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THAI launches special promotional
program during low season
THAI President Kanok Abhiradee announced on February 21
that the national flag carrier has cooperated with the Hotels’ Association
to launch a special program between March 1 and October 31, considered the
low traveling season.
Under the initiative, passengers buying THAI tickets for
a trip would be given a bonus - being allowed to fly onboard a THAI plane
for another trip free of charge, he stated.
The special offer would be for all first-classed and
economy-classed passengers, he noted.
The promotion is expected to not only help boost THAI’s
revenues during the low season, but also promote the country’s tourism
industry.
Kanok also revealed that THAI’s gross revenues last
year stood at B14 billion, saying that the business prospects of the
national flag carrier are steadily improving.
THAI is prepared to cope with the possible war in Iraq.
Its pilots who fly THAI’s Middle East routes having been well-trained to
be able to change air-routes immediately in case of emergency to ensure
passengers’ safety, stated the THAI President. (TNA)
Pattaya to promote underwater tour resources near Larn Island
Songklod Kaewvisit
Pattaya City officials met with representatives from
natural resources observation and evaluation companies at the City Hall to
discuss and follow up on the underwater tourism project. The scheme involves
allowing tourists to learn about and view reefs and marine life which has
become more abundant in Pattaya waters without damaging the environment.
Pattaya City recently hired Mahanakorn Consultant Company
and Binary Company to look for the most suitable spots for underwater
tourism and draw underwater maps to distribute to business operators. The
companies were also assigned to observe the density of coral and sea-plants,
underwater currents and evaluate the promise of future locations.
After the information is collected and analyzed, useful
data will be put into to computers at the Pattaya City tourism promotion
center so that visitors can learn more about Larn Island and its natural
resources.
City Hall also purchased and installed underwater tourism
natural resources preservation systems.
Koh Larn has many beaches including Laem Tien, Samae,
Tawaen, and Nuan. Koh Sark, another quiet and peaceful island, is only 600
meters away from Koh Larn and it has two beautiful beaches. Koh Krok is also
a small island not far from Koh Larn, and it has one lovely white beach.
Offshore, visitors can stop their boats and dive in the water to view coral
reefs.
Air India’s new menus mark
India’s Republic Day
Air-India’s First and Executive Class passengers
traveling from London to the USA/India can now look forward to savoring new
menus prepared by M/s Veeraswamy, an up market, leading Indian restaurant
located at Piccadilly in London.
M/s Veeraswamy, the oldest Indian restaurant in London
has, since it was established in 1927, been patronized by rich and famous
connoisseurs of food - to name a few - the Maharajas of India, Edward VIII
(Prince of Wales); King Gustav of Sweden, Motilal and Jawaharlal Nehru,
Charlie Chaplin, Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh.
The new menus from M/s Veeraswamy were introduced on
January 26, India’s Republic Day. Some of the choicest delicacies being
served for lunch till the end of February include Murg Palak Makhani
(succulent chicken tikka simmered in a buttered tangy tomato sauce with a
hint of fresh spinach), Shalgam with Dry Fruit (an unusual turnip dish with
caramelized raisins and coconut) and Palak Panir Kofta (cottage cheese
dumplings simmered in a creamy spinach gravy with Indian spices).
First Class passengers can try Lamb Travancore (a
specialty of South Kerala flavored with coconut and curry leaves) or
Panchratna Dal (a luxurious recipe using five different lentils tempered
with delicate spices).
Specially prepared menu cards were distributed amongst
the First and Executive Class passengers traveling from London.
Simultaneously, sumptuous snacks from M/s Veeraswamy are being served to
Air-India’s passengers in the Maharajah Lounge at London’s Heathrow
Airport as they await the departure of their flight.
Emirates’ SkyCargo leads the way in logistics
From February 2001, the new Emirates SkyCargo Center in
Dubai became operational. This is a custom- designed facility with an annual
through-put capability in excess of 350,000 tons. Looking to the future, the
first stage of the design and specifications is now under process for the
planned Cargo Mega Terminal which eventually will be able to handle up to
1,000,000 tons per year.
Emirates SkyCargo is the award-winning air freight
division of Emirates Airline. Established in 1985, it quickly built a
reputation for leading the industry in innovation, flexibility and service.
Today, it continues to set the standard, flying to over
60 destinations worldwide, and offering its customers a complete cargo
solutions service. Through SkyChain, the online cargo logistics system, the
cargo business works more efficiently by giving customers the tools they
need to better control their consignments.
The product range has been developed to provide customers
with cutting-edge cargo solutions. The Express Service assures on-time
delivery throughout the world, while the extensive trucking and off-line
partner networks ensure comprehensive coverage where customers need it most.
Quality is SkyCargo’s main focus, and this has been
recognized throughout the industry. Air Cargo News voted Emirates “Cargo
Airline of the Year” three years in a row, and “Best Cargo Airline to
the Middle East” for the past 14 consecutive years.
South African Airways launches “Companion Promotional Ticket”
South African Airways has launched a unique campaign
entitled “Companion Promotional Ticket” with a 50% discount for the
second air ticket on First and Business Class return to travelers going to
South Africa from now until March 31st 2003. The special offer applies to
passengers flying Bangkok-Johannesburg-Bangkok.
To qualify customers must purchase the return tickets at
the same time and travel on the same itinerary.
To book the seats or ask for further information simply
contact the South African Airways office or at inquire at travel agencies.
South African Airways operates 3 flights a week from Bangkok to
Johannesburg.
For more information contact South African Airways Office
at telephone 02-635-6158/9.
International Environment Park opened to honor Thai princess
In April, to celebrate the 48th birthday of HRH Princess
Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the occasion will be marked by the opening of a new
international environment park covering 1,800 rai of land in Petchaburi
Province.
The park is the brainchild of border police forces based
in the area, who will transform the Rama VI border police camp near the
popular seaside resort of Cha-am into the new park.
HRH the Princess has named the park -Sirindhorn
International Environment Park. The area is currently being restored, after
heavy environmental degradation was caused by the border police and by
charcoal makers.
Ten years ago HRH the King ordered that the land be used
as a case study for environmental development, and ordered the repair of the
royal residence in the area. A year later, HRH the Princess came to play
music and dine in the palace, and ordered that land be found for the
planting of mangrove forests to restore the area’s eco-system.
Describing the new environmental park as a living nature
museum, deputy superintendent of the Rama VI police training camp said that
the park would be developed into a historical and environmental tourist
destination.
“This will be of huge benefit to society, as it will
let people study from real life sources rather than only from books,” he
said.
Development of the area is now 80-90 percent complete,
with mangrove forests interspersed with beach woodland and ordinary woodland
areas. The park’s organizers have specifically selected unusual trees for
the project, and expressed confidence that within the next 10 years the park
will serve as a valuable environmental study area.
While the park is unlikely to be finished until next
year, it will be opened by HRH the Princess this April.
The area already hosts around 200,000 visitors each year
who come to see the summer palace, one of the largest golden teak structures
in Thailand. (TNA)
Elephant trekking launched to attract more tourists to Kanchanaburi
Located via a two-hour drive from Bangkok, Kanchanaburi
Province unfolds scenic beauty in a variety of landscapes characterized by
several waterfalls, caves, reservoir settings and the tranquil river of Mae
Klong formed by the Kwae Yai and the Kwae Noi rivers.
This western border province now offers an exotic
adventure for tourists to discover lush vegetation during an elephant ride.
Terdsak Kannasutr, provincial deputy governor said that
the elephant tour is included in the forest trekking program to attract more
tourists to natural destinations in Kanchanaburi. He said the number of
Thais and foreign tourists visiting Kanchanaburi is estimated at 4.5 million
people each year.
Local authorities set a target to promote tourism as a
key factor to increase hotel occupancy and the sales of local products from
the One Village, One Product scheme.
Terdsak said he discussed the elephant and tourism issues
with Winai Sandee, head of Kanchanaburi Elephant Conservation and Tourism
Club and it was mutually agreed that elephant trekking would not only
support eco-tourism but also keep poor mahouts and their elephants from
wandering and begging for food on the streets. The province is currently
home to 220 elephants.
The elephant ride is an alternative activity for tourists
who crave first hand experience in tropical jungle and a better view on the
elephant’s back. (TNA)
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