Thailand’s intercity bus operators’ organisation has confirmed it will reduce fares on long-distance buses. Suchinda Cherdchai is the president of the group and she says fares for the buses will be cut by two satang (THB0.02) for each kilometre travelled with effect from 16 January 2015.
Vietnam’s national railways operator says that wireless internet connectivity will be available on certain trains in 10 days time. Vietnam Railway Corporation (VRC) is set to offer free wifi connections on premium-class trains plying the route between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
Thai government ministers have given the green light for the construction of a cycle-path on the banks of Bangkok’s main river. A government spokesperson confirmed on Monday that the cabinet had approved a seven-kilometre-long cycleway that will follow the course of the Thai capital’s Chao Phraya River.
Cambodia’s Interior Ministry is planning a crackdown on expat visa and work permit abuse. Local media sources in the country report that starting from next week, newcomers planning on staying long term will have to enter the country on a one-month business-class visa.
Myanmar increased the number of nations whose citizens can apply for e-visas to 100 with effect from 2 January. Among the 32 nations added to the eligibility list by the Immigration and Population Ministry were African counties such as Ghana and Cameroon as well as Uzbekistan, Georgia and South Africa.
Thailand and Myanmar have increased the opening hours of the busy border crossing between the two nations in Mae Sai. The Friendship Bridge spans the Mae Sai River and links the northern Thai frontier town to Tachilek in Myanmar.
The Vietnamese arm of low-cost carrier Jetstar has announced it will launch a new route from Hanoi to Bangkok. Jetstar Pacific will commence the route on 29 March 2015 and will use 180-seat Airbus A320 aircraft to service it.
Officials in Chiang Mai are meeting later this week to hammer out regulations restricting the release of sky lanterns on celebratory occasions. The governor of the northern Thai province, Suriya Prasatbandit, said local agencies needed to work out a plan which would ban the launch of the lanterns at certain times and in strategic locations.
A Korean development agency has announced it will provide US$4 million in funding to restore a group of edifices in Cambodia’s fabled Angkor Wat temple city. Bun Narith is the director-general of APSARA, the complex’s administrative body, and he says that contracts with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) were exchanged last week.
A sun bear cub born recently at Chiang Mai Zoo has made its public debut. Officials at the northern Thai zoo said the three-month-old cub was spotted taking its first steps outside its den under the watchful eyes of mother Nan.
The Transport Ministry of Thailand is considering raising fares for all forms of land-based travel in the country. Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, a deputy minister with the ministry, said staff were evaluating the impact of a recent fuel price restructure that saw it pegged to its actual cost and not one stipulated by the government.
Vietnam’s Da Nang Airport staged a ceremony to mark the arrival of its five millionth passenger in 2014 on 30 December. The airport celebrated the auspicious arrival of Tran Minh Thinh with flower garlands and a red-carpet ceremony attended by local dignitaries and officials attached to the Transport Ministry.
Senior council officials in Bangkok are holding a meeting next week to decide whether to start tram routes in the Rattanakosin Island quarter of the city. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s (BMA) transport director says attendees will discuss the feasibility of a tram service linking some of the Thai capital’s key tourist sites.
New laws governing drink-driving in Thailand have been enacted and came into effect yesterday. Under the law, any driver stopped by police and suspected of being under the influence of alcohol has to comply with a request to take a breathalyser test.
The Vietnamese government has just confirmed it will carry on offering citizens of seven countries visa free entry. The new visa waiver regulation is due to last for the five years beginning on 1 January 2015.
Organisers in Bangkok are busy today putting the finishing touches to the venue for one of the biggest New Year countdown parties in Asia. The entertainment at the plaza outside CentralWorld Shopping Mall is scheduled to begin at 18.00 this evening and will run through to 01.00 tomorrow morning.
A Thai AirAsia pilot was forced to abort a flight from Bangkok earlier today because of strange noises. Tassapon Bijleveld, the carrier’s CEO, told reporters that the captain made the decision to return to Bangkok’s Don Muang Airport because the flight crew heard abnormal noises emanating from the luggage hold.
Air regulators in Vietnam say that the recent drop in the cost of fuel should be passed on to passengers and fares reduced accordingly. The national Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) is in the process of submitting a recommendation to this effect to the Ministry of Transport.
Officials at Don Muang Airport have warned that roads leading to it will be heavily congested for the next few days. In a statement, the officials say that passengers departing on flights from Bangkok’s second airport should allow two to three hours for the journey if travelling from the city centre.
A blazing Christmas tree sparked panic at the main interchange station on Bangkok’s Skytrain system yesterday afternoon. The blaze occurred at about 15:00 on an elevated walkway that connects the BTS Siam Station to Siam Square One Shopping Mall.