Stories submitted by Zoe
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Ocean to Ocean Relay Scheduled in the New Year
The past success of Thailand's Ocean to Ocean Relay Running has prompted plans for the 4th annual relay to be held on 6 January 2008.
Runners will begin the race in Songkhla, a town on Thailand's eastern coast overlooking the Gulf of Thailand. The finish line will be in Satun, situated on the western Andaman Coast.
This 136.6-kilometre relay is open to the following categories: Mixed (no more than six males and no fewer than two females), Women (eight runners of any age) and Youth (eight runners, either sex, between 8-15 years of age), and Open.
The race will carry runners from the Pacific Ocean side to the Indian Ocean, with a lovely route through scenic Southern Thailand.
For details on the relay race and the course, visit these web sites: www.runningthailand.net www.songkhlatourism.org
Posted by: Zoe on 14 Dec 2007, 09:41 -
Changing Lives in Doi Angkhang
A Royal Project of His Majesty the King has helped transform the lives of hilltribes in Doi Angkhang, Chiang Mai, creating the possibility of a higher quality of life. Where locals once depended solely upon opium fields and rice paddies, various fruit harvests have been cultivated in this vibrant valley.
The Angkhang Royal Agricultural Stations was the first of its kind to be established by the Royal Project in 1969. Over the decades, the Project has succeeded in introducing temperate climate fruit farming despite the initial resistance of the locals. Harvesting opium had proven easy and lucrative, making the transition to other crops a hard sell.
Visits by His Majesty, among other things, finally convinced the hilltribes to make the transformation. All the land in the Angkhang area is now used to its full potential, proving the success of this project.
The Royal Project has expanded over the years to include 36 development centres and eight agricultural stations.
Posted by: Zoe on 13 Dec 2007, 16:14 -
Thailand and Cambodia Agree to Single Visa Plan
The Thai and Cambodian governments will sign an agreement allowing foreign visitors to travel in both countries with only one visa.
The plan was initiated under the Ayeyawaddy-Mekong-Chao Phraya Economic Cooperation (Acmecs) accord, in which Vietnam, Laos and Burma also took part.
Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Nam Hong will sign the single-visa agreement on Monday, making these the first Acmes countries to initiate such a plan.
The agreement applies to foreign tourists who have received a visa in either Thailand or Cambodia, but it is not clear when nationals of both countries will be granted visa-free access.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat said the new rules will come into effect once regulations are modified accordingly.
Although the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) decided that visa applications are not necessary among member states, Thai nationals are still required to apply for a visa when travelling to Cambodia or Burma.
Posted by: Zoe on 13 Dec 2007, 15:55 -
Forum Seeks to Attract More Tourists to Chiang Mai
The Chiang Mai Tourism Forum 2007 was held on the 6-9 December 2007, hosted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Chiang Mai Tourism Business Association. The Forum sought to attract more tourism to Northern Thailand, in light of the rapid growth this area has seen in recent years.
50 local sellers met with over 120 buyers from Southeast and East Asia at the Forum in the Holiday Inn Chiang Mai Hotel. Boutique hotels, spas, restaurants and shopping centres were among the sellers represented, showcasing the high-quality products available in the area.
The Forum also aimed to increase the number of international airlines serving Chiang Mai. This list currently includes Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways, One-Two-Go Airlines, Nok Air, Thai AirAsia, Tiger Airways, Silk Air, PB Air, Hong Kong Express Airways, Korean Air, Air Mandalay, China Airlines and Lao Aviation.
TAT Governor Phornsiri Manoharn said that Chiang Mai has developed many key areas of tourism, including accommodation options. She remarked, “Chiang Mai is the economic, communications, cultural and tourism centre of Northern Thailand. In recent years, it has undergone considerable economic development but still retains its historic heritage. It is also becoming increasingly well-known as a centre of traditional Thai massage, meditation, spas, health and wellness.�
Those attending the Forum received information about tourism in Chiang Mai, then further explored the topic in workshops and discussions. The evening was concluded with a Thai Lanna style dinner.
In the first half of this year, Chiang Mai was host to 2,382,147 visitors bringing in a total revenue of 19,637.43 million baht.
Posted by: Zoe on 13 Dec 2007, 15:06 -
Korean Air to launch low-cost airline
The reputable South Korean airline Korean Air announced Monday that it will open a budget airline called Air Korea next year.
With a capital of 21.5 million dollars already paid, Air Korea will aim to be the top budget carrier in Asia by 2012.
Air Korea will target travelers planning short holidays, with the initial routes running to Thailand, Japan, China and Malaysia. The company will expand the list of routes once the initial launch is established.
Budget airlines are rapidly gaining popularity in Southeast Asia, providing travelers with an affordable means to visit neighboring countries.
Posted by: Zoe on 03 Dec 2007, 18:32 -
Plans to Promote Ecotourism in Thailand
Thai and UK tour companies have plans to introduce ecotourism programs geared toward students in Thailand next year.
Thailand has already established its popularity as a top destination for backpackers, boasting a lifestyle that is usually quite affordable for tourists. These planned community tourism programs, organized by the Thailand Community Based Tourism Institute (CBT-I), aim to attract this crowd toward a more eco-friendly type of traveling.
All of the tours in this project will strictly abide by the eco-tourism policy of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. CBT-I has been actively involved in sustainable tourism for ten years, always supporting the preservation and development of local communities.
CBT-I marketing support and development coordinator Peter Richards said that their teams have experience running over 70 eco-tourism projects globally, a reassuring fact for those considering joining a tour.
Posted by: Zoe on 03 Dec 2007, 18:22