2nd wave of H1N1 hits Thailand

The Ministry of Public Health has reported some signs indicating the second wave of the H1N1 virus pandemic spread in many big cities of Thailand, while all public health offices across the country are assigned to monitor the situation closely.

According to Permanent Secretary for Public Health, MD Paijit Warachit, the virus is spreading in many big cities such as Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima. High-risk areas include military camps, schools, and communities in all regions of Thailand. He stated that the second phase of the flu spread had started.

National Parks will reduce entrance fees by 30-40% for travel on Mondays-Thursdays

Waterfall on the way to Doi Inthanon: picasaweb.google.com

The Department of National Parks, will reduce 30%-40% of their service fees during Mondays to Thursdays in order to solve the problem of overcrowded national parks during weekends in the high season.

Asian major cities to tackle pandemic and promote tourism

In the 8th Asian Network of Major Cities 21 (ANMC 21), Asia’s eight key cities signed the “Bangkok Declaration” in a bid to eliminate the 2009 flu pandemic and to promote tourism in a sustainable manner.

Ms Taya Teepsuwan, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, stated that Asian countries were the most aware of these 2 issues at the moment. She believed that in accordance with the aim to develop the region, tackling these issues seriously would raise the quality of life for the people.

Thailand ranked 2nd best-value destination

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.

1st day of vegetarian fest lively in the Chinatown of Yaowarat Bangkok

The first day of the vegetarian festival in the Chinatown of Yaowarat in the capital city of Bangkok is very lively with many vegetarians traveling to buy vegetarian foods and ingredients.

Many Thai people have gradually traveled to buy vegetarian foods, vegetables, fruits and ingredients at fresh markets in the Chinatown areas. Traders said prices of many kinds of vegetables, such as celery, kale, and yard long bean, had increased slightly this year. However, a majority of consumers come to the market to purchase protein ingredients, such as tofu and others.

Stateless boy authorized to travel to Japan for origami paper airplane contest

Mong Thongdee who ranked top of the paper airplane competition in Thailand

A 12 year old stateless boy, Mong Thongdee, from the northern province of Chiang Rai has received a document from the Foreign Ministry for traveling to Japan to take part in a paper airplane competition.

Ms Madurapochana Ittarong, Deputy Director-General of the Consular Affairs, has granted the traveling document to the stateless boy as requested by the Interior Ministry to authorize the boy to represent Thailand in the origami paper airplane contest in Chiba, Japan, next month. She said the boy was required to return to Thailand within 3 months upon departure.