Long-stay residential project launched at Bang Saen
Tony Malhotra, Pattaya Mail Executive Director
of Sales & Marketing (far left) presents a bouquet of flowers by way of
congratulations to Bjorn Ohman, ESTO MSN (2nd right) on the official opening
of the Logans Village project. Also in shot are Mats-Erik Karlsson
(Assistant International Marketing Manager) and Chokchai Ekataksin
(Marketing & Communications Executive) both of the Samitivej Sriracha
Hospital.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Loan (Thailand) Co Ltd, a leading company in managing long-stay lodging for
foreigners, and which specializes in long-stay accommodation for
Scandinavians traveling to Thailand, opened its new Logans Village project
at Bang Saen on November 18.
Samitivej
Sriracha Hospital introduced their ‘residents services’ to the guests at the
official opening.
Sirirat Somrankitjareon, business development manager at Logans Thailand,
said that the number of foreigners coming to Thailand on long-stay visas is
increasing, especially in Chonburi province. He said this is an important
market for the company, and that it is projected to increase every year.
Jerry Felin, general manager of Logans Thailand, said that the Logans
residences in Bang Saen are designed around a nature theme. The first
project, Mountain View, occupies an area of around 80-rai and consists of 23
detached houses, with roads, a pool area, a restaurant and reception. Logans
Palm Tree Residences is the second development and has 28 detached houses,
shops, and a large pool area.
Felin said that the Scandinavian countries were the target markets for the
project, and that apart from Bang Saen the company has projects in Rayong
and Koh Chang.
During the official opening ceremony, Samitivej Sriracha Hospital announced
its medical care service designed for residents at the project. Spokesmen
for the medical scheme, Mats-Erik Karlsson, who is assistant international
marketing manager, and Chokchai Ekataksin, marketing and communications
executive at Samitivej Sriracha Hospital, manned a booth that displayed the
facilities available.
Logans Village offers long-stay accommodation in
natural surroundings.
Thailand ‘Arrivals’ soar
Andrew J Wood
In the latest figures released by the Tourism Authority of Thailand,
arrivals at the International Airport from January to October 2006 soared by
15.97% over last year, to 7.92 million arrivals.
Thailand
continues to remain a favourite destination for tourists
The top 6 countries to visit Thailand Jan-Oct 2006 were in order: Japan,
China, Korea, UK, USA and Singapore. The top three positions remain
unchanged from last year.
The largest European market for visitors to Thailand still continues to be
the UK recording 540,401 visitors, an increase of 7.96%. Sixth place
Singapore actually saw arrivals fall by 4.36% over last year, perhaps as a
result of fallout from the “Thaksin Effect” and the sale of Shin Telecom to
Singaporean company Temasek Holdings in a controversial deal that lead to
demonstrations both in Bangkok and overseas.
Russia saw the largest increase of any country, rising to 99,247 arrivals in
the first 10 months, a healthy 108% increase over the same period last year.
The southern unrest does not appear to have affected cross border traffic
with Malaysia, with arrivals surging 16.35%.
Thailand is becoming more popular not only with Europeans, but also with
visitors from the Middle East. They are no longer keen to travel to the USA
/ UK in great numbers and feel more welcome in Asia. The arrival figures
from the Middle East rose 33.43% in 2006 with Saudi Arabia showing an
increase of 86.47% and Egypt increasing 48.60%.
*Source of Data: Immigration Bureau, Police Department
Suvarnabhumi not ready
for grand opening yet
Suvarnabhumi Airport will not be ready for an official grand opening
ceremony for another six months, a panel overseeing the airport’s opening
cerebration says.
The panel’s chairman, Air Chief Marshal Chalit Phukbhasuk, said after a
recent meeting that two persistent problems, involving safety following
complaints from female airport staff of sexual harassment and noise
pollution continuously affecting nearby residents, had caused the delay.
ACM Chalit said with these problems still to be tackled, the official grand
opening ceremony for Suvarnabhumi Airport, to be presided over by His
Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, would be delayed by at least another six
months. All problems must be solved, and the airport must be at its utmost
readiness by the royal ceremony date, he said.
The panel also told Airports of Thailand to complete improvement upon
airport’s security concerns and standards by June next year - in time for
the due inspection by International Civil Aviation Organisation officials.
(TTG)
Jet Star begins flights between Thailand and Australia
Qantas Group valued based airline Jetstar has successfully commenced its
long haul international operations with its first services between Melbourne
and Bangkok, and a direct Sydney to Phuket service, both initially flown 3
times weekly have now increased to 5 times weekly this month.
Passengers on Jetstar’s international launch services to Thailand last month
had purchased special web fares at the airlines website (Jetstar.com) from
Bangkok to Melbourne for 1,000 baht one way, plus surcharges, fees and
taxes. They were treated to special in-flight offerings of massages,
celebratory gift packs and champagne on arriving and departing flights.
Jetstar’s low fares and regular direct flights between Thailand and
Australia are currently available for 8,500 baht one way Bangkok-Melbourne
and 8,400 baht one way Phuket-Sydney (Prices exclude surcharges, fees and
taxes).
Jetstar will fly long haul to 7 international destinations from Australia by
September 2007, serving 11 international routes directly from four
Australian cities including Melbourne and Sydney. Other destinations in
Jetstar’s long haul network from Australia include Ho Chi Minh City, Bali,
Honolulu, and both Osaka and Nagoya in western Japan.
Jetstar’s initial international fleet of Airbus A330-200 aircraft numbering
six by mid 2007, will offer two classes of service including StarClass,
Jetstar’s business class.
“StarClass passengers will enjoy extended legroom and a wider seat with
in-seat power, video on demand, priority check-in and boarding and access to
lounges,” said. Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce. “When flying
Jetstar our customers have a choice of not just flying to exciting new
international destinations, but also for what they want to pay for. Our
economy passengers have the choice to rent portable video on demand units
featuring new release movies, TV sitcoms and music videos (AU$12 in-flight)
or purchase meals, additional drinks and snacks in-flight - separate from
their low fare.”
Mr. Joyce also said Jetstar was making a significant investment in Thailand
through its 6 weekly international return services between Australia and
Thailand, offering over 1800 inbound seats per week, as well as the
establishment of a cabin crew base in Bangkok.
“100 cabin crew will be employed and based in Bangkok by the end of 2006,
and our first international services from Thailand are being supported by
the base and its management structure,” Mr. Joyce said. “Jetstar’s cabin
crew base in Bangkok will grow in line with Jetstar’s expansion of
international operations.”
Thai Airways gets closer to Samui route
Bangkok (TTG) - Thai Airways International (THAI) is hoping its closer
relationship with Bangkok Airways will finally enable it enter the lucrative
Samui market - but for now it will have to make do with a new code share
agreement covering the island.
Bangkok Airways founder and chief executive, Mr. Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth,
said the airline - which is both owner and operator of Samui Airport - was
willing to help THAI fly to the destination: “If possible, we want THAI to
start flying tomorrow,’’ he said.
THAI executive vice-president commercial, Mr. Wallop Bhukkanasut, said the
carrier had applied for a landing slot at Samui airport and clearance from
Bangkok Airways to fly there. If environmental authorities gave the move
their blessing, he said, THAI could begin flying to the destination before
the end of the year.
“Once that’s finished (the environmental issue), we need to co-ordinate with
Bangkok Airways about a landing slot and, of course, the fee. They own the
airport and we don’t know what they’ll charge.”
Mr. Wallop said THAI was looking at two flights a day from Bangkok to Samui
(one morning flight and one evening flight) using Boeing 737-400 aircraft.
On October 31, Bangkok Airways raised its Bangkok-Samui fare by 10.3 per
cent to 8,900 baht (US$243), excluding all extra costs, but recently
rescinded the hike after being heavily criticised by the trade.
The trade said THAI flying to Samui would result in increased volume to the
island, but there was conjecture if it would result in lower fares.
While THAI has been trying to crack the Samui market for years, Dr.
Prasert’s latest comments on the issue come at a time when the airlines’
relationship has warmed through the inking of several code share agreements.
The latest agreement covering the Bangkok-Samui route should come into
effect early next year, Dr. Prasert said. “We are trying to help out. We
will initially start with two flights per day, allowing THAI to code share
some 40 seats per flight. The code share agreement will allow THAI to sell
Samui to their overseas passengers, from the original destination through to
Samui.”
Ayuthaya celebrates royal past
Market where visitors can use ancient Thai currency to buy local products is a highlight of the
annual festivities
Sirima Eamtako (TTG)
The ancient city of Ayuthaya is all set to commemorate its glorious past.
The annual festivities showcasing the historical significance of the ancient
kingdom of Ayuthaya, which served as the Thai capital for 417 years, will be
held at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ayuthaya Historical Park, from
December 9 to 18.
Sample
the ancient heritage of Ayuthaya from 9 - 18 December
This year, the park will again be host to historical and cultural
exhibitions, folk and cultural shows, elephant shows, handicraft displays, a
bazaar of products under the Thai government’s One Tambon (or district), One
Product programme and the province’s annual Red Cross Fair.
The event’s highlight will be a one-hour light and sound presentation
depicting the history of Ayuthaya and its heroic kings against a backdrop of
the ruins in the World Heritage Site.
The light and sound show will be staged at Wat Phra Mahathat every evening
at 7pm. An extra 9pm show time will be added every Friday, Saturday and
Sunday. Each of the 15 shows can accommodate around 3,000 people with
entrance fees ranging from 50 baht to 200 baht per person.
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Ayuthaya office director, Ms Nittaya
Aumbhitaya, said to better facilitate growth in visitors from Japan and
China this year, the organiser planned to provide Japanese and Chinese
narratives in addition to the English version available via rental headsets.
The light and sound presentation will be staged in Thai only.
Ms Nittaya said due to the popularity of the show, advance reservations were
recommended and tickets could be bought in advance at the TAT office in
Ayuthaya.
Another highlight will be the TAT sponsored traditional market showcasing
Ayuthaya’s old way of trading. Ms Nittaya said local and international
tourists would be encouraged to exchange Thai baht for imitation ancient
Thai currency called Pot Duang and use it to buy local products, handicrafts
and food in the specially staged market.
She said the market had been organised to coincide with the annual
celebrations every year since the event started 14 years ago, and the
imitation Pot Duang money was particularly popular among tourists. Some even
traded thousands of baht and brought them home as souvenirs, she added.
Most fairs and activities at the 10-day event will begin at 10am while the
light and sound presentation and the cultural market will commence in the
evening. All events will conclude at midnight.
Organised and sponsored by the Ayuthaya provincial and municipal governments
and the local private sector, the event is featured internationally by the
TAT in its Thailand Grand Festival website.
Ms Nittaya said to ensure the event would be better organised in terms of
traffic arrangements, the organiser would try to better designate dedicated
parking zones. Tourists would be requested to park their vehicles at the
designated zones and could tour the activities around the park on electric
trams. Maps featuring routes to various activities and fairs would be
available, she added.
German-Thai round table discusses political changes
Peter Nordhues
Members and friends of the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce met on Friday
November 10 for their regular Pattaya “Stammtisch” or round table, a
tradition that began eight years ago.
Stefan
Bürkle welcomes members and guests to the ‘Stammtisch’.
Founded by Stefan Bürkle, the Stammtisch is always held in the Moon River
Pub.
This month Stefan, who is deputy director of the German-Thai Chamber of
Commerce, was present to welcome numerous guests from Bangkok and Pattaya.
During the last two meetings he has used comparisons between World Cup
football and the German economy to illustrate his points. This time he again
used football as a hook to his speech, but this time he extended the
comparison to the Thai political scene.
“Over the past few weeks a lot of changes have taken place on Thailand’s
political stage. General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, the leader of the military
coup against the Thaksin government, is, like me, a football fan. ‘Fair
play’ is one of football’s characteristics and also that of the new
government. However, it is still too early to judge how the politics in
Thailand will further develop,” said Stefan. “The new government is a
compound of persons who enjoy a good reputation with the public, and this is
a positive sign.”
Stefan said the personality of the new prime minister stands in contrast to
that of his predecessor.
“Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont seems modest and reserved but nevertheless
firm in his opinion and remarks. While Thaksin maintained an authoritarian
style of government, Surayud sees himself as a cabinet leader.”
As far as the economic side is concerned, Stefan said the coup didn’t have
any significant effect on the desire to invest. During a talk by the new
prime minister at the Foreign Correspondents Club in Bangkok it became clear
that the new government has a different attitude to the marketplace.
“The previous government tried to regulate the economy through state
interference. A goal of the new government is to take these cuts back and to
let the Thai economy return to being a free market. Therefore I foresee a
positive development which will strengthen the Thai economy,” he said.
After Stefan’s talk, members and guests turned to the as-usual sumptuous
buffet. The evening is designed for exchanging thoughts and ideas, and
generating new business relationships. The round table of the German-Thai
Chamber of Commerce meets every other month in the Moon River Pub. All
nationalities are welcome.
Members and guests packed the Moon River Pub to
enjoy ‘gemuetlichkeit’ German style.
Girly Berry a hit at Hank’s birthday bash
Dominik Stamm, GM of Amari Orchid Resort &
Tower, presents a lucky draw prize.
The party received a resounding thumbs up from
everyone there.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
The Girly Berry Band was the top attraction at Henry J Bean’s 9th
anniversary party on November 25, guests turning up at the ever-popular
American bar and grill to ogle the often outrageous antics of the four band
members.
Also on the bill was Num T-Bone, who sang while the girls - Gybzy, Nannie,
Giftza & Belle - danced along to the music.
General manager of the Amari Orchid Resort and Tower Dominik Stamm and
executive assistant manager Michael Goetz were on hand to welcome the guests
and celebrate with champagne the coming 10th year of “Hank’s”, as the bar is
popularly known.
A lucky draw was held with the prizes including air tickets to Singapore.
Dominik Stamm, GM of Amari Orchid Resort &
Tower, along with the 4 young ladies from Girly Berry splash Champaign over
the crystal tower to celebrate Hank’s 9th birthday.
It was a memorable night for all who attended.
The 4 young ladies from Girly Berry highlighted
the 9th Anniversary of Henry J. Bean’s in Pattaya.
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