Thailand’s bureau for land transport has released news of a campaign to improve toilet facilities at bus stations throughout the country. The improvements are two-pronged and the first part will see toilets and washing facilities spruced up and standardised so that passengers are afforded the same experience no matter which station they are at.
The Vietnamese government announced this week it has shelved plans to install a cable car system at Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Quang Binha provincial authorities had proposed installing the system as part of infrastructure improvements in the UNESCO designated park.
A senior Thai government minister says China has downgraded its plans for a rail link from Yunnan Province to Nong Khai. Deputy prime-minister Pridiyathorn Devakula told media sources in Hong Kong this week that China was now looking at a line that could accommodate medium speed trains.
The chairperson of Thailand’s state-owned long-distance bus company says a review of its operations is necessary to stop it losing money. Anusorn Saengnimnual says the numbers of passenger travelling on Transport Company buses has fallen significantly in the past few years.
Leading Indian sitarist Purbayan Chatterjee is due to arrive in Thailand this weekend and will stage concerts on Sunday and Monday. The two concerts will also feature singing by Joyeta Choudhury and percussionist Rupak Bhattacharjee on the tabla.
A district of Thailand’s Loei Province is making the final preparations for its annual three-day ghost festival. Mediums in Dan Sai District have ascertained this weekend is the most favourable time of 2015 to stage what is known locally as the Phi Ta Khon Festival.
Thailand’s four arterial train routes all offer the choice of travelling in a first class sleeping carriage. Without booking a trip on the Eastern and Oriental Express, a first class journey on a Thai train is the best way of experiencing the style of the golden age of travel.
Ubon Ratchathani is a pleasant town in the Isarn region of Thailand and the gateway to southern Laos. The town was a base for US bombers in the Vietnam War and little has changed in the meantime.
The organisers of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia racing championship have announced that the event will be returning to Thailand next month. Rounds seven and eight of the annual competition are set to be staged at Buriram’s Chang International Circuit between 31 July and 2 August.
The northeastern Thai city of Khon Kaen is today busy putting the final touches to an exhibition hall in preparation for the beginning of a Chinese culture extravaganza. The venue for the displays and shows is the Convention Centre at the city’s university campus.
Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry has posted a note on its website saying citizens of five European nations will be eligible for free visas next month. Effective 1 July 2015, people from the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain will be given 15-day visas when they arrive at a port of entry for the country.
Chanthaburi is the next province along Thailand’s gulf coast from Rayong and not much farther from the legendary seaside resort town of Pattaya. Despite this proximity, many travellers skip Chanthaburi’s beaches in favour of those on Koh Chang or pass by on their way to the Cambodian border.
Myanmar’s Transport Ministry has authorised tests to find out whether taxis in Yangon should be fitted with meters. The trials are due to take place some time this month and will see 100 taxis fitted with prototype meters.
Thailand’s prime-minister has ordered emergency services to prepare for heavy monsoon storms and rain expected over the next few days. The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department has been given the responsibility of coordinating relief operations in the event of flooding, landslips or hurricane-strength winds.
Thailand’s transport-minister yesterday announced that an ambitious plan to smarten up toilets on trains and at rail stations throughout the country had been instigated. Prajin Juntong said his ministry was working with the ministries for health and tourism on the project to enhance the travel experience for train passengers.
Although Chiang Mai is Northern Thailand’s biggest and best known city, there are plenty of other towns in the locality which offer their own unique attractions and ambience. Chiang Rai is noted for its Buddhist temples, night bazaar and Boomerang Adventure Park. It is convenient for trips to the majestic White Temple and the Myanmar border crossing at Mae Sai.
The director of Phuket International Airport says a scheme to introduce free shuttle bus services will go ahead. Monrudee Gettuphan told local reporters that the shuttles will run between the airport and Patong, Karon and Phuket Old Town.
Thailand’s health minister has instructed officers working ay key immigration checkpoints on the Lao border to be on the lookout for MERS. Dr Ratchata Ratchatanawin says that health control officers are expected to ask travellers entering from Laos whether they have any symptoms of flu or fever.
The Phi Phi archipelago is situated in the Andaman Sea off the coast of southern Thailand. The islands are an archetypal tropical paradise boasting golden sands lapped by crystalline waters and with lush vegetation providing a verdant crown. Maya Bay and the twin bays of the main island are two of Thailand’s best known sights and a perennial fixture on postcards.
The director of Bangkok’s public transport agency has announced she is ready to sign a contract for 489 new buses. Speaking to reporters at the end of last week, Pranee Sulrasorn stated that the official signing over ceremony will be this week and will take place as soon as the final draught of the contract is ready.