TRAVEL & TOURISM
HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]: 

Long-stay residential project launched at Bang Saen

Thailand ‘Arrivals’ soar

Suvarnabhumi not ready for grand opening yet

Jet Star begins flights between Thailand and Australia

Thai Airways gets closer to Samui route

Ayuthaya celebrates royal past

German-Thai round table discusses political changes

Girly Berry a hit at Hank’s birthday bash


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.