For the first time, Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, is top of Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best City list following its 2008 World’s Best Awards readers’ survey. This further strengthens Bangkok’s image as a major tourist destination in the world.

The win does not come as a surprise for Bangkok. The city has always been a consistent placer in the top 5 for the last three consecutive years on the US-based travel magazine’s list, but its 13th Annual World’s Best Awards Readers’ Survey Results announced July 10, 2008, marked the first time that the Thai capital was able to snatch the top ranking.
continue reading "Bangkok Tops World’s Best City List"

Thai Airways International is to resume operating direct flights from Tokyo to Phuket from 17 July 2008.

TG 671 which will operate directly between Tokyo-Phuket-Bangkok was suspended in February 2005 following reduced passenger numbers after the Tsunami.

THAI will operate 2 flights per week, on Thursday and Saturday, with departure from Tokyo at 10.00 hrs. (Tokyo time) and arrival in Phuket at 15.25 hrs. (local time). The return flight will depart from Phuket at 16.30 hrs. and arrive in Bangkok at 17.55 hrs. The aircraft employed will be Boeing 777-200, with 30 seats in Royal Executive class and 279 in economy class.

Reigning Formula 1 world champion Kimi Raikkonen has bought a beachfront villa in Phuket, Thailand. Raikkonen purchased a 279 square metre beachfront property at the Outrigger Serenity Terraces Resort Phuket, a 78-unit mixed residential-resort property in the southeast of the island.

When he opens his bedroom curtains, the 2007 Formula 1 world champion from Finland will be able to gaze upon the tropical islands of the inner Andaman archipelago, including Phi Phi Island.
continue reading "Kimi Raikkonen invests in Phuket Beachfront Villa"

AirAsia has increased its frequency from Kuala Lumpur to Krabi (Thailand), Palembang and Banda Aceh (Indonesia).

AirAsia previously offered only 4 weekly flights to Krabi and Palembang and 3 weekly flights to Banda Aceh from Kuala Lumpur. To celebrate the launch of these daily flights, flights to Krabi, Palembang and Banda Aceh are being offered from as low as RM 3.

AirAsia Regional Head of Commercial, Kathleen Tan said, “Currently we are the only airline to offer daily direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Krabi, Palembang and Banda Aceh. We have always championed routes where no other airlines from Malaysia fly to, particularly these 3 untapped routes above. We have also managed to open up new markets and stimulate new demands with our revolutionary low fare. Guests flying from these destinations could also use Kuala Lumpur as gateway to South East Asia and fly to over 102 routes which AirAsia flies to.”

The booking period for this special promotion begins ends 13 July 2008 for the travel period of 7 August 2008 – 30 April 2009. Fare quoted above does not include airport taxes, fuel surcharges and fees, and are applicable for one-way travel only.

AirAsia also flies to Krabi from Bangkok with 2 daily direct flights.

Astudo Hotel & Resort Management’s portfolio has been growing at record pace across the region during the past few years. After successfully launching 4 resort properties under its X2, Away and Le Bayburi brands, Astudo is now to also represent Away Koh Pha Ngan, Thailand, scheduled to open in late 2009.

Away Koh Pha Ngan is a modern beachside resort nestled in tropical gardens that cascade down the hillside to the unspoiled beauty of Had Rinn with a superb combination of cool tropical forest and striking beachfront accommodation. The resort is also conveniently located just 5 - 10 minutes walking distance from the market and the famous full moon party, that attracts visitors from around the world, yet far enough from the resort to ensure peaceful harmony for guest.

The resort will offer a combination of 70 standard rooms, 8 deluxe rooms with sea view (4 on ground floor and 4 on the second floor with bathtub on the front balcony) and one Beach Front Villa.

The facilities of the resort will include reception pavilion, a El Fresco open-air restaurant located beach-front offering an astonishing view point looking back to Samui, spacious beachfront infinity-edge swimming pool with pool bar, Spa and Massage Center and complimentary use of hi-speed internet.
continue reading "Astudo to Manage New Hotel in Thailand - Away Koh Pha Ngan"

Furama Hotels International has taken over the management of three hotels in Bangkok. The FuramaXclusive Asoke, Bangkok – A Unico Collection, FuramaXclusive Sathorn, Bangkok – A Unico Collection and the FuramaXclusive Sukhumvit, Bangkok – A Unico Collection. The hotels were formerly under the names of Unico Grande Asoke, Unico Grande Sathorn and Unico Grande Sukhumvit, respectively.

The three FuramaXclusive hotels shelter four room categories – Deluxe Room, Premier Room, Suite and Royal Suite.

Furama Hotels International (FHI) is a hotel management company based in Singapore that offers accommodation choices in key global cities such as Singapore, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Bali and Sydney. FHI currently manages more than 10 hotel and villa resort properties that avails more than 2700 rooms, with numbers growing as the company expands globally.

The Pattaya Food & Hoteliers Expo 2008 which is being jointly organized by The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s office in Pattaya (TAT Pattaya) and the City of Pattaya at the A-One The Royal Cruise Hotel, August 28-30, 2008, brings together hoteliers representing Pattaya City and the East Coast region of Thailand.

The expo will feature a range of competitions and contests designed to showcase the vital skills and ‘tools of the trade’ for the hospitality industry. These include the preparation of Thai cuisine, European cuisine, Fusion cuisine, ‘Amuse Bouche’ - the ‘Modern Canapés’ competition, creative recipes for the Pattaya Signature Drinks menu, the plated desserts competition, floral art, fruit and vegetable carving, the Papaya Salad competition and free-style cake decoration.

Over 60 exhibitors/organizations, all leading players in their field, will be participating at the 2008 Pattaya Food & Hoteliers Expo. In addition to Food & Beverage, other items on display will include kitchenware, cutlery, cleaning agents, exterior and interior decoration, information technology (IT) and other related products and services catering to the needs of the hospitality industry.
continue reading "Pattaya Food & Hoteliers Expo 2008 - 28-30 August 2008"

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Thai tourism industry are jointly pursuing ‘green initiatives’ in an effort to maintain the delicate balance between tourism promotion and environmental protection to ensure long-term sustainability.

Promoted under the Seven Greens concept developed by TAT, the initiative to protect and preserve the environment and restore environmental quality by raising environmental awareness and by promoting increased Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) involves the active participation and support of all tourism stakeholders. These include state agencies involved in promoting tourism, private sector tourism operators and tourism-related service providers, as well as public and non-governmental organizations, communities, media representatives and individual tourists - both Thai and foreign.

The Thai tourism industry firmly believes that efforts to protect and preserve the environment are consistent with Thailand’s quest to achieve sustainable tourism.
continue reading "Thai Tourism Going ‘Green’"

The Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok in cooperation with Pahlmeyer Winery is to host a special dinner featuring wines from the winery on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 from 7:00 pm onwards at Madison Steakhouse.

Pahlmeyer Winery is one of Napa Valley’s finest vineyards. On hand to share Pahlmeyer’s techniques and information on the various wines to be featured at the dinner is Mr. Ray Kaufman, Pahlmeyer’s wine maker, who also acts as consultant to various wineries in the United States of America.

The five-course menu will be paired with Pahlmeyer’s Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and a Proprietary Road for Baht 3,800++ per person.

The wines featured on the night will be 2005 Jayson, Napa County, Chardonnay, 2005 Pahlmeyer, Napa Valley, Chardonnay, 2005 Jayson, Sonoma Coast, Pinot Noir, 2004 Pahlmeyer, Napa Valley, Merlot, 2004 Pahlmeyer, Napa Valley, Proprietary Red.

Cathay Pacific has confirmed that a total of eight people, five passengers and three of the airline’s cabin crew, were sent to hospital following an incidence of severe turbulence on Thursday’s CX708 flight from Bangkok to Hong Kong.

All five passengers: one from Japan and four from Mainland China - have been treated and were discharged from hospital on the same day. Of the three cabin crew injured in the incident, one suffered minor injuries and was discharged Thursday, while the other two suffered more serious injuries and were kept in hospital overnight for treatment and further observation.

The “fasten seat belt” sign was switched on at the time of the incident and the crew had already made a pre-landing announcement to passengers. The aircraft was an Airbus A330-300 with 241 passengers and 12 operating crew on board.

The captain sent a message at 13.51 alerting Hong Kong about the incident and ambulances were waiting when the aircraft landed at Hong Kong International Airport at 14.12.