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Laem Chabang hosts port safety workshop
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Laem Chabang Port was the host of a seminar on the handling of dangerous
goods, attended by representatives from seven Asian ports and staged at
the Long Beach Garden Hotel and Spa from August 15 to 18.
 Chalermkiat
Salakkham, deputy chief of Laem Chabang Port.
Chalermkiat Salakkham, deputy chief of Laem Chabang Port, presided over
the opening of the APA Workshop, which was organized in cooperation with
Germany’s GTZ as part of a project to improve safety at ASEAN ports.
Representatives of ports in Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Malaysia,
Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam attended the seminar, which dealt
with international standards for the handling of dangerous goods.
Delegates learned both theory and practice, and a demonstration was held
that showed what should be done in the event of a chemical spill.
Officials taking part in
the seminar learned how to handle dangerous goods.
Airport confusion
September 28 deadline has trade scrambling to be ready
By Mark Bode and Sirima Eamtako (TTG)
A resolve by the Thai government to stick to its latest opening date for
Suvarnabhumi Airport, September 28, has forced industry players into a
last-minute scramble.
During a tour of the new airport recently, TTG Asia was told by the Airports
of Thailand (AoT), that airlines had to be ready for the shift from Don
Muang, which would close regardless of their preparedness.
 “I
would suggest we slowly transfer operations instead of all moving in one
go.” Thai Travel Agents Association president, Anake Srishevachart
(Photo/TTG)
But during a test of the airport by local carriers that day, airline lounges
and offices at Suvarnabhumi were not ready, while roadworks around the
airport were moving at a feverish pace.
Board of Airline Representatives (BAR) president, Mr Brian
Sinclair-Thompson, said: “What I can say now is that we (international
airlines) are not ready to move - the deadline is so unrealistic. But to be
certain, we are conducting a survey on all international airlines’ readiness
in all areas - offices, lounges, ground handling, operations, etc - to see
which airlines are ready to move and which are not ready.”
Mr Sinclair-Thompson said BAR would consult with AoT if it was found a large
number of airlines were unable to meet the deadline.
He added: “Airlines have been given a September 28 deadline to start all
commercial operations out of Suvarnabhumi Airport. We were told to shift all
operations prior to the date. The AoT said it would definitely close down
operations at Don Muang on September 28.”
Scandinavian Airlines Ground Services (Thailand) managing director, Mr Axel
Blom, said carriers needed a contingency plan in the event they could not
meet the deadline, adding they required government support to overcome
potential problems that could prevent them from being operational on time.
He said: “We know that it is beyond the authority (AoT) - it’s now the
government’s order. The government has also repeatedly told airlines the
airport will be ready for operations as of (September 28). We have no other
choice but...there should be a contingency plan in case we are not fully
ready.”
British Airways and Qantas manager for Thailand, Ms Julianne Rogers,
admitted the rush was on to finish her airlines’ lounge on time.
Agents are also concerned. Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA) president,
Mr Anake Srishevachart, said: “TTAA has requested for a site inspection of
the new airport for our members, but was told by the AoT they were ‘not
ready to accommodate our request’. After several calls, they have finally
given us a September 11 date, but it’s too late considering the airport will
be opened in less than two months. We should see it now, so we know what to
prepare for our outbound operations. We need to tell customers what to do,
where to meet, etc.
“We are confused as we understand the airport is not ready, nevertheless the
prime minister has repeatedly insisted it would be ready for the September
28 opening.
“What is important is airlines must be able to complete their offices and
lounges before moving to allow smooth operations. If all are not ready, I
would suggest we slowly transfer operations instead of all moving in one
go.”
Mr Anake said airport transfers were not a concern as two highways, Bang
Na-Trat and Bangkok-Chonburi, linked the capital to Suvarnabhumi. Taxi cost
to the city centre is expected to be similar to the cost from Don Muang.
Inbound operator, LTU Asia Tours managing director, Mr Raymond Honings,
said: “What is more important is the incoming business: where we can park,
where guides can welcome clients. There’s no indication as yet how that will
function. It’s an area that’s often overlooked. The main focus is on
airlines, but people still need to be dropped off and picked up.”
He added: “What I’m concerned about is the road works. The ramp that you
need to exit off the elevated highway to get to the airport is not ready
yet, and there’s no sign it will be soon. At the moment, you have to leave
the elevated highway and travel about 10km to 12km on a heavily congested
parallel road to get back on the elevated highway. The other approach on the
motorway looks okay to me. The lack of a ramp will also hinder access to and
from Pattaya.”
Diethelm Travel Asia COO, Mr Richard Brouwer, said: “For us, it’s more
important to know where the ATTA (Association of Thai Travel Agents) parking
area is, where the guides will be standing, how many exits will be in
place.”
Hoteliers are also preparing. Marriott Resorts & Spas Thailand group general
manager, Mr Jonathan Wigley, said his group had identified transfer routes
and trained staff accordingly. “We are also changing collateral, website
information and any related operation procedures.”
Best Western vice-president international operations, Mr Glenn de Souza,
said his staff and agents had told him directional signs needed to be
improved, while the parking facilities were not useful for pick-ups and
drop-offs. “You also have to take a bus to the taxi stand at the airport.”
Last month, the Thai government slammed an International Civil Aviation
Organisation report identifying 29 high-risk areas on a 93-item checklist,
insisting the airport would be ready on time.
TAT campaigns
Thailand Unforgettable
Thailand will launch a new campaign, “Thailand Unforgettable”, positioning
itself as a kingdom of unforgettable beauty, luxury, culture and adventure.
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor, Ms Juthamas Siriwan, told TTG
Daily News: “This is not a new branding, but a promotional tourism campaign.
Thailand in itself is a brand, but we need to reiterate on our offerings.”
She said the campaign intended to highlight unforgettable experiences for
visitors to Thailand and the TAT would introduce 80 top tourism routings in
line with the campaign. The number 80 is also in line with the 80th birthday
of His Majesty the King of Thailand next year.
Ms Juthamas said adjustments would still be made on the logo, advertising
productions and artworks as well as collateral before the campaign could be
in place from either October or early next year. She added the new campaign
would be used for three to five years.
Thailand has initially targeted a 15 per cent increase on tourist arrivals
(from 13.5 million to 14.8 million tourists) for next year. However, TAT’s
officials are still discussing whether they can achieve the double-digit
growth. (TTG)
High season rates go up again
Thailand’s average room rates are expected to increase by five to 10 per
cent in the coming high season starting mid-October to end March 2007,
according to the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) and the Thai
Hotels Association (THA).
Both associations have also recorded about five to 10 per cent increase in
average hotel room rate in the last high season compared with the same
period the previous year.
ATTA’s president, Mr Apichart Sankary, said the increase was seen especially
in Bangkok, Pattaya, Hua Hin and Cha-Am, Rayong, Koh Samet, Koh Samui and
Koh Pa-ngan.
“The five-star accommodation in Koh Samui in particular, had the highest
increase of 15 per cent due to high tourist demand post tsunami period,” he
said.
THA’s vice-president, Mr Prakit Chinamournphong, said the increasing entry
of hotel chains into Thailand was expected to impact rate structure and top
tier brands were likely to hike their rates up by eight to 10 per cent next
year. (TTG)
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