Latest Stories
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Chiang Mai gallery welcomes new artist
The northern city of Chiang Mai is often praised by visitors for its diverse art and culture. The city is simply teeming with art galleries, temples and museums.
So it isn’t surprising that the newly opened gallery named Look At This, which is located opposite the Amari Rincome Hotel on Nimmanhemin Road, should have proven to be a big success. This month, the gallery is contributing to Chiang Mai’s cultural profile by hosting Singaporean painter Li Li Tan.
Li Li Tan is known for her bright, happy images and the paintings have been a big hit.
"I dream a lot in both colour and black and white" Li Li told Good Morning Chiang Mai recently. "One of my favourite paintings here is Ave Maria. I dreamt it in black and white, then painted it in colour".Li Li Tan managed to sell several paintings on her first night in Chiang Mai, with the painting of Ave Maria painted in acrylic on canvas being sold for 40,000 baht. Another, larger painting also sold for 80,000 baht.
Back in Singapore Lil Li Tan works as a TV commercial producer and photographer. However, she is so taken with Chiang Mai that she has announced plans to settle in the city in the near future.
Posted by: Andrew on 03 Jul 2009, 09:15 -
Singing against swine flu in Phuket
If you’ve recently touched down at Phuket airport you may have noticed airport workers scrubbing the building and singing while they work.
Staff at Phuket International Airport took part in a Big Clean Day recently, scrubbing down all areas that could be possible transmission sites for the A(H1N1) virus.
Staff were encouraged to sing “Happy Birthday” while they washed their hands as it takes about 20 seconds to sing – the amount of time needed to ensure all germs are neutralized.
In an interview with the Phuket Gazette Airports of Thailand (AOT) chairman Piyaphan Champasut commented that: “We’re cleaning and repairing the airport because it’s been in use for a long time. We want to make it a clean, attractive and welcoming environment for tourists. And as swine flu spreads during 2009, passengers will trust in the standards of hygiene here.”
Phuket Public Health Office (PPHO) officers have visited the airport to drill staff members on the correct cleaning and health procedures necessary in order to make sure that the airport stays virus-free.
So visitors to Phuket can be sure that the airport not only looks clean but is free from germs and viruses.
Posted by: Andrew on 03 Jul 2009, 09:00 -
Pattaya traffic comes to a standstill
If you’re travelling through Pattaya over the next few months you should allow plenty of time to get to your destination.
Long traffic queues on the roads linked to the newly upgraded roadways spanning Pattaya’s railroad tracks have been causing road rage. Pattaya City Hall and local Internet forums have been inundated with complaints from disgruntled drivers, many of whom are experiencing delays of up to fifteen minutes at intersections.
However, some people are able to take the delays in their stride. “All of these complaints are most likely from people just getting used to the new lights,” a local taxi driver told the Pattaya Mai recently. “People haven’t gotten used to it yet.” He believes that although the queues should be shorter they are necessary safety measures.
The main traffic hot spots are along the newly named Local Road, Soi Nernplabwan, Soi Siam Country Club and Soi Khao Noi.
It is predicted that the new computerized traffic-control system will take up to four months to complete, so motorists are advised to plan their routes carefully to avoid getting stuck in traffic.
Posted by: Andrew on 02 Jul 2009, 09:24 -
Alternative cigarette too good to be true?
Anyone who has ever tried to give up smoking will know just how difficult it can be. Recently, smoking was banned in bars all over Thailand including Samui in an effort to get smokers to quit. However, this act seems to have made little difference, as does the raising of the cost of cigarettes, which has almost doubled in the last few months.
However, a new nicotine gel has just been released that might be the solution to many people’s problems. The gel can be rubbed onto the hands and suppresses the urge to smoke almost instantly. This is particularly good for areas where smoking is prohibited such as in cinemas.
Although this may seem like a miracle solution, not everyone is convinced.
Thailand Health Promotion Institute president Dr Hatai Chitanondh is concerned over the new gel. In a recent interview with The Nation he commented that: "The problem is that there is no research to confirm that this product is really safe. This is not a certified quit-smoking product. So, we need to monitor the product movement closely. Possible side-effects are higher blood pressure and faster heartbeat rate. Such side-effects could be dangerous in people who have underlying diseases.”
It seems we may have to wait a while to see how effective the nicotine gel really is.
Posted by: Andrew on 02 Jul 2009, 09:00 -
Speeding driver finally confesses
A big day for the police last week when they arrested Somsak Phansranoi, 38, in Chumphon Province near Samui for driving over the speed limit and using a fake driving license.
The Samui Express reported that what the police may have though would be a simple arrest or fine turned out to be much more when the driver suddenly confessed to killing his wife.
Somsak told the police that the crime happened on Koh Phangan last September. He confessed to strangling his wife Darika Phansranoi, 42, and dumping her body into the sea at Aou Nang beach near Thong Nai Pan.
The problem for Somsak, he said, was that he was unable to sleep as he was being “haunted and followed by the spirit of my dead wife. Now I feel relieved that I have confessed to you. I beg for forgiveness for what I have done to my wife. I won’t run away anymore.”
After checking their records, the police discovered that the body of Darika Phansranoi had been found on September 8th and appeared to have been strangled. Unfortunately, the police were unable to arrest Somsak for the murder due to lack of evidence.
Posted by: Andrew on 01 Jul 2009, 09:00 -
Thailand’s tourist figures expected to rise
A recent report by the Tourism Authority of Thailand shows that tourist figures are due to rise dramatically in 2010. Although figures have been declining recently, they predict that next year 14 million tourists will visit the Land of Smiles, generating around 960 billion baht in revenue.
"In 2010, the TAT hopes to attract 823,000 tourists from South Asia, up 13 per cent, generating revenue of Bt25 billion, up 15.4 per cent. As well, 450,000 tourists from the Middle East are expected to visit Thailand, spending about Bt19 billion," Pensuda Priaram acting TAT governor announced in an interview by The Nation.
The figures represent a 5.6% increase over this year's expected 13.2 million visitors, which will be achieved largely through mass promotion of Thailand’s key attractions and resorts and also the lightening of the political situation.
Another aspect is that following a visit by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, China’s officials have withdrawn their official warning against travel to Thailand. As a result, more than 100,000 Chinese tourists are expected to visit Thailand in the next few months.
One of the areas expected to benefit from this increase in tourism is the seaside resort town of Pattaya. Other popular tourist destinations include Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket.
Posted by: Andrew on 30 Jun 2009, 09:05 -
New buses a lifeline for Bangkok transport
Anyone who’s spent time in Bangkok recently will have noticed the sorry state of many of the buses. Although there are a number of large, comfortable air-conditioned buses fighting their way through the city’s traffic, there are also plenty of small, old and outdated buses as well. Known locally as ‘green boxes of death’ the smallest of Bangkok’s buses have a reputation for being unsafe.
However, the good news is that the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) plan to launch a new bus fleet. Although the bus fleet had been proposed in the past it had been rejected as being too costly to the government. However, new studies show that the new bus fleet will cost much less than expected and actually help the BMTA back into the black.
As far as the balance sheet and financial status were concerned, "The BMTA is practically bankrupt", Pallapa Ruangrong, a member of the Energy Regulatory Commission was quoted as saying by the Bangkok Post this week. "Doing just a little thing now will at least help the BMTA stop the bleeding."
The BMTA recently announced a total debt of 67 billion baht. The new buses are expected to generate much needed extra revenue for the BMTA and hopefully reduce the amount of traffic on Bangkok’s clogged roads.
Posted by: Andrew on 30 Jun 2009, 08:56 -
British tourists fight for their rights
A British couple who were falsely accused of stealing at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok have announced plans to sue the airport for wrongful arrest.
The Phuket Gazette reported that Stephen Ingram, 49, and Xi Lin, 45, were accused of stealing a Givenchy wallet worth around 7,000 from a King Power duty-free shop on April 25 as they went to board Qantas flight QF1 to London. The pair were handed over to the police and forced to pay bribes of around 450,000 baht for their release, even though there was no evidence against them.
Apparently, the couple were detained for five days, during which time they were threatened and held hostage in a cheap hotel until they agreed to pay the bribe. Stephen Ingram and Xi Lin were so outraged by their experience that as soon as they managed to get out of their situation they decided to sue for unlawful treatment.
"Our main motivation [in suing] is to protect other innocent British tourists from being caught up in this nightmare," Stephen Ingram said in an interview last week. "We intend to take every legal means to recover our money and obtain justice."
Investigations are underway to ascertain whether or not this is an ongoing scam. However, there seem to be no other reports of tourists being treated in this way and it appears to be an isolated incident.
Posted by: Andrew on 29 Jun 2009, 09:15 -
Chiang Mai temple threatened by flood
Most people who have travelled to Chiang Mai will have visited the magnificent Prathat Doi Suthep pagoda. Situated atop a high hill, the climbing to the top of the pagoda provides spectacular views of the city below.
Steeped in local legend, the Prathat Doi Suthep pagoda is an icon of Chiang Mai. However, it seems that the future of the mighty monument may be uncertain as it is sitting on unstable ground.
Recently, engineers from the Asian Institute of Technology and Chiang Mai University discovered cracks on the second level of the pagoda and the northern section of the surrounding terrace. After assessment, they believe the structure is at risk and may collapse after an earthquake or heavy rain.
"First I thought they were just cement cracks, but after more checks, we found they were caused by structural subsidence," Sahawat Naenna, director of Fine Arts Office region 8 in Chiang Mai told The Nation recently.
The top part of the golden pagoda snapped in 1995 after heavy rain and an earthquake. Measures are being taken to preserve the monument, but those who have yet to admire the pagoda should visit soon before it suffers further damage.
Posted by: Andrew on 29 Jun 2009, 09:02 -
Great new deal on Thai tourism
Visitors to Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Phuket and a number of other top destinations in Thailand will be able to make great savings for the next few months when they pay by VISA.
VISA has teamed up with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to offer VISA holders special benefits and promotions in various destinations around Thailand until the end of August.
“As the Official Card of the Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2009, we believe strongly in supporting the Royal Thai government and Tourism Authority of Thailand in promoting and re-building the tourism industry in Thailand,” said Stuart Tomlinson, Visa Malaysia Country Manager told Etravel Blackboard.
This is Thailand’s 11th annual Grand Sale and runs on the back of a decade successful summer promotions. Tourists who charge 500 baht or more on their VISA card during the sale will be entered into the lucky draw for the chance to win one of a hundred great prizes. Deals and promotions are available through a range of department stores, airlines, hotels, spas and golf courses.
So if you’re traveling in Thailand right now, it’s time to flex that plastic and pick up a great deal.
Posted by: Andrew on 26 Jun 2009, 09:10 -
New tests for Thailand’s teachers
Teachers of the Thai language in Nakhon Si Thammarat have been forced to take a test to assess their knowledge of Thai.
Nakhon Si Thammarat is located to the north of Bangkok. The Thai language tests were designed by the Office of Basic Education Commission (Obec) after particularly poor results were recorded in the province. However, many of the teachers say that this is not their fault as they were only standing in as Thai teachers.
"We will stage a protest so that the top education officials look back on their policies too," one of the angry teachers told The Nation. "We major in other subjects but due to the shortage of teaching staff, the Education Ministry has required us to teach the Thai language. It's unfair to pass the blame on to teachers alone. Why doesn't Obec assign teachers to teach subjects they have been well versed in? Testing the teachers' knowledge in a subject they are not good at is not the right solution.”
This teacher has taught Thai in the southern province for years. She and colleagues teaching the same subject were forced to take the test designed to assess their knowledge of Thai.
However, the Office of Nakhon Si Thammarat's Educational Service Area 2 has admitted that 4% of the students in the province cannot read or write, which is exceptionally low and needs to be dealt with.
Posted by: Andrew on 26 Jun 2009, 08:56 -
Thai magazine announces its allegiance to the red shirts
This week, a new political magazine known as DMagazine will go on sale at the Royal Plaza in Pattaya. Although the magazine openly supports the party known as the “red shirts” the editor of DMagazine insists that the main message of the magazine is democracy.
"We only want to have freedom in criticising those who weaken the democratic institutions," DMagazine editor Wat Wallayangkur commented in an interview in the Bangkok Post. "As long as the monarchy and Sangha are constitutional, they are respected. Those who love Thaksin have their reasons, so do the ones who hate him, but we should not be blinded that a coup d'etat will lead to good things. Any government must not make people feel grateful for their populist schemes. The people are entitled to receive these basic rights."
Mr Wat explained that the D in DMagazine stands for democracy, which he feels to be the essential ingredient for the success of Thailand. The magazine costs 50 baht and is being launched this week to commemorate the 77th anniversary of the 1932 Revolution which brought Thailand's absolute monarchy to an end.
Posted by: Andrew on 25 Jun 2009, 09:05 -
Langham Hotels bring luxury to Samui
Those with a taste for style and luxury will be able to check out the new branch of Langham Hotels International on Koh Samui soon. The leading hotel chain will open a new boutique resort, namely the Langham Place Samui at the popular area of Lamai Beach.
The hotel chain has signed a contract with Gurich Company Limited to open this complex to guests, which will comprise of 77 beachside villas and stylish suites, complete with stunning views of the sun kissed shore.
“We are confident that Langham Place Samui at Lamai Beach will rapidly become one of the most inspiring and sought after destinations on the island under the management of Langham Hotels International,” Khun Surapol, President of Gurich Company was quoted by etravel blackboard recently.
And it’s not only hotel guests that will benefit from this new venue. The Langham Place Samui will feature entertainment options for residents to enjoy and is expected to bring a considerable amount of business to Lamai and Samui in general. The hotel will open for business very shortly and is expected to be a big success.
Posted by: Andrew on 25 Jun 2009, 08:52 -
Silk Road brings riches to Thailand
Stretching from China through Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and finally to Europe, plans for a new Silk Road have been announced this week. With 74,700 kilometers of working track and serving 29 countries, the Trans-Asian Railway is set to be a lifeline to South East Asia.
The rail link will enter Thailand in the east and run near Pattaya. Both the business sector and tourist industry have been flagging significantly in South East Asia over the last few years, but the new rail link is expected to change all that.
"You can now set out from Thailand, do business in Laos, and arrive in time for dinner at Danang in Vietnam - all in the space of a single day,” Arjun Thapan, Director General of ADB South-East Asia was quoted by the Pattaya Daily News this week.
The Trans-Asian Railway will make trade between countries quick and easy and also dramatically cut the cost of business travel. The original Silk Road route encompassed China, India, Egypt, Persia, Arabia, and Rome.
But don’t get to excited yet; the Trans-Asian Railway is expected to take at least another ten years to complete. However, there are speculated to be millions of people working on this project all around the globe, so the project may yet be finished ahead of the deadline.
Posted by: Andrew on 24 Jun 2009, 09:04 -
Travellers chuffed as train strike ends
Many residents of Chiang Mai and those passing through the capital will have breathed a sigh of relief as it was announced on Tuesday that the trains would start running again.
The State Railway of Thailand labour union announced the end of their two day nationwide strike, during which trains throughout Thailand had been at a complete standstill. The decision to return to work was announced after members of the State Railway of Thailand labour union met with a number of cabinet ministers in a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart.
As a result of the talks, which lasted for about one hour, it was agreed that the SRT labour union will be permitted to take part in a review of the entire restructuring plan along with the SRT board. It had been feared that the government were planning to privatise the state railway, but these rumours have been strongly denied.
''Don't worry. There will be no privatisation,'' Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was quoted as saying by the Bangkok Post. ''The rehabilitation plan is aimed at reducing debt."
Posted by: Andrew on 24 Jun 2009, 08:55 -
Phuket’s answer to Baywatch
If you plan on swimming in the sea off one of Phuket’s beautiful beaches, make sure you look out for the red flags and other signs, which have been put in place to warn swimmers about strong currents in certain parts of the water.
The currents can be so strong that several people have already drowned this summer, many of them simply because they ignored the natural and man-made warning signs. Karon Beach is one area where swimmers are particularly at risk, but only in certain parts.
To try and draw attention to this fact, new signs have recently been erected. According to a recent report by the Phuket Gazette these signs include a message in English and have been signed by Karon Mayor Thavee Thongcham.
“The monsoon season has started and on certain days the sea can be very dangerous. Whenever the red flag is placed, we urge you not to swim in the sea as there are invisible undercurrents which are almost impossible to detect from the shore. Too many accidents occur every year on the Andaman Sea beaches and we cannot assume responsibility for every one.”
Life guards have also been appointed in notorious danger spots, so swimmers should have no problem staying safe this summer.
Posted by: Andrew on 23 Jun 2009, 09:11 -
Phuket still a popular tourist destination
Phuket’s tourist figures have just been released and as many would have predicted they show a dramatic reduce in figures compared to last year and other previous years.
The figures were released by the Office of Tourism Development last week and show that tourist figures have dropped right across Thailand, from 5.5 million in 2008 to 4.7 million in 2009, which is about 14.8% less than last year.
However, those involved with Phuket’s tourism don’t seem to be concerned over the falling figures. “The tourism industry in Phuket is still good, a lot better than many other tourist destinations in Thailand,” Promchote Traivate, director of Phuket Tourism and Sports Office told the Phuket Gazette.
Phuket has long been one of Thailand’s top tourist destinations and many visitors have been visiting year after year for decades. However, many of the island’s hotels and businesses are launching campaigns and offering deals to entice visitors back to the island.
With plenty of travel bargains and deals to be found, it would seem that now is a great time to visit Phuket.
Posted by: Andrew on 23 Jun 2009, 08:58 -
Volunteers get tough on swine flu
School children in Bangkok will have an unexpected visit this week. Yesterday, 970,000 health volunteers took part in a day long workshop to learn how to respond to H1N1 influenza outbreaks. This week, the volunteers will be spreading their knowledge by visiting schools in Bangkok and surrounding areas such and Nonthaburi.
"[The volunteers will be] telling people about the 2009 influenza, how to avoid it and that treatment is the key to containing this virus," Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai told the Bangkok Post yesterday.
The ministry is sending the volunteers to visit more than 400 Bangkok Metropolitan Administration-run schools this week under its campaign to make the schools flu-free. So far, 84 schools and universities throughout Thailand have reported H1N1 infections among students. Many of these institutions have had to close, while others are being closely monitored.
In addition to visiting schools, the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation have handed out several thousands of booklets providing basic information on the H1N1influenza to shoppers in malls and other teen hang outs in Bangkok and Nonthaburi. Other items such as hand cleansing gel have been issued to those living in contaminated areas in order to help curb the spread of the flu virus.
Posted by: Andrew on 22 Jun 2009, 09:15 -
Stay on Samui for free
Great news for those who plan to visit the pretty island of Samui in the next few months; many of the island’s top hotels will be offering one free night’s stay for free.
The initiative has been set up by the Tourism Authority of Thailand in order to encourage tourists back to the island. In recent months tourist figures have plummeted, due largely to fears over the swine-flu outbreak as well as Thailand’s recent political instability.
The “Amazing Thailand Grand Sale,” will offer tourists 10,000 rooms when they visit Koh Samui between June and the end of August. The deal is available when travelers book into rooms for three nights or more, spending between 800-1,500 baht per night.
Many of those involved seem positive that the ploy will work. “Koh Samui organized this project for the first time and we got support from Koh Samui’s hotel and tourism associations to provide tourists their first night on the island free of charge. I believe that this project will generate over Bt 20million income,” Phanu Woramit, chief of the TAT office in Surathani commented to the Samui Express recently.
Posted by: Andrew on 22 Jun 2009, 09:00 -
Burmese citizens seek refuge in Thailand
As conflict between the Burmese army and the breakaway Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, (DKBA), and the Karen National Liberation Army, (KNLA) worsen, 4,000 Karen villagers fled across the Thai-Burmese border from a refugee camp.
With nowhere really to go, the refugees have been forced to take up residence in the north of Thailand near Chiang Mai in places such as Tha Song Yag district in Tak province and Mae Sot.
Refugees have been leaving Myanmar since 1997 and it is estimated that as many as 500,000 ethnic Karen have been forced out of their homes by the fighting and bombing in their home villages. Of those 500,000 it is believed that around 100,000 are living in Thailand, mostly in the north-west.
According to a recent report by the Chiang Mai Mail the European Union’s council gathered earlier this week and expressed their concern over the refugee situation. They demanded that the Burmese Army declare a cease-fire and conform to international and human rights laws. This is the first time that the EU has formerly addressed the situation in Myanmar and the crisis. It can only be hoped that this marks a positive turning point.
Posted by: Andrew on 19 Jun 2009, 09:00