Bangkok Air code share Bangkok Airways has just signed a code share agreement with Etihad Airways for flights between Abu Dhabi and Bangkok. Through this agreement, Etihad’s code will also appear on some of Bangkok Airways’ services to Phuket and Samui. According to Peter Wiesner, Vice President Marketing of Bangkok Airways, both airlines are already working to expand the code share to international destinations. Cambodia and London are the most likely destinations to be served on a code share basis.
Posted by Bill Fogarty • • •
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Vietnam Visa Blog Despite failing to achieve visitor arrival targets for 2008, Vietnam’s authorities remain reluctant to soften visa rules. Last year Vietnam received 4.2 million international arrivals instead of the 5 million targeted. Vietnam is the only country in Southeast Asia to demand entry visas from the bulk of European countries; only Scandinavian and Russian passport holders can enter Vietnam without arranging a visa in advance.

According to Vice Minister of Sport and Tourism, Tran Chien Thing, the restriction is necessary for ‘security reasons’. Since October 2008, international arrivals have declined month on month by between 10% and 11%, forcing the authorities to impose cuts in prices for hotels and domestic air tickets and to link value-added offers to package tours.


Posted by Chuck • • •
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Koh Chang Thailand Koh Chang, the second largest island in Thailand, situated in Trat province, in the Gulf of Thailand, is highly reputed for its pristine natural beauty, with verdant mountains and emerald waters.
There are many interesting and exciting activities to take part in on Koh Chang. Here are the top ten activities, recommended by Amari Emerald Cove Resort.

Relax and unwind on the beach. There are many beautiful beaches with different landscapes such as Klong Prao Beach, Klong Son Beach, White Sand Beach, Kai Bae Beach, Lonely Beach, Bai Lan Beach etc. If your time allows, try different ones to appreciate the charm of each.
Diving is incredible here, as the waters are rife with vivid corals and plenty of colourful fish. Only about an hour from Koh Chang, Hin Lok Bat and Hin Rap have a good diversity of marine life. There is also Koh Wai, Koh Lao Ya Nok and Koh Rang. Koh Lao Ya Nai is home to the wreck of the Thonburi, sunk in 1921.
Kayaking on Koh Chang is a great way to explore both the coastline and inner landscape of the island. Kayak through the shade of the mangroves and see verdant shrubs and aquatic animals. There is a walkway through the mangroves in Salak Petch, as well as in Salak Kok.
Koh Chang means elephant island, as the shape of the island is similar to that of an elephant. One of the popular activities here is riding on the back of an elephant. There are a couple of elephant camps on Koh Chang. The treks go through the local villages, fruit plantations and into small jungles.
Trekking on Koh Chang is definitely worthwhile. Abundant with flora and fauna, Koh Chang offers breathtaking paths through to the forest. Some can be arduous, but most are certainly manageable. Walking through the jungle, while listening to birds chirping, is not to be missed.
Try island-hopping! There are small islands dotted around Koh Chang, such as Koh Klum, which has a beautiful stone yard landscape. Koh Wai, Koh Phrao Nai and Nok and Koh Lao Ya are great for lazing around on the white sand beaches. Koh Ngam has 2 beautiful sections, linked by a sand dune. Further away, Koh Mak and Koh Kood are worth visiting due to their unspoilt nature and sheer tranquility.
Take a trip on a catamaran to cruise around the archipelago, with friends and great food on board, for an activity that combines relaxation, adventure and comfort all in one. Stop off at some dive sites to snorkel or just to swim with the colourful fish. Amari Emerald Cove Resort, on Klong Prao Beach, offers a Catamaran service to their guests. The ‘Supercat’ cruises from the resort’s beach to Koh Kood, the island furthest east in the Gulf of Thailand.
Take a culture tour to the fisherman village. Guests can either go there by boat, by car, by motorbike or even by bicycle. Houses there are built on stilts over the water and connected by bridges. The villages can be found in Bang Bao (there are some restaurants here, serving freshly caught seafood, with fantastic views) and in other areas, such as Baan Salak Petch, Baan Dan Mai, etc.
Agro-tourism on land is an obvious choice to visit and appreciate the local way of living at one with nature, in a sustainable way. There are a variety of plantations on Koh Chang, such as rubber trees, coconuts, durians, rambutans, pomelos, jackfruit, mangosteens and more, located on different parts of Koh Chang.
After a sunny day and cool breezes on the beach, have a refreshing dip in one of the many waterfalls, located across Koh Chang. Klong Plu Waterfall is the most popular and most accessible, only a 20-minute walk from Klong Prao and Kai Bae Beach. Than Mayom Waterfall is located within a 45-minute walk from Than Mayom pier. Kiripetch Waterfalls and Klong Nueng Waterfall, situated in Salak Petch, are well worth a visit and guests can climb up the rather difficult, steep cliffs for higher levels of the falls.
All activities can be arranged at Amari Emerald Cove Resort. After such exciting activities and adventure, ultimate comfort awaits back at the 5-star Amari Emerald Cove Resort, where guests can relax by the 50m lap pool or in the jacuzzi pool, be pampered body, mind and soul at Sivara Spa by well-trained, friendly staff, or sip cocktails at the Poolbar happy hour or Breezes Bar and savour Thai and international delicacies at a great variety of restaurants.
Posted by bill • • •
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Samui Island Blues You know what Thai island ain't doing well touristicly speaking? Koh Samui thats who. Heck the Island is reportedly down by a full 30% on last year's bookings according to the Samui Tourism Coordination Centre. Their boss, Porniert Uncharoen says that although some hotels are running at a high of 60% up, others are surviving on just 30 or even 20%. What's more the picture is not any brighter in the infamous resort of Pattaya and the less well known (thankfully) Hau Hin. Good time to negoiate rates one would think.
Posted by Tam O Shanter • • •
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Golf Phuket Some many, many years ago Phuket was underdeveloped as far as good hotels, resorts and restaurants were concerned. And at that time the best option, some might say the only option, was Patong beach. Many, many years ago there was no golf development on Phuket at all. None. There was one place on Surin beach where you could whack a ball amongst weeds. WOW. How things have changed. Phuket is not only home to the finest collection of hotels, resorts and eateries on any paradise island, it has been wonderfully developed and aimed directly at the golfing fraternity. What is there now, seven, eight great courses on Phuket? Heck there surely is a course not too far from your hotel. www.thailandgolfmaps.com has a pretty up to date picture. Check it out and see if anything is missing. Bottom line? Phuket is about more than beaches and beauty. Golf is also a main attraction.
Posted by BF • • •
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Phuket Travel Realities It is nothing short of a dream destination. Phuket, Thailand's largets island is justifiably famous and, when not in ultra high season (normally) most affordable. Phuket has it all. Beautiful beaches, great eateries, inexpensive shopping, the lot. So why is it that this year, Phuket is struggling. Why are the best hotels and resorts taking less and running lower occupancy rates? The Tsunami? No. As distarous as that was the Island make a relatively quick comeback. Phuket.s woes are traced to more recent acts. Some of man, some of nature. Closed airports do not a friendly destination make. Charges of cruelty and mistreatment of refugees-unless they are completely refuted-paint any paridise black. And, last but not least tales of hundreds of jellyfish washed up on beautiful beaches are not condusive to great relaxation. Top all of that off with a recent supported call to increase the fees for foreigners work permits from 300 Baht to as much as 300,000 and you are not lighting the tourism trail.
Posted by Phuket visitor • • •
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Phuket Kings Cup Football Phuket will host its first ever Kings Cup Football Tournament this month from the 21st to 23rd January. And why not I say. After all the famous Kings Cup Yacht Race is a great success is it not? Anyway competing on Phuket will be teams from Denmark, Lebanon, North Korea and of course Thailand. What gets me is why there are only 4 teams. Anyway this is an International tournament even though it is "friendly".
Posted by bf • • •
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Thailand Air Travel According to a recent Bangkok Post article by BOONSONG KOSITCHOTETHANA air travel in Thailand fell 4.8% in 2008. The article goes on to cite the closure of Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi in December as well as the International financial situation as the main reasons. Also recorded as fuelling the demand decline to around 54 million passengers from about 57 million was the high cost of fuel and what the Post refered to as the US Sub-Prime crisis. The full report which covers 16 airports in Thailand can be viewed online at
http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/aviation/10007/air-travel-falls-4-8




Posted by BF • • •
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Shopping Bangkok Thailand I went to the Siam Paragon shopping center in Bangkok yesterday. Big? You betcha. It is so big in fact that I suspect it would take me at least 10 visits before I could find my way around. Heck they even have car showrooms there plus the biggest bookstore I have ever seen. This of course in addition to what is claimed to be the biggest Ocean show on the globe; Ocean World. It is just too big for me at this early stage. What's my choice? The Emporium. Mebbe its because I spend so much time there but it is easy and comfortable. The most difficult shopping centre in Thailand? Easy Central World.
Posted by BKKboy • • •
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Global Taste Tours Global Taste Tours is pleased to offer terrific culinary tours in Southeast Asia. We offer trips to Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos.

You can take a food and drink journey with a small group, or you can customize your own private vacation.

Take a look at what we offer - you'll be pleasantly surprised by the options! Not to mention the prices - we offer the best prices for custom culinary journeys.
Posted by Ben Finkelstein • • •
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Thailand Weather If you want to know the weather in Thailand here is a great Internet address.
http://www.tmd.go.th/en/province.php?id=37
This is the Thai Meteorgolical Department, the folks who know about these things. Anyway the weather page is set to English but is also available in The Thai language. Also it has the weather report and forecast for every corner of the vast country. The address again is
http://www.tmd.go.th/en/province.php?id=37
Posted by Bill Fogarty • • •
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Thailand Tourism rebounding? A recent article in the International Herald Tribune http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/01/09/
asia/thai.php suggests that Thailand's tourism is on the mend. The article states that hotels in popular tourism areas such as Phuket, Chaing Mai and so forth are reporting 80 to 85% occupancy, whilst previous years have checked in at 90%. However it does state that price reduction has played its role. Tourism destinations are reportedly faring better than business destinations however. The full article, written by Thomas Fuller is at the above address.
Posted by Bill Fogarty • • •
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Exclusive Franchaise Available You can franchise any Activelifestyle Travel Network domain or resort within for advertising sales purposes. Both ATN royalties and the timeline of your exclusive contract depend on mutually agreed upfront fees. Exclusive sales rights also available for accommodation sales and other travel products. In the first instance contact bill@activelifestyle.com
Posted by BF • • •
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Special Botique Hotel Prices According to an article in BKK Post online there is a standard promotional fee of Thai Baht 2000 for botique entries in Phuket, Bangkok, Pattayaand other popular tourism destinations in Thailand. Bookings include breakfast and dinner and the offer lasts until June 30. See details at http://www.thailandsuperdeal.com
Posted by WRF • • •
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Landmark BKK Special Offers There are plenty of specials at the perfectly-located Landmark Hotel. Try the luxury weekend break for example. It starts at $110 and includes the Landmark's special buffet breakfast and more. Visit us on www.landmarkbangkok.com for details.
Posted by Bill • • •
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The great escape; Forbes. Recently Forbes.com ran an article on escapism if one was laid off. Aparently, according to Forbes, The Thai Island of Samui is one of the best places to go for cheap, easy and beautiful living. It goes as far as to list expenses at "around $20.00 per day". Later it quotes that you will pay "around $20. per day for a nice hotel". Oh yeah? When was this person last here? The village of Chaweng? Did you forget the word "expensive""? I dare you to live well that cheaply on Samui. Dare you. Oh the forbes story and photos can be found on http://www.forbes.com/
Posted by Bill Fogarty • • •
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Lunch on Bangkok's riverside Had lunch on Bangkok's Chao Phraya (River of Kings) banks yesterday. At the Penninsula Hotel; all you can eat (buffet)and all the Champagne one can dring for just over 2,000 Baht. Thats about 50 bucks fixed price. What a great 3 hour lunch. Great food and booze; most friendly staff and a river with plenty of action. Folks going everywhere. Do it for yourself.
Posted by Robert • • •
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Tik's Place Phuket Located on a quiet street in the center of Kata Beach, Tik's Place offers quality rooms at yesterday’s prices. Tik’s Thai style guesthouse and service apartments are a bargain for travelers looking for modern amenities at reasonable rates.
Nestled among the local tailor shops off the main road in Kata Center within walking distance to restaurants, pubs, shopping, massage and the beach, each room at Tik's Place is immaculate, spacious and includes a queen-size bed, satellite TV, air conditioning, refrigerator, microwave, toaster, coffee pot, hot water, in-room safes, daily maid service and complimentary wireless internet access.
For reservations, complete the booking form on www.tiksplace.com or contact us at tik@tiksplace.com
Tel: (6676) 333-197 Fax: (6676) 331-021 Mobile : (6681) 891-4694
Posted by Neal • • •
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Tourism in Thailand ; Not bad. To answer your question Tourism in Thailand is not doing too badly thank you. I think that it is currently between 70 to 80% in Phuket, and the Thai people are filling the Northern destinations at about the same ratio. Not too bad-but when you consider previous years it is a reduction. Oh by the by...Bangkok is doing quite badly.
Posted by Rosy • • •
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