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Aquatech Asia 2005 - The largest water and waste water event in Southeast Asia
HE
Somchai Sunthornvat (center) deputy minister of interior, is shown cutting
the ribbon during the opening ceremony of Aquatech Asia 2005. Also
witnessing the opening ceremony are Ids Boersma (front row-left),
international director of RAI Exhibition, Peerapong Oeusoothornwattana
(front row - 2nd from left), director general of Thailand Convention &
Exhibition Bureau, Pichate Satirachaval (front row - 2nd from right),
chairman of Provincial Waterworks Authority’s board of directors, and Dr
Prasert Chuaphanich (front row - 2nd from right), governor of the Provincial
Waterworks Authority (PWA), along with concerned representatives from other
organizations.
Amsterdam RAI, together with local and international
organizations and Asia Congress Events recently held the largest water and
wastewater event in Southeast Asia - Aquatech Asia 2005 at Bangkok
International Trade & Exhibition Center (BITEC). The exhibition, which
is organized every two years, drew in some 100 exhibitions from 20
countries. The international significance of the event was emphasized by
pavilions from India, The Netherlands, Singapore and the United States.
Aquatech Asia 2005 was certified by US Commercial Services and supported
by Thailand’s Provincial Waterworks Authority, Metropolitan Waterworks
Authority, Pollution Control Department, Wastewater Management Authority,
TCEP, the Royal Dutch Embassy, Asian Institute of Technology, Thai - India
Chamber of Commerce and Singapore Water Association.
Thai Airways announces price hike
for domestic flights from November
Citing rising operational costs and fuel prices, Thai
Airways International announced that it will increase fare prices for
certain domestic routes by 200 - 400 baht, effective November 1, 2005.
Thai Airways Vice President Wasingh Kittikul said the
airline will still suffer some losses despite the hike. He noted that THAI
has not adjusted the price of domestic tickets since 2001.
The routes to be affected are flights to Chiang Mai, Haat
Yai and Phuket, where passengers will have to pay 200 baht extra per flight.
The Chiang Mai-Phuket route meanwhile will be up by 400 baht and tickets for
Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son route will cost 1,000 baht instead of 765 baht.
Tickets to Khon Kaen, Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phitsanulok, Surat Thani,
Trang, Ubon Ratchathani and Udon Thani will cost 300 baht more.
Wasingh said THAI has already notified the Department of
Civil Aviation concerning the fare increase and he expected no objection as
the hike will put the price at an average of 4.19 baht per kilometer. The
ceiling set by the Department is 6.82 baht per kilometer, with the exception
of the Chiang Mai -Mae Hong Son route which is 8.33 baht per kilometer.
(TNA)
THAI imposes ticketing deadline
Thai Airways International has introduced a ticketing
deadline to prevent travel agents blocking seats and canceling at the last
minute.
In an exclusive interview with TTGTravelHub.Net, THAI’s
Executive Vice President for Commercial, Vasing Kittikul, said the move was
designed to maximize seating during the peak-season months.
He said: “We want to utilize the seats as much as
possible - we want 100 percent capacity during the high season. Agents who
block seats will have a time limit to issue the ticket once they have
confirmation of the seat, otherwise the airline will lose revenue.”
Vasing said if the deadline was not met, the seat would
be cancelled and priority would be given to other customers. “This is how
you maximize seats during the high season” he said.
The payment deadline would be different for each region
as well as for the high and low seasons, he said.
Bangkok-based Asian Trails Group Managing Director, Luzi Matzig,
applauded the move. “That’s good. There are too many agents fiddling
with seats. If everyone reserves what they need and actually sell, it helps
everybody.” (TTG Asia)
Gulf and Jet partner on loyalty programs
Gulf Air has signed an agreement with Jet Airways where
members of both airlines’ frequent flyer programs will be able to earn and
redeem miles, as well as other perks when traveling on each other’s
airline.
As a promotion to launch the new partnership, Gulf Air
frequent flyer members will earn double miles when flying with Jet Airways
between now and November 15. (TTG Asia)
Phuket holiday resort revives closed circuit TV surveillance project
Thailand’s famous southern resort province of Phuket
will revive an earlier project to install closed circuit television cameras
at a number of sites island-wide to step up its provincial safety and
security measures and provide better service to the tourist population,
local businesses and the public at large, Governor Udomsak Assavarangkura
said here Wednesday.
The governor said the so-called ‘Phuket Surveillance
Camera’ project was initiated by the Phuket provincial police office three
years ago. Under the plan, 120 cameras will be installed all over the
island, he said, adding that the project was shelved because of budget
constraints.
The project needed Bt 80 million (US$ 2 million) to
operate. However, the governor said, funds have been located and provincial
authorities will revive the plan to build confidence among both tourists and
the public.
The project would be divided into two phases, a first
phase focusing on important tourism spots, such as Patong beach, while the
second phase would cover other areas that are seen as less necessary.
Udomsak said he believed that when the project is
completed, it will ensure improved safety for both tourists, businesses and
the public at large. (TNA)
Phuket Bay casino may be taking a gamble
A proposed Thai-Japan joint venture to build a massive
convention, resort and casino-driven entertainment complex in Phuket Bay has
been met with lukewarm travel-trade response.
According to project documents released on Tuesday,
Phuket Bay International City is expected to be completed by 2015 at a cost
of 135 billion baht (US$3.3 billion). Some 20 million visitors a year are
expected to visit the complex, but travel industry figures say it is too
early to start getting excited.
“If they do it, it’s great news, but it’s too
early. Maybe it’s just a pipedream,” Asian Trails group managing
director, Luzi Matzig, said. “The real intention may be just to do the
casino - the rest is window dressing to get a casino license.”
Another prominent Thai-based travel industry figure, who spoke on
condition of anonymity, said: “How can this project go ahead? Gambling is
illegal in Thailand.” Umezawa & Thai Partners Architect Co. wants to
develop the complex. It was one of 19 companies that signed a partnership
agreement with Thai Longstay Management Corporation, a joint venture between
the government and private sector to help support government plans to lure
long-stay residents to Thailand. (TTG Asia)
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