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Chaophya Park celebrates
Al Tara Halal and Vegetarian
Restaurant grand opening
Executive Director Teeradej Tangpraprutgul (front row,
centre)
and Pikul Chayopas (front row, third from right) cut the ribbon
as Managing Director Apinya Loychusak (front row, second from right) and
General Manager Andrew J. Wood (centre back row) look on with other
hotel executives and VIP guests during the opening ceremony.
Andrew Wood
General Manager, Chaophya Park Hotel
The Chaophya Park Hotel Bangkok recently celebrated
the grand opening of their newest outlet, Al Tara Halal & Vegetarian
Restaurant. Al Tara is possibly the only fine dining venue in the city
to offer Halal food as well as a delicious array of pan Asian cuisine
including Indonesian, Malaysian, Thai, Indian and the Middle Eastern.
With Islam being the fastest growing religion, the
estimated global population is currently two billion resulting in the
increasing demand for Halal food to be more widely available. All
ingredients used at Al Tara follow the strict dietary laws as outlined
by the Islamic guidelines and are prepared by Chef Manit Laemit, a
Muslim himself as with the rest of his kitchen team.
Al Tara’s interior fuses the mystical charms of
Arabia with a fine touch of New Age modernity. The open arena cooking
station not only adds a touch of entertainment to the dining experience
but also allows the uncluttered area to give the appearance of maximum
spaciousness. The vibrant colour scheme reflects the trends of today
that blend artfully with the intricate decor.
Open every day for lunch and dinner with outside and
home catering available upon request. Call 0-2290 0125 ext. 7105 for
further information.
Seated in Al Tara waiting to sample the first meal
served at the grand
opening are Executive Director Teeradej
Tangpraprutgul (seated back left),
Pikul Chayopas (seated back right)
with the Chaophya Park Hotel’s VIP guest
Mrs. Cornelia Bik (left) and
General Manager Andrew J. Wood (right).
Thailand proceeds with South Korea destination road shows
Despite numerous travel warnings and advisories issued by
countries against travel to Thailand, the Tourism Authority of Thailand
(TAT) pushed through with its Amazing Thailand Road Show under the “Let’s
take a break” campaign in South Korea from April 27 to 29.
TAT executive director for East Asia region Satit Nilwong
said the board joined hands with Thai Airways International and the Thailand
Convention and Exhibition Bureau to take 40 Thai sellers to meet with about
230 buyers in Seoul and Busan.
He said the road show originally aimed at increasing the
market’s awareness and interest in Thailand, was also used as a platform to
restore confidence and understanding of the current Thai political
situation. (TTG Asia)
Thai trade wants more tourism relief
Sirima Eamtako
(TTG Asia)
The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) plans to submit
its proposals on tourism relief measures to the Cabinet sometime this
week.
TCT president Kongkrit Hiranyakit said the measures,
including a five billion baht (US$154 million) loan scheme with special
interest rates and a waiver of debt repayments for a specific duration,
aim to assist tourism-related establishments and staff affected by the
current political unrest in Bangkok.
TCT will also push for a 12-month extension of last
year’s five billion baht loan scheme for small and medium-sized
enterprises. The scheme’s debt repayment waiver has been extended to
December 2010.
Other proposed measures are compensation for staff in
the affected protest areas and tax stimulus schemes.
According to Kongkrit, the current Thai political
turmoil is estimated to cause a 10 percent drop in visitor arrivals and
the loss of 80 to 100 billion baht in foreign tourism revenue this year.
Meanwhile, tourism minister Chumpol Silpa-archa is
reportedly seeking the Cabinet’s approval for a 1.6 billion baht
stimulus to restore tourist confidence once the political turmoil ends.
Countries issue travel
warnings against Thailand
Sirima Eamtako
(TTG Asia)
Some 47 governments have issued travel warnings and
advisories on Thailand as political tensions mount in the capital.
The UK government last week upgraded its advice
“against all but essential travel to the whole of Thailand”. The UAE,
Saudi Arabia, Spain and China had also issued the same high level of
warning.
Last week, Portugal also told its citizens to avoid
Bangkok. Germany did so, too, and Hong Kong, Czech Republic and Taiwan
issued similar advisories earlier.
About 21 countries, including Russia, the
Philippines, Singapore, the Netherlands and Italy, had told their
citizens to reconsider their needs to travel to Thailand.
THAI relives its historic first flight
marking 50th anniversary
Thai Air’s 50th Anniversary flight to Hong Kong was a
Boeing 747-400 repainted in the original livery design, as seen on the
DC-6B aircraft in 1960.
On May 1, 2010 Thai Airways International Public
Company Limited relived its historic first flight as part of its 50th
Anniversary celebration, on the Bangkok - Hong Kong route, with a
special in-flight menu, souvenirs, and onboard activities.
Pruet Boobphakam, THAI’s executive commercial vice
president, said that during this special “nostalgic flight,” passengers
were able to experience THAI’s first flight, as flown 50 years ago on
May 1, 1960, but instead on board a Boeing 747-400 repainted in the
original livery design, as seen on the DC-6B aircraft in 1960.
In recreating an atmosphere of nostalgia,
THAI cabin crew are
outfitted in uniforms from the 1960s.
THAI offered a special Royal Orchid Holidays package
tour for customers experiencing this event. Passengers’ journey into
nostalgia started from the time they arrived at check-in, then on to the
in-flight services with specially tailored menu selection. As well,
passengers received a collection of THAI’s 50th Anniversary souvenirs
that included commemorative postage stamps and the original-designed
THAI boarding pass. In recreating an atmosphere of nostalgia, THAI cabin
crew also were outfitted in uniforms from that period.
All passengers were served coconut rolls in special
commemorative tins that could be kept as souvenirs.
The specially prepared menu was based on THAI’s
original menu served on board its first flight to Hong Kong. First Class
first course consisted of lobster medallion Bellevue served with Russian
salad in tomato crown and smoked snapper marinated with mustard sauce
served with Thai herbs, lime wedges, shallot, peanut, ginger, chili
slices and spring onion, all wrapped with betel leaves. For the main
course, first class passengers feasted on lobster in chu-chee sauce and
braised cubed beef Hong Kong style. For other passengers, the main
course selection included prawn in chu-chee curry with steamed Thai
jasmine rice served with Thai omelet and stir-fried vegetables or
braised cubed Hong Kong-style beef with egg noodles topped with red
chili julienne and kalian with oyster sauce.
THAI also treated all passengers departing Bangkok on
all THAI flights on May 1, 2010 with golden crispy coconut roll for
dessert, which was served in a special THAI container that passengers
can keep as a commemorative souvenir.
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