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

Chaophya Park celebrates Al Tara Halal and Vegetarian Restaurant grand opening

Thailand proceeds with South Korea destination road shows

Thai trade wants more tourism relief

Countries issue travel warnings against Thailand

THAI relives its historic first flight marking 50th anniversary


Chaophya Park celebrates Al Tara Halal and Vegetarian Restaurant grand opening

Executive Director Teeradej Tangpraprutgul (front row, centre)
and Pikul Chayopas (front row, third from right) cut the ribbon as Managing Director Apinya Loychusak (front row, second from right) and General Manager Andrew J. Wood (centre back row) look on with other hotel executives and VIP guests during the opening ceremony.

Andrew Wood
General Manager, Chaophya Park Hotel

The Chaophya Park Hotel Bangkok recently celebrated the grand opening of their newest outlet, Al Tara Halal & Vegetarian Restaurant. Al Tara is possibly the only fine dining venue in the city to offer Halal food as well as a delicious array of pan Asian cuisine including Indonesian, Malaysian, Thai, Indian and the Middle Eastern.

With Islam being the fastest growing religion, the estimated global population is currently two billion resulting in the increasing demand for Halal food to be more widely available. All ingredients used at Al Tara follow the strict dietary laws as outlined by the Islamic guidelines and are prepared by Chef Manit Laemit, a Muslim himself as with the rest of his kitchen team.

Al Tara’s interior fuses the mystical charms of Arabia with a fine touch of New Age modernity. The open arena cooking station not only adds a touch of entertainment to the dining experience but also allows the uncluttered area to give the appearance of maximum spaciousness. The vibrant colour scheme reflects the trends of today that blend artfully with the intricate decor.

Open every day for lunch and dinner with outside and home catering available upon request. Call 0-2290 0125 ext. 7105 for further information.

Seated in Al Tara waiting to sample the first meal served at the grand
opening are Executive Director Teeradej Tangpraprutgul (seated back left),
Pikul Chayopas (seated back right) with the Chaophya Park Hotel’s VIP guest
Mrs. Cornelia Bik (left) and General Manager Andrew J. Wood (right).


Thailand proceeds with South Korea destination road shows

Despite numerous travel warnings and advisories issued by countries against travel to Thailand, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) pushed through with its Amazing Thailand Road Show under the “Let’s take a break” campaign in South Korea from April 27 to 29.

TAT executive director for East Asia region Satit Nilwong said the board joined hands with Thai Airways International and the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau to take 40 Thai sellers to meet with about 230 buyers in Seoul and Busan.

He said the road show originally aimed at increasing the market’s awareness and interest in Thailand, was also used as a platform to restore confidence and understanding of the current Thai political situation. (TTG Asia)

 


Thai trade wants more tourism relief

Sirima Eamtako
(TTG Asia)

The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) plans to submit its proposals on tourism relief measures to the Cabinet sometime this week.

TCT president Kongkrit Hiranyakit said the measures, including a five billion baht (US$154 million) loan scheme with special interest rates and a waiver of debt repayments for a specific duration, aim to assist tourism-related establishments and staff affected by the current political unrest in Bangkok.

TCT will also push for a 12-month extension of last year’s five billion baht loan scheme for small and medium-sized enterprises. The scheme’s debt repayment waiver has been extended to December 2010.

Other proposed measures are compensation for staff in the affected protest areas and tax stimulus schemes.

According to Kongkrit, the current Thai political turmoil is estimated to cause a 10 percent drop in visitor arrivals and the loss of 80 to 100 billion baht in foreign tourism revenue this year.

Meanwhile, tourism minister Chumpol Silpa-archa is reportedly seeking the Cabinet’s approval for a 1.6 billion baht stimulus to restore tourist confidence once the political turmoil ends.


Countries issue travel warnings against Thailand

Sirima Eamtako
(TTG Asia)

Some 47 governments have issued travel warnings and advisories on Thailand as political tensions mount in the capital.

The UK government last week upgraded its advice “against all but essential travel to the whole of Thailand”. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Spain and China had also issued the same high level of warning.

Last week, Portugal also told its citizens to avoid Bangkok. Germany did so, too, and Hong Kong, Czech Republic and Taiwan issued similar advisories earlier.

About 21 countries, including Russia, the Philippines, Singapore, the Netherlands and Italy, had told their citizens to reconsider their needs to travel to Thailand.


THAI relives its historic first flight marking 50th anniversary

Thai Air’s 50th Anniversary flight to Hong Kong was a Boeing 747-400 repainted in the original livery design, as seen on the DC-6B aircraft in 1960.

On May 1, 2010 Thai Airways International Public Company Limited relived its historic first flight as part of its 50th Anniversary celebration, on the Bangkok - Hong Kong route, with a special in-flight menu, souvenirs, and onboard activities.

Pruet Boobphakam, THAI’s executive commercial vice president, said that during this special “nostalgic flight,” passengers were able to experience THAI’s first flight, as flown 50 years ago on May 1, 1960, but instead on board a Boeing 747-400 repainted in the original livery design, as seen on the DC-6B aircraft in 1960.

In recreating an atmosphere of nostalgia,
THAI cabin crew are outfitted in uniforms from the 1960s.

THAI offered a special Royal Orchid Holidays package tour for customers experiencing this event. Passengers’ journey into nostalgia started from the time they arrived at check-in, then on to the in-flight services with specially tailored menu selection. As well, passengers received a collection of THAI’s 50th Anniversary souvenirs that included commemorative postage stamps and the original-designed THAI boarding pass. In recreating an atmosphere of nostalgia, THAI cabin crew also were outfitted in uniforms from that period.

All passengers were served coconut rolls in special commemorative tins that could be kept as souvenirs.

The specially prepared menu was based on THAI’s original menu served on board its first flight to Hong Kong. First Class first course consisted of lobster medallion Bellevue served with Russian salad in tomato crown and smoked snapper marinated with mustard sauce served with Thai herbs, lime wedges, shallot, peanut, ginger, chili slices and spring onion, all wrapped with betel leaves. For the main course, first class passengers feasted on lobster in chu-chee sauce and braised cubed beef Hong Kong style. For other passengers, the main course selection included prawn in chu-chee curry with steamed Thai jasmine rice served with Thai omelet and stir-fried vegetables or braised cubed Hong Kong-style beef with egg noodles topped with red chili julienne and kalian with oyster sauce.

THAI also treated all passengers departing Bangkok on all THAI flights on May 1, 2010 with golden crispy coconut roll for dessert, which was served in a special THAI container that passengers can keep as a commemorative souvenir.