Stories tagged with mai
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THAI airways staff go on strike
The chairwomen of the Thai Airways labour union instructed more than half of their 25,000 strong members to immediate go on strike Friday in response to the governments violent suppression of protestors in Bangkok.
Union leader Chaemsri Sukchoterat instructed 15,000 workers to stop work and threatened to order the other 10,000 to join them if the government used any further violent anti-riot measures to dislodge the protestors of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) who have laid siege to Government House demanding that the government of Samak Sundaravej quit.
With Phuket, Krabi and Hat Yai airports already closed due to PAD blockades in those provinces, air travellers are likely to be severely inconvenienced over the weekend. To further compound the problem, PAD protestors up-country have blockaded major highways leading North and South, at Nakon Sawan and Chumpon respectively.
political tension in the capital are running high as tens of thousands of PAD supporter began an intensive drive on Tuesday to force the cabinet to resign, citing corruption, proxy representation and incompetence as their grievances. They raised the stakes in a months-long standoff by storming and occupying several government departments and a TV station which they described as a government-biased mouthpiece.
The Prime Minister has order to the Police to clear them out forcefully but a violent clash on Firday morning between protesters and riot-control police has forced unions and other groups to come out in support of this increasingly militant protest group. Bloodshed from previous attempts by the government to suppress protestors in the 1970s has made the nation fearful of a repeat, prompting the support of unions such as at THAI to threaten civil unrest if the violence continues.
The standoff is likely to continue through the weekend and might escalate. Although it is unlikely to affect the safety of tourists, they are advised to closely monitor the situation.
Bangkok airport info Up to date news: Bangkok Post
Posted by: Andrew on 29 Aug 2008, 19:02 -
Chiang Mai adventure race a success
More than 100 competitors turned out on Sunday May 18th for the first Chiang Mai Amazing Adventure race, part of a multi-event series that has been held across Thailand for the past three years.
The event attracted more than 50 teams of two, who had to compete in several disciplines including running, mountain biking, swimming and kayaking, reaching each of the five check points together.
First home was the Thai duo of Boonyarit Boonjang and Choochart Tayasuthi in 4 hours 12 mins 48 seconds, while the first mixed team of Runsan Masurin and Saifon Boonjang achieved a commendable third overall. The race attracted participants from more than a dozen nationalities based in cities as far away as Bangkok, Hong Kong, Singapore, Manila and Ho Chi Minh City.
Starting out at the 700 Year stadium, the challenge comprised of a cross country mountain run, followed by a mountain bike stage, then a swim across Huay Tung Tao lake, before the runners took to the running trails again. Kayaks (supplied by the organisers) were used for the fifth leg, followed by another bike stage to the finish, and took some teams up to eight hours, including several obstacles thrown in.
“We had a great turnout for an inaugural Race and far from Bangkok where most of the competitors come from.� Said race organiser Serge Henkins afterwards. “We had also a beautiful weather after a week of heavy rain…Another positive thing is that the winners are a local team from Chiang Mai�.
“After the great success of the last River Kwai Trophy, which is now the second Adventure Race in South East Asia, we can say the sport is now taking off nicely in Thailand� says Henkens.
The overall consensus among participants was that the course was an excellent challenge in a great setting, not too gruelling. Next year’s event promises to be even more popular and better supported.
The event was organised by Active Management Asia who are professionals in putting on such races as well as providing corporate and schools team building events.
Posted by: Andrew on 23 May 2008, 15:18 -
Cops get tough on chatting drivers
A new law affecting Chiang Mai motorists passed last month and implemented a few days ago bans the use of mobile phones while driving a car or a motorcycle. This has been put in place to counteract the number of road accidents caused by the driver of a vehicle losing concentration by talking on a mobile, phone. In an attempt to ease the change, any handsfree technology will be acceptable for now.
Drivers caught in violation of the new law face fines between 400 and 1000 baht, and police have been on the streets of Chaing Mai informing local drivers and tourists alike about the new rules. A parade left from the Airport Plaza shopping centre and continued along Hang Dong Road where explanatory leaflets were distributed to the public. The parade and the new law has been endorsed by Zoom Technology Ltd, who will provide a free headset or a Bluetooth device to people who can pass a Q&A relating to the new rules.
Posted by: Andrew on 22 May 2008, 16:13 -
China cold front
A cold spell on its way down from China is expected to hit Thailand on Monday, causing temperatures to plummet and lots of rain to hit the Northeast of the country.
The chill in the north will possibly see frost on the highest mountains where temperatures could dip as low as two degrees Celsius. Chiang Mai is expected to dip to 15 degrees in the city on Thursday night.
With low temperatures in the north, central Thailand and Bangkok are expected to see heavy fog making driving conditions a lot tougher than usual.
The Andaman coast is also likely going to see some weather over the week with isolated thunderstorms throughout the province. In addition, sizeable swells all along the Andaman coast are also expected, with waves around the one metre mark.
Posted by: Andrew on 14 Jan 2008, 19:46 -
Chiang Mai student wins AirAsia art comp
An art student from Chiang Mai has won a competition to come up with a snazzy design for Air Asia’s new Airbus 320. The traditional pattern, called lai kanok, features a simple red and white design that wraps around the tail of the aircraft.
The young artist from Chiang Mai University, Ekkawich Ariyawongsanukul (nickname Peet), said that ‘less is more’ envisioning that covering only part of the aircraft will make it more noticeable and striking.
Ekkawich also chose the kanok for its likeness with the Thai AirAsia logo and the affinity of Thais with the symbol.
It took Ekkawich about a week to complete the design. As part of the research before creating it, he visited a library to study about the kanok. The finished drawing was uploaded to computer and beat 135 other designs from universities nationwide.
The judges were particularly intrigued with Ekkawich’s design and use of blank space within the kanok pattern, which would ultimately make it more visible from a distance than one crammed with detail.
Among the judges were Suchart Wongthong, a well-known Thai watercolour artist and National Artist Naowarat Pongpaibool, who also contributed by conducting a Thai poem which will be placed on the front entrance of the plane.
The aircraft will have the distinction of being the first aircraft in the world to bear a student’s painting along with a poem by a National Artist on its body.
The design will be flown on the A320 Airbus on routes including Hat Yai, Shenzhen, and Macau. The painted plane is one of the first to emerge out of the order of 40 new A320 Airbus’s that AirAsia have ordered. They will replace the airline's old Boeing 737-300s.
Ekkawich’s prize, as the winner of the competition, includes an all-expenses-paid trip to France as well as free airfare for one year for himself and his family to any of Thai AirAsia's destinations.
Flying in Thailand
Posted by: Andrew on 08 Jan 2008, 10:18