The national government of Vietnam has stated it will launch a pilot electronic visa application system on 1 February 2017. According to local media sources in Hanoi, nationals of nations which have friendly relationships with Vietnam will be eligible to apply for e-visas to visit.
The project manager in charge of upgrading the main international air gateway to Laos says it is on schedule for completion in 18 months time. Sengsangoun Chanthavong says the US$60 million expansion will give Vientiane’s Wattay Airport increased flight and passenger handling capacities.
A new water park on the southern Thai peninsula is set to officially open this weekend with a scintillating entertainment extravaganza. The Andaman Water Park in Trang Province will welcome its first guests on Saturday with shows and musical performances laid on by some of Thailand’s top artistes.
The management authority with jurisdiction over Cambodia’s historic Angkor complex says it will close the access bridge to the main temple for four years. Apsara Authority spokesperson Long Kosal told media sources the closure is necessary to allow essential maintenance and renovation to be carried out.
From now until the end of January is a great time to take a cultural voyage around the top historical and heritage sites in Thailand. The reason for this is that the Fine Arts Division of the national Ministry of Culture is offering free entry to one and all at 42 elite attractions until the 31 January 2017.
Top UK band Coldplay have added a concert date in the Thai capital of Bangkok to the Asian leg of their current world tour. Late last week, the band posted up bulletins on social media saying a concert at Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium as well as an extra show in Singapore had been tacked onto their schedule.
The director of the Airports of Thailand has announced that people using Don Mueang Airport will soon have a well-equipped passenger and business lounge at their disposal. Petch Chuncharoen explained that the Miracle Co-working Space would welcome its first patrons on the 31 December 2016.
The government of Thailand last week approved the introduction of a 10-year tourist visa. The new visa will be an option for foreign tourists over 50 years old once legislation is enacted to endorse it.
The operator of Thailand’s newest ferry service has announced it will test the vessel before the service goes live on New Year’s Day. The Marine Department’s director-general says Royal Passenger Liner will conduct trial runs of the Pattaya to Hua Hin service at the end of next month.
The Grand Palace in Bangkok is in the process of training its own corps of specialist tour guides. The Royal Household Bureau is collaborating with the National Tourism Department in the tuition of a troop of 200 guides.
Thailand’s transport planning agency says the long-awaited travel card for all of Bangkok’s urban train systems will launch in the middle of 2017. The Transport Policy Plan Office says the Mangmoom Card will be valid for travel on BTS Skytrain, MRT Purple Line, underground Metro and Suvarnabhumi Airport Link services.
The governor of Thailand’s Narathiwat Province this week presided over a meeting designed to improve procedures at the Sungai Kolok immigration checkpoint. Sittichai Sakda chaired the brainstorming session aimed at expediting processing times for international travellers crossing the southern border.
Thailand’s national railway operator is running a series of excursion trains in the north over the forthcoming holiday season. Tourists and rail travel aficionados have the chance of boarding themed services such as the Merry Christmas Special and the Train of Love for Valentine's.
Thailand’s Royal Household Bureau has announced that the Grand Palace in Bangkok will be closed on a number of days next week. The palace and its Emerald Buddha Temple will be closed on 1 and 2 December in addition to the 5 and 6 December.
The government of Thailand has just announced a temporary amendment to its visa regulations for foreign tourists. The amendment will enable the citizens of 19 countries to visit without paying for tourist visas.
Thai tourists were on hand to welcome the first dawn frost of the winter on the nation’s highest mountain yesterday. Grass, plants and weeds beside the road to the summit of Doi Inthanon were dusted with hoary frost as the sun slowly rose on the horizon.
The operator of the soon to launch Pattaya Hua Hin ferry service has confirmed the fares and departure piers. The ferry service to debut on the 1 January 2017 will provide a practical means of crossing the north end of the Gulf of Thailand and connect two of the nation’s most beloved seaside towns.
Municipal authorities in Ho Chi Minh City have announced a plan to build an airport rail link. The two kilometre long link will provide a convenient connection from Tan Son Nhat Airport to the city’s underground rail network once the two are inaugurated.
Provincial authorities in Quang Nam have given the green light for Hoi An to launch shuttle services from the town’s bus station. A spokesperson for the People’s Committee said all the council in Hoi An had do was acquire the necessary vehicles and launch the service.
Thailand’s Marine Department has released a statement saying ferry services across the north end of the Gulf of Thailand are set to relaunch. Ferries will make their maiden voyages on New Year’s Day and travel between Pattaya and Hua Hin.