News
Thailand Headlines
2010-05-24
Bangkok on the road to recovery!
Over the weekend there were huge efforts to clean up the streets of Bangkok after the recent demonstrations. Most things are now well on the road to normal with many businesses, hotels and public systems announcing opening dates or are fully operational already. The curfew remains in place between 11pm and 4am, for probably another couple of nights and during this time some services such as the Skytrain and MRT underground will run on a reduced time schedule. It is expected that the curfew will last only until Wednesday after which normal time schedules will return.
Today many schools opened and government offices went back to work and Bangkok traffic was back to normal for a Monday. Department stores and shopping centres around Bangkok are also open as usual with the exception of those affected by the recent demonstrations in the Ratchaprasong intersection area. Life in all other areas of Bangkok and the remaining provinces of Thailand continues as normal. Tourism attractions in these areas are not affected in any way.
Tourist Visa Fee Free Extension
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the extension of the tourist visa fee exemption scheme for foreign visitors who qualify for a tourist visa. The scheme expired last month but has now been extended from 11 May to 21 March 2011. The fee exemption is only applicable to tourist visas. People should check this with the nearest Embassy or Consular Service in their location. Of course many nationalities already enjoy free visa on arrival entry to Thailand for up to 30 days.
Thai Tourism Industry representatives are on stand-by to provide
assistance to foreign tourists and visitors.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand Tourism Intelligence Unit and Crisis Communication Centre (TIC) serves as an operations centre for state and private sector consultative meetings and joint planning sessions and enables TAT and representatives from the Thai tourism industry to plan and execute rapid and orchestrated responses. The TIC is currently being staffed 24 hours a day. Representatives from Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Tourist Police, the Thai Hotels Association (THA), the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), and the General Insurance Association will also be on duty at the centre.
The TAT Hotline and Call Centre — 1672 — provides 24-hours service. TAT recommends that foreign tourists and visitors to Thailand call 1672 for tourist assistance. In the event that further coordination or facilitation is needed, they will be directed to the nearest TAT Tourist Information Centre.
TAT recommends that foreign tourists and visitors to Thailand call the 24-hour Tourist Police Hotline — 1155 — for the latest updates on traffic conditions and roads to avoid.
Thailand Travel Mart (TTM 2010) and Greater Mekong Sub-Region
June 2 - 4 2010 at IMPACT Exhibition Center Muang Thong Thani.
The Thailand Travel Mart has been postponed to a date to be announced due to numerous cancellations of hosted buyers. A date later in the year is expected to be announced later.
Support Arts and Crafts International Center of Thailand (SACICT)
The centre at Bang Sai in Ayutthaya province is a magnificent treasure trove of exquisite ornaments handcrafted from pure gold. Some of the finest examples from the various periods in history are on display in a dozen glass cases. It is also an important repository of knowledge on the evolution of gold craftsmanship in the Thai kingdom and the significance and symbolism of gold to Thais. This museum is a professionally set up show piece of gold and art in the Thai cultural context and a must see for the student of Asian art, culture and history.
Thailand Weather update
April to May is usually the hottest time in Thailand when temperatures reach mid thirties regularly and in some places forty plus is not unheard of. It is also the height of the dry season for most of Thailand and in some years the beginning of the wet season towards the end of May. For those who have been to Thailand before¸ they will know that from now on until October is one of the best times to be in Thailand for a number of reasons¸ two of which are foremost in the minds of the repeat visitor – cost and availability. From April until October is a time when many hotels have their cheapest rates while the number of tourists is also lower.During the rainy season the countryside is transformed into a carpet of green which is an amazing sight.
In the South of Thailand where the land mass is narrow between the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand¸ the seasonal monsoon has its strongest affect. On the Andaman side, Phuket¸ Khao Lak¸ Krabi and Koh Lanta all share the same weather patterns produced by the South West Monsoon which brings more wind and rain across the area between May June to October. It is entirely possible to travel to these locations during this time and find less people and cheaper room rates while there may be rain on a daily basis there will also be plenty of sun and warm weather. The Gulf side – Samui¸ Koh Phangan and Koh Tao have the opposite weather during this time although their weather pattern is less distinct the periods of rain and or wind are often shorter lived than on the Andaman side. Travellers to the Gulf side during the low periods will find less people and cheaper rates as well as sunny periods and some rain - the perfect mix for a tropical holiday.
Mekong River
Water levels in the ‘Mae Nam Maekhong’(Mekong) have reached the lowest levels for many years and many of the large tourist boat services along the river have been postponed for example‚ the Luangsay Cruise service between Chiang Khong in Northern Thailand and Luang Prabang‚ the Ancient Capital of Laos. The Mekong River is one of Asia’s longest and is one of many rivers flowing out of the Himalaya region which serve a vast population in the lower areas. Other rivers flowing out of the Himalaya region include the Indus‚ Ganges‚ Irrawaddy‚ Salween‚ Brahmaputra‚ Yellow and Yangtze Rivers.
