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Tourism authority questions high speed rail proposal
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has called into
question proposals to build a high speed rail link from Bangkok to the upper
southern province of Prachuab Khiri Khan, ironically designed to boost the
number of tourists to the province, warning that the project could ruin the
local environment.
Silachai Suharai, Director of the TAT’s 2nd Central
Region office, urged caution over the proposals, which would see the journey
time from Bangkok to Prachuab slashed to under an hour. Calling for more
detailed studies, Silachai said that the construction of the rail link would
lead to air pollution and destroy the scenery in a number of local tourist
attractions. While conceding that the project would facilitate tourists, he
called for a public hearing to ensure that the private sector proposal
justified the huge investment involved.
His words were echoed by Prachuap Khiri Khan Governor
Prasong Phitornkitcha, who said that the provincial authorities were now
conducting a feasibility study of the project, and that before construction
began the views of local people would be taken into account.
If approved, the 40 billion baht project would see trains
running between Bangkok and Prachuap Khiri Khan at speeds of up to 400
kilometers per hour. Thert Damri Co. Ltd, the private sector company behind
the project, says that it eventually wants to see a high-speed rail link
from Bangkok all the way to Singapore. (TNA)
Thai hotels meet international criteria
Most hotels in Thailand now meet international criteria,
a fact that is expected to help further boost the country’s tourism
industry in the future, according to Tourism and Sports Minister Sontaya
Khunpluem.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand with the cooperation of
a foundation for the development of standard and personnel in
tourism-related industries, the Thai Hotels Association, and the Thai
Businesses’ Association, invited Thai hotels nationwide to apply for the
world-class certificate for the first time last year. The aim was to
increase trust and confidence among foreign tourists and improve the
reputation of Thai hotels.
Sontaya confirmed that 84 Thai hotels met the required
standards. They were among 110 hotels nationwide, from two to five-star
ratings, which applied for the certificate. Sontaya presided over a recently
ceremony to present the honorary certificates and plaques to the selected
hotels. (TNA)
Thai AirAsia launches new low-cost routes
Competition in the national low-cost airline sector
recently notched up a phase when AirAsia announced the launch of new
domestic and international routes, including an 800 route baht between
Bangkok and the northern city of Chiang Rai.
Unveiling the new routes, Thossaphol Belevelt, service
president for Thai AirAsia, said that Air Asia now provides three new
domestic routes. On 28 March, flights began to Chiang Mai, with prices
starting at 800 baht, followed on 7 April with flights to Udon Thani, with
prices starting from as low as 500 baht. The following day saw the launch of
flights to Nakhon Ratchasima, priced from a mere 450 baht. Thossapol said
that May would see the introduction of new routes to Ubon Ratchathani and
Surat Thani. (TNA)
Pandas earn big money for Chiang Mai Zoo
‘Panda-mania’ has hit the Chiang Mai Zoo which now plans
to adjust its location and improve services after a pair of giant pandas from
China drew large crowds in the past three months.
Director of the Zoological Park Organization (ZPO) Sophon
Damnui said that the zoo had earned a handsome income of 20 million baht from
huge crowds flocking to see the rare animals. Therefore, facilities to
accommodate more visitors during the upcoming Songkran festival will be
upgraded.
Private companies will be allowed to run restaurants at the
zoo. Thai Airway International Public Company Limited (THAI) is interested in
opening a shop selling its food products to the zoo visitors as well.
The pandas, ‘Xuang Xuang’ and ‘Lin Huey’ have become
the stars at the Chiang Mai zoo. To shield these rare animals from the scorching
summer heat, more air-conditioners have been installed in their enclosure to
make them more comfortable. (TNA)
Qantas flies non-stop to Ayers Rock
Qantas will start non-stop services from Melbourne to Ayers
Rock from 26 June, the first time the airline has offered direct services
between the two destinations. The airline will operate four Boeing 737 services
a week on the new route, with one-way fares priced from as low as A$199
(including taxes and charges).
The new non-stop Melbourne-Ayers Rock services complement a
range of other non-stop flights from the southern capital, including
Melbourne-Alice Springs and Melbourne-Darwin.
The new services will operate on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays
and Sundays, departing Melbourne at 1000 for an arrival into Ayers Rock at 1220,
with the return leg departing Ayers Rock at 1305 and arriving in Melbourne at
1605. Bookings and inquiries can be made via the Qantas web site at qantas.com,
Qantas Telephone Sales on 13 13 13 or licensed or AFTA travel agents.
Ancient kiln found in Nan Province’s ‘ghostly’ Muang district
Ancient legends of ghosts and sacred sites have been
unearthed with the discovery by Thammasat University students of a 700 year-old
kiln in the northern province of Nan. The kiln was found in an area of Muang
district known to locals as Dong Pu Ho, - in a complete state - together with
ancient pots and tiles, and may be featured as a tourist attraction.
The Dong Pu Ho area is one which locals are afraid to enter,
as it is surrounded by ancient legends. ‘Pu Ho’ is believed to be a Chinese
man who set up home in the area in ancient times. On the 13th day of the third
and ninth months of the lunar calendar, local people hold festivals in memory of
Pu Ho, whom they believe offers protection to the village. The kiln is near Pu
Ho’s shrine, so the local people have named it the Pu Ho kiln. The village
plans to develop a kiln museum in the area. (TNA)
THAI increases flights and seats to serve Songkran revelers
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) will
increase both flights and seats on major domestic routes to serve travelers
across the country during the Songkran festival next month, as the government
has allocated a huge budget of over 100 million to reduce accidents during the
upcoming traditional Thai New Year celebrations.
Suthep Suebsantiwongse, THAI’s Executive Vice President,
Commercial Department, said that to serve foreign tourists and local Songkran
revelers during the Songkran festival, the airline will increase flights for
round trips on such major domestic routes as Bangkok-Chiang Mai, Bangkok-Chiang
Rai, Bangkok-Phuket, Bangkok-Krabi, and Bangkok-Hat Yai.
“On the Bangkok-Chiang Mai route, THAI will increase seven
flights on 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, and 18 April. On the Bangkok-Chiang Rai route,
we will increase three flights on 13, 15, and 18 April. On the Bangkok-Phuket
route, we will increase nine flights on 10, 12, 18 April”, he stated. “On
the Bangkok-Krabi route, THAI will increase eight flights on 10 and 17 April,
and on the Bangkok-Hat Yai route, we will increase one flight on 15 April”, he
said.
Passengers and international tourists can call THAI at Tel.
(662)-6282000 and (662)-2800060 for further information. (TNA)
Phang Nga to produce
diving professionals
In a bid to develop its diving industry, Phang Nga will
provide training for local diving staff to meet international standards. Chief
of Provincial Labor Office Supreedee Saphapornhaemin said that the provincial
authorities mapped out the strategy to promote Phang-Nga as an eco-tourism
destination.
Supreedee said the marine national park in the Similan
Islands and the Surin Islands in the Andaman Sea are superb diving sites
attracting divers from all over the world with pristine marine ecosystem plus
arrays of exotic marine species. “But our lack of certified diving crews from
the international diving organizations is a problem for growth of the travel
business,” he said. (TNA)
Completion of Suvarnabhumi Airport will raise stakes in tourism
The number of foreign tourist arrivals in Thailand is
expected to reach 20 million over the next five years, according to Prime
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The Thai premier recently stated more tourist arrivals will
not only boost the travel and tourism industry, but will have positive effects
on other economic sectors, which in turn will prime the overall economy.
“The tourism target will be supported by the opening of the
Second Bangkok International Airport, or the Suvarnabhumi Airport next year,
which can accommodate more international flights and passengers, and the
government’s open-sky policy”, Thaksin said
The Thai PM recently chaired a meeting in charge of the
development of the new Suvarnabhumi Airport and reported that 48% of the work
has been completed, although it was 2.30% behind what had been targeted due to
some technical problems at the beginning. He was assured that the construction
could be completed by June 2005 as scheduled, and officially opened on 29
September, 2005, as planned. (TNA)
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