持续低温 清迈旅游火爆

持续低温 清迈旅游火爆

泰国旅游局清迈办事处出任逸素昨天（25日）指出，清迈府气温寒冷导致当地持续出现霜降，很多游客慕名而来，仅本月游客数量就增加了10%。至于辞旧迎新长假期间，相信清迈府的旅游和消费气氛会更加高涨，各大酒店预订率将逼近100%。

今年清迈府的冬季是数年来最冷的一次，茵他暖山上出现经久不消的霜降现象，截至目前已持续了10天。除了茵他暖山，其他多个地方也出现霜降，很有游客特别是泰国游客纷纷前往观赏，并感受清爽的冷风。

逸素表示，清迈府气温持续低下，游客不必担心抵达清迈后天气会突然变暖以及霜降会消失，且游客能一睹霜降美景的机会很大。该办事处原先预估只有在本月28日至明年1月2日辞旧迎新期间，游客数量才会出现明显增长，但事实证明，从本月初开始就已经不断有游客涌进清迈，仅本月的游客数量就比去年同期增加了10%。

至于即将到来的辞旧迎新假期，逸素指出，清迈府毫无悬念地成为游客出行的众多目的地之一，观光气氛也肯定会高涨。据初步统计资料显示，清迈府酒店的预订率已经达到了95%，相信长假期间肯定会再向100%逼近。当地国家公园的酒店房间已经被预订一空。

~以上新闻转载自世界日报~

推动旅游 合艾办花灯与冰灯展

推动旅游 合艾办花灯与冰灯展


宋卡府合艾市举办第8届「南部缤纷花灯与冰灯展」，该活动将持续到明年4月30日，出展时间为每天傍晚5时起至晚上9时。

宋卡府府尹吉萨达24日主持第8届「合艾缤纷花灯与冰灯展」开幕式，指出，实际上该花灯展从本月15日起就开始举办，但是到24日才举办正式开幕式，该展将持续到明年4月30日，出展时间为每天傍晚5时起至晚上9时。

吉萨达指出，本次活动展示花灯地点，从合艾市公园的冰穹庐建筑前一直到中水亭桥。今年出展的花灯和冰灯将与往年不同，无论是数量还是样式都比往年多。

今年还首次隆重推出冰雕展览，还有型请来了中国哈尔滨市冰雕技师为本次展览雕刻了30个雕刻。

 这些冰雕都必须放置在零下15摄氏度的冰窖里，前往参观的民众必须穿着厚厚的冬衣才能进入冰窖参观，让游客切身感受冰天雪地，每天观光的时间为早上10时至晚上8时。

据悉，宋卡府合艾市已经连续举办了8届花灯展览，而冰雕彩灯更是新颖奇特，色彩缤纷，十分引人入胜。每年展览期间都会吸引大批国内外游客前来观光，合艾市还将在附近的公园内安排学习中心，民众可以前往该中心学习合艾历史、当前科技、天文学等人文科学。

~以上新闻转载自世界日报~

普吉启动手机观光App

普吉启动手机观光App

普吉府尹迈迪昨天（26日）主持促进游客安全项目新闻发布会，指出，为保障游客的安全和提供更多信息，该府启动Application The Phuket手机信息应用程序（见图），游客只需下载该程序就能寻找到普吉相关旅游信息。

迈迪说，这是iPhone手机的IOS系统的新开发程序，民众可以通过手机系统的Ap​​p STORE免费下载，该系统不限制区域，可以在全球范围内应用。同时，游客还可以通过该程序交友，互相交换普吉旅游信息。

普吉府尹还表示，Application The Phuket主要包括5项功能，1、普吉基本信息；2、普吉旅游信息；3、Profile；4、旅游产品推销广告；5、附近的场所。游客可以通过该系统，获得想要的信息，而如果信息不齐全还可以通过系统上相应的电话号码寻找客服，提供信息。他说，该系统目前仅有泰文版本，而未来2-3周内将会增设英文版本。

观光与体育部普吉办事处主任汕迪表示，旅游业对于普吉乃至全国而言十分重要，每年旅游也的创收都查过900亿铢，增长率达20%/年，因此保障游客安全，更快捷和全面的为游客提供信息也十分重要。而智能手机Application The Phuket应用程序正好实现了这个理想服务。

迈迪指出，为配合该程序的使用，TOT电信公司还在普吉设置免费WIFI上网地点，包括芭东镇40点、普吉古镇20个点等。

~以上新闻转载自世界日报~

普吉新旅游景点 鸟类天堂开业

普吉新旅游景点 鸟类天堂开业

普吉府直辖县查隆镇「鸟类天堂」乐园昨天（12日）正式开业，该鸟园内有100多种鸟类，总投资3000万铢。鸟园欢迎广大有课前来参观，开放时间为每天的早上10时至下午5时。

「鸟类天堂」公司总经理吉蓬表示，投资建设鸟园是为了促进普吉旅游业，为普吉的旅游景点锦上添花，同时也为迎接2015年的东盟经济共同体的到来。他说，鸟类的观光资源比较少，因此公司决定独树一格。目前鸟园内共有7套表演，表演时长40分钟。除了表演外，「鸟类的天堂」乐园还还有各种精致的纪念品展销、饮料店和特色餐厅，让前来观光的游客享受更为周到的服务。

他说，前来观光的游客70%都是外籍人士，游客多是跟团而来。但是公司更希望当地的学生前来鸟园学习自然知识。未来鸟园还会从世界各地引进更多的品种，丰富园内资源。

~以上新闻转载自世界日报~

冬季来临 呵叻考艾公园游人如织

冬季来临 呵叻考艾公园游人如织

呵叻府考艾国家公园负责人彭达昨天（15日）表示，每年的这个时候都会有很多游客前往考艾山旅游，欣赏冬季山光美景，在近3-4周内，仅星期六、星期天的游客就达7000-8000人次/日。目前考艾山晚间的温度已经持续下降至13-14摄氏度，白天则在18-26摄氏度，再加上交通方便，距离曼谷并不远，自然成为民众短途旅游的最佳选择。

彭达指出，在旅游旺季到来之前，该公园已经接到指示，要求在整个12月内做好迎接游客人数增加的准备，同时也包括即将到来的辞旧迎新，届时该公园将迎来游客最高峰。而该公园也是全泰旅游创收最高的国家公园，超过7600万铢。

面对庞大的游客数量，山顶帐篷搭建地将十分抢手，可谓是「一地难求」，但巴真武​​里府和呵叻府一侧的上山路线，目前并未关闭以控制游客人数，因为园方认为不能因场地不够而扫了游客的兴致。由于新年期间上山车辆和游客人数众多，希望游客能改变出行计画，前往巴真武里府一侧的梗欣蓬公园、呵叻府喃乔宫或者那空那育府观光，因为这几处旅游景点的冬季风光并无太大区别。

~以上新闻转载自世界日报~

芭堤雅新年连庆7天

芭堤雅新年连庆7天

春武里府芭堤雅市长逸他亚与MCOT公司昨天（19日）举办新闻发布会，指出将与本月25日至31日在南芭堤雅码头（廉芭力海码头）举办2014年倒计时活动。

逸他亚表示，芭堤雅市在该码头连续举办了6届新年倒计时活动，活动主办方包括芭堤雅市政府、MCOT公司以及泰国大众饮料公司（ThaiBev），预计届时将吸引80-100万民众及游客前来参加活动，创收超过2亿铢。

他说，今年的活动继承往年传统，将邀请明星上台表演助兴，还有歌舞团表演，以及放烟等。新年活动将从25日耶诞节开幕，连续庆祝7天，并在31日晚上倒计时，一起迎接2014年的到来。

芭堤雅市长还表示，从活动中可以展现芭堤雅市的旅游资源和潜力，让游客体验芭堤雅的繁华和独特，从而带动旅游创收。

~以上新闻转载自世界日报~

Long Live The King 泰王万寿无疆

示威影响旅游 入境人次恐减50万

示威影响旅游 入境人次恐减50万

曼谷示威活动日趋升温，严重影响入境旅游，近日大批游客陆续离开曼谷。素汪​​那普国际机场出境安检人数昨天明显比平时增多。

观光与体育部长颂萨昨天（3日）表示，由于集会持续升温，截至目前共有34个国家发出来泰旅游警示，严重影响国家旅游业创收，原计画今年的游客入境量将突破2650万人次，但现在看来最多只能达到2600万人次。

颂萨说，为将旅游损失降到最低，观光与体育部与多家旅游公司协商推出促销活动，并设置曼谷短期旅游，如一日游或半日游，之后再将游客转移到其他府治。

他指出，根据调查发现，目前已经有34个国家对来泰国旅游发出警戒，并建议该国民众近期避免来泰。其中有3个国家发出最高警戒，即以色列、斯洛伐克和俄罗斯，而其他国家则是2级警戒。为争取国际信心，观光与体育部将国家政治局势情况如实汇报给其他国家，让外界理解泰国。

为庆祝皇上陛下86岁圣寿所举办的各种活动，相信在一定程度上也能帮助提升旅游发展。

~以上新闻转载自世界日报~

Pattani Central Mosque 北大年中央回教堂

Scams, accidents scare away tourists

Scams, accidents scare away tourists



Pattaya city is a key destination for Russian tourists.

Thailand's attractiveness to foreign tourists is under threat from fraud and poor safety standards.

After a recent bus accident in Chon Buri that injured 26 Russian tourists, the Russian Union of Travel Industry (RUTI) recently urged Thai authorities to improve safety standards, or face a possible boycott by its members.

Narin Tijayung, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)'s office in Moscow, said the RUTI submitted a letter addressed to the Tourism Ministry via the office calling for concise, practical measures to ensure the safety of Russian tourists in the Kingdom.

The RUTI also reportedly demanded the Thai government solve these issues by the end of November, otherwise it will consider taking action to maintain the safety of Russian citizens. This action could include cancellation of all scheduled charter flights from Russia throughout the period of December 2013 to March 2014.

If the cancellations go ahead, other countries in the region - such as Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam - would be picked as destinations instead of Thailand, the letter reportedly warned.

Officials from the TAT and the ministries of Tourism and Transport will hold a meeting on November 26 to discuss the Russian complaints, according to Transport Minister Somsak Pureesrisak.

In the first 10 months of this year, Thailand welcomed 791,755 Russian tourists or 5.72 per cent of 13.85 million visitor arrivals at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, according to the TAT. The number rose 33.84 per cent from last year.

Meanwhile, the Department of Special Investigation will inspect 20 jewellery shops in Greater Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Samui and other locations after the Tourism Ministry reported complaints of price gouging and cheating of foreign customers.

Permanent secretary Suwat Sidthilaw said yesterday after submitting the ministry's request for a probe to Tarit Pengdith, director-general of the DSI, that at least 20 tourists have filed complaints of being duped. The latest case was a Portuguese national who was fooled into buying fake jewellery from a Bangkok shop, so the DSI must take action against these daring con artists. He said the practice of selling overpriced products to foreign visitors was damaging to the jewellery business, which was a key source of income for the country, contributing Bt2 billion-Bt3 billion a year.

Tarit said the DSI would now seriously crack down on these offenders - who often changed the names of the shops and owners but rarely the location - and the tour guides and tuk-tuk drivers who act as their accomplices. The DSI already has a list of some 20 suspicious jewellery shops to check out. The agency would soon join with the Tourism Ministry to open an operations centre to stamp out the racketeers targeting tourists, he added.

~News courtesy of The Nation~

Would a Bt500 fee scare off tourists?

Would a Bt500 emergency-coverage fee scare off tourists?

The government's attempt to launch a new regulation to collect an entry fee from foreign tourists to cover their emergency medical services could prompt tourists to choose destinations in other countries.

The concern, raised by the Tourism Council of Thailand, comes after the Public Health Ministry proposed a plan to collect Bt500 as a fee for entering the country from foreign tourists staying in Thailand from three to 30 days; and Bt30 for less than three days. The fee would be used to support a ministry programme providing emergency medical services for foreign tourists.
v According to Public Health Minister Pradit Sintavanarong, currently the ministry has to shoulder about Bt200 million to Bt300 million as the financial burden for providing emergency medical services for foreign tourists.

Each year, the ministry estimates that about 23 million foreign tourists from around the world visit Thailand. It expected that if the plan to collect a fee for entering the country were approved by the Cabinet, the ministry would be able to collect about Bt10 billion.

This money would be used to support the ministry's budget to provide emergency medical services for foreign tourists suffering serious illness or injury. Under this plan, each foreign patient would be covered by Bt200,000 to Bt300,000 in emergency care. This budget would also be used to develop healthcare units and procure medical devices.

"They [foreign patients] must pay to enter the country because they have to use our medical resources," Pradit said.

The ministry is now discussing with related agencies - the National Security Council, Foreign Affairs Ministry, Tourism and Sport Ministry, Labour Ministry and Immigration Bureau - to find appropriate ways to collect the fees.

If the agencies come up with a good plan, it will be deliberated by the Cabinet before the Office of the Prime Minister makes an announcement.

But Tourism Council of Thailand president Piyaman Tejapaibul does not believe this plan would benefit the tourism industry. Instead of attracting more and more tourists to visit our country, the plan would hurt tourist figures, Piyaman said.

"Each year Thailand gets a lot of revenue from the tourism industry - but the government has never used money from this industry to develop and support tourism," she said.

Currently, many tourists bring their own travel insurance from private insurance agencies in case of unexpected accident or illness, covering them for medical services in the destination country. Some countries require travellers to attach their health insurance when applying for a visa, so that they do not have to shoulder the burden of paying fees for medical services at their destination.

"We want good tourists to visit Thailand - not the [type of tourist] who does not want to enter because he or she has to pay Bt500 as an entrance fee," Pradit said. He added that European countries and the US have supported the government in collecting entrance fees from their tourists, as they see that the plan would reduce risks for their citizens travelling abroad.

~News courtesy of The Nation~

Koh Samet expected to recover popularity soon

Tourism sector expects Samet to recover popularity soon



THE TOURISM outlook for Koh Samet will be on a full recovery path by the end of next year after tourists gain more confidence in the island, which was hit by the oil leak on Ao Phrao beach at the end of July.

Chairat Trirattanajarasporn, chairman of the Rayong Tourist Association, said yesterday that the island was expected to see 10 per cent more tourism revenue next year. However, this scenario would be based on the continuing arrival of the island's regular foreign tourists from Scandinavia and Britain, and also new groups of Russians and Chinese.

More important, all parties will have to work together to restore tourists' confidence. Especially key foreign travel agents and media outlets must be invited to the island to receive on-the-scene information to improve its image.

About 700,000 tourists visit Koh Samet annually and 80 of them are Thais. Tourism revenue was projected at Bt4 billion this year, a slight drop from last year.

In Rayong province, of which Samet is a part, tourism was hit harder. The eastern province's tourism revenue was expected to drop to Bt20 billion this year from Bt22 billion last year when more than 5 million tourists visited the province.

Fortunately, the oil crisis hit during the low season, he said.

A subsidised campaign to lure tourists from other regions to visit the island launched by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), PTT Global Chemical (which was responsible for the oil leak) and tourism associations has helped offset the missing tourists.

This month, the average occupancy rate is 50 per cent, against 70 per cent during normal periods.

Its prospects for the long holiday next month and the New Year celebration are projected to be positive, but still far from regular times when rooms are almost all full.

Tourists are not staying at Ao Phrao, the area that was hit by the oil leak. Instead, they go to other beaches, especially Ao Wongduan and Sai Kaew. The island has 2,000 rooms to welcome tourists.

But Santi Chudintra, executive director of the TAT's eastern region, said the whole island was safe for tourists. Its scenery has been improved via a joint effort of all parties. It is ready to welcome tourists, and Ao Phrao was reopened officially on November 1.

From December 6-11, Rayong province will host a marine-travel festival to stimulate Hat Ban Phe and Koh Samet, with activities and seafood promotions. It is the 13th annual event and could revive the confidence of tourists.

~News courtesy of The Nation~

旅游局推迟举办水灯节庆典

旅游局推迟举办水灯节庆典

国家旅游局国内市场部副主任他挽猜昨天（27日）透露，国家旅游局将推迟水灯节庆祝活动，以哀悼僧王圆寂。  

他指出，今年水灯节正好是下月的17日，然而为哀悼24日圆寂的僧王，国家旅游局总部与各府治办事处将推迟举办传统水灯节庆祝活动，因为水灯节当天还是全国哀悼僧王期间，不适合举办庆祝活动，以及演奏愉快的音乐和其他娱乐活动。  

然而，为了传承传统节日，刺激旅游市场，旅游局将会举行会议讨论具体的庆祝活动时间。他挽猜表示，水灯节是国家旅游业的重要商品之一，因为每年都会有很多国外的游客慕名而来。  

曼谷市副常务次长玛匿表示，水灯节和哀悼僧王的日子重叠，但国家观光与体育部将不会取消放水灯活动，然而会取消一切娱乐活动，包括水灯节表演等娱乐活动。水灯节当天曼谷市将在拉玛八大桥下举办水灯节活动，并开放全市28座公园让民众放水灯。

～以上新闻转载自世界日报～

福建两市开通直飞曼谷航班

福建两市开通直飞曼谷航班

中国福建省厦门航空公司28日开通厦门-曼谷航线，29日还将开通福州至曼谷航线。今后，从福建飞往泰国将实现「天天有航班，当日可往返」。  

当天，厦门至曼谷航线顺利首航，航班客座率高达95%。据厦门航空公司介绍，今后该航线将每周一、周三、周五、周六执行，航班时刻为12:20从厦门起飞，15:40抵达曼谷；返程航班16:50从曼谷起飞，19:45到达厦门。  

而29日开通的福州-曼谷航线，每周二、周四、周日执行，航班时刻为11:25从福州起飞，15:00到达曼谷；返程航班16：05从曼谷起飞，19:05到达福州。随着近几年赴泰游不断升温，中国已成为泰国最大的游客来源国。据统计，2012年中国赴泰国的游客突破250万人次。  

中泰两国政府本月中旬共同发布「中泰关系发展远景规划」，确定双方商签两国持普通护照人员互免签证谅解备忘录。这一举措被业界视为将进一步推动中泰旅游业走向新繁荣。

～以上新闻转载自世界日报～

乩童插刀游街

乩童插刀游街



普吉府一年一度的九皇斋胜会期间，一名「被神灵附身」的乩童昨天展现神力，在脸上插上3把武士刀游街，虽然略带血腥，但这是每年普吉九皇斋胜会上司空见惯的现象。

~法新社~

普吉机场旅客破1100万大关

普吉机场旅客破1100万大关

普吉府尹迈迪昨天（7日）表示，2013财政年度期间，共有近1100万名游客使用普吉机场的服务，而在接下来的旅游旺季当中，该府各机构目前正在积极准备迎接不断增多的客流量，不管是机场还是医院方面，都将为游客提供贴心、周到的服务，给来普吉观光的游客留下深刻的印象。

迈迪指出，2013财年期间（2012年10月1日-2013年9月30日），通过普吉机场进入普吉观光的游客共达1097万5000人人次，比2012财年的916万人次增长了19.85%。据对当地酒店业者的调查发现，前往普吉的游客人数还将持续增加，截至目前当地沙滩周边的酒店客房最高预订率高达80-85%，市中心酒店的客房最高预定率达70-75% 。因此，普吉必须就各方面做好充足准备，包括为游客提供周到的服务，保障游客在普吉府的人身和财产安全。

在保障游客安全方面，当地相关安全机构已在全面执行和落实，包括出动警力维护社会秩序、完善从游客下飞机直到下榻酒店的交通便利以及各旅游景点便利服务等。但为了确保上述工作切实展开，迈迪指出，他将到各地进行视察，以芭东医院为起点，视察该医院的紧急医疗准备和医护人员的服务情况，之后再前往重要旅游地区警署与警署负责人会面，视察和了解警方的执行工作计画。

迈迪表示，此外，他还希望当地警方能加强预防犯罪，整顿载客摩托车和计程车市场秩序，相信只要这一方面工作做好了，普吉的旅游形象也将随之获得改善。

~世界日报~

叻达纳哥信岛观光单车 免费骑行

叻达纳哥信岛观光单车 免费骑行

曼谷市政府文化体育和观光办事处处长芭妮女士透露，由该办事处与民间业者联合推出的叻达纳哥信岛古城区环保自行车服务已重新开启使用，该项自行车服务采用免费借用的方式，为游客提供环保的骑行游玩服务，设有6个自行车服务站，包括帕那空区的4个站﹕皇家田广场、曼谷观光办事处（宾诰大桥下）、素眉鲁古炮台前以及市政府前的市民广场﹔至于吞武里地区设两个服务点﹕黎明寺以及一世皇桥下。

市政府提供这项免费借用自行车服务，共投入120辆自行车，每个站有20辆自行车供观光客借用，服务时间为周一至周五上午10时起至下午6时，周六至周日上午9时至晚上7时。民众可以使用身分证、护照或者任何有效证件作为抵押，免费借用自行车，而退还自行车时，可以在同一区域的其他车站退车，也就是说，如果在帕那空地区任何一站借车，则在该地区其他另三座车站或原车站退还。

有意了解更多有关借用自行车细节者，可拨电话询问﹕0 2225 7612-4。

~世界日报~

交长体验火车 促建双轨铁路

交长体验火车 促建双轨铁路

交通部长参察昨天（4日）在国家铁路局局长巴帕的陪同下搭乘曼谷到廊开府的「特快列车」，以到该府介绍2兆铢交通建设发展项目，结果亲自体验列车晚点两小时、厕所臭气冲天等问题。交长不得不表示将尽快推动建设双轨铁路计画，使「特快列车」提速从现在的40公里增至80-100公里。

交通部长参察与国家铁路局长巴帕与前天（3日）晚上8时45分乘坐第3级免费火车，从曼谷华喃峰中央火车站出发前往廊开府，并在昨天中午12时45分抵达目的地。参察昨天搭乘的列车抵达呵叻府时，当地铁道系统遇到雷击事故，造成列车晚点，加上列车行进速度本来就很慢，原订上午9时45分抵达目的地廊开府，结果拖到近中午才抵达。

参察从列车上下来后一脸囧相，表示他亲眼目睹和亲身感到了泰国列车服务的「烂透」，包括车上的厕所老旧而臭气冲天，乘客向他抱怨列车服务差。从曼谷到廊开府615公里路程，列车要使用7小时时间，时速仅有40公里。因此他表示政府将尽快推动建设双轨制铁路系统，实现列车全面提速，在建成后至少能提速至每小时80-100公里，如果未来能建成高速铁路，则车程将能从现在的7小时减剩3小时。

曾亲自乘坐曼谷公共车的交通部长参察表示，他体验搭乘列车后，认为列车服务可以打60分的勉强及格分，至于列车员服务，他个人打满分。

参察指出，第3级火车的不足之处至于，火车上厕所气味太浓，且供乘客使用的水也不足。他表示，此次前往廊开府是为了主持2020年国家未来道路建设项目，然而专门选择乘坐第3级火车则是为了更好的了解火车的服务和铁路情况，以为日后更好的修缮铁路做调查准备。

巴帕补充说，还有在车内喝酒，影响了其他乘客，很多乘客对在公共场所喝酒表示反感。他急令铁路局尽快解决此类问题。

~世界日报~

Threat from typhoon eases

Threat from typhoon eases



Heavy rain expected, cabinet gives green light to establishment of water ministry

WITH TYPHOON Wutip rapidly heading for a downgrade to a low-pressure ridge yesterday, some Thais heaved a sigh of relief but many remained on the lookout for another coming storm.

Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi, who chairs the Water and Flood Management Commission (WFMC), yesterday confirmed that Wutip's threat had diminished.

"The severity of Wutip is less than initially expected," he said.

But he added that Wutip would still cause heavy rain in some provinces.

Still at risk of possible natural disasters were Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Kalasin, Nong Khai, Beung Kan, Sakon Nakhon, Udon Thani, Nong Bua Lamphu, Loei, Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum, Phitsanulok and Phetchabun.

Heavy inundation

Floodwaters in Chaiyaphum have reached between 50 and 70 centimetres since the arrival of Wutip.

"We are now facing the worst floods in half a century," Poj Piromkij said on behalf of more than 200 families in Tambon Talad Laeng in Chaiyaphum's Ban Khwao district.

All three main roads to the local villages had been under floodwater several metres deep for two weeks, he said.

"And now Wutip comes with more downpours," Poj said.

He said the torrents of floodwater were so strong that boats without engines could hardly move.

According to the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, floods have now ravaged 25 provinces.

Flood-related deaths during the past few weeks have reached 23 and more than 2 million rai of farmland have been flooded.

One of the hardest-hit provinces is Prachin Buri, which was visited by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Sunday.

Plodprasop said flooding in Prachin Buri should ease within one week, if no more rain arrived.

However, he said a monsoon trough was now hovering over the Andaman Sea, the South and the Gulf of Thailand, bringing more rain.

"If the wind is strong, it may affect Chanthaburi and Prachin Buri," Plodprasop said.

He remained confident that floods would not hit Bangkok, however.

~News courtesy of The Nation~

普吉大力发展旅游业 游客见长20%

普吉大力发展旅游业 游客见长20%

近年来，「泰国游」在中国的日益火爆也带动了普吉旅游的迅速腾飞，普吉府府尹迈迪表示，目前当地正在大力整顿旅游市场、完善基础设施建设并丰富旅游资源，以期为游客们带来更为多样化的旅游体验。  

迈迪表示，从去年10月至今年8月，普吉国际机场外国游客到港人数达到了1010万人次​​，较去年同期增长20%，其中中国市场的表现最为抢眼。去年共计65万人次中国游客到访普吉，今年这一数字预计将飙升至100万人次，中国已成为普吉最大的旅游客源国之一。  

迈迪透露，为了更好地接纳外国游客、尤其是越来越多的中国游客，普吉府正在对普吉国际机场进行扩建，新的国际航站楼预计将于2015年5月正式落成。届时，登机口将从现有的15个增加至25个，停车场车位也将从500个增至1500个，国际航站楼还将为包机乘客开设快速通道。  

作为普吉的支柱性产业，旅游业是当地经济发展的引擎和就业岗位的主要来源。自从去年10月上任以来，迈迪致力于以生态旅游的理念打造普吉的绿色城市形象，重点推介高尔夫、水疗等旅游项目。  

针对外国人在普吉旅游时遇到的种种问题，如遭遇诈骗、财物被盗、浮潜或游泳时溺水等，迈迪表示，普吉府正在大力整顿当地的旅游行业市场，建立严格的规范措施，查处取缔「黑车」「黑导游」，并在游客密集区域部署救生员和执法队伍等，以保障游客的合法权益和生命财产​​安全。  

除旅游外，普吉府近年来还不断拓展与中国有关方面在文化、教育、经贸等领域的合作。迈迪说，目前普吉已经与青岛、遂宁、烟台、海口和西安签署了合作备忘录并建立友好城市关系，与澳门和厦门达成了合作意向。他表示，泰中友好关系源远流长，由于历史上大量华人移居普吉，「泰中一家亲」的观念在当地尤为深入人心，普吉期待与中国有关方面在更多的领域开展合作。

～以上新闻转载自世界日报～

泰国持续降雨 15处古迹被淹

泰国持续降雨 15处古迹被淹

艺术厅长阿涅昨天（25日）表示，据艺术办事处最新的报告显示，由于受到连续数日的降雨影响，该厅发现全国已有15处重要文化古迹被洪水侵蚀，其中包括大城府的文化古迹遗址。为了保护大城府古迹不再受到影响，该厅正在紧急准备5万个沙袋，以在古迹周边筑起沙袋墙，并安排20台抽水设备随时准备抽水。  

阿涅指出，针对全国被淹的文化古迹遗址，该厅已下令相关负责人尽快展开抽水，并紧急筑起沙袋墙，防止洪水入侵。虽然目前有15处遗址被淹，但相关报告指出还没有对古迹造成太大影响。无论如何，政府部门和民众都对未来2天的降雨天气将会导致途径大城府的湄南河水位上涨，进而给文化古迹带来威胁，而该厅已经采取了一系列保护措施。  

阿涅还表示，初步措施包括准备5万个沙袋、20台抽水机，并下令大城府第3艺术办事处安排负责人24小时密切关注气候变化和湄南河水势情况，并及时汇报。无论如何，负责人目前正在加紧制造沙袋，并将顺着湄南河边在古迹周围筑起沙袋，例如猜哇他纳兰佛寺、探玛兰佛寺等。

～以上新闻转载自世界日报～

24 provinces under grip of floods

24 provinces under grip of floods



Northeast, East brace for tropical depression approaching from Vietnam

The Royal Irrigation Department is keeping a close eye on the impact of the upcoming tropical depression from Vietnam, which might affect several provinces in Thailand's Northeast and Eastern regions

Ubon Ratchatani, Si Sa Ket, Surin and Prachin Buri would likely be affected by the upcoming depression. These areas are already severely hit by floods, the department's deputy director-general Suthep Noipairoj said yesterday.

He expressed concerns about the flood situation in Prachin Buri as the Pasak Chonlasit Dam is now nearly full and needed to discharge some volume of water before the new tropical depression arrived.

To date, the volume of water in Pasak Chonlasit Dam was 785 million cubic metres while the full capacity of the dam was 960 million cubic metres.

"We have to discharge about 8.9 million cubic metres per day from the dam to prepare for the upcoming depression," he said.

Meanwhile, Chao Phraya River should drain water at 2,300 cubic metres per second, which exceeds its capacity of 2,195 cubic metres per second.

Suthep explained that the department would drain the excess amount of water into the fields on the western and eastern banks of Chao Phraya River.

However, he explained that most of the flood-affected areas were located along the river and waterway and that is why they were at risk from the adverse impact of the flooding.

Floods have already affected more than 2.1 million people this month and ravaged more than 1.14 million rai of farmland.

Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department director-general Chatchai Phromlert said yesterday that floodwater had also damaged 2,310 roads, 6,900 houses and 145 bridges. "Of the 29 flood-hit provinces, the situation in just five has returned to normal as of today," he said.

Still under water are Surin, Si Sa Ket, Ubon Ratchathani, Buri Ram, Amnat Charoen, Chaiyaphum, Yasothon, Mukdahan, Phitsanulok, Phichit, Kamphaeng Phet, Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Lop Buri, Saraburi, Chainat, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaew, Nakhon Nayok, Chachoengsao, Ayutthaya, Angthong and Suphan Buri.

Many of these provinces are heavily flooded. The worst-hit spots in Chaiyaphum are about 2.8 metres under water.

In Buri Ram, floodwater levels have soared above three metres in Krasang district, marooning more than 200 families. Officials are making desperate efforts to get relief items to these victims.

Working alongside local administrative bodies, the department has mobilised thousands of volunteers to deliver assistance. More than 1,500 boats have been dispatched to reach the victims. Not all, however, are happy with the authorities' response.

Anong Thongsri, a 46-year-old resident in Prachin Buri's flooded Kabin Buri district, lamented that assistance efforts had failed to reach all those affected. "The floodwater level is also rising," she said.

Department of Religious Affairs chief Preecha Gunteeya said, meanwhile, that 295 temples in 12 provinces were flooded, affecting 2,014 monks.

The Government Housing Bank has offered a debt moratorium for flood-hit customers, whose loan repayments will be suspended for up to nine months depending on the severity of their situation. During that period, no interest will be charged on the loans.

Should flooding damage the whole house of a loan recipient, the bank will write off all outstanding debt on the house, leaving just the debt from the land purchase to pay.

Flood-hit loan recipients can contact the bank for help at (02) 645 9000.

~News courtesy of The Nation~

Wat Arun stupa to be closed for three years

Wat Arun stupa to be closed for three years



The world-famous Temple of Dawn stupa, known locally as Phra Prang Wat Arun, will be closed for three years starting from next Tuesday to undergo repairs and renovation along with other structures in the temple compound, a deputy abbot said yesterday.

This will be the biggest repair and renovation work on the stupa in the last 14 years. In the past, even while large-scale work was being done, the stupa used to remain open to tourists, said Phra Sakkaya Puttiyawong. The temple is asking the Tourism Authority of Thailand to build a four-metre replica of the stupa for tourists to visit during the three-year closure, he added.

The original tiles covering the 81.85-metre-high stupa, which were set aside during the 1999 renovation, will be used this time. The Department of Fine Arts will carry out the repairs and renovation. They will also carry out an underground exploration of the stupa's foundation to determine its condition, the monk said.

A new model of scaffolding will be erected along the stupa, which will not touch the monument, and thus avoid causing damage, the monk said. The work will be divided into three phases: in 2013 it will cover the southwest and northwest sides of the Phra Prang stupa and also the smaller stupa on the south and west; in 2014-15, work will cover the southeast and northeast of the Phra Prang stupa, and the smaller stupa on the east and north.

Signs will be erected at the site to warn tourists of possible accidents during the closure. Tourists will be allowed to see the stupa from a distance during the three-year period. The stupa will be closed at the auspicious time of 3pm next Tuesday, after a blessing and opening ceremonies for commencement of the work. Somdej Phra Maha Ratcha Mangkhalajarn, the abbot of Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen who is also acting His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch, will preside over both ceremonies.

~News courtesy of The Nation~

北线铁路16日起停运1个半月

北线铁路16日起停运1个半月

泰国铁路局局长巴帕昨天（6日）表示，近期内铁路交通不断出现事故，特别是北线铁路，而最近的一次意外事故就发生在昨天晚上，帕府火车出现脱轨。每一次事故后的原因检查都显示是因为铁轨陈旧所致。因此，有必要要尽快进行铁路维修和完善，原来的计画是从今年11月起关闭长达300公里的北线希拉安-清迈铁路，直至明年8月。但为避免再次发生意外事故，影响民众对铁路交通的信心，铁路局经过与承包商协商后决定将计画提前，改从本月16日起修复铁路，相信可以在10月31日前完工。  

巴帕表示，在修复工作结束后，铁路局将采取相关措施减少铁路交通意外事故发生率直至零。至于本次铁路修复工作，初步将针对希拉安-清迈铁路线的所有铁路进行常规修复，特别是曲线铁路、部分铁轨陈旧和铁轨承接石不紧密的铁路。同时还将维修4条隧道内铁路，包括隧道内铁路长达1公里的最长隧道坤丹，预计隧道铁路维修时间将在15-20天以内。  

至于关闭北线铁路维修给乘客带来的影响问题，铁路局预计，在维修期间每天将有2000名乘客受到影响，希拉安-清迈铁路线每天约有5趟快车提供服务。对此，铁路局已经与运输有限公司进行协商，针对希拉安-清迈线开通空调巴士。当乘客在购买希拉安-清迈火车票时，无需再购买巴士的车票，就可以按照工作人员的安排坐上巴士前往目的地。  

巴帕还指出，本次北线希拉安-清迈铁路线维修工作将使用28亿铢的预算资金，该预算属于700亿铢全国维修预算。

～以上新闻转载自世界日报～

Flights face delays

Flights face delays



PASSENGERS FLYING out of Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok can expect inconvenience and delays until a runway damaged by a crash landing by a THAI flight late on Sunday night is opened again tomorrow (Wed). Work is now being done to salvage the damaged plane and repair the runway pavement.

In a statement early yesterday, Thai Airways president Sorajak Kasemsuwan said the landing seemed to be routine until pilots detected a fault in the landing gear, before the aircraft skidded to the right.

"Initially it was probably the front landing gear that broke, but a further investigation is needed to find out the cause," he said. The engine having problem did not catch fire, but only caused sparkling.

In a detailed statement later, Sorajak said the incident was beyond the pilots' capacity to control. The plane, which is 18 years old, underwent a full inspection and routine maintenance before the flight began. It had had an overhaul in April, while the pilots had 14 years of experience.

He apologised to passengers on board the flight and to people who were inconvenienced.

The worst injury sustained by a passenger, a Chinese national, was a broken wrist, he said.

Sorajak said he visited all four passengers at two hospitals and that their treatment costs would be covered by THAI. The Chinese passenger with a broken wrist would be given a free air ticket back to China, and expenses if he returns to Thailand for a possible future trip, as his trip was spoiled because of the accident and injury.

Sorajak said black paint was put on the THAI logo at the back of the plane to cover it, as part of accident procedure. And certain cabin crew left the aircraft before passengers to prepare cushion ladders on the ground, as part of standard safety procedure - not to escape, as claimed in passengers' complaints that circulated on social media.

THAI later said passengers in economy class would be given US$100 (Bt3,219) for delays in delivering their luggage, and those in business class would get $200.

Sorajak said injured passengers would be compensated while all 288 onboard would possibly get an extra payout to make up for the inconvenience. All luggage would be given to them at their hotels or accommodation where they are staying, and belongings left in the cabin were being retrieved, with policemen present as witnesses to ensure nothing went missing or was stolen.

Airports of Thailand (AOT) president Sita Divari said around 200 flights would face delays during the 48 hours that Runway 19 L was closed, while the Airbus 330-300 is salvaged.

Meanwhile, the five-hour job to repair the runway would cost around Bt1 million. That would be paid by THAI, and the work done at the same time.

Sita said all airlines had been informed of an AOT offer that they could switch to use Don Mueang as an alternative airport during this time, but none wished to do so.

The crash of flight TG679 caused delays to 99 airborne flights waiting to land for an average of 15 minutes while delaying 106 departing flights, for an average 30 minutes, from the time of accident at 11.20pm on Sunday night till 1.30pm yesterday afternoon.

~News courtesy of The Nation~

Ubon Candle Festival

Laughing-gas balloons not so funny

Laughing-gas balloons not so funny



Tourists at Khao San Road, Bangkok

The widespread use of illegal balloons containing laughing gas among tourists at entertainment venues has prompted police in Bangkok's Chanasongkram Police Station to crack down on vendors selling these balloons on Khao San Road.

Sale of balloons filled with nitrous oxide gas, also known as laughing gas, is illegal. However, vendors on khao san Road - Bangkok's famous tourist street - are still selling this balloon to tourists. Some of them have set up stands along the street, luring tourists to pay Bt100 to Bt150 for each piece. The cost of a balloon containing laughing gas is only Bt20.

"After we started arresting these balloon vendors in khao san Road, in the past few days, they have changed their tactics to sell these balloons," Police Lt-Colonel Pitiphan Krissadakorn na Ayuthaya of Chanasongkarm Police Station said.

Previously, the police in Chon Buri province's Pattaya district had also arrested the vendors for selling the laughing-gas balloons.

Police found that most of the vendors had hidden the gas containers under their pushcarts. Tourists must ask the vendor to make the laughing-gas balloon for them. The vendors spend about 15 minutes to inflate each balloon. "Vendors who illegally sell these balloons would face one-year jail and a fine of Bt10,000 as punishment," he said.

Tourists have been warned to not buy these balloons as the colourless and non-inflammable nitrous-oxide gas can cause severe symptoms for inhalers and some might even become unconscious if there is an overdose. Nitrous oxide is used in surgery and dentistry for its anaesthetic and analgesic effects.

Police Lt-Colonel Nathakon Kumsap, a deputy commander of Chanasongkram Police Station, said he would ask the Food and Drug Administration to give more details about the legal procedures against the wrongdoers as nitrous oxide is recognised as a forbidden substance, not a drug.

~News courtesy of The Nation~

Move to ease BKK's pedestrian traffic

Move to ease BKK's pedestrian traffic



A CentralWorld security guard in front of the shopping complex. Public space in front of the mall is now dominated by street vendors and vehicles.

The footpath and pedestrian flyover bridge in front of CentralWorld would be the next target of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, which is attempting to make Bangkok nicer to local dwellers and foreign visitors.

Police Major General Wichai Sangprapai, an advisor to BMA, said that BMA will call an internal meeting this week to work out a pedestrian traffic management plan for the area in front of CentralWorld.

To attend the meeting are officials from Pathumwan District and over 70 vendors.

He said that BMA has received complaints from pedestrians who cannot make way through a number of street vendors and vehicles. While vendors fill up the footpath area with their stalls, taxi and other vehicles also block public buses from entering the bus stop, leading to heavy traffic congestion. Some vendors also sell their products over the flyover bridge linking both sides of Rajadamri Road.

"The area is a major business area, which draws a large number of Thai and foreign visitors," he said.

BMA has recently come up with the management plan for the Bo Bae market. All 900 vendors are now allowed to put up their stalls at only one side of the road, during 8am-3pm and during 8pm-4am, for the convenience of pedestrians. Before, all stalls are put up on both sides, without any time limits.

~News courtesy of The Nation~

Northern train derailment 11th in nine months

Northern train derailment 11th in nine months

Chiang Mai-Bangkok train services resumed at 5am Monday after officials salvaged a Bangkok-bound train that derailed in Lampang's Mae Mo district last night but without injury to its 192 passengers.

This was the 11th northern train derailment in the past nine months. The 11-bogy train had just left Chiang Mai at 5pm when its engines two front wheels were jumped the tracks.

Officials pulled the engine clear for repairs at the nearby Pang Puay Train StationState Railway of Thailand (SRT)’s northern centre head Somchai Kongchuensin said the derailment occurred on an uphill narrow curve that required the driver to run at 20 kilometres an hour before picking up speed.

Acting Chiang Mai Train Station head Weerayuth Sawangdee said SRT had planned to close a section of the railway from Sila-ard Station to Khun Tan Station in Lampang for repairs for 15 days.

~News courtesy of The Nation~

Vietnam eyes joint tourism visa with Thailand, Cambodia

Vietnam eyes joint tourism visa with Thailand, Cambodia

Vietnamese tourism and foreign relations authorities are set to work with their counterparts from Thailand and Cambodia to introduce a single visa for tourists to the three countries.

Hoang Thi Diep, deputy head of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, was quoted by Thoi Bao Kinh Te Saigon (Saigon Economic Times) as saying Thailand and Cambodia get a large number of tourists, are close to Vietnam, and already have a common visa for tourists.

The two countries signed an agreement last year to allow tourists from 35 countries and regions including Europe, Australia, the US, Hong Kong, Japan, China, and South Korea to visit both on a single visa.

Diep said Southeast Asian countries also plan to have a common visa for the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc.

Ho Chi Minh City authorities in May asked the tourism administration to push for a single visa for Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam.

La Quoc Khanh, deputy head of the city’s tourism department, said Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar have been cooperating at international tourism fairs for the past few years and now want to bring Thailand into the fold.

Together the four countries attracted 14.8 million visitors last year, he said.

Travel agencies have been pushing for a one-visa policy that would enable tourists to travel freely across Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

But Vietnam already rejected the common visa concept when it was first mooted in 2010.

Vietnamese tourism officials had argued that the extra visa fees would not deter wealthy travelers and visa waivers would cause major losses to the tourism industry.

Tourists have also complained that when they go to Cambodia or Laos, they can simply turn up and pay US$25 on arrival while Vietnam charges almost double at $45 for a 30-day or 90-day single entry visa, the most expensive in the region.

~News courtesy of Thanh Nien~

Failure is success if we learn from it

白龙王病逝 众港星来泰祭拜

白龙王病逝 众港星来泰祭拜

泰国白龙王17日病逝，白龙王庙卢师兄今天表示，白龙王9月1日出殡，之后庙里是否取消问事，「要等出殡后才可以说」。而近两天，白龙王的信徒也纷纷赶往其庙宇，其中包括许多香港影星。  

外界传闻白龙王可能由小女儿或二弟子接班，但白龙王家人表示，白龙王只有一个，没有接班人。卢师兄强调，白龙王没有接班人，他将于9月1日下午出殡，安葬于庙内，白龙王庙未来也会在每周五、六、日开放。这段时间白龙王庙会对外开放，直到白龙王出殡当天，开放时间为每天上午8时到晚上9时，供信徒悼念。至于信徒未来还能不能向庙内问事、请求指点迷津，卢师兄说，「要等出殡之后才可以说」，庙方将在白龙王出殡后召开记者会宣布。  

据悉，本名周钦南的白龙王是潮州华裔泰国人，他因支气管问题久病不愈，17日病逝，享寿76岁，由于港台众多艺人梁朝伟、曾志伟、舒淇等是白龙王的虔诚信徒，他在两岸三地、星马等华人圈也因此声名大响。  

据报导，白龙王病逝第二天，吸引大批善信前往祭拜。香港导演刘伟强已飞往泰国，18日上午现身白龙王庙的灵堂，看见师母后即轻抱安慰，期间双眼通红。当天傍晚，曾志伟也一身素服现身灵堂。当师母出现时，曾志伟主动上前并双膝跪地，师母见状抱着曾志伟的头，一脸哀伤。  

刚从美国完成电影「一代宗师」宣传返港的梁朝伟，得知「白龙王」病逝后表现难过。他说，感谢「白龙王」十几年对他人生教诲，希望「白龙王」安息。灵堂中央位置摆放一张「白龙王」含烟斗的照片，神坛四周摆满弟子的花圈，当中有艺人任贤齐、舒淇、王晶夫妇、孟瑶等。白龙王经常为人「指点迷津」和「祈福」，香港不少人艺人都是他的信徒，包括成龙、王晶、文隽、谭咏麟、梁朝伟等。

～以上新闻转载自世界日报～

保障游客安全 宋卡推自行车保安

保障游客安全 宋卡推自行车保安

宋卡府府尹勒达昨天（16日）在市政府主持「自行车保安援助游客」项目启动仪式，放行自行车保安团队，让保安骑自行车到该府各地帮助有需要的游客，并为游客提供便利服务。这是为了提高宋卡府的旅游安全度，让游客放心旅游。  

自行车保安队伍共分成2组，每组10人，5辆自行车，2组人轮班工作，每日骑自行车行走于宋卡府各大公路、海口、海滩边等地，为游客提供便利服务。工作事件为：周一至周五下午4时至7时，而​​周六周日则为下午2时至晚上8时。  

勒达表示，出动自行车保安是为了游客需要的时候能够及时提供帮助，包括游客遭遇抢劫或其他安全问题等。同时，也为了让游客感受到宋卡府的温暖，对宋卡府旅游安全有信心，保证游客旅游人身财产安全。  

而为了发展宋卡府的旅游业，该府认真执行了颖拉总理的旅游方略，即与相邻府治联手，推出多条旅游路线，同时，还积极举办各种旅游活动。

～以上新闻转载自世界日报～

Mae Sot gets connected

Mae Sot gets connected



Nok Air links Mae Sot on the Thai border to two Myanmar cities - Mawlamyine and Yangon - with the introduction of two new routes.

The Mae Sot-Mawlamyine route will start from September 1 while Mae Sot-Yangon flight is scheduled to commence operations in October. Tucked away in the country's southeast, Mawlamyine is the capital of Mon State and is famous for the Golden Rock at Mt Kyaiktiyo. Yangon, of course, is former capital of Myanmar and a gateway to Myanmar's investment and economic opportunities. For times and ticketing, visit www.NokAir.com.

~News courtesy of The Nation~

Phuket's spiritual renewal

Phuket's spiritual renewal



Religious adherents at the Phuket Vegetarian Festival have to follow a strict regime that involves wearing white clothing and doing without meat, alcohol and nicotine.

More extreme expressions of faith involve the piercing of flesh with everything from umbrellas to tyre spanners. The event runs from October 5 to 13 on the island resort of Phuket for the purpose of cleansing and renewing the body and soul. The festival and its accompanying sacred rituals also involve processions, fireworks and music.

~News courtesy of The Nation~

沙美岛附近珊瑚礁尚未受破坏

沙美岛附近珊瑚礁尚未受破坏

泰国东方海洋渔业研究发展中心今天指出，遭漏油事件污染海滩的沙美岛，西岸奥普劳海滩外海的珊瑚礁还未受到浮油破坏。泰石油（PTT）子公司PTT全球化学（PTTGC）27日输油管破裂，油污扩散污染沙美岛海滩，让生态专家担忧，当地渔业与生态系统会受到破坏。  

据报导，东方海洋渔业研究发展中心主任本篮萨指出，2名潜水伕昨天已探查过离沙美岛西岸100公尺海面下7公尺的珊瑚礁，浮油没有伤害到珊瑚礁，但有些海胆受到污染。本蓝萨表示，东方海洋渔业研究发展中心后续将检查这区域是否还适合海洋生物栖息。  

地理信息空间技术发展局局长安侬表示，原油薄膜昨天开始扩散到其他区域，有些可能无法肉眼看出，但卫星照片可以显示，漏油事件短期可​​能不会有重大冲击，但长期可能会伤害生态系统，影响食物链。如果失控，浮油可能会再扩散到其他府治。他指出，卫星照片显示，大量浮油已被清理，但清理单位需要继续控制浮油，而不是一昧使用化学制剂分解。  

罗勇旅游协会主席查拉特说，被污染的澳抛海滩只是沙美岛其中1个海滩，并没有全岛受到污染。但查拉特表示，如果当局无法尽快清理浮油，恐怕会伤害全部的旅游业。  

能源部长蓬萨指出，原油泄漏可能是因为大雨与风暴，PTTGC已设立调查小组调查情况。他也指出，PTT方面将对污染与损害做出赔偿，并请专家检查环境受到的伤害。

～以上新闻转载自世界日报～

博他伦修复鹿园 振兴旅游业

博他伦修复鹿园 振兴旅游业

为恢复博他伦府诗娜卡琳县班娜镇山林公园区森林动物资源，博他伦府已经该府30多区管理负责人近日频繁举办会，讨论修复该森林公园事宜，尤其要恢复该公园区内的「鹿园」，以将该公园发展成为博他伦府重要旅游区。  

据悉，诗娜卡琳县班娜镇山林公园修建于1996年，占地面积约100莱。开始修建初期，该公园办事处特地从外地买进各种动物，包括鹿、羚羊、松鼠等，该公园可谓资源丰富。但是随后几年公园失修，政府不再拨款和派遣人员进行护理，尤其是「鹿园」内严重缺少工作人员。最后导致整个「鹿园」只有1个负责人在照料，园内萧条。许多进去参观的游客大失所望，并表示再也不会进「鹿园」。  

以往生机勃勃的公园，何以如此萧条？为恢复「鹿园」雄伟，博他伦府市政府与30多区管理人员，以及相关部门频繁举办会议，进行深入讨论，最终决定一定要修复园林，让该公园区再一次成为博他伦府的重要旅游景区。  

会议决定明年将逐步修复园林基本设施，包括公园区植被、修建动物休息棚、引进各种动植物。而2015年则修建动物护理大楼，并在「鹿园」修建2公里长的观光大道，还要在公园内修建山区旅社，让游客可以在山区内过夜，享受自然夜景，听葱林鸟叫声。

～以上新闻转载自世界日报～

Koh Samet oil pollution 沙美岛海洋污染

Oil-spill recovery will be tough: experts

Oil-spill recovery will be tough: experts



Academics have predicted a grim scenario for ecological systems hit by the oil spill in the Gulf of Thailand, including those around Koh Samet's Ao Phrao beach.

"It's going to be difficult to rehabilitate the affected areas," Phaithoon Mokkongpai of Burapha University said yesterday.

About 50 tonnes of crude oil leaked from an offshore pipeline on Saturday, spilling into the sea off Rayong.

In a bid to break up the oil slick, some chemicals have been used.

Phaithoon said he believed the use of chemicals was not appropriate because the oil-affected areas were not in the deep-sea zone, and these waters did not flow easily to the open sea.

There was a risk that oil droplets formed through the use of the chemicals would sink onto coral and kill them, he said, adding that ecological systems would then suffer because young aquatic animals and plankton usually live around the corals.

Phaithoon predicted disruption |to the food chain and believed |the impact would become evident soon.

"Although micro-organisms naturally consume oil, they won't be able to handle [such a] huge amount of oil," he explained.

He said that apart from damage to ecological systems, the oil spill would hurt tourism, the economy and coastal fisheries too.

"This is a big incident," he said, adding that the spill would not have posed such a serious threat if it had happened out at sea.

"But when [oil] reaches the coastal zone, the impacts are serious."

Pichai Sonchaeng, a former dean of Burapha University's Marine Technology Faculty, said the oil spill's impact on natural resources was worrying to everyone.

He urged all parties to quickly determine the exact leakage point, the exact amount of leaked oil and the affected areas, and to develop a model to assess the impacts.

"Then we will have to plan how to rehabilitate the environment and come up with the quickest and best way to do it," he said.

~News courtesy of The Nation~

Samet to take a hit

Samet to take a hit



Island may miss tourism revenue goal after spill

The tourism industry in Koh Samet looks set to miss this year's revenue target of Bt20 billion because of the contamination and bad publicity from last weekend's oil spill, and the tourism minister and operators on the island are calling for PTT Global Chemical to compensate the hotels affected.

Meanwhile, commercial banks will provide assistance to hotel operators affected by the spill, and some banks see this as an opportunity to offer working capital to such businesses.

Tourism and Sports Minister Somsak Pureesrisak said yesterday that the Cabinet had agreed that PTTGC should compensate those hotels that have lost business due to guest cancellations.

He also assigned the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to examine the situation and estimate the cost.

Rayong Tourist Association chairman Chairat Trirattanajarasporn said that so far 15-20 per cent of advanced bookings had been cancelled by tourists from South Korea and Europe.

A preliminary estimate of the damage to the tourism sector is between Bt100 million and Bt200 million, but if the problem is not fully contained, that figure could reach Bt1 billion, Chairat said.

Last year, the island saw tourism revenue of Bt16 billion, and that had been expected to reach Bt20 billion this year. However, he is not confident that target can be reached now.

He called for PTTGC to tell operators when it can contain the oil leak and finish cleaning it up. The company as well should deliver a message with clear details to the public to restore tourists' confidence in the island.

Call to cooperate

He also called for all parties to integrate their efforts to restore the damaged environment.

Annually, more than 5.5 million tourists visit Samet.

"We really want to inform tourists that only Phrao Beach on the island was affected by the crude-oil spill, and on the rest of the island, they can still swim in the sea," Chairat said.

A taxi driver told The Nation many tourists were still staying on the island and were not frightened off by the event. Most of them are Chinese, followed by Westerners.

However, a business operator said the majority of tourists, mostly from Europe and China, had cancelled bookings for Koh Samet after the oil spill. Pisanu Kemaphan, president of the Rayong accommodation club, said tourists were not confident in the clean-up operations for the oil spill, which has been reported worldwide.

"This will cause long-term damage," he said, urging all relevant government agencies, particularly the TAT, and the media to present positive views of Samet. He noted that 95 per cent of tourist attractions on the island had remained safe from the spill, which had hit only a tiny part of the western shore.

According to Jiratchayuth Amyongka, head of SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) banking at Thanachart Bank, the oil spill has seriously hit tourism on Koh Samet even though some beaches were not damaged. The hotel business might take months to recover because advance bookings have been cancelled.

He noted that this was low season and operators spent this period renovating and expanding in preparation for the high season in October.

The damage might mean some hotel operators require more working capital, which might be a chance for TBank to offer credit lines to refinance customers.

In general, banks will consider the ability of customers affected by unexpected incidents to repay debt, and will offer basic assistance such as grace periods and credit lines to help them, he explained.

~News courtesy of The Nation~