Stories tagged with bangkok
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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 -
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 -
Bangkok Planning Bicycle Lanes to Save Energy
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), in actuality the ‘city hall’ of the Thai capital, is planning to establish dedicated bicycle lanes in the city’s congested business areas and to implement operating licenses for cyclists, in order to promote safe cycling and to help the environment.
Bangkok’s governor, Apirak Kosayodhin, has indicated that the 1.2 metre-wide cycling lanes will be introduced as part of the new landscaping plans for the areas around Sathorn and Rama IV roads.
The BMA has said that it wants to encourage Bangkok residents to use bicycles to get around the more crowded areas of the city centre and will work with the national Land Transport Department in issuing cycling licenses to encourage safe riding practices.
Mr Apirak launched the bicycle campaign at an event in Bangkok’s Lumpini Park this past Wednesday.
He added that the city will also coordinate its efforts with the national Fine Arts Department for encouraging cycling in the historic Rattanakosin Island area of Bangkok, where conservation efforts are underway. Joint work with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) is also underway to acquire expertise on historic site conservation.
The BMA intends to also designate routes that will enable Buddhists to safely offer food to monks in the early morning hours, and to beautify both business and tourist areas in the central business district, encompassing the Silom and Sathorn road areas.
Posted by: Andrew on 25 Jun 2008, 07:19 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
Bangkok public transport set to improve
Bangkok’s reputation for gridlock has never been an unfounded stereotype, perhaps until now. The notoriously congested city has seen some improvements to public infrastructure over these past few years with the construction of the Skytrain system, and this August another step in the right direction could have Bangkok’s traffic down to a level describable as only moderately hellish.
From August, Bangkok will introduce a new bus system that run in dedicated lanes on streets, avoiding the gridlock that has plagued taxi passengers for far too long. The new bus system will link with the existing Skytrain network, with Chong Nonsi Station being the first link.
The Skytrain itself is set to expand, with the much-anticipated connection to Suvarnabhumi International Airport expected to be complete and operational by the end of this year. Aside from the elevated Skytrain, the city also plans to expand its current underground metro network from one line to four in the coming years.
Travellers who haven’t been to Bangkok in several years will no doubt find the changes substantial and beneficial to a fascinating city that has so much to offer. With these public works, getting around Bangkok has never been easier, and form here on in, it will only get better.
Posted by: DaveB on 03 Jun 2008, 19:50 -
Bangkok traffic law under advisory
Bangkok is one of the busiest capital cities in the world, and the metropolis is notorious for its traffic. For years, Bangkok has struggled with what to do about the intense gridlock the city deals with every day. The construction of the sky train has done much to alleviate the worst of it, but with a middle class growing like a spore, there are more and more cars being driven on Thai streets every day.
The city’s governor, Apirak Kosayodhin has taken a new plan that resembles the congestion charge levied against London drivers, but has not made any final decisions. He said, “I want to try and make the public understand first that the main idea behind this proposed policy is to develop certain areas of Bangkok such as Silom, Sathorn and Sukhumvit, so that they are less congested.
This policy has already been implemented in Singapore but it took a lot of time to get people to understand the aim behind the plan.� He went on to say that as much as he is willing to listen to the plan, he is equally willing to scrap it if he finds it is not suitable for Bangkok.
Posted by: DaveB on 26 May 2008, 15:41 -
Counterfeit DVD bust in Bangkok
Any visitor to Southeast Asia will notice fairly quickly that the bootleg CD and DVD market is big business. Outside department stores, one would be hard-pressed to find a legitimate disc. The Thai capital of Bangkok is one of the more notorious havens for the production of the illegal discs, though there is rarely any danger of displaying the wares on the streets.
Nonetheless, once in a while examples must be made, and Thai police went big when they seized 100,000 counterfeit DVDs from a shopping mall in the Bangkok neighbourhood of Ma Bon Khrong this past Wednesday.
The owner of the shop, Manee Maitree was arrested and so were the seven people that worked for her. Police seized, besides the 100,000 discs, a printer for making movie covers, bank accounts and customer lists.
Maitree confessed to police that she had been engaged in the business for over a year, and sold the pirated movies to both retail customers and as wholesale to other shops in the city.
Posted by: DaveB on 25 May 2008, 19:44 -
Bangkok’s architecture lagging other Asian cities
Virtually every Asian metropolis has at least one or two buildings gracing its skyline recognizable worldwide. From Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, to the Municipal Government Offices in Tokyo, the modern Asian metropolis seems to pride itself on its cutting edge architecture to show its prosperity, all but Bangkok, it seems.
Local Bangkok architects like Duangrit Bunnag attempts to answer the question of why Bangkok is so absent of striking architectural structures. He says, "The question I am always asked is which building do you like? And then I look around, and even though I live on the 28th floor, I look around and cannot find one building that I like. It is a very unfortunate thing.�
Thai architects are channeling their creativity into other areas of development besides the capital, lke the new developments in Hua Hin, and even old pearls of the tourism industry like Ko Samui and Phuket.
As Bangkok retains its architectural stuffiness, any cutting-edge construction will likely appear in the form of a beach resort on one of Thailand’s resort islands.
Posted by: DaveB on 14 May 2008, 17:06 -
Aid workers stranded in Bangkok
Following the intense disaster in Burma caused by Cyclone Nargis, thousands of aid workers have made it as far as the Thai capital of Bangkok, only to find that their entry visas for Myanmar aren’t coming as easily as they should be, especially in light of these extreme circumstances.
One aid worker, Pierre Fouillant, a veteran of over 10 disaster aid missions, is calling the Myanmar government’s slow issue of a business visa a crime against humanity. Myanmar’s ruling military junta will issue no such thing as an emergency visa, so he like countless others, is waiting in Bangkok for a business visa. The shocking fact that the embassy remained closed this pat Friday due to a Thai holiday has left Fouillant shocked and disgusted. He says, "I've never seen delays like this, never. It’s a crime against humanity. It should be against the law. It's like they are taking a gun and shooting their own people."
As of now, aid workers applying through the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok for visas are still waiting.
Posted by: DaveB on 13 May 2008, 17:10 -
Bangkok Film Fest set for September
The speculation and rumour over the Bangkok International Film Festival has been quelled, as the Federation of National Film Associations has made an official announcement that the festival will indeed be held in Bangkok this coming September. The last festival was overseen by the national tourism body, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, but it was unclear if the organization would be able to once again take its leading role in the event.
This year, the Thai Film Directors Association will be at the helm of the festival’s proceedings, with TAT still contributing some money to the cause without taking an active role in any creative decisions about the festival or the films to be shown. The director’s association president, Yongyoot Thongkongtoon, says no names of international jurors would be released at this time.
The TAT took over last year after the 2006 festival was criticized for the lack of Thai subtitles in some films, and many saw the event’s spending as reckless, with much cash spent on flying Western film stars into Bangkok for the red carpet treatment.
Posted by: DaveB on 08 May 2008, 11:31 -
Friendly match between Iraq and Thailand
Iraq has arranged to play a friendly football match in Bangkok against Thailand on May 25, according to the Asian Football Confederation website.
The match will essentially be a warm up for both nations in preparation for their forthcoming World Cup 2010 qualifiers in June.
Asian Champions Iraq, in Group 1, already have a qualifying point from their opening two games and will take on Australia on June 1 in Brisbane.
Thailand, on the other hand, have zero points after their first two encounters in Group 2, being defeated by Japan and Oman. Thailand's next qualifier will be against Bahrain on June 2.
Thailand's Football Association have confirmed that the game will take place in Bangkok on May 25 along with another friendly against Syria which will be played a week before on May 17.
The 19 FIFA World Cup kicks off in South Africa between 11th June and 11th July, 2010 and will be the very first World Cup tournament to be staged on the African continent.
Posted by: Andrew on 02 May 2008, 19:10 -
Dutchman finds fine biking in Bangkok
The Thai capital of Bangkok is not what most people would equate to a green city, let alone a good city to cycle through. But Dutchman Co Van Kessel has been running a successful business offering cycle tours of Bangkok for the last 20 years.
Van Kessel admits that to find the other side of a city known for its stand-still traffic, urban sprawl and air pollution takes some effort, but the hunch that told him 20 years ago that there was more to Bangkok than met the eye has paid off for him; and he now runs a good little business, catering almost exclusively to his fellow lowland bike lovers of the Netherlands.
According to Van Kessel, Bangkok remains "true to its people, yet mostly unknown to outsiders". He says he takes visitors to haven of peace and serenity still in the city limits of Bangkok’s cacophony. To learn more click here.
Posted by: DaveB on 30 Apr 2008, 19:31 -
Killer crossings on Thai railways
It’s just as well the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has just the one main line running up and down the length of the country as the amount of accidents at its level crossings of late is staggering.
The main reason being that many crossings have been built illegally by local people who are too lazy to cross at designated crossings. According to the railway traffic manager, Siripong Pruetiphan, the SRT ‘can do nothing to stop this kind of encroachment.’
Accident figures released by the SRT for 2006 numbered 185 involving trains and vehicles at railway crossings, with 53 deaths and 190 injuries. In 2007, the number of accidents almost doubled to 327.
Trains hitting animals and vehicles running into level crossings cause even further delays.
These startling figures - not unlike those of rural India - not only cause needless loss of life but add to the misery of passengers through hefty delays and cost the SRT in fuel.
According to Mr Siripong there are 2,443 crossings nationwide, of which just 1,908 were built with SRT permission. The other 535 were built illegally by local administrators mostly in remote areas.
The upshot of all these extra crossings is delays and extra costs for the SRT. Train drivers need to slow down when they approach a crossing and the effort to regain speed uses more fuel.
Tourists traveling by train, especially in rural areas, should allow plenty of extra time at the destination end to allow for any delays.
More on Rail travel in Thailand
Posted by: Andrew on 29 Apr 2008, 09:56 -
End of Washington Square?
It has been rumoured that Bangkok’s Washington Square on Sukhumvit soi 22 is to be cleared by its owners.
Washington Square is located across from Sukhumvit soi 33 not far from the Emporium shopping centre, with the Dubliner Irish pub at the entrance.
This rundown but relatively quiet bar area of Bangkok’s bustling Sukhumvit road has long been the haunt of Vietnam War veterans in search of cheap booze and food, good music and a laid back atmosphere. There is also a distinct lack of the yobbish farang culture that can be seen in other parts of the city, namely Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy.
Some bar owners have received a court letter detailing that the owners of the Square have been granted the right to terminate leases in early January, 2009. Consequently, the court will enforce tenants' departure by then.
There has been no word on what, if anything, the owners of the square plan to do with the land, but with the price of prime land in Bangkok currently sky-rocketing it would certainly favour land owners to make better use of it. Condo projects and shopping developments would bring in a much better return than bar leasing, for example.
Other popular tourist entertainment areas, such as Nana and Soi Cowboy, are also located on prime land and perhaps it is only a matter of time before these end up being moved on.
More on Bangkok Nightlife
Posted by: Andrew on 29 Apr 2008, 09:35 -
Danes get bigger breasts in Thailand
More Danish women than ever are heading to Thailand’s shores to get bigger breasts, with 120 ladies alone having breast augmentation in 2007.
Danish women are taking advantage of the cheaper surgery prices in Thailand and combining the surgery with a holiday.
Martin Olsen from travel agent Hygeia Beauty, which is one of the main organizers of the trips, says that women are now aware of the ‘quality of the operations in Thailand’ and that combining the surgery with a holiday will still cost significantly less than if the women had the breast augmentation at home.
The cost of breast enlargement in Denmark is in the region of 36,000 kroner, while the same procedure in Thailand’s best hospitals (namely Bumrungrad in Bangkok) works out at around 12,500, or around 30 per cent.
Companies like Hygeia Beauty and Kirurgirejser have taken advantage of this and put together packages to include travel, hotels and the surgery, costing 22,000 kroner.
The number of Danish women having breast augmentation in Thailand is likely to rise in the near future as currently at least three women per day in Denmark have breast augmentation. Once more people become aware of the cheaper treatment options in Thailand and the popular service that Hygeia Beauty and Kirurgirejser are offering, more are likely to travel to Southeast Asia to have the surgery.
Thailand Travel Tips
Posted by: Andrew on 29 Apr 2008, 07:20 -
Holidays That Costa Lot
British tourists would be better off traveling to Thailand for a holiday as opposed to the Costa del Sol, owing to the weaker pound and rising euro.
Sterling has lost 19 per cent of its value over the euro in the past year meaning holidaymakers get much less bang for their buck.
The Post Office surveyed 16 popular holidaying countries around the world and purchased 10 common items, with Australia topping the lot and Thailand the cheapest.
The basic purchases included a coffee from a cafe, an English newspaper, a bottle of mineral water from a supermarket, insect repellent and an evening meal for two.
The cost of these items in Thailand worked out at £28.58 and was easily the cheapest of the 16 countries surveyed. These same items in Spain, traditionally a cheap continental holiday destination, worked out at £59.24, while in France they were £68.97.
Italy was the most expensive place in Europe at £73.40, while a three-course meal for two with wine would cost around £42 - just £17.64 in Thailand. The same 10 purchases in Australia, however, was a staggering £88.97.
The US is one destination where the pound stretches further due to the weak dollar of late, but to travel on the continent is costing so much more.
British holidaymakers have already been putting off traveling to the continent as a result of the strong euro and worldwide ‘credit crunch’, while many have been looking at destinations farther afield with Thailand fitting the bill for a growing number of people.
Even Thailand has become more expensive, though, owing to a combination of a stronger baht and the removal of the onshore rate reserve, more expensive rice, and higher oil prices.
Posted by: Andrew on 25 Apr 2008, 18:08 -
Baht onshore/offshore rates equalize
The Thai baht onshore and offshore rates have now equalized following the lifting of the reserve on March 3, said Bank of Thailand (BoT) governor Tarisa Watanagase.
The 30 per cent withholding measure was imposed in 2006 to stem the baht’s speculation due to the gloomy economic outlook back then, and was a bonus for foreigners bringing in currency and utilizing the higher onshore rates.
Khun Watanagase said that the baht had equalized automatically, ‘without intervention’, following the reserve lift and that the economy had improved.
Onshore traded baht is now a lot closer to offshore traded baht since the measure was scrapped, with onshore and offshore dollar transactions at about 31.41 and 31.42 respectively.
Previous figures at the offshore rate of 31.42 baht to the dollar would have seen an onshore rate at roughly 34!
Thailand’s international reserves have also risen sharply in the last couple of years - at US$108 billion today compared with $67 billion at the end of 2006.
Posted by: Andrew on 24 Apr 2008, 20:54 -
Two arrested in Bangkok protest
Two local residents of a neighbourhood near Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport have been arrested by Thai police after they set off three yipeng paper lanterns into the air nearby the airport.
65-year old Thongbai Sannag and her 32-year old nephew Suchart Chantawong were caught in the act of lighting the hot-air lanterns after air traffic controllers called the police after spotting three of them in the sky, potentially in the flight path of an airplane. Police say at least ten people fled as they arrived, but the two caught explained they were protesting the owners of Suvarnabhumi, Airports of Thailand and their unpaid compensation packages from when the airport was first built.
The deputy transport minister warned that "The country could be painted in a negative light and the lives of innocent air passengers put on the line," and urged protesters to desist such activity. Nonetheless, AoT said it would look at the cases in question, as many residents feel under-compensated for the noise pollution created by the international airport.
Posted by: DaveB on 24 Apr 2008, 18:08