Thailand to give tourists 'safety' wristbands

Thai authorities say the wristbands will carry the tourists' personal details. The scheme will be rolled out "soon" on popular resort islands such as Koh Tao and Koh Phangan and also the tourist beach area of Pattaya.

Thailand on Tuesday (Sep 30) announced plans to give tourists wristbands carrying their personal details, as the kingdom falls under intense scrutiny over visitor safety following the murder of two British holidaymakers. Under the scheme hotels will distribute the wristbands to new arrivals.

"If anything happens to them we will then know their names, nationality and hotel," said Arnuparp Gaesornsuwan, director general of the Department of Tourism told AFP. "We have discussed it with hotel operators and they are willing to do it," he said. "We are not going into their personal information - it's just the details they have to fill out on the immigration form already," he said.

Tourist police said the safety measure would be voluntary. "In case they (tourists) get drunk and fall asleep on the beach we can bring them back to their hotels," Apichai Ti-armataya, commander of the Tourist Police told AFP. He said the plan would be rolled out "soon" on popular resort islands such as Koh Tao and Koh Phangan and also the tourist beach area of Pattaya.

In addition to tagging tourists the Department of Tourism is keen to curb partying hours in visitor hotspots. "Most of tourists are coming here for diving or to admire our nature - not to party," Arnuparp said, adding new "zoning" curbs would likely control all-night bars and clubs.

Thailand's image as a tourist paradise has been badly damaged by the brutal murders of British holidaymakers David Miller, 24, and Hannah Witheridge, 23 earlier this month.

Their battered bodies were found on a beach on southern Koh Tao island more than two weeks ago, sparkling a manhunt that has appeared increasingly desperate with police so far failing to make an arrest.

That seemingly sluggish response was compounded by insensitive comments made by the coup-leading prime minister, Prayuth Chan-ocha, who was forced into a rare public apology after suggesting women wearing bikinis could be more vulnerable to attack.

Thailand's once-booming tourism industry is also scrambling to rebound from a slump in foreign visitor numbers after May's military coup and a night-time curfew tarnished its reputation as the "Land of Smiles".

The government has lowered its forecast for tourist arrivals this year to 25.9 million, down from an initial target of 28 million.

~News courtesy of Channel News Asia~

Thailand's restive South seeks to woo tourists

Thailand's southern provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat are trying to woo tourists despite the instability plaguing the region.

Come visit us – that is the plea from local authorities in Thailand’s restive south to international tourists.

The region, comprising the provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, has been plagued by violence for the past 10 years – and is understandably not on the top of visitors’ lists in Thailand.

The predominantly Muslim area suffers from regular bomb attacks and shootings by separatist groups fighting for autonomy from the central Bangkok government. The so-called ‘Deep South’ has heavy advisory warnings from Western countries, and all unnecessary travel is not recommended.

The province of Narathiwat only receives around 50,000 visitors a year - mostly comprising of short-stay visitors from Malaysia. But authorities there are hoping to change all this as they try and lure tourists to its unspoiled beaches – even if roadblocks and blast shelters feature quite prominently along its roads.

"We plan to use word-of-mouth to encourage tourists to come of their own accord,” said Ahman Mad-Adam, Director, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Narathiwat Office. “We will then support, for example, by encouraging Muslim visitors to experience the culture of the three southern provinces."

Part of that culture is a vibrant Muslim community - and the largest Da'Wah centre in Thailand. "It can be a centre,” said Pongsak Yingchoncharoen, Mayor of Yala. “We need to translate this into a cultural destination and then we will be able to draw in visitors from across the Islamic world.”

But even key sites like the 500-year-old Krue Se mosque are vacant following a massacre in 2004 that left 32 guerrilla insurgents dead. Meanwhile to attract local Thai visitors, authorities are trying something different – they plan to organise music events by popular Thai acts.

"We must accept that there is violence, but we hope that celebrities, those with a large fan base, can help attract people here and show them that Yala is not as portrayed in the news,” said Mayor Pongsak.

But getting to the southern provinces remains cumbersome: There are currently no direct flights to the area, and the recently renewed train service has been cancelled as attacks on the local railway have been stepped up.

Local communities however, are unfazed by the violence, even gathering in the open to watch a boat race between locals and the military. "We still live our lives as normal,” said Sukanya Yubadee, Narathiwat resident. “People outside of the South may think that there are bombs all the time, but it is actually very safe here."

Yet the region is still a fundamentally dangerous place. Hotel operators continue to struggle; the largest hotel in Yala, Chang Li hotel, had to be closed down due to bomb attacks. And encouraging tourists to the region remains a difficult task.

"Now it is impossible to sell tours (to the border provinces) because of the ongoing unrest” said tour operator Pornchai Maliban. “But if we begin to promote the area as a tourist destination it could be an interesting package."

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

吃斋节 卫部吁关注食用卫生

吃斋节 卫部吁关注食用卫生

卫生厅厅长素贴昨天（17日）透露，九皇斋节即将到来，民众在选购或制作斋食时一定要注意4点，保证在9天节日内既吃得开心，又吃得健康。

素贴指出，无论是自己制作还是向外面的摊贩购买斋食，或者民众自己制作销售，都要注意以下4点：1、清洗，将家里的烹饪器材包括锅碗瓢盆清洗干净，还要保证购买回来的食材清洗清洁卫生；2、佐料适量，在烹饪食物或拌制沙拉时，要适量搭配的材料，口味适中，太甜、太咸、太油都会身体不好；3、饮食节制，避免吃油炸、烧烤的食物，这些食物不仅容易增肥，还有引起癌细胞病变的危险；4、正确选择食物，平常没有吃斋习惯的民众连续数日吃斋，容易导致身体营养不平衡，为了均衡营养，民众可以选择多吃豆类，例如豆腐、黄豆、五谷杂粮等。

素贴还表示，吃斋对于「无肉不欢」的民众来说，对毅力是一种考验，民众可以通过其他方法分散注意力，例如到好的餐厅吃斋、出去旅游，或者干脆忘记吃肉这件事。在购买食物时，一定要以安全、卫生为基本准则，千万不要随便在路边摊购买。吃斋节过后，民众不要立即大鱼大肉，因为连续数日不吃肉，体内的消化系统无法立即适应，民众可以先少吃，给身体提供慢慢适应的时间。

～以上新闻转载至世界日报～

Koh Tao 'sealed off' after two tourists brutally killed

Koh Tao 'sealed off' after two tourists brutally killed

Gruesome murders of British pair on island paradise shock locals and visitors POLICE have sealed off the resort island of Koh Tao off Surat Thani province to hunt down killers who brutally murdered a British couple and possibly raped the woman on Sunday night. The 24-year-old victims have been identified as Hannah Witheridge and David Miller.

Last night, one of Miller's friends was detained after he provided conflicting information, Surat Thani police commander Pol Maj General Kiattiphong Kaosam-ang said. There were multiple scratches on the suspect's body and he had a serious wound on his hand.

However, Kiattiphong said surveillance camera footage also showed an Asian man fleeing the scene at 3am, which prompted investigators to initially believe there might be a sole attacker. Police believed he could possibly have been a migrant worker or fishing-trawler crewman.

The deaths have come as a shock to tourists and residents on the small island, which is known as one of the best diving sites in Thailand.

Initial investigation at the site on Chor Por Ror beach has been completed and bodies will be sent to Bangkok for autopsy and further forensic examination.

Kiattiphong said both victims had arrived at the island separately. Witheridge checked in at Ocean Ville resort on August 27, while Miller arrived on September 13. Witheridge was with four girlfriends, while Miller came with two or three other men. As their rooms were close by, the two groups came to know each other.

Investigators learned that the victims had gone to a party at the neighbouring AC Resort, and left together before their bodies were found at 6.30am yesterday.

Police sealed off the island and kicked off a manhunt for the attackers. Residents have also been helping with the search.

According to Kiattipong, "most of the wounds were to their heads" and said he believed the suspect, or suspects, were "probably still on the island".

It was not immediately known whether Witheridge was sexually assaulted - that is expected to be determined in the autopsy. Both victims were naked when discovered.

A statement from the British Embassy in Bangkok said officials were "urgently seeking information from local authorities. Consular staff stand ready to provide assistance to friends and family at this tragic time".

Checkpoints have been set-up on the island's two piers, and local police called for reinforcements from Koh Pha-ngan, while high seas prevented ferries and boats from leaving.

Distraught friends of the victims - who had seen the pair partying just hours before their bodies were found - gathered at the local police station.

Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, meanwhile, said Tourist Police were already on high alert. She added that tourists visiting the Kingdom would all be under the protection of official bodies to prevent further damage to the country's reputation.

An employee at the budget Ocean Ville resort told AFP that the bodies were found behind some large rocks on the beach about 20 metres from each other and a bloodstained hoe was found nearby.

"This is the first time that this has happened on the island. I have never seen anything like this," the staff member added requesting anonymity.

Regional commander Pol Lt-General Panya Mamen and Kiattiphong had flown into the island earlier upon hearing of the gruesome killings.

This was yet another horrific crime against foreign tourists and British citizens in recent years - including the 2006 rape and murder of Briton Katherine Horton, 21, on nearby Koh Samui and the 2000 rape and murder of Kirsty Jones, 23, at a guesthouse in Chiang Mai.

There were 389 deaths of British nationals in Thailand in the year to March 2013, about one for every 2,400 visitors or residents although that figure includes natural causes.

~News courtesy of The Nation~

亚航开通甲米-广州新航线

亚航开通甲米-广州新航线

亚航泰国航线主席他萨攀昨天召开新闻发布会，宣布甲米府至中国广州新航线正式开通，将于11月6日首次起航。

亚洲航空公司新开通泰国甲米飞中国广州航线，将于11月6日首次起航，最低价1690铢，即日起至本月21日接受机票预订，搭机时间为今年11月6日至明年10月24日。

亚航泰国航线主席他萨攀昨天（15日）召开新闻发布会指出，甲米府至中国广州新航线正式开通，甲米（KBV）至广州（CAN）航班号为FD415，起飞时间为晚上8时45分，凌晨1时30分抵达；而广州（CAN）至甲米（KBV）航班号为FD416，起飞时间为凌晨2时20分，4时50分抵达。详情可拨打电话0 2515 9999或登陆网站www.airasia.com进行咨询或查询。

他萨攀指出，中国市场是亚航重要的开发市场之一，目前泰国亚航开通了13条飞往中国的航线，是行业中飞往中国最经济实惠的航班，除了从曼谷廊曼机场起飞外，还有从普吉和清迈起飞的航班。甲米府一直是中国游客最喜爱的旅游目的地，而即将航行的甲米至广州航班也会吸引很多中国游客的关注，因为从曼谷至甲米府航班的乘客量中，中国游客排名第二位，仅次于泰国本地乘客量。因此，亚航决定开通甲米至广州航班，减少中转的不便，向乘客提供更多选择。

中国航线是亚航重要的市场，今年首8个月，中国乘客的平均客座率占80%。他萨攀说，我们要做好第3、4季度的销售计画和服务安排，以迎接年底的观光高潮。泰国政府向中国游客提供旅游签证免费政策，相信能更好地刺激中国游客来泰观光。而广州作为经济重要城市，游客的购买力也相对较高。

据悉，广州是广东的首府，素有「中国南部大门」之称，有2800多年的历史，是中国海上丝绸之路的起点之一，是历史最悠久的对外通商口岸，享有「千年商都」的美誉。

~以上新闻转载自世界日报~

Phuket and Penang become twin cities

Phuket and Penang become twin cities

Phuket Town and George Town in Penang, Malaysia, became official twin cities after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Phuket City Hall today.

Inspired by the two cities’ long-established historical relationship, the decision was seen as an important move in facilitating the exchange of expertise in areas of tourism, business and cultural heritage (story here).

“Both cities have agreed to establish a joint committee comprising government, business and civil society representatives which will oversee the implementation of projects, programs and activities,” said Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupana.

“The committee will meet once a year in either Penang or Phuket and will cooperate in areas of city management and governance, trade, investment, social development, education and cultural heritage.”

The signing ceremony was also attended by Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut and Dato’ Patahiyah binti Ismail, president of the Municipal Council of Penang Island.

~News courtesy of Phuket Gazette~

Costs, lack of demand delay Phuket Airport Bus service to Karon

Costs, lack of demand delay Phuket Airport Bus service to Karon


Lack of demand has delayed the launch of the bus service to Kata-Karon until at least the end of October. Photo: Gazette file

High costs and lack of demand has forced the operators of the Airport Express Bus service to push back the launch of its new route from Patong to Kata-Karon until at least October.

However, bus company chairman Prakob Panyawai is working on adding two more bus stops in Patong, Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) chief Terayout Prasertphol confirmed to the Phuket Gazette today.

Mr Prakob initially planned for his “hop on, hop off” bus service to run from Phuket International Airport to Kata-Karon, but fear of violent reprisals from local tuk-tuk and taxi drivers necessitated terminating the route in Patong .

He later had revived his plan to roll out a new final stop in Karon by mid-August, after Col Somchai Ponatong of the Army’s 41st Military Circle promised to ensure the safety of the bus drivers and passengers (story here).

“We met with Mr Prakob earlier this week. He tested running the bus from Patong to Kata-Karon to see if it was worth it,” Mr Terayout said. “The answer was no. It costs too much because of the hills.”

Undaunted, Mr Prakob is working on how to make the service viable.

“He is trying to come up with a new plan to launch the service and make sure the company will not suffer by losing money,” Mr Terayout said.

Among the strategies under consideration are using a larger bus from the airport during peak passenger times, but using vans when there are fewer passengers.

“The finalized bus route, stops and travel times are set to be launched by the end of October,” explained Mr Terayout.

“However, the bus operators may need to focus more on improving their marketing, because not as many passengers are using the bus service as expected.”

Since the launch of the decades-in-waiting Airport Express Bus service in March last year (story here), the operators have revised the schedule several times to better target passengers.

The buses currently depart Patong for the airport nine times each day: the first bus leaves at 8am and the last one at 7pm. Meanwhile, the first bus departs the airport for Patong at 8:15am, while the last bus from the airport leaves at 8:45pm (timetable here).

The bus service also offers one of the cheapest – and safest – modes of transport on the island, both critical factors for all tourists and residents alike.

As agreed with the PLTO, the bus fares from Phuket Airport to the Boat Lagoon in Koh Kaew costs 60 baht, the Tesco Lotus shopping mall on the bypass road costs 80 baht, and all the way to Patong costs 120 baht. The same fares apply in the opposite direction (fares here).

In the Gazette poll last month, nearly 20 per cent of the 4,544 respondents voted that they were willing to pay “less than 300 baht” for a taxi fare from the airport to Patong, the cheapest option available in the poll.

The strongest call for the cheapest fares came from Thai nationals, with 34 per cent voting for “less than 300 baht”.

~News courtesy of Phuket Gazette~

春秋首开杭州-曼谷直飞航线

春秋首开杭州-曼谷直飞航线


记者9月2日获悉，中国首家低成本航空公司-春秋航空将于9月9日首开浙江杭州至泰国曼谷国际航线，直飞时间仅4小时左右，每周三班，开航促销价最低399元人民币（约折合2080铢）。 

据了解，春秋航空在杭州此前已有7条航线，分别是前往西安、沈阳、石家庄、深圳、桂林、三亚、张家界，杭州至曼谷是春秋航空在杭州开通的第8条航线，也是杭州首条直飞曼谷的航班。


春秋航空方面称，目前，从杭州出发到曼谷，往往要经过第三地中转，如香港、广州、福州等，中转也令飞行时间大大增加，时长在7小时至9小时左右，单程价格往往在1200元-1700元（约折合5990-8290铢）。


此次直飞不仅令时间大大缩短至4小时左右，开航促销最低单程价也令旅客享受到了实惠。


另外，春秋航空介绍，今年9月23日，春秋航空还将开通上海至韩国首尔航班，每周四班。杭州旅客可购买「空铁快线」。 「只要购买机票，就会免费赠送一张高铁车票。」春秋航空方面表示。


~以上新闻转载自世界日报~

九皇斋胜会 攀牙24日登场

九皇斋胜会 攀牙24日登场


攀牙府各政府单位联合于9月24日至10月2日期间，举办「功德圆满、斋食吃到饱-九皇斋胜会」，攀牙府各地将举办系列庆祝活动。 

攀牙府地方行政议会主席班隆昨天（5日）表示，2014年度九皇斋胜会将于9月24日-10月2日举行，攀牙府政府携手攀牙府议会、地方行政管理机构，联合举办大型庆祝活动，活动将于9月27日在达括通县拉开帷幕，28日在泰蒙县举行，期间将向僧侣摆上布施专用的斋食桌，摆放各种斋食。


其他主要活动包括卡通八仙巡游活动，卡通八仙画高2.5米，此外还有4个中国吉祥神兽图案，一同悬挂在攀牙府集市大门口。举办​​方将使用4×4米的大锅烹调素面，免费提供给参观民众品尝。


班隆表示，攀牙府吃斋传统由来已久，所以攀牙府府议会与地方行政管理机构等政府单位、民间组织机构每年都会举办吃斋活动，目的是继承和弘扬这一传统文化，吃斋不但可以清理肠胃，还可以净化人们的净胜，促进当地旅游业，希望国内外游客都能到攀牙府做客。

~以上新闻转载自世界日报~

Phuket Vegetarian Festival

体验泰北人文 清莱推3天休闲游

体验泰北人文 清莱推3天休闲游 

清莱府尹蓬萨昨天（2日）表示，该府推出的「清莱多元文化旅游项目」活动，旨在促进清莱、帕夭、帕府和难府雨季期间的旅游业发展。相信该府全年游客量将达309万人次，同比增长3%。
 

蓬萨指出，雨季也是旅游淡季，政府及民间须靠推出各种活动刺激旅游消费，推出多元化旅游，让游客感受清莱府的人文生活。而被雨水清洗过的自然风光焕然一新，也可以让从城里来的游客感受大自然的美好。而本月3-5日，清莱府将推出3天​​2晚的自然与人文旅游活动体验。

 泰国旅游局清莱府办事处主任育丽攀女士表示，目前清莱府共有553家酒店或旅馆，共计1万5000个房间，可以满足游客需要。而自从5月分发生地震后，游客量持续减少。

 今年1-4月期间，酒店的入住率平均达到50%，到4月下旬至5月初，入住率跌至20-25%，地震过后续跌不到20%，这让酒店业者十分忧心。
 

对此，泰国旅游局通过增加旅游活动刺激游客前来观光，清莱府今年的目标是全年游客量达309万人次，比去年的300万人次增加3%，其中外籍游客50万人次，国内游客量为250万人次。

 ~以上新闻转载自世界日报~