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Fund raising for AIDS
Prof. Damrong Reinprayooon, director of
the Thai Red Cross Volunteers Bureau, and Saisom Wongsasuluck, chairperson
of the Thai Red Cross Society fund raising committee, recently received a
donation of funds raised at the "Nam Prik Pla Too" art exhibition
organized by the Anurak Thai Group, led by Ajarn Manit Nivessilp, in
cooperation with Amari Watergate Hotel, led by Pierre-Andre Pelletier,
general manager, to the "Save a Child from AIDS" project under
Royal Patronage at the Thai Red Cross Society.
Prof.
Damrong Reinprayooon (4th left) and Saisom Wongsasuluck (3rd left) receive a
cheque from Ajarn Manit (4th right) and Pierre-Andre Pelletier (3rd right),
Nichaya Chaivisuth (2nd right) Amari Watergate Hotel director of public
relations while other volunteers look on.
New Bangkok International Airport steps up construction
In an effort to meet pressing deadlines and speed up
construction the New Bangkok International Airport (NBIA) has approved three
more projects. Acting NBIA president Somchai Somprasong said the move was
made to ensure the new airport opens as scheduled.
The three new projects that have been approved include a
885.5 million baht soil quality improvement project in front of the NBIA
warehouse to be operated by Ch Karnchang - the country’s leading
construction firm, a 576 million baht underground tunnel project for
electric trains to be undertaken by the ITO Joint Venture Group, and a 1.17
billion baht soil quality improvement project at the NBIA parking area to be
undertaken by Kanpangpet Vivat Construction and Econ Corporation.
According to Somchai, the construction progress rate at
the new airport is about 31 percent, which is 6 percent slower than the set
target.
Chiang Mai and Phuket link up
Hopes that domestic travelers will replace international ones
Autsadaporn Kamthai
Chiang Mai and Phuket Tourism Business Associations will
launch a new direct flight by Phuket Airlines flying between Chiang Mai and
Phuket in September this year. This is an attempt to exchange domestic
tourists between the two provinces and cope with the SARS crisis, declared
Boonlert Pelera, president of Chiang Mai Tourism Business Association.
Phuket Airlines are proposing two flights per week
(between Chiang Mai and Phuket). The flight will cost less than 8,000 baht a
ticket, which will be cheaper than previously and this new direct flight
should help tourism businesses in Chiang Mai and Phuket during the low
season.
Tourism businesses in both provinces have faced the most
difficult time during the past few months since the Gulf War and fears of a
SARS epidemic. During the past few months, tourist arrivals in Chiang Mai
have gone down alarmingly; Chinese down by 50%, Europeans and others 25-40%,
this on top of the usual low season dip could spell disaster for some
tourist related businesses said Boonlert.
As well as Phuket, Chiang Mai has also targeted Koh Chang
in Trat Province, Surat Thani and Hat Yai in Songkla, but all these routes
are still in the stages of planning and coordination.
Most Air-India flight schedules
now back to normal
All Air-India flights which are routed via Delhi to
Western destinations returned to operating as per the normal schedule on May
7.
Air-India’s flight schedule was temporarily disrupted
by a pilot’s dispute but has been almost completely restored. All flights
to various destinations in the Gulf are also being operated.
Flights to Nairobi/Dar-es-Salaam, which had been
temporarily discontinued, were resumed on May 12.
Flights on the Mumbai-Chennai-Singapore sector are being
stepped up to three per week and are expected to gradually go up in the
coming weeks. These flights will be operated on Wednesdays, Fridays and
Sundays.
Flights to Hong Kong, also temporarily suspended due poor
demand are not being restored for the present. Flights on the India-Bangkok
sector via Guwahati will also remain cancelled till September 14, 2003.
Emirates increases non-stop flights to Perth
Passengers and cargo customers will benefit from greater
choice now that Emirates has increased its flights between Dubai and Perth
in Western Australia from four times weekly to daily. The extra flights
provide capacity for 900 extra passengers per week and an additional 45 to
50 tons of cargo.
Ghaith Al Ghaith, Commercial Operations director said
that the increase was a result of strong demand.
This expansion of its Perth services means that Emirates
will fly daily to three Australian cities - Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, a
total of 21 flights weekly. On 26 October, a fourth city will be added when
daily services start between Dubai and Brisbane.
Flights to Sydney and Melbourne are currently routed via
Singapore, but, in a further development, flights between Dubai and Sydney
will become non-stop on 26 October when Emirates introduces the new ultra
long range Airbus A340-500 aircraft on the route.
Special Promotional Packages at Sunshine Hotel & Resorts from
May 1, 2003 to October 31, 2003
Package A- 2 days 1 night, 2 pax for 1,590 baht or 1 pax
for 1,290 baht. Superior room type, breakfast, welcome drinks, dinner, tour
package either Million Year Stone park-Crocodile farm, or Mini Siam, or
Tiger Zoo Sri Racha. Note-extra bed for under 12 years old adds 500 baht.
Package B- 2 days 1 night, 2 pax for 1,900 baht or 1 pax
for 1,500 baht. Superior room type, breakfast, welcome drinks, dinner, tour
package either Nong Nooch Garden or Alcazar Show or Coral Reef snorkeling at
Larn Island including lunch. Note-extra bed for under 12 years old adds 500
baht.
Package C or Golf Package- 2 days 1 night, Superior room
type room, breakfast, welcome drink, dinner, choose to play 18 holes golf
game at either Natural Park Resort Golf Club or Natural Park Hill Golf Club.
Weekdays-1 golfer for 1,950 baht. 2 golfers 2,900 baht.
Weekends-1 golfer for 2,350 baht. 2 golfers for 3,700 baht.
Hotels available in these three packages include The
Green Park Resort tel. 038-426356-7, Sunshine and Residence tel.
038-414749-9 or FAX 038-421302, and Sunshine Vista Service Apartment tel.
038-414760-7 or FAX 038-414769.
Accor launches
‘Cool Deals’ campaign
to boost domestic market
Accor is launching a ‘Cool Deals’ campaign in
Thailand, Cambodia and Laos with outstanding rates for Thai citizens and
expatriate residents until 30 September 2003.
The promotion includes some of the finest hotels in
Bangkok and beyond, featuring attractive rates that allow guests to enjoy
the local culture, shop, relax by the pool or enjoy a soothing massage.
Participating hotels in Bangkok include Sofitel Silom
(2,050 baht); Sofitel Central Plaza Bangkok (2,731 baht on weekdays and
2,600 baht on weekends); Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square (1,850 baht);
Novotel Lotus Bangkok (1,690 baht on weekdays and 1,490 baht on weekends);
Novotel Bangna Bangkok (1,479 baht on weekdays and 1,202 baht on weekends)
and Regency Park (1,120 baht).
Resort hotels outside Bangkok joining this campaign are
the historic Sofitel Central Hua Hin Resort (3,290 baht on weekdays and
4,290 baht on weekends); Sofitel Raja Orchid Khon Kaen (1,450 baht); Novotel
Coralia Rim Pae Rayong (1,277 baht on weekdays and 1,777 baht on weekends);
Novotel Coralia Phuket (2,000 baht); Novotel Chiang Mai (1,000 baht);
Novotel Central Sukhontha HatYai (1,600 baht) and Panwa Beach Resort (1,100
baht).
Sofitel Royal Angkor in Cambodia and Novotel Vientiane in
Laos also are offering special rates of US$120 (including breakfast) and
1,800 baht respectively.
Rates are per night for room only for one or two persons
and inclusive of VAT and service charge. Inquiries and bookings can be made
at Tel: 02 237 6064.
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