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Thai hotels see red over proposed drinking rules
The Thai Hotels Association (THA) is in an uproar over
the possibility that F&B outlets may suffer losses from the proposed strict
alcoholic drinking hours and has set up a panel to lobby the government not
to pass the law.
The proposed “alcoholic beverages consumption” regulation, drawn by the
Ministry of Public Health, has called for strict alcoholic selling hours in
restaurants and bars. The proposed hours are from 11:00 to 14:00 daily,
17:00 to 22:00 from Sunday to Thursday, and 17:00 to 24:00 from Friday to
Saturday. The draft also suggests a ban on selling alcoholic drinks to
customers under 21 years old.
THA vice-president, Prakit Chinamournphong said, “The proposed regulation is
unrealistic as most international tourists are visiting Thailand for leisure
and will want to enjoy their vocational time well into the late hours. It
will harm the hotel business, the major contributor of foreign tourist
revenue to the country’s tourism industry.”
The restrictions also include a ban on alcoholic consumption in monasteries,
educational and religious-related locations. Establishments located within a
200m vicinity of the restricted areas are also included. (TTG Asia)
June 12-13 are declared public holidays
As Thailand prepares for an extraordinary burst of
celebrations and ceremonies marking the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the
King’s accession to the throne later this year, the government is clearing
the avenues by designating June 12-13 as special public holidays for
government and private offices in Bangkok and surrounding provinces.
The Cabinet approved the special public holidays in Greater Bangkok at its
official meeting in Thailand’s northern resort city of Chiang Mai, according
to deputy government spokesman Danuporn Punnakan.
On June 9, royal events at the Grand Palace will auspiciously mark His
Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 60 years on the throne - making King Rama
IX the world’s longest reigning monarch. However, the 9th would not be
designated a public holiday.
Government and private offices are, however, asked to allow their staff to
take part in the Royal events, then return to work.
Historic state and royal ceremonies and events on a scale never before seen
will be held on June 12-13. Royalty, or their designated representatives,
from countries around the world have been invited to join, according to the
deputy government spokesman.
The special public holidays are intended to reduce traffic congestion in
Greater Bangkok. (TNA)
Mekong tourism boost
The Mekong Tourism Office (MTO), located at Thailand’s
Ministry of Tourism and Sport, opened it doors on February 1.
MTO, which will be coordinating the tourism marketing and development
efforts of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), has named former PATA
executive, Stephen Yong, executive director, responsible for implementing
the new Mekong tourism strategy. The GMS comprises Cambodia, China’s Guanxi
and Yunnan provinces, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. (TTG Asia)
Thailand Riviera planned
The Thai government plans to invest US$5 billion (Bt.200
billion) turning four southern coastal provinces - Petchburi, Prachuab Kiri
Khan, Chumporn and Ranong - into a “Thailand Riviera”. Authorities hope the
scheme will increase tourism arrivals to the area by 10 percent per year.
Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapallop submitted the plan for Cabinet
approval on February 7. If approved, a working committee will be set up to
immediately start work on the development, slated to be completed in 2008.
The plan calls for infrastructure improvements, including upgrades of land,
sea and air transportation links, and a general tourism facelift for the
destinations.
The development of tourism attractions will be divided into two phases. The
first involves facelifts of existing destinations under three concepts: the
zoning of 12 historical and cultural attractions, the development of natural
attractions such as beaches, and an overhaul of hot spring attractions.
The second phase involves new tourism developments that the private sector
will invest in. They include three marinas, a water world aquarium, a sport
city and a spa city. The state will invest funds to turn the sand dune area
into a tourist spot.
Once the developments are completed, the government hopes to increase the
number of international visitor arrivals to the area from 660,000 in 2004 to
one million in 2011. Within the same period, it also hopes to raise the
daily foreign expenditure from US$52 to US$83 per person per day. (TTG Asia)
Ultimatum for Thai Air Asia
Thai Air Asia has been given a deadline by the Department
of Aviation (DOA) to clarify the shareholding issue and make the necessary
correction within the next two weeks or have its license revoked.
The airline came under fire following the sale of a 49 percent stake in Shin
Corp by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to Temasek Holding, the
Singaporean government’s investment arm.
Under Thailand’s civil aviation regulations, a Thai registered and operated
airline must be at least 51 percent Thai owned.
At the moment, Shin Corp owns 50 percent share in Thai Air Asia, while 49
percent belongs to Malaysia’s AirAsia. Thai Air Asia Chief Executive Officer
Tassapon Bijleveld holds the remaining one percent share.
Tassapon admitted the sale of Shin Corp to Temasek Holdings had altered the
shareholding structure of the airline. He said the airline was in the
process of finding new Thai partners to meet the DOA’s aviation regulations
and to keep its license. He hopes to announce the new partners later this
week.
In the meantime, the airline is allowed to continue flying on domestic and
neighboring countries routes. (TTG Asia)
Chiang Mai may host ATF 2008
Thailand plans to propose Chiang Mai as the venue for the
2008 ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF). A new convention centre will be built in the
country’s northern capital city to facilitate the high profile event. The
US$28.57 million convention centre will be located near the 700th
Anniversary Stadium, some 10km from downtown Chiang Mai.
The center’s design and specifications is being overseen and fine-tuned by
the Tourism Authority of Thailand with the cooperation of the Thailand
Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB).
Construction work is expected to commence in June and completion is
scheduled for December next year.
TCEB Director-General, Peerapong Oeusoonthorn wattana, said the centre would
be the country’s first state-owned convention facility. The bureau has been
assigned to draw up a business plan for the venue.
“The business plan is targeted to be completed in six months. Once approved,
TCEB will immediately commence the plan to promote and market the centre
while it is being constructed,” he said. (TTG Asia)
THAI plans Royal Orchid offshoot
Thai Airways International (THAI) plans to launch a
wholly owned domestic airline called “Euarng Luang” or “Royal Orchid” in the
middle of this year to serve high-end domestic passengers.
The new airline will be THAI’s second domestic carrier, following Nok Air,
which operates low cost domestic flights. Nok Air is partly owned by THAI.
The new airline is expected to start operation from Don Muang Airport, which
is expected to remain operational exclusively for low cost carriers, once
Suvarnabhumi Airport opens in the middle of this year.
THAI Chairman, Wanchai Sarathulthat, said the new airline would serve
domestic passengers who prefer premium services. (TTG Asia)
Road shows organized to attract tourists to northern Thailand
Northern Thailand is expected to welcome more tourists,
both Thais and foreigners, thanks to the Tourism Authority of Thailand
(TAT)’s initiative to organize tourism promotion road shows, both
domestically and internationally.
Director of TAT Northern Office, Region 1, Chunapong Saranak told
journalists that TAT would organize the road shows in Scandinavian countries
and Japan - Thailand’s major tourist markets overseas - later this year.
The road show in the Swedish capital of Stockholm will be held in May, while
the event in Japan will be organized in September, according to Chunapong.
“A large number of tourists from Scandinavian countries visit northern
Thailand each year. So do Japanese tourists, with the number now rising by
approximately 11 percent annually,” he noted.
TAT would also organize road shows in Thai cities such as Pattaya, Chonburi
and Rayong in the East, where several industrial plants are located and
domestic tours are often organized to boost employees’ morale. (TNA)
Thai budget and legacy carriers explore codeshare
Nok Air, Thailand’s budget carrier, began what it calls
“exploratory” - a domestic codeshare agreement with Thai Airways
International (THAI) on the Bangkok-Chiang Mai route on February 13.
Under the agreement, Nok Air will be given 10 seats per flight on THAI’s 10
daily flights on the Bangkok-Chiang Mai route. Nok Air operates four flights
daily on the route, using a Boeing 737-400s aircraft with 150 seats.
However, only Nok Air’s passengers are allowed to travel on THAI and not
vice versa. They will also be able to enjoy all full-frills services
provided on THAI, except for the accrual of THAI frequent flyer points.
Nok Air Chief Executive Officer, Patee Sarasin, said the seat allotment on
THAI would be promoted at “flexible” or “Nok Plus” fares between 1,800 baht
(US$42.8) and 2,000 baht (US$47.6) one way. He said: “During the peak period
the fares will not be much different from THAI’s.” THAI’s economy class
costs 2,255 baht (US$53.69), excluding tax, one-way.
Meanwhile, Patee said Nok Air planned to fly to Macau and cities in India in
the middle of this year. “India and Macau need more air services from
Thailand and thus provide us with great opportunity to maximize our profit
and aircraft utilization.” He said the airline planned to operate night
flights on the international routes and day flights on the domestic routes.
(TTG Asia)
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