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Thai Red Cross Fair: A fair vibe in the heart of Bangkok

Mark your calendars because the Thai Red Cross Fair 2024 is back! This beloved event is taking place from December 11 to 22, and it will be Thailand’s largest charity fair, blending the nostalgia of a traditional temple fair with a lively celebration for a...

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  • Similan Islands – no more sleep overs from October

    Similan Islands – no more sleep overs from October

    by Pratch Rujivanarom With Maya Bay at Koh Phi Phi Ley poised to close for four months from tomorrow, an announcement yesterday that overnight stays will no longer be allowed in the Mu Ko Similan Marine National Park off Phang Nga province starting from this October. While the number of visitors to its pristine islands …

  • New Greater Phuket Airport to create tourism Golden Triangle

    New Greater Phuket Airport to create tourism Golden Triangle

    By Bill Barnett of c9hotelworks.com An announcement by the Airports of Thailand (AoT) about approval of a plan for a new second Greater Phuket airport has created quite a stir in the tourism sector in one of Southeast Asia’s leading resort markets. Located just over the Sarasin Bridge in Phang Nga’s Khok Kloi area, work …

  • New airports approved for Phuket and Chiang Mai

    New airports approved for Phuket and Chiang Mai

    After four years of false starts and rumours it looks like Phuket will now get a much-needed second airport to feed the island and the surrounding region. Yesterday’s announcement by AoT (Airports of Thailand) comes after extensive studies to examine the extension of the current Phuket airport runway which is hemmed in by Thepkasattri Road …

  • Asian boat shows merge

    Asian boat shows merge

    The local boating industry’s been calling for it for years – a single boat show to showcase the best of Phuket and Thailand’s boating opportunities, destinations and marine lifestyle. In a joint statement issued today by Andy Treadwell, CEO of Verventia, owner of the Singapore and Thailand Yacht Shows, and Gael and Olivier Burlot, owners …

  • Special Report: Saving Maya Bay

    Special Report: Saving Maya Bay

    By Pattarawadee Saengmanee The island, Koh Phi Phi Ley, made famous by the movie “The Beach”, is due to get a complete makeover as part of a new project designed to protect the environment and the ocean. As I step out of the boat on the shore of Maya Bay, my brain goes into overdrive. …

  • The cheapest places in the world to live – Is Thailand on the list?

    The cheapest places in the world to live – Is Thailand on the list?

    PHOTO: Sam Kittner Compared to what you’re paying in the west, in some countries you can have a palatial house, a maid, personal chef, good health care and a driver for the same cost of a struggling life in your home country. Thailand has long been seen as a retirement haven with its low cost …

  • Maya Bay – let the healing begin

    Maya Bay – let the healing begin

    By Piyaporn Wongruang – The Sunday Nation It was around 10 in the morning. There was peace and tranquility at Maya Bay and its beach with just a few speedboats docking in front of the bay. The crystal clear deep blue turquoise sea water filled the vision of Plianprasop Khaonual, a long-time park ranger and …

  • Fly cheap to Oz with AIS on QANTAS

    Fly cheap to Oz with AIS on QANTAS

    Use AIS mobile. You could be flying to Australia with a discount. QANTAS is offering AIS mobile phone users in the capital an 8% discount on airfares on all routes from Bangkok to Australia, or New Zealand, until 31 July. The offer is valid on routes Bangkok to Australia (Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, and Melbourne) and …

  • April tourist arrivals in Thailand up nearly 10%

    April tourist arrivals in Thailand up nearly 10%

    Thailand’s tourism racks up 13,701,411 visitors arriving in the first four months of 2018 – a 14% increase, year on year. For the same four months last year the passenger arrivals increased 3.35%. In April alone arrivals were 3,092,725. This is up 9.38% year on year according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports Permanent Secretary, …

  • First birthday competition and promotion at SIS Kata

    First birthday competition and promotion at SIS Kata

    The SIS Kata, Phuket celebrates its 1st Birthday by launching the “Stay in Style” promotion and “Photo in Style” contest. The winner of the “Photo in Style” contest will win 4 days/3 nights stay at SIS Kata. There are a total of 5 prizes to be won. Stay in Style Promotion, Stylish Room inclusive of …

  • Access to Maya Bay, from the front, permanently closed

    Access to Maya Bay, from the front, permanently closed

    The closure of Maya Bay has come about after profound changes by chiefs of Thailand’s marine national parks. It’s been revealed that, far from being a knee-jerk reaction, the plan to close the famous tourist magnet is just the start of an entire new approach to marine conservation. The closure is seen as an entry …

  • Warnings over cheap cosmetic surgery – Lee’s story

    Warnings over cheap cosmetic surgery – Lee’s story

    PHOTO: Nine News, Australia Most cosmetic surgeries in Thailand will definitely save you money when compared to the costs in western hospitals. And the vast majority of procedures will go perfectly according to plan with patients broadly happy with their results. But Lee Cameron says she will regret the decision to have cosmetic surgery in …

  • Bangkok Airways to kick off direct flights between Yangon and Phuket

    Bangkok Airways to kick off direct flights between Yangon and Phuket

    Bangkok Airways is looking to kick off direct flights between Yangon and Phuket this November. This according to Bangkok Airways’ regional airline vice president, Varong Israsena. Myanmar National Airlines started operating a direct flight between Yangon and Phuket last month and are looking to increase frequency of the flights from Myanmar’s largest city to Phuket. “I …

  • Low cost flying fleets triple in five years

    Low cost flying fleets triple in five years

    Thailand’s low cost carrier sector is continuing to grow rapidly since the first two LCCs, Nok Air and Thai AirAsia, launched back in 2004. Now we’re spoiled for choice with Lion Air, Thai Smile, Nok Air, Air Asia, JetStar, Vietjet and NokScoot vying for our budget-flying baht. Thailand Business News reports that growth has accelerated …

  • Chinese tourism to Thailand poised to top 10 million per annum

    Chinese tourism to Thailand poised to top 10 million per annum

    Thailand’s most tourist arrivals are ‘Others’. When added together, all the arrivals for countries outside the top 10, outnumber the most popular nations contributing annual arrivals to Thailand. ‘Other’s arriving in Thailand in 2017 numbered 11,517,782 out of the 35,381,210 tourist arrivals last year. But, hardly a surprise, Chinese tourists were the Number One nation …

  • Overheating smartphone on KLM jet forces authorities to re-examine the ‘batteries on planes’ issue

    Overheating smartphone on KLM jet forces authorities to re-examine the ‘batteries on planes’ issue

    PHOTO: KLM A KLM Boeing 777 has now landed safely in KL following an 18 hour lay-over in Phuket after a ‘precautionary landing’ forced on the pilot after a smartphone over-heated, emitting smoke in the passenger cabin. It’s not the first incident involving over-heating lithium batteries (if that was the cause) and is sure to …

  • KLM jet makes precautionary landing in Phuket

    KLM jet makes precautionary landing in Phuket

    PHOTO: NewsInFlight.com Newsinflight.com is reporting that a KLM Boeing 777-200, Flight KL 809 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, had to make a precautionary landing in Phuket, after smoke started filling the cabin when a passenger’s mobile phone ‘overheated’. Witnesses report that there were no flames but plenty of smoke coming from the phone. Reports say …

  • Changes to visa applications at the Thai Consulate-General in Penang

    Changes to visa applications at the Thai Consulate-General in Penang

    The Royal Thai Consulate-General in Penang has announced changes to its acceptance and delivery of visas. Penang, Malaysia, has been a popular destination for expats and tourists to head to, particularly from Phuket. There is an entire visa-run industry heading out of the island each day heading for Penang with hotels, restaurants and taxis all …

  • Kata Sea Breeze Resort has been awarded Thailand MICE Venue certification

    Kata Sea Breeze Resort has been awarded Thailand MICE Venue certification

    PHOTO: Kata Sea Breeze Resort represented by Ms.Rutchaneegorn Chalayondeja, Group Director of Business development of AKSARA Collection received the award from Mr.Weerasak Kowsurat Kata Sea Breeze Resort is now a certified Thailand MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) Venue as certified by Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau for its Sea Sky Conference Room having met the …

  • Which Asian country is doing all the flying in the Asia-Pacific?

    Which Asian country is doing all the flying in the Asia-Pacific?

    Now everyone can fly, or so we’re told by one of the region’s leading budget airlines. So who’s doing all the flying in Asia? Thai flyers, with an average of more than 10 flights EACH per year. Thais are making more flights per year ahead of second and third placed Japan and India, according to …

  • May Event Round-Up

    May Event Round-Up

    with Paul Poole (South East Asia) May is typically the month of the popular Hua Hin International Jazz Festival and this year is no different. For two days from 18-19 May, the seaside resort transforms into a mecca for jazz lovers with performers and fans arriving from all over the world. This year’s highlights include …

  • The world’s top 25 luxury hotels

    The world’s top 25 luxury hotels

    Luxury hotels. Sure, we plenty of those in Phuket and around Thailand. But where are the world’s best luxury hotels? Out of the top 25, only one is in Thailand. The votes are in by the people who visit and stay in these expensive but ornate and luxurious accommodation offerings. Trip Advisor guests have stayed …

  • Preparing to close down Maya Bay

    Preparing to close down Maya Bay

    The General Director of the Department of National Parks (DNP) visited Maya Bay yesterday, which is expected to close down for 4 months from the start of June. Thanya Neti Thammakul, along with his team, visited Koh Phi Phi Ley and Maya Bay yesterday (April 23) to follow up the readiness before closing down the …

  • Nai Harn Phuket celebrates the 2nd anniversary of Rock Salt

    Nai Harn Phuket celebrates the 2nd anniversary of Rock Salt

    On Friday, April 20, The Nai Harn Phuket marked the second anniversary of Rock Salt, the resort’s stylish, laid back stand-alone beachfront bistro. The team at Phuket’s only member of Leading Hotels of the World celebrated the occasion with a Whispering Angel Rosé Party during which guests were served a welcome glass of wine from …

  • New 101 villa luxury property heading to Mai Khao, Phuket

    New 101 villa luxury property heading to Mai Khao, Phuket

    PHOTO: Viagens e Férias Global hospitality group Melia Hotels International has signed a new 101 villa luxury property in Mai Khao, Phuket. The developer of the property is the Phuket Villa Group. Each of the hotel villas feature private pools. Slated for 2021, the group will enter the Phuket market with an exclusive luxury resort on the idealic …

  • The 110cc power plant of South East Asia

    The 110cc power plant of South East Asia

    Please ensure that you are properly licensed and wear a helmet anytime you hire or ride a motorbike in South East Asia. Whenever you visit South East Asia one thing becomes immediately apparent – the economies would never survive without the ubiquitous 110cc step-thru motorbikes. Some may have bigger engines, some might have been ‘modified’ …

  • Another month, another surge in tourists to Thailand

    Another month, another surge in tourists to Thailand

    Thailand’s tourist arrivals clocked up 3.4 million visitors in March 2018, an improvement of over 16 percent year-on-year. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has confirmed March finished with 3,497,260 visitors. Earnings for March were estimated at 189,158 million baht, up 22 percent year-on-year. Pongpanu Svetarundra, permanent secretary for the tourism ministry, noted that East Asia …

  • Boracay – Last one out, turn the lights off

    Boracay – Last one out, turn the lights off

    Philippines officials are sending in the troops to keep tourists off the island and deter potential protests as Boracay Island prepares for closure from April 26. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has branded the tourist magnet island and its white-sand beach a “cesspool”. In a move that’s sent tour operators, hotel chains and locals into a …

  • Private investors being wooed over planned marina for Samui

    Private investors being wooed over planned marina for Samui

    Samui is looking to establish the island’s first marina and is currently looking to investors for the project in the Gulf of Thailand. Asia Pacific Superyachts reports that Koh Samui has succeeded in attracting international five-star brands, a strong luxury villas market as well as quality golf courses. The report says that superyacht sailors are …

  • Hainan Island: 30 day visa-free for 59 countries starting May 1

    Hainan Island: 30 day visa-free for 59 countries starting May 1

    China will adopt a new 30 day visa-free policy in Hainan province (Hainan Island, south west of Hong Kong) for people from 59 countries starting May 1, in an attempt to lure more tourists to the southernmost province. Hainan has been trying to tempt travellers away from the popular south east asian tropical hot spots …