonies and events culminating in the Grand Finale - the amazing and outrageous Gay Parade.

Now in its seventh year, the festival, this year organized by Tangmo group and My Way entertainment, promises three days of lively street parties and events. Last years highlight, a rollicking Gay Day trip to Kai Island is included in this year’s programme. The ever-popular gay beach volleyball tournament also returns - no doubt with some gorgeous bods! Last year’s competition drew quite a crowd as the teams flexed their muscles.

Naturally the festival ends in grand style with the eye-popping and extravagant Gay Parade. Elaborately decorated floats, some pretty outrageous headgear and performers groovin' on the streets make a 'must see' on any visitors list. It's always worth seeing!

For more information visit events-in-thailand.blogspot.com

Source: www.phuket.com

BIMSTEC Tourism Ministers' Meeting Begins in Nepal

2006-08-29T09:47:00.001Z

With a view to promote regional cooperation in tourism development, the second BIMSTEC (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand Economic Cooperation) tourism ministers' roundtable meeting is being held in Kathmandu from August 28 to 30.

Keeping in mind that multilateral efforts and regional cooperation could be more beneficial, the meeting will seek common agenda and program to promote tourism as a pertinent tool for socio-economic development in member countries, said Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Nepalese minister for culture, tourism and civil aviation, reported Himalayan Times from Kathmandu.

The meeting is aimed at expanding and exchanging multisectoral 45 cooperation among member countries, particularly in reaping the benefits of rich natural beauty and diverse cultural heritage, which are huge tourism potentials.

'We are confident that all the BIMSTEC member countries can benefit a lot through proper exploitation of tourism potentials. Thus, we are proposing for collective efforts and a concrete plan of action,' Gyawali added.

The event will take place in two phases - Senior Official Meeting (SOM) and the ministerial roundtable. The SOM will extensively discuss on the proposed agendas and prepare a report, which will be forwarded to the ministerial roundtable for the final approval, said Madhav Prasad Ghimire, secretary at the MoCTCA.

According to Gyawali, 'The event will extensively discuss on 10 main agendas which includes common travel visa for the citizens of BIMSTEC member counties on arrival for 30 days.' The meeting will also discuss on issuance of common driving licence, setting up air link network and utilization of Asian Highway Network for the tourism promotion.

Referring to inactiveness of institutions formed under BIMSTEC, he said that the meeting would seek a consensus among the member countries for further strengthening and effective implementation of agreed points in the previous meetings.

Gyawali also informed that Nepal would propose for two different forums of tourism entrepreneurs and tourism journalists to be set up under BIMSTEC in order to expand business relations as well as information.

Lauding the role of media for the promotion of tourism, he expressed that the proposed BIMSTEC Media Forum for Tourism Journalists will bring together media persons of the region to disseminate right information on time.

According to MoCTCA, 28 foreign and over 50 Nepali delegates will take part in the meeting. The foreign delegates include Ambika Soni, tourism minister of India, Bhutanese tourism minister and state minister of Bangladesh.

The three-day long meeting will conclude on Wednesday with the issuance of Kathmandu Declaration and adopting a plan of action.

For more information visit english.people.com

Religion in Thailand

2006-08-15T13:17:00.001Z

Thailand, according to some wisdom, is Buddhist in religion, Hindu in culture, Sanskrit in its classical literature, Brahminic in its rites, and - given that Thai tribes migrated from southern China 1000 years ago - Chinese in origin.

It is also true that these are only half-truths, though they do point to the complex elements that have defined modern Thailand.

So far as religion goes, about 95 percent of the population is at least nominally Buddhist. There is also a sizeable Muslim minority, mostly resident in the southern provinces. Popular Buddhism, as well, has assimilated elements of both Brahminism and animistic beliefs that predate either of the former religions.

For more information visit www.phuket.com

Bungee Jumping in Phuket

2006-08-14T09:54:00.001Z

There are two places in Phuket where you can hurl yourself from great heights and live to tell your friends about it, with the help of a bungee cord:

Jungle Bungy Jump in Kathu District promises to give you 'The best fun you can have with your pants on!' - a jump from 50m tower over water.

World Bungy Patong, meanwhile, claims to be Southern Thailand's highest bungy. Located on Patong Beach.

For more information visit www.phuket.org

Phuket Activities

2006-07-20T09:45:00.001Z

For those of you that enjoy getting up and doing things on your holiday there is a whole list of things to do, the activities are endless.

Anemone Reef -
This is a diving expedition that takes up to an hour to reach, the diving depth is 20 - 80 feet and the visibility is good to outstanding. At the site there is a limestone pinnacle 30m up from the ocean floor. The rock has sea anemones that cling to the surface creating an illusion of it being a giant living rock that moves side to side.

Jungle Bungy Jumping -
Set at the lakeside in Khatu, to make the jump you have to weigh between 40kg - 230kg, and you can also make the jump as a couple, its recommended to visit the location even if you do not attempt the jump yourself. It costs 1500 baht per jump.

Go Kart Track -
A 600m figure of eight track with 100cc - 230cc classes of car, its great fun and prices are around 800 baht for 30 minutes.

Phuket Shooting Range -
There are two shooting ranges, hand gun range and rifle range. The ammunition used are range bullets and the cost varies between what gun you use and how many bullets you acquire. The cost for 10 bullets of 22 is 300 - 350 baht, the cost of 5 bullets of 9mm is 450 - 490 baht.

Horseback Riding -
A very popular beach activity and a great way to see the countries sites.

Dino Park miniature Golf -
A 36 hole mini golf range, you can play either 18 or 36 holes for 150 baht or 36 baht for 250 baht.

Beaches in Phuket

2006-07-20T09:01:00.001Z

There are many beaches around the island; the South Coast, the North coast Beaches, Nui Beaches and Patong Beach. The south beaches are somewhat of a tropical paradise, the seas have magnificent coral reefs with picturesque white sandy beaches, there are mountains which are covered by forests. If you ever see a picture of Phuket its likely to be a picture of the south part of the island as it is the most beautiful part. Not only is it magnificent by day its been said that by night the beach has the most gorgeous sunset in the world.

All the Northern Beaches have to offer are adventurous beach safari's as the beaches are less developed and tourists tend to stay away from them. Nui Beach is ideal for those who want to experience a beach as nature intended, remote and unspoilt. Enjoy time to yourself watching the the world pass you by as you relax and unwind. Patong beach is Phukets most famous beach and is home to the islands nightlife. This is where most tourists visit, its not surprising as it holds every kind of watersports along its 4km white sandy beach. The coast is lined with hotels and a large quantity of restaurants, bars and shops. This beach is perfect for the more lively tourist.

Getting around Phuket

2006-07-19T14:02:00.001Z

You can get around Phuket in many ways - in just under an hour from the centre you can reach any point on the island. To get to some destinations roads around mountains are not in very good condition so you are recommended to go around them rather than over them. The most common transport on the island are motorbikes, helmets must be worn otherwise expect a fine of up to 500 baht, hire rates are good as they are between 100 - 500 baht depending what size bike you wish to venture out on. The only downside to this is there is no insurance, this means if the bike gets damaged or stolen you will have to pay in full to either replace or fix the bike. Its been recommended personal insurance be taken out before traveling incase of injury.

Buses run daily on a loop route between beach locations to Phuket town, the bus fare per loop is around 15 baht, the buses do get cramped though so on the other hand you could enjoy travelling in comfort in a tuk tuk which is very similar to a taxi. Average cost per hour to hire tuk tuks are 100 - 150 baht. At numerous locations around the island you can rent a car, a valid drivers licence from your own country is needed. Rates start from 700 baht per day that includes first class insurance which covers both parties, make sure you are covered for damages by other parties that flee the scene. You have to fill the car with gasoline. Its been said that you stay away from renting from airports as they charge obscene amounts of money.

The other two ways of transport are long tail boats and helicopter tours. The choices are endless - you can decide how you would like to travel around the island.

Eating Out in Phuket

2006-07-19T13:20:00.000Z

Thailand has many places to wine and dine with many cultures to suit different tastes, you could be eating a traditional Thai dish, then again if you're homesick you could be eating in one of the steakhouses. Here are a couple of restaurants for different cultures while holidaying in Thailand.

Thai -
Baam Rim Pa
Ratri Jazztaurant

Thai and Western -
Baan Yin Dee
Sawasdee Thai Cuisine

French -
La Boucherie

German -
Bavarian Oktoberfest
K-Hotel

International Cuisine -
The Dining Room
Don's Cafe

Irish -
Food for Thought

Japanese -
Noon Japanese Restaurant

Indian -
Baluchi

Patisserie -
Les Anges

Steak House -
Harrys Steakhouse
Sams Steakhouse

Italian -
Salvatore's
Da Maurizio

Mediterranean Cuisine -
The Green Man
The Mangosteen

Wine and Grill -
Border Town
Moms Tri's Boathouse

Phuket Weather and Climate

2006-07-19T12:50:00.001Z

Depending on which season, determines what weather you get, the climate is everchanging because of factors such as monsoon winds. Between March and September time, the sun is right over the equater line which heats up Asia and the Indian ocean, this causes hot moist air over southern Thailand and some rain. At the beginning of our summer season in May it begins to heat up. Phuket is a different story as it rains for 25 days of the month making it the rainiest month of the year. During October a similar thing happens - the wind causes a shorter wet period. The island has on average 100 inches of rain per year. I would recommend the best time to visit Phuket would be February - March time as it is at its hottest period, its in reverse to the UK as our winter period is their summertime.

Phuket Nightlife

2006-07-19T11:06:00.001Z

Phuket's nightlife is major in Patong, it can be as crazy or as subtle as you want it to be. The main places to boogie the night away are Ned Kelly's Bar, The Alice Bar, The kangaroo Bar and The Oasis Club which is more of a chilling out place where you can relax and have a cold beer. There are adult bars such as Hard Rock, Pink Panther and Play School that are filled with entertainment to draw in the crowds, once you have finished in the bars at midnight, you could find your way to clubs which are more traditional for there dancing and there laser and strobe lighting. The normal entrance fee is around 100 Baht and clubs are open till around 2am.

Top Five Must Do's In Phuket

2006-07-19T10:37:00.001Z

As you no every place in the world has places that must be seen or done, Phuket has endless things but out of all off them here are five of what will encourage you to return.

If your looking to wine and dine and want a nice view, go to Khao Rang Hill when there is a beautiful overlook on Phuket town
To swift your partner of his or her feet, be a soppy romantic. You can go to Cape Promthep to watch a beautiful sunset.
Sea Canoeing or kayaking in Phang-Nga Bay will take your breathe away with the spectacular scenes and beauty of how the limestone and rocks have formed in shapes and sizes of all kinds.
Take a trip to the Hide-away Spa and enjoy a traditional Thai massage, afterwards you will feel on top of the world.
If you like to bargain shop Phuket Town has a night market that consists of a large array of Thai foods and desserts.

Phuket Guide

2006-07-19T10:10:00.001Z

Phuket is set in the Andaman Sea off the western coast of Thailand. Phuket is connected to the mainland by Sarasin Bridge. The island of Phuket caters for all types of people either laid back, explorers or travelers. There is lots to see with rocky and golden sandy beaches, forests with beautiful waterfalls and temples. The activites are endless with something for everyone you could travel to the islands just off the shore to venture into the seas by snorkelling or scuba diving. Beacuse of Phuket's proximity to other popular destination in Thailand many travellers choose to split their holiday between beach and city. Some preferring the hustle and bustle of city life in places like Bangkok others want to experience the natural beauty and amazing culture that Thailand is renowned for. So whether you want to relax or party the choices are endless.