The sight of a pod of Bryde’s whales in the Gulf of Thailand earlier this week was an unexpected boon for local fisher-folk and tourists. A pod consisting of more than 10 of the rare whales was sighted off the coast of Phetchaburi on Monday afternoon.
Oudomxay Province in Laos has declared it is ready to open a new zone for domestic and international tourists. Namkad Yorapa is the new destination and the Faset Tourism Development group says official opening ceremonies have been scheduled for 9 December 2014.
Thailand’s transport minister has told media reporters more companies should be authorised to operate duty-free outlets at the country’s main airports. According to local reporters, Prajin Juntong said that he planned to set up a committee to investigate the monopoly at the airports that is currently enjoyed by the King Power International Group.
A Thai domestic airline has launched a promotion giving passengers the opportunity of taking their bicycles on board with them at no extra cost. Bangkok Airways says it will carry the bicycles for free and that passengers will still have their standard luggage allowances as well.
Myanmar’s Ministry of Tourism has stated that 2016 will be designated as Visit Myanmar Year. Deputy tourism minister Tin Shwe told parliamentary representatives last week that steadily increasing numbers of international visitors had persuaded the ministry that the time was ripe to stage the campaign.
Merit making ceremonies marked the reopening of one of Kanchanaburi’s landmark bridges on Saturday. Kanchanaburi governor Wanchai Osukonthip led local dignitaries and military personnel attached to the 9th Infantry Division in donating alms to monks at the ceremony.
Thailand’s Transport Ministry has endorsed a proposed increase in fares for Bangkok taxis. Minister Prajin Juntong said the government had agreed a two-tier rise which could see fares for the city’s so-called taxi-metres go up by a total of 13 per cent.
The northern Thai city of Chiang Mai is getting ready to hold its very first Chinese festival. The festival is scheduled to begin later today and will conclude tomorrow, 18 October. The venue for the celebrations and events is the central plaza adjacent to the historic Tha Phae Gate.
The Thai tourism bureau has released its list of recommendations for where to spend the forthcoming Loy Krathong Festival. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) says that together with the traditional venues of Chiang Mai and Sukhothai there are five other locations where the festival is a really special occasion.
Following its opening earlier in October, Pattaya’s themed waterpark is placing itself firmly among the Thai seaside resort’s top attractions. Cartoon Network Amazone opened on the third of the month and boasts a collection of 30 thrilling rides and amusements.
Thailand’s government has endorsed a recommendation banning the importation of e-cigarettes and Middle-Eastern style hookah tobacco pipes. Announcing the ban, government spokesperson Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the government had followed the advice of the Thai Public Health Ministry.
The Vietnamese government has given the green light for one of its most iconic attractions to take on a foreign tourism industry expert. Officials in Lao Cai Province made the request for an international consultant to help steer the village of Sapa in the right direction and preserve its pristine natural setting.
The Vietnamese government has given the green light for one of its most iconic attractions to take on a foreign tourism industry expert. Officials in Lao Cai Province made the request for an international consultant to help steer the village of Sapa in the right direction and preserve its pristine natural setting.
The Laos province of Savannakhet and its capital city have started to attract more visitors. Local tourism officers say record numbers of international travellers have visited so far this year.
Officials at the Reclining Buddha Temple in Bangkok have announced that entry fees for foreign tourists are set to double in the new year. The website at one of the Thai capital’s most famous visitor draws already carries a warning saying admission for foreign adults will rise from THB100 to THB200 with effect from 1 January.
Thailand’s tourism bureau is set to launch a campaign themed on military rule to attract visitors. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is in the process of putting the finishing touches to a promotion it has entitled '24 Hours Enjoy Thailand'.
Nok Air is adding a new route to its timetable with a service connecting Bangkok and Surin. The Thai budget carrier says it will commence one of its Fly ‘n’ Ride services linking the two locations with effect from 3 November 2014.
Recently released awards by TripAdvisor placed Kanchanaburi’s Hellfire Pass Museum as the number one museum in Thailand. The global travel website said that the Travellers’ Choice nominations had garnered the Death Railway memorial the accolade.
The Thai Social Development Minister has announced that foreigners found begging on the streets of Bangkok will be deported. General Adul Sangsingkeo said the action was part of a wider campaign to take beggars off the streets of the national capital.
The Thai transport minister stated yesterday the government has agreed that fares for taxis in Bangkok can go up. Minister Prajin Juntong said the government was prepared to endorse the increase on condition that there was a general improvement in the quality of service.
