Stories tagged with 1stop
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Ongoing Political Conflict Threat to Thailand Stability
Protests in the capital have gripped Thailand and led to a no-confidence debate in Parliament this week represent a war between the supporters of a populist billionaire and political conservatives.
This could be dubbed ‘round two’ in the fight between heavyweights Thaksin Shinawatra and Sondhi Limthongkul.
Mr Sondhi is a well-known broadcaster and publisher, who has become the self-appointed defender of the traditional way of life in Thailand. At one time an ally of the former prime minister, he has become a vehement opponent of Mr Thaksin, a telecommunications tycoon.
The feud could fuel ongoing political uncertainty in Thailand, one of the significant economies in south-east Asia. Having endured for nearly two years, the fight has taken its toll. As inflation impacts China, many international manufacturers are seeking alternative locations for their factories, and Thailand is losing out to the Philippines and Vietnam because of the current instability.
Mr. Sondhi began his campaign against Mr. Thaksin with organised protests in Bangkok in early 2006. He alleged that Mr. Thaksin's financial ambitions were undermining Thailand's traditions and stability. Mr. Sondhi garnered the support of tens of thousands of ascetic Buddhists, business leaders and royalists, that time, with the result being a bloodless military coup removing Mr. Thaksin from office in September 2006.
In December 2007, Mr. Thaksin’s supporters were voted in as the country’s new government. Mr. Sondhi has led another wave of protests since that time, which culminated this past week in 25,000 Thais breaking through police lines to reach Government House in Bangkok.
"We're here to defend democracy. We're here to protect the motherland," Mr. Sondhi told the tens of thousands o flag-waving protesters on 20 June 20. At that same time, he demanded that the current Prime Minister, Samak Sundaravej, resign.
Posted by: Andrew on 05 Jul 2008, 21:20 -
Luxury Boutique Spa Opens in Chiang Mai
A new luxury boutique spa and resort, The High Resort, has opened its doors to guests, in the hilly country of northern Thailand.
The High Resort belongs to the Small Luxury Hotels group, and is a sister property to Hua Hin’s chic Veranda Resort Hua Hin, which is a popular getaway for Bangkok’s elite.
The boutique resort and spa is located just outside Chiang Mai city, the popular northern Thai destination renowned for traditional handicrafts, cultural attractions and numerous tourist attractions, such as elephant jungle treks, the ‘Night Safari' and championship golf courses.
All of the resort’s 69 rooms feature large private balconies with views looking out over the forest, and rice and tea terraces. Many boast pools and Jacuzzis, as well as amenities that include air conditioning, LCD TVs, DVD players, iPod docks, free WIFI and Thann spa toiletries.
Dining options of offer include The Higher Room, a restaurant featuring an international menu and an extensive wine cellar; and Rabiang Cha, a Thai restaurant, located on the lower level and surrounded by rice and tea terraces. Both offer al fresco dining.
The Veranda Spa boasts private cottages functioning self-contained spas, each featuring large sunken baths, showers and steam rooms, and twin treatment beds that make it ideal for couples. On the resort’s roof, the ‘Ozone' infinity pool treats guests to spectacular mountain views.
Daily activities on offer at The High Resort include Thai cooking classes, yoga, Tai Chi and stress release massage classes, among others. There’s also a Kid's club that provides youngsters with educational toys and indoor and outdoor activities that change daily.
Posted by: Andrew on 04 Jul 2008, 21:02 -
French Visitor Becomes Demented over Missing Thai Girlfriend
A French man reported became demented as he searched for his Thai girlfriend in the streets of the Thai resort of Pattaya. When he found a woman who looked like his girlfriend, and she eventually derailed his fantasy, he slit his wrist and ended up in a local hospital in the early morning hours of 27 June.
An investigator with the Pattaya Police, Wittaya Yeunyong, was informed that a foreigner had slit his wrist in a room he had rented in central Pattaya. Police rushed to the hotel to find Mr Stephane Verraes, a 35-year-old French national, lying in bed with blood pouring out of numerous wounds on his right wrist.
Mr Verraes was not coherent but police and rescue personnel transported him to Banglamung Hospital.
Mrs Aom, the woman Verraes had mistaken to be his girlfriend, told the police that earlier in the evening she had met him on the beach. He told her that she looked like his missing girlfriend and asked her if he could go back to her room with her. She agreed.
He began a manic search of her room, allegedly looking for his missing girlfriend.
By this time, Mrs Aom had become impatient, she told the police. When she became angry and attempted to force him to leave her room, Mr Verraes reportedly went berserk. He grabbed her razor, slashed his wrist five times and fled the scene to his own room. Mrs Aom and her husband then called the authorities.
Posted by: Andrew on 03 Jul 2008, 21:16 -
Thirty Whales Beached off Phuket
Thirty false killer whales were found beached near the Thai resort island of Phuket, but most were saved by staff at nearby hotels and local residents, a marine official reported.
The whales were up to 4.2 metres long, swam onto the beach on the Racha Island in the Andaman Sea, according to Wannakiat Thubthimsang, the director of Phuket’s Marine Biological Center.
Island residents and hotel staff joined forces to carry the whales back into the rough sea waters, Wannakiat told the AFP.
Due to the rough seas, ten of the whales had to be moved by truck and then carried to another beach about a kilometre away, where calmer waters made the rescue effort feasible.
"One of them died from shock," said Wannakiat.
Scientists who were contacted said they couldn’t be sure why the whales swam ashore.
"They may have run aground because of the strong wave, or they could have been misled by their leader's sonar signal," he added. "It's not the first time this has happened, but this is a very large number."
False killer whales are considerably smaller and less aggressive than the Orca, which is a distant relative. They are not listed as a threatened species.
Like Orcas, false killer whales are classified by scientists as dolphins rather than whales. They are quite social by nature and are known to stand themselves in situations similar to this recent occurrence in Thailand.
Posted by: Andrew on 02 Jul 2008, 21:15 -
Cambodia Closes Thai Border at Preah Vihear Temple
Cambodia closed a border gate with Thailand leading to a centuries-old temple, which both nations claim as belonging to them. An unnamed official said the action was taken on Tuesday as Thai protesters gathered outside the gate and opposition members in the Thai Parliament accused the PM of yielding sovereignty over the site to Cambodia.
The border closure at Preah Vihear temple was the latest in a long series of flare-ups between Thailand and Cambodia over the ownership of this area.
Located atop a cliff around 245kms north of Phnom Penh, Preah Vihear is actually more accessible from Thailand than it is from Cambodia.
The two countries have disputed ownership of this temple, which is found on territory that is also under dispute. The International Court of Justice, however, awarded ownership to Cambodia in 1962.
This most recent conflict came to life a week ago when the Thai government supported Cambodia's attempt to register Preah Vihear with UNESCO as a World Heritage site.
Critics in Thailand condemned the actions of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej when he bypassed Parliament and endorsed Cambodia's bid to UNESCO, accusing him of violating Thai sovereignty. According to the critics, the two countries should make joint application for the site’s World Heritage Status.
A large crowd of Thai protesters gathered early in the week near the entrance to the temple at the border, shouting that Preah Vihear belongs to Thailand and telling the Cambodians who live in the temple area to move away, reported the director-general of the Preah Vihear Authority, Hang Soth.
"We decided to shut down the border entrance because we are afraid that Thai demonstrators will reach the temple and cause problems with our people who live the near the temple," said Hang Soth.
Authorities will consider reopening the entrance "when the situation becomes normal and Thai demonstrators stop protesting in front of the temple," he added.
Posted by: Andrew on 01 Jul 2008, 21:00 -
Bangkok Airways to Offer Web Check In
In order to improve the quality of its services to passengers and ensure a smooth experience all-around, Bangkok Airways will be launching a Web-based service for flight check-in service this July.
Ping Na Thalang, vice president of Bangkok Airways' Information Systems Department commented that the company would provide the Web service to passengers who are not travelling with checked baggage.
These passengers will be able to print their boarding passes from their computer, without having to stop at the airport check-in counters.
Na Thalang said further that passengers can take advantage of the new service by logging on to the carrier’s website at bangkokairways.com. Once they have accessed the site, they can purchase e-tickets, select their seats and then check-in and print out their boarding pass from their home computer. The boarding pass that is printed contains a readable barcode. The Web check-in option is available beginning 48 hours before the time of a flight’s departure.
The airline is planning to initially launch the service for customers that are travelling from Koh Samui to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, before expanding to cover 23 additional destinations. In the future, the airline is also planning to provide the check-in service through smartphones.
Posted by: Andrew on 30 Jun 2008, 21:00 -
Laguna Phuket to Host ESPN STAR Personalities
Members of the ESPN STAR Sports (ESS) football broadcasting team are scheduled to visit Laguna Phuket from 25-27 July in support of Laguna’s CSR initiative that’s aimed at improving conditions in schools in neighbouring Phang-nga province.
This event follows on the highly successful inaugural ESPN STAR Sports Charity Golf Tournament at Laguna Phuket held in March of 2007, when THB 500,000 was raised for Phuket’s Life Home Project in support of HIV-positive women and children.
The ESS team are enthusiastic to repeat the earlier success.
The proceeds from this year’s event will be used to improve the heath and safety standards of a school in economically disadvantaged Phang-nga province. This project comes under the auspices of the Laguna Phuket Social Committee, which manages the resort’s CSR activities.
The star-studded line-up of ESS team members visiting Laguna Phuket includes STAR Sports Nokia Football Crazy presenter Andy Penders and the football analyst PJ Roberts. ESPN Football Focus presenter John Dykes and Here We Go’s Andrew Leci of Here We Go will join a number of in-house football experts, such Paul Masefield, Jamie Reeves, Shebby Singh and Derek Currie. Also participating are STAR Sports presenters Paula Malai Ali, Drinie Aguilar, Ally Begg, Jamie Yeo, Christy Simson, Uday Joshi and Joy Navkin.
Posted by: Andrew on 21 Jun 2008, 10:48 -
Compensation Paid After Samui Holiday Rained Out
A couple is reimbursed 20,000 kronor because of bad weather while on holiday in Thailand.
“It is good to ARN (The Swedish Consumer Watchdog) exist and can make an impartial judgement”, the disappointed tourists said to The Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter.
The couple had complained to ARN about the poor service they had received from ‘Select Travel,’ as their trip to Bhutan and Thailand had failed to meet their expectations.
The couple’s holiday took place in October of 2007, when they travelled first to Bangkok and then on to Bhutan. Afterwards, they wanted to spend time in a sunny location by the sea.
’Select Travel’ booked them into a hotel on Koh Samui. By the time they arrived, the rainy season had been underway for over a week. Streets were flooded and the door at the front of the hotel had a row of sandbags in front of it. They were told by hotel staff that the weather forecast was for another five days of rain and wind.
“It is good that the matter is solved. Now we know that we have a responsibility for how the weather is. This means that we will be very careful when we talk about the weather with the customer,” said the CEO of Select Travel, Leija Graf.
The travel company, which organises exclusive holidays, will now be referring their customers to an online weather site, where they can research the weather conditions at their holiday destination.
Posted by: Andrew on 20 Jun 2008, 10:51 -
New Condo Rules Offer Better Buyer Protection
Condominium buyers in Pattaya and throughout Thailand are set to have better legal protection from an amendment to the condominium act under which penalties are imposed on developers who do not deliver as advertised.
The amendment becomes effective on 4 July and will punish those developers who engage in misleading advertising in order to boost their sales. “If they don’t deliver what they advertise, the land department is empowered to charge them with giving false information,” explained a department spokesman.
Complaints from buyers who found that the units they purchased did not include what was promised led to the new amendment. Most had purchased condominium units before they had been completed.
From 4 July developers will be required to submit their advertising plans at the same time they submit their construction proposals. On completion of the construction, the land department will inspect the units to determine if everything has been completed as advertised.
Most complaints about condos purchased in Pattaya generally deal with smaller items, such as the construction not finished on schedule, disputes about the common areas and charges for general condominium services. Under the new provisions, condo owners will be required to show all of the promotional material they received when making a complaint.
Posted by: Andrew on 19 Jun 2008, 10:46 -
New Cosmetic Surgery for Ears Offered in Bangkok
A cosmetic surgery clinic in Bangkok, Thailand, has announced that it is offering a new procedure for medical tourists - surgery that is designed to correct the shape of ears that are protruding or irregularly proportioned.
The Bangkok Plastic Surgery Clinic has announced that new technology available has enabled it to offer this otoplasty procedure for the first time.
The cosmetic procedure typically takes from 2 to 5 hours, and involves the reshaping of the ears or correcting the positioning of the patient's ears. The surgery leaves only a small, faint scar behind the ear.
The otoplasty procedure is most often performed on children from age 4 to 14, but can also be beneficial to adults. There are no additional risks to adults undergoing the surgery.
Full consultation services and advice are offered by the clinic’s specialists prior to the patient or family making any decision on the procedure, the Clinic advised.
Cosmetic procedures in Thailand and in neighbouring Asian countries, including Singapore, often cost half or less of what they would in Britain. Medical tourism has grown in recent years into a worldwide industry of £60 million.
Posted by: Andrew on 18 Jun 2008, 10:44 -
Thailand Tourism Festival 2008 Opens
The Thailand Tourism Festival 2008 opened this past week at the IMPACT Exhibition Centre in Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi province, just outside Bangkok. This is Thailand’s premier travel and tourism event.
The festival was held from 5-8 June, alongside Thailand Travel Mart + 2008.
The travel and tourism event was organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, which is responsible for promoting domestic travel in the country to develop the base for promotion of Thai destinations in the international travel market.
The objective of the festival is to create awareness of the fragile nature of the environment and ecotourism opportunities and the country’s national cultural heritage sites, as well as to encourage the preservation Thai traditions and encourage economic growth in all of the country’s provinces.
Visitors were treated to a variety of spectacular cultural performances, representing the four regions of Thailand. Among these was the Khon, a traditional masked dance, which was the first to be performed.
The Thailand Tourism Festival also featured cultural showcases sponsored by other member countries of the Greater Mekong Subregion, including Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam.
A number of games and fashion shows were presented by private operators in the tourism sector.
Posted by: Andrew on 17 Jun 2008, 10:54 -
Chiang Mai Views Bicycling with Disdain
In Chiang Mai, Thailand’s second-largest city, bicycling is at your own risk, even though this form of transport provides clear advantages for a rider’s physical health and for the environment.
Next to getting around by foot, the bicycle is seen by Thais in Chiang Mai as the least desirable mode of transportation.
The city’s streets are teeming with cars and trucks, as motorcycles screech and zig-zag through the stalled traffic.
Other than the attitude of the locals about bicycles, it is the unpredictable movement of motorcycles that poses the greatest danger to bicyclists. Cyclists are forced to the edge of the road where they can be forced into the curb or parked vehicles. The lack of bicycle paths on most roads makes the situation even worse.
In addition to the more practical life and death considerations for cyclists, this particular mode of transport is viewed in Chiang Mai, as it in the cities of many developing countries, with disdain as it is seen as reflecting a low economic status.
Many local people avoid using bicycles as a means of transport because of these social attitudes that consider any form of human powered transportation as demeaning. This includes walking as well as bicycling.
Bicycling remains an activity reserved for tourists in Chiang Mai, or occasionally as a weekend pastime for locals.
The attitude is unfortunate, as bicycling can improve a rider’s physical health, reduce energy consumption and can play a positive role in improving the air quality in these highly polluted urban areas.
Posted by: Andrew on 17 Jun 2008, 00:00 -
Thais Want to Be Reincarnated as Thais
A recent survey revealed that nearly 90% of Thais taking part in the survey wanted to be reborn Thai, even given their concerns that their fellow Thais may not remain kind, loving and peaceful over time. Reincarnation is a fundamental part of the Buddhist belief system. The director of the ABAC Academic Network for Community Happiness Observation & Research, Dr Noppadol Kannika, reported that the group conducted its survey in May 2008 on 3,487 respondents throughout Thailand.
When asked about violence due to the country’s political situation, over the next six months, 66.3% feared that violence would increase.
More respondents, 72%, said that they feared young people will follow the lead of some adults in showing nasty behaviour.
Nearly 80% said they believed violence seen at anti-government protests was provoked by other groups in the country. They placed the blame on these ill-intended people, the protesters themselves, incompetent officials and media reporters sensationalizing the situation.
When asked about effective solutions for the current political turmoil, 80% indicated that reason and not emotion should be used to resolve political differences.
A full 75% of those responding to the survey said that both sides needed to show restraint in order to avoid possibly tragedy. Almost the same percentage said that it was crucial that people on both sides show forgiveness and compassion.
Posted by: Andrew on 14 Jun 2008, 20:00 -
X2 Resort Opens on Koh Samui
X2 Resorts, the first designer resort chain in Thailand is preparing to unveil its latest X2-brand resort on 15 June 2008, on Koh Samui. The third-largest of Thailand’s islands, Koh Samui is one of the most popular beach destinations in the country, is becoming more popular each year with tourists seeking luxurious resorts. Located on the south-east coast of the island, on the peaceful 100 metre stretch of private beachfront along Hua Thanon Beach, the X2 Resort overlooks the Gulf of Thailand amid a stand of 50 year-old trees. The new resort occupies over 20,000 square metres of land, and comprises 27 villas, each uniquely designed and ranging in size from 110 to 225 square metres. Each villa also features a pool of approximately 30 square metres.
X2 Samui will feature a popular X2 Spa, a branded bar and restaurant and an outdoor massage pavilion, where visitors can enjoy both traditional Thai massage and spa treatments. Astudo CEO Anthony McDonald stated that X2 Samui is a unique resort for Samui. “It is the kind of resort that guests do not want to leave. The service is of course 5-star and the private villas are a sublime relaxing oasis. The peaceful and spacious atmosphere of the resort provides a feeling akin to a 21st century temple experience alike.” X2 Resorts successfully opened X2 Kui Buri in 2007.Posted by: Andrew on 13 Jun 2008, 20:00 -
Five Major Cruise Lines Add Phuket to Itineraries
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has recently been notified by five of the world’s major cruise lines of their plans to add Phuket and Laem Chabang to their itineraries by the 2009 season. Holland American, Oceania Cruises, ResidenSea, Seabourn Cruise Line and Star Clipper informed representatives from the New York offices of the TAT of their intent during the March Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention held in Miami, Florida. The TAT views travellers on these cruises as part of the desirable high-end market of tourists whose level of spending contributes significantly to the country’s tourist income. Currently, 12 cruise ships call in Thai ports annually, including Phuket, bringing about 7,000 visitors to the country.
It has been reported by the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association that in 2007, the number of cruise passengers internationally reached approximately 12.6 million, with 85% coming from North America. The Caribbean was the destination for most of these cruise travellers. Seatrade, one of the cruise industry’s largest events in the world, was attended this March by over 11,000 participants, representing 80 countries across the world. More than 900 exhibitors, from over 70 countries, including 11 from Asia, presented their products and destinations at the event.
Posted by: Andrew on 12 Jun 2008, 20:00 -
Despite Protests in Bangkok Foreign Investment Remains Strong in Pattaya
The Thai Government is making an effort to reassure foreign investors that the current wave of political protests will not impact long-term stability in the country. On 3 June 2008, Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama felt it necessary to reassure the British business community that protests in Bangkok were symptomatic of the democratic process and not indicative of political instability.
A recent report documents that Asian tourists are staying clear of Thailand due to the political protests. The governments of Malaysia and Indonesia have issued travel warnings dissuading their citizens from Thai holidays at the present time.
The popular mass protest seen recently in Bangkok doesn’t seem to have deterred Russian and Scandinavian tourists and investors from visiting Pattaya however. In 2007, nearly 900,000 Russians visited Pattaya, a more than 84% increase over the previous year, making Russian tourists the leading market for this resort destination. Russians and Scandinavians have displaced Germans and Brits as the main investors in Pattaya condominium units. Although Russians have been coming to Pattaya for holidays over the past 10 years, it's only been since 2006 that they have become property investors. Raimon Land reports that property purchases by Russians in 2007 accounted for 22% of condominiums sales in their upscale developments.
Posted by: Andrew on 11 Jun 2008, 20:00 -
Demonstrators Considering New Sites in Chiang Mai for Protests
The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) is considering new sites for its rally against the current government. Following recent incidents, rally leader Chamlong Srimuang indicated that the PAD may move its demonstration site from the Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge to Government House or some other location.
The government does not want the group to move to Government House in Chiang Mai, as concerns grow over possible clashes between the PAD demonstrators and anti-PAD groups. Army leaders remained calm, however, over the tentative plan to move the protests to Government House. The First Army chief, Lt-Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha indicated that police are responsible for keeping the rally and demonstrators under control. The military’s assistance has not been required to maintain order, he said. Army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda added that the military would not become involved in this situation, and that it would not side with any political group. Gen Anupong added that troops would only be mobilised in the case of the government declaring an emergency and issuing an executive decree. Thus far, he believed that police have been able to effectively handle the situation.Posted by: Andrew on 10 Jun 2008, 20:00 -
Strong Condominium Sales Continue in Bangkok
The condominium market in Bangkok continues to thrive in spite of increasing costs of construction, and prices remain some of the most attractive in the region. In comparison to other Asian capitals, Bangkok successful competes for investor dollars.
Bangkok maintains its status as one of the most affordable cities in Asia, in terms of luxury residential property prices, based on sales in completed developments. The average price of $2,425 per square metre is only one-tenth the price of similar units in Hong Kong and Singapore.
Beijing posted a moderately lower price per square metre in 2006 compared to Bangkok but in 2007 the rates in China’s capital soared by more than 40%, reaching $2,873 per square metre.
In 2007, the demand and supply situation for new condominiums was reasonably balanced, with 63% of the new 6,940 units launched in 2007 sold by the end of the year. Overall, a total of 6,214 condominium units were sold in 2007, having a total value of 42.5 billion baht. The supply/demand balance appears to be stable for the immediate future.
Low interest rates have fuelled demand, lifting purchasing power and stimulating local buyer investment. Consumer confidence appears to be recovering since the fourth quarter of 2007 following incentives initiated by the new Thai government.
Posted by: Andrew on 09 Jun 2008, 20:00 -
The latest in luxury in Phuket
The Thai resort island of Phuket has always been attractive as a vacation getaway, and many now call the island home for at least part of the year. The number of residences built on the island in recent years is impressive, and the latest in a long line of luxury pool villas, Les Palmares offers the absolute latest in technological gadgetry along with the style and comfort potential buyers would expect form a property on Phuket.
The Les Palmares pool villas have an asking price that places them firmly in the top echelon of what’s on offer on the island, as the units boast everything form cutting edge design, western kitchens, electronic climate control in every room, and electronic entertainment systems of the highest order.
Ayudhya Real Estate is the exclusive real estate agent for the complex, and agent Simon Murray says, "The development is 5-star rated and extremely elegant. It's designed in a modern Bali style with dense vegetation surrounding a central oasis around which each secluded villa is built. This ensures that the properties are suitable for people who require a natural, open space with privacy.
Tall trees are interspersed around the property ensuring that you feel the benefit of the natural surroundings and the weather yet have the shade needed in this tropical environment. The walls are built so that you still have privacy, but they're not so high that you can't see the mountains."
Posted by: DaveB on 06 Jun 2008, 19:56 -
Bangkok to host annual Tourist Festival and Travel Mart
Impact Muang Thong Thani Exhibition Center in Bangkok will play host to the Thailand Tourism Festival and Travel Mart 2008 from June 5th to the 8th. This year marks a growth in the event with exhibitors not only from Thailand but from Malaysia and Indonesia as well.
As the Thailand Travel Mart and the Thailand Tourism Festivals have grown and merged, the event as well has moved from a simply Thai affair to promote other regions, perhaps something to do with the increasing pacts of the ASEAN nations. Now without a doubt the biggest event of it kind in the Kingdom, the Tourism of Thailand-sponsored exhibition will feature booths and presentations leveled at both industry professionals and the public alike.
The official tag of ‘Visit IMT-GT Year 2008’ will make its debut, which hopes to encourage visitors not only to the Kingdom but the whole Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle. This follows talks between Thailand and the Philippines about a single ASEAN visa being possible at some time in the future.
Posted by: DaveB on 05 Jun 2008, 19:58