Thailand’s Customs Department expects revenue from import and export duties will decline by Bt3-4 billon (US$90-120 million) in the wake of the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) cuts which became effective on January 1, with the department adjusting its role from tariff collector to facilitator, a senior customs official said on Friday. (More …)
Thailand ko phi phi: Flickr.com
Thailand thus far has been included in many surveys and rankings conducted by various international organizations. Some of the released results can indeed bring fame to the nation in different areas despite the ongoing political instability and persisting street protests. However, some rankings have tarnished the national image and have warned the responsible authorities to fix the problem to put the country back on track.
In the beginning of June, the Political and Economic Risk Consultancy Co. Ltd (PERC) ranked Thailand third place in regards to efficiency of the public sector system in Asia, after Singapore and Hong Kong. Then, at the beginning of November, Thailand was ranked second for the world’s best value destination by the Lonely Planet in its ‘Best In Travel 2010’ guide as one of the cheapest long haul holidays for European tourists. At the end of November, Thailand won top honors in the November issue of Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2009 in several categories including the Top 100 list of hotels. (More …)
Photo: skyscrapercity.com
Following the plan by public and private agencies to enlarge Phuket International Airport, Thailand’s second largest airport after Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi, for passenger comfort and improved facilities, the airline business is showing every sign of going well, especially when a number of air carriers are moving forward with their proactive marketing strategies for the upcoming tourism season of the Andaman coastline.
Thai AirAsia, the Thai subsidiary of Malaysia-based low-cost carrier AirAsia, has designated Phuket as its second hub linking the new routes flying from and to the province, while it has launched additional charter flights servicing Phuket–Hong Kong, Phuket–Singapore, and Phuket–Indonesia’s Medan routes. (More …)
Global Warming: Flickr.com
Global warming will contribute to outbreaks of diseases transmitted by rodents and insects, experts say.
Director of the Center for Cooperation of World Health Organization, Professor Theerawat Hemachutha, said in a seminar on global warming and diseases that global warming would cause a massive migration of animals, especially rodents and insects. These animals, some of them are parasites of larger animals, will be carriers and will spread viruses to humans. One of the most dangerous diseases is encephalitis.
The doctor also warned against a spread of Nipah virus which is one of the viruses that can cause encephalitis. Bats are the main carrier of the virus which can be transmitted via contact. A pandemic of Nipah encephalitis has been reported in the neighboring Malaysia. Another disease which the doctor warned of is Chikungunya with mosquitoes as carriers. (More …)
Hat Yai Thailand: Flickr.com
Tourists from Malaysia have booked over 12,000 rooms for the Hari Raya in Hat Yai.
Service providers in Hat Yai are ready to welcome tourists for the Hari Raya Fair this weekend, according to President of the Hat Yai Hotel Association, Mr Somchart Pimthanapoonporn. The accommodation was fully booked, with at least 60 million THB to be circulated during the festival. The Hari Raya Festival is being held from 27 to 29 November to celebrate the end of the fasting and abstinence by Muslims. (More …)
Railay Beach peninsula located between the city of Krabi and Ao Nang
Thailand is ranked second for the world’s best-value destination by Lonely Planet.
Lonely Planet in its “Best In Travel 2010” guide regards Thailand as one of the cheapest long-haul holidays for European tourists. The famous travel guide publisher said when traveling in Thailand tourists always have various choices of accommodation at proper prices. (More …)
Hat Yai city in Songkhla targets tourists from Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore to join Hat Yai Party Festival on October 31, the Halloween Night.
Hat Yai Party Festival’s Director, Mr. Athirat Shureung revealed that several tourists from Malaysia and Singapore have planned to be in Hatyai for the Hat Yai Party Festival, which is held on Halloween night at the 30-meter Park, Thammanun Withi Junction in Hat Yai City. (More …)
The stunning Thunderbirds air show in Thailand (See Thailand Hotels) caught the attention of many Thais at the cargo terminal in Don Muang Airport (See Hotels near Don Muang Airport) .
The unforgettable air show yesterday started from 14.00 hrs at the cargo terminal of Don Muang Airport (See Hotels near Don Muang Airport), grabbing interest from people in the area. The C-17 and its company started the show, while the highlight included their 10 signature moves which lasted for 45 minutes. In addition, the 3rd demonstration of Thunderbirds in Thailand (See Thailand Hotels) is aimed to tie and expand the 175 years of relationship between Royal Thai Air Force and US Air Force. (More …)
Thunderbirds
The Royal Thai Air force in collaboration with the US Air force will organize the 3rd Thunderbirds air show at the cargo terminal in Don Muang Airport, Thailand on 9 October, 2009.
The Thunderbirds, one of the world’s leading US air fighters, will be exhibiting their stunning air-show led by the company of 10 F-16 C/D Block air fighters. (More …)
Phuket Vegetarian Festival / Photo: reuters.com
The southern island province of Phuket is ready for the annual grand “Phuket Vegetarian Festival” scheduled from 18 to 26 October 2009. The event this year has an emphasis on local cultures of Phuket people.
Phuket Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob said the renowned vegetarian festival had been held in the province annually for more than 100 years. He said the event this year would be grander than last year and it would focus on local cultures exhibited through food, dresses, and festival decorations. (More …)
