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Birthday celebrations at Amari
Kurt Rufli, managing director of Amari
Hotels & Resorts recently hosted a luncheon to celebrate the birthday of
Chaladon Ussamarm, president of CBS Successive Tour Co., Ltd., at Grappino
Italian Restaurant, Amari Watergate Hotel. Photo shows: Mrs. Boonsri
Ussamarn (sitting left) while Chaladon is blowing out the candles on his
birthday cake. Among the well wishers from left are: Kurt Rufli, Pierre
Andre Pelletier, general manager of Amari Watergate Hotel, M.L. Suravut
Thongthm, vice president sales of Amari Hotels & Resorts, Supat
Nuchkasem and Renato Rizzi, Italian Chef.
THAI reduces rates
on domestic fares
Thai Airways International (THAI) cut its domestic fares
by 25 percent for the first time, offering the reduced rates at the
International Youth and Eco Travel Mart 2003 held at the beginning of the
month at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.
THAI president Kanok Abhiradee said, "The price cut
was an unusual measure. But in regard to the current business environment
the airline felt it was warranted."
Conceding that Thailand’s national carrier stood to
lose "billions of baht of revenue" because the SARS outbreak has
made people fear flying, Kanok said that THAI has cancelled dozens of
flights to SARS-affected destinations, especially China, Hong Kong and
Taiwan.
Leading hotels in Bangkok also cut room rates by 30 to 70
percent at the tourism fair. The Plaza Athenee Hotel on Wireless Road halved
the rate of standard rooms to 2,999 baht a night, while Sofitel Central
Plaza Hotel cut its price by 70 percent, offering standard rooms at 2,600
baht per night.
Public flocks to buy cut-price tour programs
The Thai tourism industry celebrated as it became
apparent that strategies to boost the domestic tourism industry had paid
off, with the four-day Youth Tourism Fair clocking up 250 million baht in
sales as members of the public rushed to take advantage of cut-price tour
programs announced on May 4th.
Speaking at the close of the fair, Tourism Authority of
Thailand governor Juthamas Siriwan said that the fair had attracted over
100,000 visitors each day.
The news could not have come at a better time for
Thailand’s tourism industry, which has been dealt a major setback due to
fears over Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. The fair marks an attempt by
the tourism industry to boost domestic tourism to compensate for flagging
international arrivals, with tour companies, hotels and airlines encouraged
to slash their prices by 20-70 percent.
The government has indicated it will support similar
promotions in the future. (TNA)
The Ancient City at Samut Prakan
The Ancient City has been carefully constructed to
portray the character and appearance of Thailand. Divided into four
different regions, each is dotted with regional and architectural icons.
Scaled down, the architectural design is intended to draw
visitors into a thumbnail sketch of a miniature depiction of old Siam. The
best way to tour this tourist attraction is by bicycle.
The Dusit Maha Prasat palace from the Rattarakosin era is
in the south, Ayutthaya’s Sanphet Prasat Palace lies a bit further north,
while Khunphaen House is on the edge of a moat. Magnificent temples and
palaces come into view. The experience is a scene straight from
"Gulliver’s Travels", a Lilliputian mirage spiced with Siamese
history and fantasy.
Covering over 320 acres, it’s the world’s largest
outdoor museum and features 100 palaces and temples from the early Sukhothai
to Rattanakosin eras, along with other unique architecture from all over
Thailand.
The northern region, for example, features Mae Hong Son’s
Wat Chong Kham, Nan’s Wat Phumin and many exotic temples from other
northern provinces.
Getting there is easy. From Bangkok take the expressway
heading southwest to Samut Prakan. Turn off at the Samrong-Samut Prakan
Exit. Drive along Sukhumvit Road and turn left at the Samut Prakan
intersection. The Ancient City is on the left of old Sukhumvit Road at the
kilometer 33 marker.
The Ancient City is open everyday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00
p.m. Bicycles are available for rent at 300 baht per day.
The Cultural Bicycle Tour package with an
English-speaking guide can be arranged by calling the Ancient City at (02)
224 1057.
Special Promotional Packages at Sunshine Hotel & Resorts from
May 1 to October 31, 2003
Package A - 2 days 1 night,
2 pax for Baht 1,590.- or 1 pax for Baht 1,290.-, Superior room type,
breakfast, welcome drinks, dinner, tour package either Million Year Stone
park-Crocodile farm, or Mini Siam, or Tiger Zoo Sri Racha. Note-extra bed
for fewer than 12 years adds Baht 500.-
Package B- 2 days 1 night, 2 pax for Baht
1,900.-, or 1 pax for Baht 1,500.-, Superior room type, breakfast, welcome
drinks, dinner, tour package either Nong Nooch Garden or Alcazar Show or
Coral Reef snorkeling at Koh Larn including lunch
Note-extra bed for fewer than 12 years adds Baht 500.-
Package C or Golf Package- 2 days 1 night,
Superior room type room, breakfast, welcome drink, dinner, choose to play 18
holes golf game at either Natural Park Resort Golf Club or Natural Park Hill
Golf Club. Weekdays-1 golfer for Baht 1,950.-, 2 golfers Baht 2,900.-
Weekends-1 golfer for Baht 2,350.-, 2 golfers for Baht 3,700.-
Hotels available in these three packages include The Green Park Resort
tel. 038-426356-7, Sunshine and Residence tel. 038-414749-9 fax. 038-421302,
and Sunshine Vista Service Apartment tel. 038-414760-7 fax. 038-414769
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