Bangkok Airways offers special airfare for Koh Samui

Bangkok Airways, Bangkok Hospital Samui, Vejdusit Foundation, Samui Municipal, the Tourism Coordination Center in Samui, Thai Hotels Association and the tourism Association of Koh Samui organized a ‘Samui Clean Up Day’ of Koh Samui after the recent storms and floods. Dr. Prasert Prasartthong O-soth (5th left), chief executive officer of Bangkok Airways; M.L. Nandhika Varavarn (3rd left), Bangkok Airways vice president of corporate communications; Dr. Narintara Boonjongcharoen (2nd left), director of Bangkok Hospital Samui; Samui Mayor Ramnate Jaikwang (4th left); Dr. Bannasart Ruangchan (6th left), president of the Koh Samui Tourism Association; and Ms. Saipayom Somsuk (7th left), head of the Tourism Coordination Center in Samui grab brooms to take part in the cleanup.

Sirima Eamtako, Koh Samui, TTG Asia

Bangkok Airways is offering a special return airfare priced at 4,300 baht net (US$144) on the Bangkok-Koh Samui route to help restore confidence on the island, as news of recent rainstorms have continued to affect bookings.

The fare will be effective from May 12 to July 31, with the promotion available for 250 seats per day per sector. The airline will launch the promotion at its Ultimate Destination fair to be held at Siam Paragon in Bangkok from May 12 to 20.

The airline’s corporate communications vice-president, Nandhika Varavarn, said the fare would be available to all markets, as well as to agents and hotels that want to offer attractive packages to entice bookings.

“More special airfares will be launched in the coming months,” Varavarn said.

Hotels in Koh Samui have been running at 30-35 percent occupancy after the rainstorms and floods hit the island from March 26 to 29, according to the island’s travel trade interviewed by TTG Asia e-Daily, during the Samui Big Cleaning Day on April 24.

According to the trade, hotels normally run at 80-85 percent occupancy in March and April.

With pigs at a premium, Pattaya pork vendors squeal over prices

Saibua Hatyoung, a pork vendor at South Pattaya’s Wat Chaimongkol Market, says prices are higher than she’s seen in a decade and, as a result, her business is off 50 percent.

Pratchaya Kerdthong

The highest pork prices in a decade have vendors at Pattaya area markets squealing.

Disastrous floods that ravaged Thailand’s south last month damaged or destroyed many of the region’s pig farms, constraining supply. As a result, farmers, butchers and brokers have steadily increased prices, resulting in local prices of 150 baht per kilogram in Pattaya.

Saibua Hatyoung, a pork vendor at South Pattaya’s Wat Chaimongkol Market, said prices are higher than she’s seen them in a decade and, as a result, her business is off 50 percent, as shoppers turn to chicken and fish for cheaper meals.

Other market sellers said their business, too, is quiet with fewer customer inquiries. Their prices ranged from 120 to 150 baht per kilogram for pork meat, 95-120 baht for pig liver and 20-30 baht per kilogram for pig lung.

“If prices remain this high, many people will change to other products and pig farm owners will suffer as people protest with their wallets,” another vendor warned.

A group representing pork sellers around the country have petitioned the government for help, asking officials to restrain pork brokers who they claim are capitalizing on the short supplies to pad their pockets.

TNT Express holds ‘meet & greet’ for logistics professionals

Alan Miu, president of TNT Express’s Thailand division, solicits partnerships with Laem Chabang-area industrial companies to help grow their export and import businesses.

Chonburi Public Relation Department

TNT Express Worldwide held a “meet and greet” forum to discuss ways to overcome hurdles to the logistics business for international traders in Laem Chabang.

Alan Miu, president of the parcel carrier’s Thailand division, solicited partnerships with Laem Chabang-area industrial companies April 20 to help grow their export and import businesses.

The open house at the Laem Chabang International Country Club was also aimed at allowing current and prospective customers to exchange ideas and experiences relating to cross-border trade as well as discuss ways to overcome regulatory and operational obstacles.

As a center for manufacturing, tourism and agriculture, Chonburi has become a center for logistics companies operating in both the import and export markets. Businesses in Laem Chabang, however, face both labor shortages and operational challenges, which the port hopes to alleviate with a planned expansion and construction of a new high-speed rail link.

Miu said TNT has invited Tanit Sorat, vice president for the Federation of Industries in Thailand, to be a lecturer in the crucial stimulation of businesses to create opportunities with logistics. His advice, Miu said, can make it easier for companies to transport freight efficiently and provide guidelines to eliminate leverage points for intervention in processes of shipping across the border, including customs operations.

Asian Trails: No change to tours in Thailand and Cambodia

Bangkok-based Asian Trails has issued a press release saying that the conflict along the Thailand-Cambodia border has not affected its itineraries so far.

In a joint statement, Asian Trails Thailand managing director Roger Haumueller and Asian Trails Cambodia managing director Jacques Guichadut said: “We would like to point out that the itineraries of Asian Trails in Thailand and in Cambodia do not pass by, (are) not even nearby, these fighting areas. No amendments to any of our tours and itineraries are necessary. Please note that the Angkor temples in Cambodia are located some 230 kilometers south-west of the disputed area.”

Major news outlets have reported that the conflict along the border of the two countries has resulted in at least 12 dead and thousands being evacuated.

The tension concerns the Ta Krabei and Ta Muan temples, about 47km west of the O’Smach Border Pass between Thailand and Cambodia, and about 250km west of the disputed Khao Prah Viharn/Preah Vihear Temple.

According to Asian Trails, scheduled flights between Thailand and Cambodia “operate as normal and the border crossing at Aranyaprathet/Poipet is also open without any restrictions.” (TTG Asia)

Chiang Mai launches tacticals to tide over low season

Sirima Eamtako, TTG Asia

Chiang Mai’s travel trade will be launching a Chiang Mai Grand Sale campaign, with different discounts on offer, to boost business during the May to October low season.

Sarawut Saetiao, president of the Chiang Mai Tourism Business Association (CTBA), said he hoped the six-month campaign would fill 50 percent of available hotel rooms, which normally run at about 20 to 30 percent occupancy during the period.

The campaign will kick off with the third Chiang Mai Golf Festival from May 1 to June 30. An 800-baht (US$27) daily green fee will be offered at 14 golf courses in Chiang Mai and nearby Chiang Rai and Lamphun provinces.

Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Chiang Mai office director, Chalermsak Suranant, said the number of participants and revenue generated from the festival are expected to grow by 15 percent this year, up from 45,000 golfers and more than 120 million baht last year.

The local travel trade is also preparing to stage a food fair in July, a spa festival in August and two other events in September and October.

Meanwhile, Chiang Mai is set to participate in TAT’s nationwide Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2011 from June 15 to August 15. During this period, tourist attractions, shopping malls, shops, spas, hotels and restaurants in seven participating cities - Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Samui, Phuket, and Had Yai - will be offering discounts from 10 to 80 percent.