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Nok Air postpones launch indefinitely
Nok Air – the low-cost airline backed by Thai Airways
International (THAI) – has once again delayed its launch and this time has
not set a new date for the commencement of operations. A Nok spokesman said
the process of getting approvals and permissions from the regulatory
authorities had taken longer than expected and “everything is behind
schedule”.
Nok originally intended to start services between April and June
following a pledge by THAI chairman, Dr Thanong Bidaya, to give “support
and assistance” wherever it was required to get the new venture into the
air. Despite having the weight of the flag carrier behind it, Nok was unable
to meet its earlier deadline and postponed the launch to June 1, then to
July 1 and now to an unspecified date in the near future. (TTG Asia)
Tourism Ministry aims
for 20 million tourists by 2008
The kingdom is aiming to attract 20 million tourists by
2008, a significant increase on the 17.5 million it had previously targeted,
and nearly double the 10.5 million who visited the country last year.
A spokesman for the minister of tourism and sports,
Sontaya Khunplome, said the new figure is considered “totally realistic”
and the country is already developing the infrastructure required to meet
the new target.
The spokesman said, “We are confident we can host 20 million with
Suvarnabhumi Airport opening in 2005, an additional runway at Phuket,
extensions and modernization at Chiang Mai airport, the new subway in
Bangkok, new roads and numerous new hotels in Bangkok and throughout the
kingdom.” (TTG Asia)
Suvarnabhumi Airport
prepares 15,000-vehicle car park
The New Bangkok Airport Authority (NBA) is preparing to
construct a car park for Bangkok’s new international airport which will
have a capacity of over 15,000 vehicles. Revealing that construction on the
Suvarnabhumi Airport - due to open in September 2006 - the NBA said that the
car park would be one of the airport’s most important facilities.
Work on the car park began in May, and is scheduled for
completion shortly before the airport opens. Two six-storey concrete car
park buildings will front the passenger terminals, with a combined area of
around 93,000 square meters to take around 5,000 vehicles. There will also
be two additional car park areas for temporary parking, able to take a
further 1,000 vehicles. Other car parks dotted around the airport compound
will bring total vehicle capacity to around 15,600. Construction costs are
expected to run to 898.6 billion baht. In its initial phase, the airport
hopes to handle around 45 million passengers a year. The construction of the
Suvarnabhumi Airport is now 54 percent complete. (TNA)
AEHL Thailand Stamm hosts reunion dinner at the Oriental Bangkok
Kurt
Wachtveitl, general manager of the Oriental Bangkok kindly accepted the role
of the host for the AEHL Thailand Stamm (old students of the Lausanne Hotel
Management School) June get-together, and the dedicated Oriental F&B
team organized and celebrated a fantastic dinner at the stylish Regency
Room. The Italthai Food & Beverage Group generously sponsored the fine
wines. Amongst the revelers is “Alumni - Stammvater” Robert Jaermann
(front row center).
Upgraded Sihanoukville Airport ready
Sihanoukville Airport in Cambodia’s emerging beach
resort destination has undergone a major upgrade and is now ready to receive
regular international flights. The airport recently reopened after extensive
work, including a 100m runway extension, the addition of five new parking
bays and a new two-storey terminal building with customs and immigration
facilities, a VIP lounge, four large airline offices and several smaller
offices.
“Discussions are now under way with several airlines
interested in serving the Sihanoukville market from the commencement of the
next tourist season,” said airport manager Geoff Rider. (TTG Asia)
The ADAC is everywhere
Pattaya has everything, says tour director
Elfi Seitz
The German Automobile Club (ADAC) is a familiar sight on
German roads, but it also arranges trips all over the world. ADAC’s
special tours director Karl Kern of Munich explains, “Study and cultural
trips are offered for ADAC members at special prices.” That means of
course that all these trips have to be tested first and Karl Kern has done
that often in his long and successful career.
 Karl
and Barbara Kern with their little daughters during dinner at the terrace of
the Siam Bayshore Hotel.
What is a man doing in Pattaya who can choose any
destination in the world? He and his wife Barbara and their two children
Anna, 4 and Lisa, 3, are on holiday, of course.
Karl explains, “Our family’s special friendship with
Hans Spoerri, general manager of the Siam Bayshore Hotel, played a key role
in our coming to Pattaya. He has taken very special care of us and has
helped to make our stay here unforgettable.”
The charming Bavarian said, “I first came to Pattaya in
1979, but there was a ten year break before I had the opportunity to come
back. That was a busy period and I spent more time on trips for my job than
I did at home. Because of that, I know what I have here. I can evaluate from
a tourist point of view and I know that you can send people to a place where
you feel comfortable yourself.”
Later he came to Pattaya every third or fourth year,
first alone and later with his wife. But the children are here for the first
time. “They were just too young until now,” said wife Barbara, adding
that she didn’t feel any cultural shock during her first visit. She
stressed, “There are not so many convenient countries and places around
the world where special wishes and requests are this easily fulfilled. In
Pattaya we have had a great holiday. The Thai people are polite, gentle and
their service has been outstanding. We appreciate their pride in their
culture. And they have been absolutely wonderful to our children.”
Karl thinks that Pattaya and its surroundings have a lot
of practical advantages. “There is the beautiful tropical countryside,
fabulous golf courses at reasonable prices, a lively city full of fun
activities and shopping, and the relatively short distance from the airport,
which will be even shorter in the future. Pattaya is ideally situated. After
a long flight, most visitors are not in the mood to go further. Pattaya is
the ideal destination since it offers something for everyone, including
families.
“The many leisure activities, either sightseeing,
parks, islands, sports or other activities, are praiseworthy, and we also
liked the fact that they are, for the most part, accommodating to children.
Unfortunately not everybody knows that,” concludes Karl.
It must be admitted that Pattaya has a certain image, but if you know it
– really know it and not only the bars, than you will love it and share
the opinion of this family. So it is no wonder that they are already making
plans with Hans Spoerri for their next holiday.
Birthdays all round at Skal’s Caribbean night
Multiple birthdays were celebrated at the recent Skal
club of Pattaya and East Thailand Caribbean night party, held at the Moon
River Pub on June 19. It was also a night that coincided the 70th
anniversary of Skal International. In true form, 40 plus members and guests
joined in a night of partying amid some serious Skal business being
conducted on the side.
 Raine
Grady, Pattaya Mail Plus presenter was pleasantly surprised when her
birthday cake was brought out.
A fantastic buffet was provided by the Thai Garden Resort
which saw many people going back for second and thirds, especially for the
chocolate mousse. However, to kick-start the night Deborah Bunditayanond
proposed the Skal toast to Skalleagues everywhere before the buffet was
opened.
President Bob Lee was seen frantically running about
looking for raffle ticket buyers while the party continued. H.E. Dr. Herbert
Traxl, Austrian ambassador to Thailand also paid a visit with his family,
taking time off from diplomatic duties.
 Happy
70th Birthday Ska! Seen cutting the cake are (L to R) Johanna Stetten, Rene
Pisters, Bob Lee and Deborah Bunditayanond.
The serious part of the evening was earlier when the
board announced Pattaya’s bid for the Skal Eco-tourism awards 2004, and
voiced confidence in the bid, which has been supported by both the city and
the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Last year, Pattaya ranked number 8 out 63
other nations and with more preparation is inline to win this year’s bid.
 Ranyana
Nayaran, Alexander Hไusler, Ishan Traxl, Austrian ambassador to
Thailand Dr. Herbert Traxl, Rapeepan Hไusler and Peter Cummins snapped
on film as they joined the party.
Now for the birthdays! Skal International was first up
with a picture cake being cut to celebrate 70 years of the association, more
or less celebrated simultaneously around the globe. Raine Grady, Capital
Television’s CEO was given a warm round of happy birthday and Rene Pisters,
Thai Garden’s general manager, who surreptitiously left, was also
celebrating his birthday. And you thought no one would notice Rene? Happy
belated birthday.
Before long the Moon River’s in-house band, Power Jam cranked up the
tempo and the volume to draw the crowd out onto the dance floor for the rest
of the night. In all, it was a great night for Skalleagues and Pattaya, as
the club strives to promote the region to the rest of the world’s tourism
and travel industry. Something that Pattayans should be proud of.
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