Thailand

A Sea Turtle Conservation Fair was held at Bangtao Beach in Phuket.

2006-04-14T08:12:00.000+07:00

A Sea Turtle Conservation Fair was held at Bangtao Beach in Phuket.
156 baby sea turtles aged between 3 to 6 months old were released back to sea by Thais and foreigners who participated in the annual Sea Turtle Conservation fair in front of the Dusit Laguna Phuket hotel on Bangtao beach.

Hua Hin Travel - Hotels Hua Hin, Cha-Am & Pranburi

2006-04-14T08:09:00.000+07:00

Hua Hin Travel - Hotels Hua Hin, Cha-Am & Pranburi
Hotel Club Net and Hua Hin Travel with a wide selection of hotels and resorts in Hua Hin, Cha-Am & Pranburi with discounted special internet rates, book your accommodation in Hua Hin on-line with Hotel Club Net.

Sheraton Langkawi Beach Resort completes lobby and Port Cochere refurbishment

2006-02-02T06:52:00.000+07:00

Sheraton Langkawi Beach Resort completes lobby and Port Cochere refurbishment
Sheraton Langkawi Beach Resort has recently completed a full refurbishment of the lobby, lobby lounge and Porte Cochere, offering guests a new sense of arrival. The lobby upgrade follows the full refurbishment of their 231 rooms and suites, and is the first Sheraton hotel in Malaysia to feature Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed.

IHG hosts FAM trip to Bangkok

2006-01-10T11:52:00.000+07:00

IHG hosts FAM trip to Bangkok
InterContinental Hotels Group has hosted a five-day FAM trip to Bangkok to introduce travel buyers to some of its most premier properties in the region. Aiming to raise awareness in the region about its overseas destinations, the FAM trip visited the city of Bangkok and concluded with a night of total relaxation in Bahrain.

Phuket returns to normal

2005-01-18T04:45:00.000+07:00

Thai Airways has announced that only very little of Phuket’s infrastructure is closed to the public after the recent tsunami catastrophe which hit the countries on the fringes of the Indian Ocean.
More than 80 percent of hotel rooms remain open for business because only a small percentage of the restaurants, shops, bars and attractions have been disrupted. There is no shortage of drinking water and food, neither is there a serious threat of disease.
Other beach resort destinations in Thailand like those at Samui, Hua Hin and Pattaya are untouched and remain in perfect condition. The weather is excellent, skies are sunny and clear. The friendly Thais have not stopped smiling, and their hospitality has not waned.
Thai Airways flies from Manila 10 times weekly to Bangkok and daily to Osaka. For reservations and information, call your travel agent or log on to www.thaiairway.com.

http://www.mb.com.ph

Live von der boot: Thailand braucht Touristen - kein Geld

2005-01-18T04:13:00.000+07:00

Anlässlich der boot sprachen wir mit dem Marketing Manager des Thailändischen Fremdenverkehrsverband über Thailand nach dem Tsunami.
Natürlich ist auch das Thailändische Fremdenverkehrsamt (Toursim Authority of Thailand) mit einem Stand auf der boot vertreten. Wir nutzten die Gelegenheit und erkundigten uns über die derzeitige Lage im Südosten Thailands und über die touristische Zukunft des Landes.Eins gleich vorweg: Thailand steht noch, es ist nach wie vor ein wunderschönes Ferienland und es ist - im Vergleich zur Größe des 60 Millionen Einwohnerlandes - nur ein kleiner Teil durch den Tsunami am 26. Dezember 2004 beschädigt worden.Trotzdem gibt es derzeit starke Buchungsrückgang - im gesamten Land! Natürlich ist dementsprechend eine große Beunruhigung im Land, dass jetzt die wichtigste Einnahmequelle und Arbeitsmotor für Millionen Arbeitskräfte des Landes - der Tourismus - einer ungewissen Zukunft entgegen sieht.Wie ist die Lage vor OrtBetroffen durch den Tsunami sind Khao Lak und Koh PhiPhi - diese beiden Regionen werden wohl auf Jahre hinweg nicht mehr gebucht werden können. In Phuket selbst wurde die Beachfront bei Patong und Kamla beschädigt, hier finden aber intensive Aufräumarbeiten statt, so dass auch diese Strände in Kürze wieder in vollem Glanz erstrahlen werden. Wir erinnern uns an die Bilder des Touristenpaares, das auf Strandliegen vor einer Trümmerlandschaft entspannt in der Sonne liegt. Oder diejenigen der "dickbäuchigen" Touristen mit der Bierflasche am Strand - ebenfalls vor Schutthalden.Hier hatte ein findiger Fotograf die Gelegenheit genutzt, den Bildausschnitt (in Patong Beach) so zu wählen, dass man im Hintergrund die zusammen getragenen Überreste einiger zerstörter Beachfront-Bars sieht. Natürlich ist dies nur ein winzig kleiner Teil des langen Sandstrandes. Aber ebenso natürlich bringt solch ein Foto guten Absatz bei den einzelnen Magazinen und Zeitungen.Zu leiden haben jetzt die dort ansässigen Menschen, die ihre Familien, teilweise auch in den zerstörten Gebieten, unterstützen müssen und wollen - denen wird langsam aber sicher ihre Einnahmequelle abgedreht.Thailand will Touristen - kein GeldFrank Haussels, Marketing Manager vom Thailändischen Fremdenverkehrsverband in Frankfurt bringt die Stimmung vor Ort auf den Punkt: "Thailand hat jede internationale, finanzielle Hilfe abgelehnt. Wir brauchen kein Geld, wir brauchen Touristen! Jeder vom Tsunami betroffene Thai hat von der Regierung bereits 20.000 Baht bekommen, wir bauen gerade 600 Häuser in Khao Lak, die der dortigen Bevölkerung geschenkt werden. Teilweise hat die thailändische Regierung auch bereits neue Boote für die betroffenen Fischer gekauft, deren laufende Kredite steuerbefreit und wir denken über weitere Hilfe nach. Was den Menschen jetzt nur noch fehlt sind die Einnahmen aus dem Tourismus, der für viele in den betroffenen Gebieten das Überleben sichert!"Wie sieht es Unterwasser ausJerome Monney von The Junk, einer chinesischen Dschunke, die für Tauchsafaris adaptiert wurde, bestätigt uns, dass die Unterwasserwelt zu 80% intakt ist. "Ich kann dort 2 Wochen lang mit dir tauchen, jeder Tauchplatz wird unebrührt und wunderschön sein."So ist etwa der berühmte Tauchplatz Richelieu Rock ohne jede Auswirkung geblieben. Die Similian Tauchplätze sind ebenfalls zum Großteil in Ordnung. Gerade mal die nördlichsten der Similian Islands sind in Mitleidenschaft gezogen.Alle Tauchplätze östlich und südlich von Phuket und alle Daytrip-Tauchplätze sind ebenfalls verschont geblieben. An einigen Stellen hat es zwar den Sand um rund 1 Meter gesenkt (bzw. weggewaschen) - dies erkennt man dann an auf einmal weißen Felsrändern im ansonsten bunten Riff. Jemand der es nicht so genau weiß, würde nicht einmal das bemerken.Natürlich gibt es auch einige wenige Tauchplätze, die auf längere Zeit unbetauchbar sein werden, bis sich die Natur in 20-30 Jahren wieder erholt hat. So zum Beispiel die Tauchplätze im Norden, Richtung Khao Lak - diese waren der Welle ohne dem Schutz langer Riffketten hilflos ausgesetzt und sind schwer in Mitleidenschaft gezogen worden.FazitDen Worten von Frank Haussels ist nicht hinzuzufügen: Thailand braucht Touristen - kein Geld!

http://tauchen.nullzeit.at

Mass massage hopes to attract Guinness Book fame

2005-01-18T02:47:00.000+07:00

Thailand is already famous – or perhaps infamous – for its massage industry, but the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) hopes to attract more publicity for this most ancient of tourist draws by inviting representatives from the Guinness Book of Records to witness a mass massage session at a Hua Hin hotel next week.
According to Mr. Silachai Surai, director of the TAT’s second central region office, over 100 British tourists currently on holiday in Thailand will participate in the massage session at the Anantra Hua Hin Resort and Spa on 19 January, which the TAT hopes will go down in history as the world’s largest mass massage session.
The TAT, particularly keen to publicize seaside destinations such as Hua Hin which were not affected by last month’s tsunami, has also invited BBC reporters to the session in order for the event to gain worldwide publicity.

http://etna.mcot.net

Thai Garlic Restaurant

2005-01-16T07:18:00.000+07:00

Thai Garlic restaurant, on University Aveune between Shattuck Avenue and Milvia Street, was launched by alumni of the popular Hua Hin Thai restaurant (at Bancroft Way and Fulton, with the big yellow e lephant out front). Hua Hin fans will feel right at home when they notice the colorful and extensive menu, delicious food, tasty and affordable house wines, and friendly and efficient service.
Southeast Asian restaurants have opened and closed on University Avenue’s top three blocks with alarming speed over the last year. This one really deserves to stay around, and could use a bit more traffic. Its owners picked a storefront on the same block as landmarks like the venerable Plearn Thai, Tibet Café, and the former UC Theater. That wasn’t empty bravado: Thai Garlic is in the same world-class league.

Sting performs in Thailand to help tsunami victims

2005-01-15T05:42:00.000+07:00

Veteran rocker Sting has become the first artist to perform in Thailand after it was left devastated by the giant tsunami wave that hit it last month, and the proceeds from the show will go to the people whose lives have been shattered by tsunami. The former 'Police' singer reportedly raised 50,000 dollars, including a 20,000 dollars donation from himself and hopes to raise 50,000 dollars more for the victims, from oncoming concerts in India and Australia. Latino singer Ricky Martin has also visited Thailand, meeting survivors and touring affected beaches in Phuket and Patong. Martin, who is a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef), appealed to fellow celebrities to help victims of the disaster. "To all my colleagues, let's do something. It's all about talking about things that need to be done to create a better world, especially for the generations to come," BBC quoted him as saying. Some of the other famous people contributing for tsunami victims include singers Celine Dion and Peter Garrett

http://www.newkerala.com

Fischer: Zum Wiederaufbau gehört der Tourismus

2005-01-10T07:04:00.000+07:00

Außenminister besucht das thailändische Katastrophengebiet. Ein Tsunami-Warnsystem für Südostasien soll aus Potsdam kommen

Phuket/Berlin - Zwei Wochen nach der Flutkatastrophe hat sich Bundesaußenminister Joschka Fischer bei einem Besuch in Asien erschüttert gezeigt und gemeinsame Anstrengungen zum Wiederaufbau gefordert. "Was jetzt ansteht, ist Wiederaufbau. Dazu gehört auch der Tourismus", sagte Fischer in Thailand. Mit einem Trauergottesdienst im Berliner Dom gedachten Spitzen von Staat und Gesellschaft am Sonntag der Flutopfer. Finanzminister Hans Eichel (SPD) und SPD-Generalsekretär Benneter kritisierten Äußerungen des bayerischen Ministerpräsidenten Edmund Stoiber (CSU) zur deutschen Fluthilfe als "schäbig und perfide".
Auf der ersten Etappe seiner viertägigen Reise lobte Fischer die Zusammenarbeit mit Thailand. Bei seinen Gesprächen mit Regierungsmitgliedern dankte der Minister zugleich Thailand für die Hilfe, die das Land deutschen und anderen ausländischen Opfern der Katastrophe geleistet hat. Im weißen Schutzanzug beobachtete Fischer Beamte des Bundeskriminalamtes, die in einem zur Leichenhalle umgewandelten buddhistischen Tempel dabei helfen, entstellte Leichen zu identifizieren. Wie Fischer erklärte, soll das Potsdamer Geoforschungszentrum (GFZ) jetzt im Auftrag des Bundesforschungsministeriums ein Konzept für den Indischen Ozean entwickeln. Den Angehörigen der deutschen Flutopfer sicherte Fischer jede mögliche Unterstützung zu.
Eberhard Sandschneider, Forschungsdirektor der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Auswärtige Politik, zweifelt, daß die Flutkatastrophe zu einem grundsätzlichen Bewußtseinswandel führen und die westliche Welt nun eher bereit sein wird, Verantwortung für Krisen in anderen Regionen zu übernehmen. Der Asien-Experte sagte der WELT: "Es ist zu befürchten, daß die Betroffenheit und die Spendenbereitschaft wieder verschwinden werden, sobald die nächste Katastrophe eintrifft." Dennoch werde es einige bleibende strukturelle Veränderungen geben. "Erstens wird nun ein Tsunami-Warnsystem entstehen. Zweitens wird jetzt auf UN-Ebene über effizientere Hilfeleistung bei Katastrophen diskutiert. Die pragmatische Soforthilfe der US-Streitkräfte hat der EU hier eine Lektion erteilt, die hoffentlich zum Nachdenken in Brüssel führen wird."
http://www.welt.de

Tourism Starts To Reappear In Thailand

2005-01-08T20:03:00.000+07:00

An e-mailed plea from the manager of a Thai beach resort to a French tour operator: We've reopened for business, clients are again sunning themselves by the pool, and, please, put out word that vacationers can come back.
European governments are still advising against travel to areas devastated by the Dec. 26 earthquake and tsunami. But tour operators are urging vacationers not to shun Asia in the long-term, saying they can help put the region and survivors back on their feet by spending their tourism dollars there.

An employee sits among debris of a hotel in Phuket, Thailand. "The worst punishment would be not to go back," said Rene-Marc Chikli, president of the French Association of Tour Operators. "If we succeed in re-employing just one person, we keep a family alive."
He said Asian governments have been telling tourism officials in France not to forget them.
"Governments are saying: 'The wave punished us, don't punish us again by depriving us of our economic activities,"' Chikli said in a telephone interview.
In Thailand, prime tourist beach resorts including Phuket, Khao Lak and tiny island of Phi Phi - where the 2000 Leonardo DiCaprio movie "The Beach" was filmed - were ravaged by the tsunami. More than 5,000 people died, about half of them foreigners, and another 4,500 are still missing.
Thailand, which gets 6 percent of its gross domestic product from tourism, saw a 27 percent drop in tourists arriving at Bangkok International Airport in the first three days of January, compared with the same period last year. The country already is drafting a plan to lure back foreigners.
"The drop in tourist arrivals during the first three days of January marked a clear sign that the tsunami has had a psychological impact on tourism," said Thai Tourism and Sports Minister Sontaya Kunplome.
In his e-mail appeal last week to French tour operator FRAM, general manager Frank Dreist said his Kata Beach Resort in Phuket suffered minimal damage and was working normally again after debris were cleared away, a FRAM spokeswoman said.
"At the moment, I have about 200 clients around the pool and in the garden taking advantage of the good weather," she cited Dreist's e-mail as saying. "Our biggest worry is that the news on the television is so bad that tourists will be scared to come, even though most of hotels ... did not suffer much," he concluded.
French charter flights to the Maldives, which were stopped after the tsunami washed over that Indian Ocean archipelago, will resume Jan. 16, as will trips to other affected countries, although outside the stricken zones, said Chikli.
Italy's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday was still was advising against travel to Indonesia, southeast India, and tsunami-hit areas of Thailand. But it lifted a warning against travel to the Maldives last week, and tour operators want trips to the area to resume.

"Since these countries are asking for tourists to return, we think that it will be possible to reopen all routes within about two weeks," said Francesco Granese, director of the Assotravel group.
Major German operator TUI said it plans tentatively to resume tours to Phuket and Sri Lanka in February, and stressed that Bangkok, Pattaya and many other parts of Thailand were unscathed.
"It would be disastrous for people in southeast Asia if an economic disaster followed the flood disaster," said TUI's manager for Germany, Volker Boettcher. "Most people in this region live from tourism."
British tour operators and travel agents will launch a marketing campaign - done gradually and in a sensitive way - to lure Britons back there, said Frances Tuke, a spokeswoman for the Association of British Travel Agents.
Finnish tour organizers have canceled all trips to the region for the next few months - after the government advised against travel there to avoid hampering rescue work and because of disease. Danes have been similarly advised, although Danish tour operators tentatively expect to resume tours to Phuket and Sri Lanka in February.
Rolf Forsdahl, travel trade director for the Federation of Norwegian Commercial and Service Enterprises, said areas of northern Thailand that were not hit, such as Pattaya and Hua Hin, are fully booked, partly because Norwegians who had planned to travel to Phuket changed destinations.
And previous disasters have shown that vacationers frequently have short memories and that rebuilding is often rapid in places dependent on visitors, tourism professionals said.
"People forget very, very quickly. I think in three months they will have forgotten about it totally," said Jean-Francois Rial, head of French tour operator Voyageurs du Monde.

http://www.nbc4.tv

Hua Hin and Cha-Am top Thailand’s tourist campaign

2005-01-08T18:54:00.000+07:00

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched campaigns to boost the number of foreign visitors to two of the country’s world class seaside resorts in the southern provinces of Prachaup Khiri Khan and Petchburi.
The TAT has launched different campaigns to attract foreign visitors from both Asia and Europe to the two beach towns of Hua Hin and Cha-Am in Prachaup Khiri Khan and Petchburi.
The authority hopes to attract two million visitors to these two tourist resorts in 2005, compared to 1.7 million of last year.
Hau Hin and Cha-Am are renowned for their scenic landscapes.
But Thai tourist officials believe that more Thais and foreign tourists will be attracted to these resorts by the new service industries there, including spas, health care and golf courses, the local tourist chief, Silachai Surai told TNA.
The TAT is targeting tourists from Scandinavia, Japan and South Korea, as well as local tourists.
Last October, the TAT launched campaigns abroad and locally, dubbed “Thailand happiness on Earth”.
These focused on four groups of tourists – regular tourists, the elderly, deep-pocketed, and participants of seminars and conferences, Mr. Silachai said.
Local residents and provincial authorities have been urged to support the campaigns and help organise their town’s services in order to impress the tourists who come, he said.

http://etna.mcot.net

Monika Strasser , chefSekretärin, thailand-urlauberin

2005-01-08T18:48:00.000+07:00

Ich werde meinen Urlaub sehr bald wieder in Thailand verbringen. Spätestens im November. Ich kenne sehr viele Leute in Phuket. Die Einheimischen dort sind fleißige und tüchtige Menschen. Die kennen kein Wochenende und arbeiten so lange sie können. Daher weiß ich auch, dass sie mit ihrem Willen die Spuren der Katastrophe bald wieder beseitigen werden.
Solidarität gegenüber den Thailändern bedeutet für mich auch, im Katastrophengebiet Urlaub zu machen.
Nach der Flutwelle sind in dieser großen Region natürlich viele Arbeitsplätze gefährdet. Kommt der Tourismus wieder zum Laufen, erledigt sich das Problem von selber.
Ich freue mich schon sehr auf den Urlaub bei meinen Freunden.

http://www.nachrichten.at

Thailändisches Fremdenverkehrsamt

2005-01-08T17:47:00.000+07:00

Die Situation in Thailand ist nicht mit den anderen betroffenen Ländern vergleichbar.
Es gibt keine Seuchengefahr, keine Trinkwasser- oder Lebensmittelknappheit.
Weiters gibt es genügend Ausweichmöglichkeiten an Badeorten wie zum Beispiel Koh Samui, Hua Hin, Pattaya oder Koh Chang. Aber auch in Phuket oder Krabi beginnt sich die Lage wieder zu normalisieren.
Man sollte den Einheimischen in diesen Regionen nach dieser schrecklichen menschlichen Tragödie nicht auch noch die Lebensgrundlage entziehen.
Kathrin Geiszler leitet das für Österreich, Kroatien und Slowenien zuständige Thailändische Fremdenverkehrsamt in Wien.

http://www.nachrichten.at

Das Urlaubs-Service für Südost-Asien

2005-01-08T10:15:00.000+07:00

Ab 12. Jänner fliegt TUI wieder auf die Malediven, ab Februar auch nach Phuket und Sri Lanka. Kostenlose Umbuchungen in Südostasiens Krisengebieten für die Zeit bis zum 31. Oktober sind bis spätestens 31. Jänner möglich.
Jumbo empfiehlt folgende Ziele, die von der Flut völlig verschont geblieben sind, als Alternativen: Thailand: Hua Hin, Cha Am, Pattaya, Jomtien, Koh Samui, Koh Chang, Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Nangyan;
Malaysia: Langkawi, Penang, Pangkor;
Indonesien: Bali, Lombok;
Philippinen: Boracay, Cenu, Badian Island.
Die Bedingungen für kostenlose Umbuchungen bzw. Stornos (Stand vom 3. Jänner):
TUI/GTT: Umbuchung oder Storno für Colombo (Sri Lanka) bis 31. Jänner, für die Malediven bis 16. Jänner.
Thomas Cook/Neckermann: Für die Malediven bis 16., für Sri Lanka bis 31. Jänner, für Phuket bis 30. April.
Dertour/Meier's: Umbuchung oder Storno für Phuket, Phi Phi, Krabi, Koh Lanta und Sri Lanka bis 31. Jänner, für Khao Lak bis 31. Oktober. Bei Reisen nach Phuket, Phi Phi, Krabi, Koh Lanta und Sri Lanka mit Reiseantritt bis 15. März ist Umbuchen möglich, Umbuchung für Malediven 16. Jänner.
Tai Pan: Storno mit Reiseantritt bis 31. Jänner für Sri Lanka, Phuket und Krabi, kostenlose Umbuchung bis 15. März. Für Phi Phi und Khao Lak Storno bis 15. März, Umbuchung bis 31. Oktober. Für Malediven Umbuchung bzw. Storno bis 16. Jänner, danach wird einzeln für jede Insel entschieden.
Jumbo Touristik: Alle für 2005 gebuchten Reisen nach Khao Lak werden kostenlos storniert oder umgebucht. Für Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta, Phi Phi Island und Sri Lanka Storno bis 31. Jänner, Umbuchen bis 15. März, aber nur, wenn die Umbuchung bis 17. Jänner einlangt. Für Malediven Storno und Umbuchen bis 16. Jänner.

http://www.nachrichten.at

Airports of Thailand Expects Over 10% Rev Growth In FY 05

2005-01-08T07:17:00.000+07:00

BANGKOK (Dow Jones)--State-owned Airports of Thailand PCL (AOT.TH) expects to record an increase in revenue of more than 10% for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, thanks to the popularity of low-cost airlines and an increase in landing fees, a senior company executive said Friday.
Airports of Thailand posted total revenue of THB14.46 billion in the previous fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2004.
Any effect from the Asian tsunami on the company's performance will likely be minimal despite the waiving of landing fees for aircraft carrying out relief flights, although the actual impact on passenger arrivals at its airports has yet to be assessed, Acting President Bancha Pattanaporn told reporters.
The company has, since the beginning of this year, raised its landing fees by 20% and is expected to further increase them by 15% in the future, he said.
Landing fees currently average between THB5,000 to THB50,000 per flight, depending on the weight of the aircraft.
Bancha expects passenger arrivals at Bangkok Airport, the country's major airport, to rise to 39 million this fiscal year from 36.3 million in fiscal 2004.
Airports of Thailand operates five airports nationwide.

http://sg.biz.yahoo.com

Thailand 'back in business' after tsunami disaster

2005-01-08T07:09:00.000+07:00

Authorities in Indonesia have discovered 4,000 new bodies, bringing the death toll from the tsunami in Asia and Africa to nearly 150,000, while UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan toured Sumatra island to witness the devastation and the massive relief effort.
Twelve days after the tsunami hit, cleanup along some of Thailand’s coastline was almost finished and tour operators said they were eager to get back to business.Sunbathers were on the beach, while others threw frisbees and played in the sea.But relief workers were still trying to come to terms with the scale of the December 26 earthquake and killer waves that hit 11 nations.
With tens of thousands and still missing and threatened by disease, the UN said the number of dead would keep climbing.“I think we have to be aware that very, very many of the victims have been swept away and many, many will not reappear,” UN humanitarian chief Jan Egeland said in New York. “The 150,000 dead figure is a very low figure. It will be much bigger.”Hardest hit was Sumatra, which was closest to the 9.0 magnitude quake, where all of Indonesia’s some 100,000 death’s occurred. The country increased its toll by 19,106 today, but later revised the number down to 4,289, saying a miscommunication had led to the mix-up.Annan and World Bank President James Wolfensohn flew over the island’s devastated west coast in a Singaporean helicopter and then drove through the main town of Banda Aceh.
Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi also flew in to survey the damage.“It’s a tragic event. We’ve seen miles and miles of destroyed shoreline,” Annan told reporters in Meulaboh, a town on Sumatra’s west coast. “I was shocked by the water destruction.”Annan’s visit came after he attended a summit of world leaders in Jakarta yesterday on how to turn one of history’s largest-ever aid packages – nearly €4bn (€3bn) in pledges – into food for the hungry and shelter for the homeless.The UN chief urged nations to come up immediately with their promised aid, and to break with past practices of pledging much and delivering little.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Colin Powell arrived in Sri Lanka, where more than 30,000 people died, to inspect tsunami-devastated areas and hold talks on relief efforts with the government.
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw was on the Thai island of Phuket to get a firsthand glimpse of what used to be a top holiday destination for Britons and talk to people still searching for missing loved ones.Others were looking to the future, with cleanup on Thai beaches almost complete.“It’s amazing how fast things have gone back to normal. The Thais have done a brilliant job of organizing disaster efforts and getting things cleaned up,” said Peter Elsey, 48, an English tourist who lives in Singapore and owns a house in Phuket.
In Indonesia, some aid officials were reviewing their security precautions after the arrival of a radical Islamic group.The group, Laskar Mujahidin, which was allegedly involved in Muslim-Christian fighting in another part of Indonesia between 1999 and 2001, has set up a relief camp – but said it was only there to help.“We are not here to fight. We’ve come to help. We’ve got no problem with the foreigners as long as they have no hidden agenda,” said Salman Alfarizi, the leader of the group’s 80 members deployed to Sumatra.

http://212.2.162.45

Central Hotels & Resorts launches New Village Concept

2005-01-07T13:05:00.000+07:00

Central Hotels & Resorts has launched its new Village resort Concept at their Central Karon Village, Phuket and Central Samui Village, Samui hotels.
"The Village resort aims to offer a timeless vacation experience within an oasis of relaxation and privacy. The natural atmosphere, complimented with competitive pricing and friendly services, creates the perfect holiday environment. In order to achieve this objective, we have created unique concept services, which are now ready to launch, in the meantime both Villages have completed a refurbishment recently even though they have just opened in June 2000", said Chris Bailey, Vice President, Central Hotels & Resorts.
These Village Resort concept services include
* Personalized check-in in the lounge area including escort to Villa, GM’s welcome letter, drink and cold towels on arrival.
* Upgrades to breakfast service.
* New poolside services offering twice daily complimentary trays of cut tropical fruits, cold water and cool towels.
* Turn-down service.
* New management reception with "happy-hour" style drinks.
* Upgrade of villas to incorporate a more Thai-Style feel including soft furnishings and decorative items.
* All rooms now offer tea and coffee making facilities, in-room safe and hairdryer as standard.
* Complimentary late check out for all guests until 6.00 p.m. subject to room availability.
"Our concept is to provide an even warmer guest experience linked with a unique Thai flavour." Chris Bailey added.
http://www.asiatraveltips.com

Thais stay positive amid tragedy

2005-01-07T11:19:00.000+07:00

Upset and disoriented people waved flags to get help in Bangkok as Massey University deputy vice-chancellor Ian Warrington arrived in Thailand on December 27.
He landed at Bangkok International Airport a day after a tsunami caused death and destruction in southern Asia.
Professor Warrington, the Manawatu Standard's Person of the Year for 2004, knew of the Boxing Day tsunami before he left New Zealand, but decided to press ahead with his holiday.
He had been planning to stay at Phuket - one of the worst-hit areas in south-west Thailand - but opted for Hua Hin on the eastern coast instead.
His first impression of Thailand was of "organised chaos".
He had a closer look at the devastation on New Year's Day, when he travelled to a resort near Krabi.
At the peak of the tourism season, the undamaged resort was almost deserted, apart from facilities being used to help injured people from Phi Phi Island.
The desertion by tourists was one of the most disappointing aspects of the tsunami disaster for local people, he said.
Prof Warrington said it was fascinating to watch them repair about 50 longtail boats. Another 50 were unsalvagable.
He said foreigners were impressed by how the Thais got stuck in and dealt with the crisis.
He suggested their Buddhist faith helped and said their overall mood was positive.
Prof Warrington said Thai footage of the disaster was more graphic than images shown on CNN.
Quick progress was initially made in the clean-up, but identification of bodies would take much longer, he said.
Dry ice was being used to preserve bodies in the tropical heat.
Prof Warrington will deliver a presentation in Thailand on January 17 showing how Massey can offer postgraduate training to international students.
He will also meet his son in Vietnam, before returning to New Zealand later this month.
Prof Warrington said he was surprised, amazed and overwhelmed to be named the Manawatu Standard's Person of the Year.
* Prime Minister Helen Clark yesterday defended the way developed countries responded to the tsunami disaster, and said assessing the extent of the devastation took time.
"I think countries began to step up their response as the scale of it became apparent, and I don't think anyone is due for criticism," she said from Jakarta.
http://www.stuff.co.nz

Southern Thailand's tourism business hit hard by tsunami

2005-01-07T06:41:00.000+07:00

Digging out from the destruction of the December 26 tsunami at his beachfront hotel, Swiss-German businessman Forti Schmid estimated it would cost him at least 60,000 dollars to rebuild
Like many small and medium businesses in the popular Patong Beach resort, Schmid had no insurance to cover his losses. Many of these businesses are seeing no income for now, and yet are faced with uncertainty over how soon the tourism traffic will rebound.
"The order of the day now is, everyone help out your own self," Schmid said, as workers swept out the debris and reinstalled electricity in the Thai Friend House - a hotel, restaurant and dive shop.
Large and small businesses serving Thailand's huge tourism industry are suffering. The government estimates the reduced number of visitors will shave 1.3 per cent off the country's gross domestic product this year, said Amara Sriphayak, director of the central bank's monetary policy department. The industry accounts for about 6 per cent of the total economy, or nearly 10 billion dollars. The government and many tourists themselves reacted quickly to change destinations from the ravaged southwest coast to other parts of the country.
Resorts on the unaffected eastern Gulf of Thailand coast were reporting an excess of tourists to some beaches and islands, where some ended up sleeping outside for lack of rooms. Inland tourist destinations were reporting huge surges in business, and bus and railway lines were running at full capacity.
Sontaya Kunplome, the Sport and Tourism minister, said the number of tourists declined about 25 per cent since the tragedy. He said the ministry will ask the cabinet to approve a 325 million dollar budget for restoration of hotels and others businesses.
Along Phuket's Patong Beach, frantic cleanup and reconstruction activity are already seen throughout the densely built-up resort, which features one of the areas most placid bays.
"It will take at least six months for things to get back to normal around here, but nobody has any idea how much tourism will come back here," said Ram Buhadu, a Nepalese tailor who has seen his business fall off 70 per cent.
The harshest effect will likely be felt by the innumerable low-paid employees of tens of thousands of small businesses that service the tourism trade. Many cafes, bars, and retail shops that were not ruined sat empty, as listless employees idly whiled the day away.
"What's the problem? The problem here is that I have no customers," said Nancy Tacharracharkit, in her empty restaurant, bar and 12-room guesthouse that would normally be overflowing during the high season.
But she said a bigger problem was the human and economic cost for poor workers. Her brother owned two hotels on the devastated island of Phi Phi, where 60 employees perished.
"That is a real tragedy, and we have to take care of their families, because we can not just give them some money and walk away," she said. "There are children who have lost their mothers and fathers, and we believe in karma and good works."
Some hard-hit areas, especially the totally devastated popular Khao Lak resort in neighbouring Phang Nga province, will require many years to recover from the disaster.
But in spite of the problems and bad publicity circling the world, some hardy tourists refused to be deterred from their holidays in the tropical Andaman Sea paradise.
Werner Stapf, a regular visitor to Thailand from Stuttgart, Germany, arrived in Patong just two days ago, and planned to spend three weeks more.
"I always come to Thailand, sometimes three or four times a year, and I will keep on coming because this is a beautiful place," he said.
Stapf had confirmed his travel plans by calling a friend who was already in Patong, Hermann Mueller of Frankfurt.
"He told me it was okay to come, so I came," Stapf said, noting that the flight from Germany to Bangkok was fully booked.
Mueller was in a bank changing money when the water rushed inside, destroying everything while customers and employees sought refuge on the roof.
"I lost my passport and credit card in the water, but when I came back the next day I found them," he said. "I don't know if the bank found all of its money, though."

http://www6.lexisnexis.com

Le Meridien Khao Lak aims for November 2005 re-opening

2005-01-05T20:45:00.000+07:00

The Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort and Le Méridien Khao Lak Beach & Spa Resort are the only two Le Méridien properties in Thailand to have been heavily affected by the Tsunami Disaster. Both properties are currently closed.
After conducting an assessment of both properties, the luxury hotel operator has ascertained that the damages caused will require substantial repairs.
Current reservations from the two hotels have been re-directed to either Le Royal Méridien Phuket Yacht Club or to other hotels.
Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort and Le Méridien Khao Lak Beach & Spa Resort is offering guests and tour operators either a waiver of cancellation penalty or switching pre-paid deposits to credit notes for future reservations, for booking made up till 31 March and 31 October 2005 respectively.
Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort and Le Méridien Khao Lak Beach & Spa Resort anticipate re-opening no earlier than 1 April and November 2005 respectively.
The group's other hotels in locations affected across the region reported no injuries or damage, namely Le Royal Méridien Baan Taling Ngam, Koh Samui, Le Méridien Nirwana Golf & Spa Resort, Bali, Le Méridien Fisherman’s Cove, Seychelles and Le Méridien Ile Maurice, Mauritius. Le Méridien properties in India have not been affected.
http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news05/51-KhaoLak.shtml

Maritime Park and Spa Resort and Pakasai Resort in Krabi fully operational

2005-01-05T20:39:00.000+07:00

The Maritime Park and Spa Resort and the Pakasai Resort, both in Krabi, Southern Thailand have reported that both properties are fine and no damage was caused to the resorts or to their guests by the recent devastating Tsunamis.
The Maritime Park and Spa Resort on the river bank of Krabi and 20 kilometers from the nearest beach, is supporting the Krabi Government by offering its own conference building as a Rescue and Return center for Tsunami victims. The resort has more than 300 tourists registered at the center and most of them have been sent home through support from Thai Airways, Bangkok Air and Phuket Air.
The resort continues to welcome guests and is in full operation, with facilities available as normal.
The Pakasai Resort is located on the hilly side of Ao Nang beach area and was safe from the Tsunami waves. The resort and its facilities are operating as normal and the newly opened Adora Spa is even fully booked most days by people looking for relaxing treatments or therapies.

Thailand kämpft um jeden Urlauber

2005-01-05T07:08:00.000+07:00

Die Tourismus-Branche im Süden Thailands kämpft ums Überleben

- und klammert sich an jeden Strohhalm der Hoffnung. So kann es wohl kaum verwundern, dass der Chef eines großen Tourveranstalters in Bangkok höchstpersönlich in die Tastatur greift und Rund-Mails versendet, in denen er die frohe Botschaft eines "Cleansing Effect" verkündet. Demnach hat das Phuket Royal Irrigation Project festgestellt, dass die Wucht der Tsunami-Wellen die Strände so gereinigt hat, dass deren Sand nun in der Schönheit wie vor 20 Jahren erstrahlt. Und wer das nicht zu glauben vermag, kann sich mit aktuellen Internet-Fotos von Phukets Hauptstrand Patong glattweg selbst davon überzeugen.
Doch auch in vielen Medienberichten wird immer mehr Bizarres veröffentlicht. Nachdem in Deutschland tagelang Bilder der Opfer und der Verwüstungen gezeigt worden sind, nehmen Fotografen und Reporter jetzt verstärkt die verbliebenen Urlauber ins Visier - und das meist mit kritischem Tenor. Ein "beliebtes" Fotomotiv sind zumeist dickbäuchige Ausländer in Badehose, die sich vor der Kulisse der Zerstörung mit kühlen Drinks in der Hand präsentieren - gerade so, als wenn sie auf die Katastrophe anstoßen wollten. Damit soll offenbar das Bild des hässlichen Urlaubers erzeugt werden, der im Flutgebiet ums Goldene Kalb tanzt. Und manche Touristen bedienen gern noch dieses Klischee, indem sie sich in der jetzigen Situation noch leidenschaftlich über Servicemängel aufregen.
Viele Einheimische, die in der Krisenregion bisher vom Tourismus gelebt haben, können noch gar nicht abschätzen, welche Auswirkungen die Schock-Bilder und ein drohender Urlauber-Boykott bedeuten. Vielerorts wird der Ernst der Lage noch herunter gespielt - zumal die jetzige Ausschüttung der Dezember-Gehälter leicht darüber hinwegtäuscht. Insgesamt scheint Phukets Bevölkerung, die im letzten Jahr fast vier Millionen Touristen begrüßte, auf das Prinzip Hoffnung zu setzen - zumal mehrere, renommierte Urlauber-Strände in Gemeinschafts-Aktionen schnell wieder hergerichtet werden konnten und offenbar nicht einmal zehn Prozent der Hotelzimmer zerstört worden sind.
Dennoch ist den Flutwellen bereits eine Welle der Stornierungen gefolgt - und die Flucht aus dem Ex-Paradies in vollem Gange. Viele Urlauber jedoch wechseln einfach nur die Küste und lassen überraschend die Seebäder Hua Hin oder Pattaya und vor allem die Palmen-Insel Koh Samui boomen. Dort treffen nun jeden Tag um die 30000 Touristen ein, obwohl insgesamt nur etwa 13000 Betten zur Verfügung stehen. Die Hotels wurden aufgefordert, Zelte auf den Strand zu stellen und für angemessene Preise zu vermieten.
Thailands Premierminister Thaksin Shinawatra kämpft derweil werbewirksam um jeden Touristen, um ihn zum Bleiben auf Phuket zu bewegen. So erklärte der Regierungschef, dem arrogantes Verhalten nachgesagt wird, westlichen Urlaubern am beliebten Surin-Strand gestenreich die geplante Wiederauferstehung des einstigen Urlauber-Paradieses.
Volker Klinkmüller, Bangkok
http://www.lvz-online.de/aktuell/ar.html?p=/aktuell/content/152758.html

Herforder erbittet Asien-Hilfe

2005-01-05T07:02:00.000+07:00

Antoine Schürmann lebt in Thailand

Für umgerechnet drei Euro ein Kind einkleiden

Herford (bag). "Jeder kennt Leute, die gestorben sind" – dieser Satz hallt schweigend nach. Antoine Schürmann spricht ihn am Telefon, ein 35-jähriger Herforder, der seit sechs Jahren in Thailand lebt und um Hilfe für zwei Kinder einer befreundeten Familie in Khao Lak bittet, deren Eltern umgekommen sind. Schürmann will "echte, sichtbare Hilfe leisten". Er selbst ist von der Flutkatastrophe nicht betroffen. Er lebt 230 Kilometer südlich von Bangkok an der Ostküste Thailands in der Stadt Hua Hin, mit 60.000 Einwohnern etwa so groß wie Herford. Fünf Jahre hat er als Reiseleiter für große Touristik-Unternehmen gearbeitet, im September 2003 machte er sich mit einem eigenen Reisebüro selbstständig – und wird so zum Profiteur der Katastrophe. Er selbst formuliert es so. Gerade deshalb will er auch helfen. Mehr als 1.000 Mails, Anfragen von Urlaubern nach Transfers und Umbuchungen von der Krisenregion an die Ostküste, sind seit dem 2. Weihnachtstag bei ihm eingegangen. Auch Interessenten für den kommenden Sommer sind dabei. Das Geschäft boomt. "Aber ich kann hier doch nicht in Thailand sitzen und Geld verdienen und ein paar hundert Kilometer weiter haben die Leute kein Trinkwasser", sagt der Herforder, dessen Mutter Elisabeth Schürmann die Gaststätte "Zum Spitz" betreibt.

Antoine Schürmann weiß, dass er nicht die "Welt retten", aber echte, sichtbare Hilfe leisten kann für die beiden verwaisten Jungen. Dafür sucht er Unterstützung aus seiner alten Heimatstadt. "Es wäre sehr schön, wenn ihr dazu beitragen könntet, das thailändische Lächeln wieder zurück zu bringen", schreibt er in einer Mail. Und weiter heißt es darin: "Ein Euro sind 52 Thai Baht. Davon kann man schon eine Person hier einen ganzen Tag versorgen. Und für drei Euro hat man ein Kind komplett eingekleidet."Mit der Bitte um Spenden verbindet Schürmann auch einen Appell an die Herforder: "Macht weiter Urlaub in dieser Region. Die meisten hier leben vom Tourismus. Wenn der jetzt ausbleibt, sind viele doppelt gestraft." Wer helfen möchte, kann sich auf der Internetseite unter www.huahin-tourist-information.com (deutsch: http://www.huahin-tourist-information.de) informieren oder sich mit der NW, Tel. 591-50, in Verbindung setzen.

Tui: Tourismusboykott in Thailand wäre Fehler

2005-01-04T07:30:00.000+07:00

Nach der Flutwelle buchen viele Tui-Kunden von Thailand auf andere Ziele um. Der Konzern hofft nun, dass Urlauber das Land nicht völlig meiden.

Wegen des Seebebens in Südasien gehen bei dem Reisekonzern Tui jeden Tag einige hundert Stornierungs- und Umbuchungswünsche ein. Die meisten Kunden würden auf Ziele in der Karibik, in Mexiko, auf den Kanaren und in Ägypten ausweichen, sagte ein Sprecher des Reisekonzerns der Netzeitung.
Es sei jedoch zu hoffen, dass Thailand nicht völlig von Touristen gemieden werde, sagte er. Schließlich seien die Feriengebiete im Osten des Landes nicht von der Naturkatastrophe betroffen. Ein Tourismusboykott wäre ein großer Fehler.
Die Malediven, die von der Flut weniger betroffen sind als zunächst angenommen, steuert Tui inzwischen wieder an. Zwei Drittel der Inseln seien intakt, so der Sprecher. Reisen auf die thailändische Insel Phuket und nach Sri Lanka würden voraussichtlich wieder ab Ende Januar angeboten. Der Konzern werde nur Angebote ins Programm nehmen, bei denen es keine Leistungseinbußen gebe.

Reiseboom im Osten Thailands
Die thailändischen Tourismusbehörden geben sich zuversichtlich. Viele ausländische Urlauber seien zum Jahreswechsel auf Regionen ausgewichen, die nicht von der Flutkatastrophe betroffen seien.
Auf der Insel Koh Samui im Golf von Thailand etwa würden zurzeit deutlich höhere Gästezahlen registriert, sagte der Chef des örtlichenTourismusamts, Phanu Voramit.
Täglich kämen bis zu 35.000 Touristen per Flugzeug oder Fähre auf der Insel an, hieß es. Viele von ihnen könnten nur am Strand schlafen, da die 13.000 Betten auf Koh Samui längst ausgebucht seien. Die Behörden rieten den Hotels deshalb, zusätzliche Schlafplätze in Zelten zur Verfügung zu stellen.
Auch die Hotels im Badeort Pattaya war zu Silvester und Neujahr gut ausgelastet. (nz)

http://www.netzeitung.de/reise/319415.html

Thailand's 'pearl' struggles to regain luster

2005-01-04T07:11:00.000+07:00

See more of the world that matters - click here for home delivery of the International Herald Tribune.
Tsunamis have caused lasting damage to tourist haven's shining reputation

When Craig Smith surveys the JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, he sees more than an unchanged tableau of tropical palms and white canvas beach umbrellas. He sees his occupancy rate dropping like a stone: from 100 percent on Christmas Day, to 50 percent one week after to the tsunami, to 38 percent this week.
."When Colin Powell comes here Tuesday, I hope the television reports will pick up that 75 percent of Phuket's beaches are normal, that 90 percent of the hotel rooms are open," the Marriott general manager said, hoping to rescue some of his peak season.
.The visit here Tuesday of the U.S. secretary of state and Jeb Bush, the governor of Florida, is expected to focus on how the United States can help Thailand's top resort destination get back on its feet. Low-interest loans will be needed for the hotels and shops destroyed by the massive tsunamis of Dec. 26. But hoteliers and business owners hope that the high-profile American visit will give foreign tourists a highly visible endorsement that Phuket is once again safe for vacationers.
.Marketed as Thailand's "Pearl of the South," this once obscure teardrop-shaped island has become a major international destination, drawing direct flights from 13 Asian and European cities. With five daily flights from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur and a British-run international school, Dulwich International School, some expatriate executives have started a commuter lifestyle, leaving their families every Monday morning for a 90-minute shuttle flight and returning Friday afternoon. With daily direct flights from Frankfurt, northern Europeans have become major buyers of vacation and retirement homes here.
.Until the tsunamis hit, Thai tourism was expanding at a steady clip, strengthening its role in the country's economy. After 10 million tourists in 2003, foreign arrivals hit 6.5 million during the first half of 2004, a 27 percent jump over the same period in 2003.
."A real estate agent friend has gotten about five calls asking if there is a fire sale," said Peter Notley, the British sales manager for about 40 condominiums and villas in the Kata beach area. "Every sensible person realizes that this is a one-off thing and that Phuket will recover rather quickly."
.Larry Cunningham, managing director of Phuket One Real Estate, moved into a brand-new beachfront office on Christmas Day, only to see the new office and computer files wiped out by the tsunamis 24 hours later. But the water damaged only a handful of the 1,000 properties he represents for sale or rent. Limiting damage, most new properties built here conform to a law establishing setbacks of about 135 meters, or 450 feet, from the shoreline.
."It was a one-in-a-million situation," Cunningham said Sunday of the tsunamis. "Phuket will certainly recover fast as it has much better infrastructure than other areas hit."
.In an indication of Thailand's determination to bring back Phuket, Thaksin Shinawatra, the country's prime minister, visited Sunday, promising aid for the island, which is believed to have Thailand's highest per-capita income.
.The Bank of Thailand has approved nearly $1 billion in low-interest loans to tsunami victims and the government has pledged to give another $800 million in grants to affected people and businesses. International hotel chains are expected to tap into foreign credit lines and insurance coverage for interruption of business.
."Rebuild it and they will come" was the headline of The Phuket Gazette editorial that greeted the prime minister on his tour here. Instead of living "in fear of tidal waves, asteroid impacts and other events over which we have no control," the weekly newspaper urged readers to clean up and rebuild, "making Phuket an even better place than it was before the disaster struck."
.The prime minister, sometimes criticized for his authoritarian ways, told reporters that damaged coastal areas should be rebuilt in a more attractive way, obeying setback regulations.
."The most urgent priority is not the big five-star hotels, but the smaller hotels, the ones where tourists feel a connection," Sean Boonpracong, professor of Southeast studies at Chulalongkorn University, said Sunday.
.Despite the investment plans, southern Thailand is bracing for a short, sharp business downturn for the second half of its peak season. Eighty percent of all real-estate sales in Phuket are made between November and February.
.About 90 percent of Phuket's hotel rooms are intact, but hotel bookings are suffering from the devastation of two nearby resort areas, the Phi Phi islands and Khao Lak, a nature reserve. The biggest tsunamis in at least a century flattened these two resorts, killing thousands of foreign tourists.
."My parents want me to come home now, but it is very cold, very windy in Norway," Ben Berntsen, 28, an oil tanker seaman, said as he relaxed in shorts and a T-shirt at a sidewalk café about 40 meters from the wrecked buildings of Patong. "I don't think it will happen for another 50 years, so I am not scared."
.Nearby, at the Baan Sukhothai Hotel & Spa, Rujirapa Pornmanee, a manager, walked through the hotel's tropical gardens, complete with goldfish ponds and swimming pool. Everything looked like the color photos in the hotel's glossy brochures. She had sent letters, e-mails and photographs by e-mail, "but the Japanese keep canceling."
.Phuket's largest entertainment complex, Phuket Fantasea, was barely touched. Nevertheless, it expects a 50 percent drop in its normal winter season daily flow of 3,000 to 6,000 visitors, about 40 percent of them foreigners, The Nation newspaper reported.
.While some tourists have stayed, some have moved to different part of Thailand. Seats are hard to find on Bangkok Air's new direct flights from here, across the Gulf of Thailand, to the untouched beach resort of Pattaya. To minimize economic damage, Thai and foreign officials stress that most tourist destinations in Thailand are unaffected.
."The great majority of Thailand is exactly as it was before the disaster," Edward Wehrli, consul general at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, said Saturday.
.On the macroeconomic level, the huge outpouring of American concern and aid for Thailand could translate into support in Washington for a free- trade agreement between the two countries. Last summer, a free-trade pact with Australia sailed through the U.S. Congress, helped in large part by congressional gratitude for Australian military support in Iraq.
."A free-trade agreement with Thailand makes sense for the U.S. and Thailand on its own merits," Alexander Arvizu, the deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Thailand, said while touring Phuket on Saturday. "I hope these tragic events will highlight that we are serious partners."

Reisen statt spenden

2005-01-02T06:42:00.000+07:00

Mancher Thailand-Urlauber bleibt bewusst im Land, um so zu helfen
Von Volker Klinkmüller

Das Bild vom Traumurlaub unter Palmen ist für viele derzeit nur noch schwer erträglich. Deshalb zählen auf deutschen Flughäfen in diesen Tagen nicht nur Rückkehrer, Angehörige und Rettungskräfte zu den begehrtesten Interview-Partnern, sondern auch Urlauber, die trotz allem in Richtung Katastrophengebiet abheben wollen. Angesichts der ungeheuerlichen Fotos und Filmaufnahmen von den Verwüstungen, Verletzten und Leichenbergen am Strand erscheint es zunächst verwunderlich bis befremdlich, dass es Mitmenschen gibt, die sich noch zur Erholung und Entspannung nach Südostasien aufmachen wollen.
Doch dort unten werden sie sehnsüchtig erwartet – zum Beispiel in der Metropole Bangkok, im Norden Thailands und vor allem auch in den zahlreichen Badezielen der Golfküste, die gänzlich unberührt geblieben sind von der Zerstörung. Menschen, die Urlaub machen, wollen unbeschwert sein – und ihre Stimmung nicht von Einheimischen in Not drücken lassen. Wer trotz der erschütternden Bilder nach Südostasien reist, hat nicht nur gemischte Gefühle, sondern zumeist auch gute Gründe: Viele haben den Urlaub schon lange geplant und gebucht, kennen das Land und die Menschen, wissen also, was sie erwartet. Andere wollen unbedingt schon lange im Land lebende Freunde und Bekannte besuchen.
Und gibt es auch Touristen, die ihre Asien-Reise – nur wenige Tage nach der Katastrophe – ganz bewusst antreten, weil sie es als einen Akt der Solidarität oder gar als Alternative zu einer einfachen Geldspende für die in Not geratenen Regionen verstehen. Mitunter wird sogar auf das Beispiel von Alt- Bundeskanzler Helmut Kohl verwiesen, der sich trotz der Katastrophe nicht hatte aus seinem Ayurveda-Urlaub auf Sri Lanka evakuieren lassen.
„Wir haben derzeit noch eine Auslastungs-Quote von 70 Prozent“, sagt Hajo von Keller als Besitzer des „Mangosteen“-Hotels auf Phuket, das auf einem Hügel liegt und von der Katastrophe völlig unberührt geblieben ist. Die meisten seiner Gäste, für die er sobeben einen Restposten neuer Sonnenschirme erstehen konnte, gingen inzwischen wieder an den Strand, erzählt der Hotelchef. Einige besuchten auch abends die Vorführungen der bereits wieder eröffneten „FantaSea“-Show. Am Silvestertag konnte er sogar zehn neue Gäste begrüßen, die ihre Thailand-Reise nicht storniert hatten.
„Entscheidend für uns hier auf der Insel ist“, betont der 42-jährige Deutsche, „dass die Medien in Zukunft zwischen Phuket und Khao Lak, das es ja wirklich ganz grausam erwischt hat, differenzieren können.“ Davon werde es abhängen, in welchem Ausmaß es für das Frühjahr zu Stornierungen kommen – und ob sich das Geschäft fortsetzen lassen werde. Auf Koh Chang indes – nach Phuket die zweitgrößte Insel des Landes und im völlig unbetroffenen Golf von Thailand gelegen – wird erwartet, dass sich die Katastrophe kaum auf den Besucherstrom auswirkt. „Sicherlich werden nun etliche Touristen von ihren Thailand-Reisen zurücktreten“, meint James Brunner. „Doch diese Lücken dürften durch diejenigen ausgeglichen werden, die eigentlich an der Andamanen-See urlauben wollten.“ Die ersten Touristen aus dem Süden seien bereits – zum Teil sogar mit leichten Verletzungen – in seinem 80-Zimmer-Hotel „Plaloma Cliff Resort“ eingecheckt. „Und aus Deutschland haben sich nun schon mehrere Reiseveranstalter angesagt, die hier neue Hotel-Kapazitäten ausloten wollen“, berichtet uns der 49-jährige Schweizer.
Trotz aller Zeichen der Hoffnung befürchtet Thailands Tourismus-Minister Sonthaya Khunpluem, dass im Jahr 2005 als „Worst-Case-Scenario“ rund 3,2 Millionen (etwa ein Viertel) weniger ausländische Besucher nach Thailand kommen könnten.
Das jedoch würde seiner Einschätzung nach rund 200 000 der insgesamt rund drei Millionen Arbeitsplätze in der Tourismusindustrie des Königreichs gefährden.
Die Einnahmen aus dem Tourismus machten zwar landesweit nur etwa sechs Prozent des Bruttosozial-Produkts aus, doch sei der durchschnittliche Anteil in den jeweils betroffenen Provinzen weitaus höher. Hier gebe es für die Menschen nur Fischfang, etwas Landwirtschaft und eben der Fremdenverkehr.
Auch Zahlen für den Schäden von Hotels auf Koh Phi Phi (rund 4000 Zimmer) und in Khao Lak (etwa 6000 Zimmer) wurden bereits errechnet: Die staatliche Tourismus-Behörde TAT schätzt die Kosten für diese beiden am schlimmsten betroffenen Urlaubs-Destinationen auf insgesamt 12,8 Milliarden Baht (250 Millionen Euro).

http://www.tagesspiegel.de/reise/index.asp

Venus arrives, ready for Sharapova showdown

2005-01-01T14:46:00.000+07:00

World number nine Venus Williams arrived in Chiang Mai yesterday and declared she is looking forward to her exhibition match against Maria Sharapova today.
American Williams started practising right away in the searing heat on the centre court of Chiang Mai's 700 Year Stadium to prepare for the TAT Tennis Invitation 2005 match.Venus, who arrived with her mother for her first visit to the Kingdom, said she was extremely pleased to be in Thailand.
''I heard from many people that Chiang Mai is a very beautiful city and I hope to go sightseeing,'' she said. ''I am happy to be here.''Venus is staying at Mandarin Oriental Darathewee hotel while in Chiang Mai.
Russian Sharapova, who is ranked fourth in the world, visited Hua Hin yesterday to promote tourism before travelling on to Chiang Mai.
Sharapova will play Williams in a two-set match today at 3pm, in a game which will be shown live on Channel 7 and Star Sports.
It will be followed by a one-set doubles match featuring Sharapova and Tamarine Tanasugarn against Williams and Suchanan Viratprasert.

Tourists start changing routes

2005-01-01T06:07:00.000+07:00

Hotel operators report shortage of vacancies
Nondhanada Intarakomalyasut, Sujintana Hemtasilpa & Boonsong Kositchotethana

The tsunami has created extra demand for hotels and travel services at Thai destinations other than the six affected southern provinces from which tourist traffic is being diverted.Hotels in places such as Chiang Mai, Koh Samui and Bangkok are seeing a shortage of rooms as many of their guests, who had planned to spend part of their holidays in the southern resorts, have decided to extend their stays.
At the same time, many recent arrivals from abroad have been diverted from the South.However, many properties are finding it difficult to accommodate more demand as they were already at or close to full capacity before the disaster occurred.Meanwhile, traffic to the South has fallen markedly, with many travellers seeking northern destinations instead.There have been complaints from travel agents that some unscrupulous hotel operators in non-affected areas, such as Koh Samui, had exploited the tragedy by raising their room rates, said Chatri Tangtienkul, managing director of World Planet International, a leading travel company.''But not all the hotels on Koh Samui have increased the rates. Most have decent consciences and have maintained rates as usual,'' he cautioned.
Michael Holehouse, chairman of the Thai Hotel Association's Koh Samui chapter, told the Bangkok Post yesterday that there was ''some'' extra demand for hotels on the island. ''There is unlikely to be any enormous increase. Most of us here looked very busy through April, well before the disaster happened,'' he said.
There are about 9,000 hotels rooms on Koh Samui, with about 2,000 to 3,000 of international standard.Mr Chatri noted that most tour programmes for January and February had already been cancelled and the tourism industry in Thailand, particularly on the Andaman coast, was expected to be sluggish for a long time.
Many of the foreign tourists who had booked holidays in Phuket and Phangnga were upmarket travellers or families who have switched to Hua Hin or Cha-Am, rather than going to Pattaya which they regard as too crowded and frenetic.
Montri Teedee, vice-chairman of the Korean Guides Association, said the number of Korean tourists to Thailand could fall to between 200,000 and 300,000 next year from the projection of 400,000.Over the next six months, he said, the number of arrivals from around the world would continue to drop and some 70% of the guides in Thailand were at risk of losing their jobs.He said that 30-40% of tour groups from Korea had cancelled while the rest had shifted to Pattaya and Hua Hin but still faced difficulty finding rooms.
At the same time, some holiday-makers, especially locals, are not keen to travel anymore, as cheaper train and bus seats have not been taken up.According to the ticketing division of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), up to 20% of southbound passengers have cancelled their tickets for the New Year holiday. Many have sought northbound tickets instead but demand exceeds supply. First- and second-class train tickets to the North were fully booked, with no cancellations, said a ticketing official.With the exception of southbound tickets, first- and second-class seats from Bangkok to every region in Thailand were fully booked from Wednesday through today, and all such seats on inbound trains are fully booked from Jan 2-5. Typically, the official said, such seats are booked up two months in advance of the New Year.Third-class tickets that do not require advance reservations were still available for all destinations, he said. But such seats tend not to appeal to leisure travellers.A similar situation prevails for bus services operated by the government's Transport Company.Prayot Sangkhasawas, director of the company's Southern Region Bus Division, said almost half of the passengers who had booked tickets for the company's first-class air-conditioned buses to Phangnga and Phuket had cancelled their reservations and received full refunds. Only about 2% have decided to postpone.Mr Prayot said that normally his division had to increase the number of southbound buses for the New Year season by 30% to serve overwhelming demand. But this season, the increase was less than 20%.Tickets for second-class air-con buses and non-air-con buses were still available.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/31Dec2004_biz50.php

Japanese, Europeans start cancelling tourism bookings

2004-12-30T14:05:00.000+07:00

But demand for Gulf coast still unaffected

The Thai tourism industry is feeling the pinch of the tsunami, as foreign tourists, particularly those who had booked holidays here, have begun to re-route their travel plans to other destinations as far away as the Caribbean, Morocco and Spain.Up to 20% of Japanese tourists, traditionally the most sensitive to any adverse events, are also believed to have cancelled trips to Thailand or opted to go elsewhere. Tokyo urged its citizens to postpone all non-essential travel to areas of Asia and Africa affected by the massive earthquake and tidal waves.As many as 60,000 Japanese were planning to visit Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia in the period between Dec 23 and Jan 3, AP reported, citing JTB, Japan's top travel agency.Before the disaster, the number of Japanese travellers to Thailand for the winter holidays was expected to jump 14.7% from a year earlier to 39,000, according to the Japan Travel Bureau.The US government also issued a ''consular sheet'', not an official travel advisory, recommending that its citizens stay away from tsunami-hit areas in Thailand.AFP reported yesterday that European tour operators, stunned by the devastation along the once idyllic coasts of South Asia, are now struggling to re-route people who had booked holidays in the region.A number of destinations are being offered. In some cases holiday offers have been temporarily suspended, in others repayment is proposed.However, some holidaymakers still want to travel to undamaged areas of the region, where the death toll passed 60,000 yesterday, with officials warning the figure was likely to rise steeply.The biggest European tour operator, TUI of Germany, said it was cancelling until mid-January all its holidays in the affected regions.The second-biggest German tour operator, Thomas Cook, is offering customers who had planned to travel to the region by mid-January the option of switching to places where accommodation is available or else accepting refunds.The three biggest Swedish tour operators working with Asia _ Fritidsresor, MyTravel and Appolo _ have cancelled their flights to the affected regions. They are offering people who had already reserved holidays alternative arrangements at no extra cost in destinations such as Egypt or the Caribbean.In France, all tourist departures for southern Thailand, the Maldives and Sri Lanka have been suspended until Friday.The same attitude has been taken in Belgium where Thomas Cook has suspended departures for Sri Lanka and the Maldives until the end of January and holidays in Phuket until March 15.In Bangkok, John Koldowski, managing director of strategic intelligence for the Pacific Asia Travel Association (Pata), told the Bangkok Post that Spain, Morocco and countries in North Africa were expected to draw more tourists who have shifted away from southern Thailand.''Tourists are ringing up their travel agents, asking whether they could be shifted to other places. There is a full house in Pattaya and some are shifting to Bali,'' said Mr Koldowski, adding that exact figures on cancellations remain unavailable.Suparerk Soorangura, the president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), said that sensational media coverage was driving tourists away from the kingdom.''Some media have reported an academic's comment that a fault line may extend up to the north of Thailand, resulting in cancellations of people travelling to Kanchanaburi and Chiang Rai,'' Mr Suparerk said.But he said there were only 10% cancellations reported to the ATTA as most travellers chose to shift their destinations to beach resorts in the Gulf of Thailand including Koh Samui, Pattaya and Rayong. Pata believes that Bali may also gain a windfall from the tragic event.Seiichi Iwasaki, regional manager of JALways in Bangkok, estimated that Thailand could expect 15-20% cancellations from Japanese tourists, but noted that JTB had resumed offering packages to Phuket after it became clear that the island was only partially damaged.While local tourists in Thailand are diverting their holiday routes from beaches to the hilly North, many international tourists are continuing to head to southern resorts. In Phuket, popular beaches remained packed by many who had booked through the New Year.But others say the disaster has eliminated any desire to travel at all. Chaipranin Visudhipol, president of the Advertising Association of Thailand and managing director of TBWA\Thailand, said he preferred not to spend his New Year holidays on any beach yet.But Methanee Sukmak, a ticketing officer at Bangkok-based J.P. Travel Co, said international tourists seemed not to be as panicky about the tsunami as Thais, and most of her international customers, particularly those from Western countries, have not cancelled their reservations for their New Year holidays to other beach destinations in Thailand. Most Thai tourists are now seeking air tickets to northern provinces, but those who have not pre-booked would have a slim chance at this time of the year, said Ms Methanee.Normally, air tickets and accommodations at all tourist destinations in Thailand are fully booked during the New Year season, making relocation during this time rather difficult, she said.And this is a key reason that has made international holidaymakers who survived Sunday's tsunami decide to remain in Phuket and nearby tourist destinations.''They just moved from the hard-hit beaches to the less-affected ones. From Patong to Kata or Karon beach, for example,'' said Ms Methanee. This is because their only alternative now is to fly back home and end their vacation, she said.Ms Methanee added that new reservations by Western tourists continued to pour in for beach attractions on the Gulf coast, for example, Koh Samui, Koh Phan-gnan, Koh Samet, Koh Chang, Koh Tao, Cha-am, Hua Hin and Pattaya.Meanwhile, the local diving community has embarked on a plan to inspect coral reefs in the Andaman sea.''We don't believe expert comments that most shallow-water coral reefs have been destroyed, so we're going to explore the sea ourselves,'' said Poosak Posayachinda, managing director of the dive operator Dumnam Dot Com Co.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/30Dec2004_biz53.php

Eastern seaboard touted as tourism altnerative to Andaman coast

2004-12-30T14:01:00.000+07:00

BANGKOK, Dec 30 (TNA) - Foreign tourists began trickling back to beaches along Thailand's Andaman coast yesterday to celebrate New Year, as Tourism Minister Sontaya Kunplome encouraged visitors to travel to the country's eastern coastline to complete their holidays in the kingdom.
Mr. Sontaya said that tourists who wished to switch from the Andaman coast, devastated by massive tidal waves on Sunday, could travel, instead, to other destinations, including Pattaya, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat, Hua Hin or Cha-am.
However, he noted that some foreign visitors, notably Russians and Swedes, were adamant that they would remain in Phuket for New Year, despite the widespread damage and huge loss of life.
Downplaying the impact of the disaster on the tourism industry, and stressing that the Andaman coastline was safe for travel, Mr. Sontaya said: "We don't have any figures on holiday cancellations at the moment, but they certainly don't exceed 50 percent".
Beach accommodation in Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat is already fully booked for New Year, but a few lucky tourists will be able to find accommodation away from the main resorts.
A new tsunami relief committee, headed by Mr. Sontaya, will comprise representatives from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), provincial representatives, and representatives from the Tourism Industry Association.
This committee will divide off into three sub-committees, the first of which will focus on surveying damage, restoring tourism destinations and helping find employment for those made out of work by the disaster.
The second will look specifically at tourism marketing, while the third will act as a public relations committee.
The three sub-committees will spend a week collecting data, after which they will come together to draw up a more detailed restoration plan.
Around 40 percent of the hotels in the six affected provinces are said to have sustained damage from the tsunami, while other inland hotels are able to operate as normal.

http://www.mcot.org

Tsunami hit Thailand Hotels Overview

2004-12-29T06:09:00.000+07:00

Many hotels on Thailand's west coast have been badly affected by the devastating Tsunami waves that struck shores Sunday morning.
Below is a complete update of many of the hotels in the areas worst affected. It is important to remember that hotels on Thailand's East coast on the Gulf of Siam have not been affected, so hotels on Koh Samui, in Hua Hin, Cha-Am, Pattaya etc are all fucntioning as normal without any affects caused by the Tsunami.
PHUKET HOTEL STATUS
Amanpuri The flooding destroyed the gym, beach and tour counters.
Amari Coral Beach Closed until further notice
Andaman Seaview Can operate with normal power and water supply, operating normally
Baan Thai Beach Resort Closed until further notice
Banyan Tree Operating normally, except beach restaurantBurasari Closed until further noticeCape Panwa The hotel only has minor damages to the beach and the road in front of the hotel (barely noticeable.)
Central Karon Village The flooding did not affect the hotel at all. The hotel operates as normal.
Club Andaman Beach Resort A few rental restaurants in the front of the hotel are totally demolished. The pool is closed and being repaired at the moment. The bungalows were partially flooded but people are now moving back in. Chedi The swimming pool is damaged along with all the beach front bungalows and the beach restaurant.
Duangjitt Resort The big swimming pool is closed along with some rooms on the first floor.
Dusit Laguna All the rooms on the first floor, the swimming pool and two of restaurant (Italian/ Seafood) took a direct hit. The activities areas are gone and all the rooms on the 1st floor are closed. Everything else at the hotel is operating as usual.
Evason Phuket The pier was destroyed and the beach is ruined but the flood did not affect the hotel at all.
Felix Karon The flooding did not affect the hotel at all. Hilton Phuket Arcadia The “Zen” Japanese restaurant is closed because of the damages as well as the staff parking lot. However, the flood did not affect the hotel at all since it is in the same shape as it was before the flood.
Holiday Inn Closed, can not accommodate any guests until Feb 28th
Horizon Beach Resort Closed until further noticeImpiana 100% damage, closed until further notice
JW Marriott No structural damage or fatalities, but swimming pool, pool bar and beachfront restaurant temporarily closedKaron Beach Resort Closed until further notice
Kata Beach Resort Partially damaged (swimming pool, beachfront area, some seaview rooms)Katathani Bhuri Operating normallyKatathani Thani Damage on ground floor rooms, garden and swimming pool area. Guests occupying ground floor rooms have been offered a move to Katathani BhuriLaguna Beach Resort The 1st Floor of the hotel is damaged (swimming pool, rooms, etc.) They have, however, moved their clients to the south wing or to 2nd – 4th Floors.
Laguna Phuket Operating normallyLe Meridien Phuket Beach Resort No water and power supply
Marina Phuket Operating normally except “On the rock” restaurant
Merlin Beach Resort Closed until further noticeNovotel Coralia Operating normallyOrchidacea OK (located on higher level)Patong Beach Hotel Closed until further notice
Patong Lodge Hotel Operating normally
Patong Merlin All bookings cancelled until further noticePeach Hill Hotel & Resort Operating normally
Pearl Village Moderately affected, will be back in operation within 3 days.
Phuket Merlin Is safe, but cannot accommodate any additional bookings
Phuket Orchid The flooding did not affect the hotel at all. Operating as normal.
Royal Paradise Operating normally except the road at the front of the hotel is damaged.
Sabana The flooding came up to the parking lot and destroyed the office. The rest is still in place.
Seaview Patong 100% damage, closed for at least 7 months
Sheraton Grande Laguna The only damage is on the beach and the beachfront restaurant.
Southsea Karon Beach OKThavorn Beach Village & Spa The bungalows are all damaged. Their two restaurants, Marisa and Old Siam, are wrecked. They are serving 3 meals at the lobby village club and their clients are staying in the Ocean View Villas.
Trisara Minor damage on beach pool and a few beachside sundeck lounges. Otherwise operating normally.
Twinpalms No damage, no fatalities. Operating normally
PHANG NGA HOTEL STATUS
Anantara Royal Coco Palm Totally destroyed
Khao Lak Orchid Beach Resort Closed until further notice
Khao Lak Sunset Closed until further notice
Mukdara Closed until further notice
Paradise Koh Yao OK, no damage and no fatalities
Southsea Pakarang Closed until further notice
KRABI HOTEL STATUS
Andaman Holiday Operating normally, except Beach pool, beach bar and “on the rock” restaurant. Two other pools are open and one restaurant is still operating.
Ao Nang Villa Operating normally
Krabi Resort Operating normally
Krabi Thai village Operating normally
Phranang Inn Only “Phranang Kitchen” is temporarily closed until further notice. Otherwise operating normally
Rayavadee Closed until further notice
Sheraton Krabi Operating normally
PHI PHI HOTEL STATUS
Bayview No water and power supply due to damaged generators and the beachfront restaurant is closed at the moment
Holiday Inn Phi Phi Only minor damages, but the hotel is suffering from a lack of food and drinking water
Phi Phi Charlie Closed until further notice
Phi Phi Erawan Palm Still operating with beach side damage. The hotel is considering closing.
Phi Phi Island Cabana Closed until further notice because of complete lack of water and power supplies.
Phi Phi Island Village Air conditioning at the beachfront villas is broken. Some guests have moved to Krabi or Phuket, most guests at hillside villas have decided to stay
Phi Phi Natural The resort was only slightly damaged.
Phi Phi Princess Closed until further notice
Phi Phi Tonsai Closed until further notice because of complete lack of water and power supplies.
LANTA HOTEL STATUS
Pimalai Resort & Spa Operating normally except 7 beach villas and “Rak Talay Restaurant” Royal Lanta Slight damage in the kitchen area and the pool. Other then this operating normally.
Southern Lanta Damaged in beach area and beach bar. The accommodation is operating as per normal.
Twin Bay Resort Closed, no cancellation charges and full refund of all deposits.
Twin Lotus 100% damaged, closed for the remaining season
See other recent news from: Tsunami
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TAT cancels all New Year celebrations

2004-12-29T05:53:00.000+07:00

BANGKOK, Dec 28, (TNA) – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reflected the sombre mood of the nation today by announcing that it would cancel all the celebrations it had planned to see in the New Year.
With the entire Kingdom plunged into mourning for the victims of Sunday’s tsunami, TAT governor Juthamas Siriwan said that the TAT would revoke its support for New Year celebrations in Chiang Mai, Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Bangkok, Hat Yai and Phuket.
Any of these places which still wished to celebrate New Year would have to do so without TAT backing, she said.
Instead the TAT will commemorate the dead, who include over 700 foreign tourists, by inviting tourists to make merit at temples.
Since the tsunami struck on Sunday morning, the TAT has been instrumental in getting relief operations off the ground, with staff on hand at airports in Bangkok and Phuket to ensure that tourists are as comfortable as they can be under the circumstances.
Tourists returning from the south, where massive tidal waves destroyed entire holiday resorts, are now being accommodated in university dormitories in Bangkok.
The TAT has also coordinated efforts to ensure that an initial 1,200 tourists have been able to fly back to their homelands.
“Thailand is doing well in helping tourists”, Mrs. Juthamas said today. “The foreign media are reporting interviews with foreign tourists in which they describe Thais as being kind people, even when they have lost everything. They are also saying that they understand that this was a natural disaster, and that they might return to Thailand in the future. This shows that we are doing our best”.
The TAT governor acknowledged that the tsunami had led to a spate of booking cancellations from foreign tourists, but expressed confidence that this situation would only be temporary.
Nonetheless, she pointed out that around one third of the nation’s tourism revenue came from the afflicted provinces of Phuket, Phang-nga and Krabi, and said that it was essential that repair work began as soon as possible.
While destinations in the south were being restored, tourists would be encouraged to visit other areas of the country, including Pattaya, Rayong, Trat, Chantaburi, Hua Hin, Cha-Am and the northeast, she said.

http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=34180

TAT Sets Up Information Centre For Tourists To Thailand

2004-12-29T05:50:00.000+07:00

BANGKOK, Dec 28/InfoQuest-AsiaNet/ - Six Thai provinces have been affected by the tsunami wave triggered by the earthquake off Sumatra, Indonesia, on December 26, 2004 - Phuket, Krabi, Phang-nga, Trang, Satun and Ranong. All other parts of Thailand are functioning as usual.
Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Suwat Liptapallop chaired a meeting of government officials and private sector representatives to assess the situation and mobilise the resources needed to help the international and domestic visitors affected by the catastrophe.
The first step discussed was to arrange for the smooth transfer of as many visitors within the area as possible back to Bangkok by airlines which are providing a free service - THAI Airways International, Bangkok Airways, Air Asia, Orient Air, Phuket Air and Nok Air. The government will provide those affected with free accommodation, food and medical care at six selected public and private hospitals.
Information centres are to be set up to help visitors establish contact with their friends and relatives. The Centres will be set up in Phuket, Krabi and Don Muang Airports. Representatives of TAT, the Tourist Police and Thai Hotels Association (THA) will work together to provide the necessary information. The Royal Thai Embassy in different countries around the world will also serve as an information centre for the local media.
Among the private sector, THA is coordinating with its members to provide accommodation for tourists in Bangkok and surrounding areas. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said that all international visitors who have lost their passports would be issued a Certificate of Identification as a temporary substitute to facilitate their departure from Thailand.
Representatives of embassies of 30 countries are heading for Phuket to provide aid and the necessary identification papers to citizens of their countries. Phuket Airport is operating normally. Germany, Canada, Italy and the Netherlands have already sent aircraft to pick up their respective citizens.
The Tourist Police of Phuket and Krabi are being assisted by the regular police force to set up a tourist police call centre that can be reached at 1155. TAT Governor Mrs Juthamas Siriwan expressed her deepest condolences to the families, relatives and friends of all those affected by the tragedy and said that TAT is doing everything in its power to be of assistance to the victims.
The coast bordering the Gulf of Thailand has not been impacted. Popular destinations like Koh Samui, Pattaya, Rayong, Hua Hin and Cha-am are safe and still open to visitors. Similarly, north and northeastern Thailand is also safe and ready to receive the usual festive season traffic.
Useful contact details:
TAT websites: http://www.tourismthailand.org
TAT call centre number: 1672 (local call).
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hotline is: +66 2644 7249, +66 2643 5000 Ext. 5056, 5055, 5501
ASIA PULSE

Central Hotels & Resorts unaffected by Tsunami Waves

2004-12-28T15:35:00.000+07:00

Central Hotels & Resorts has reported that its hotels in Phuket, the Central Karon Village and the Central Waterfront Suite are safe from the devastation caused by the freak Tsunami waves.

Many people were affected as a result of the waves that hit some coastal regions in several countries of Asia, including the Andaman coastal provinces of Phuket, Phangnga, Krabi, Trang, Satun and Ranong located in the southern part of Thailand.

While some very minor tremors were felt in Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, the earthquake and the resulting tidal waves did not have any effect on Samui, Hua Hin, Pattaya, Hat Yai in Songkhla province or any other cities and resorts, situated around the Gulf of Siam.

A spokesperson for the hotel group said, "We wish to confirm that the people currently staying in Central Karon Village, Phuket, Central Waterfront Suite, Phuket, the Samui Island, Hua Hin, the city of Pattaya and Hat Yai in Songkhla province are completely safe and were never in any danger at any time during or in the aftermath of the Sumatra earthquake. We also assure that all those arriving to our properties are in no danger. The other properties located in Bangkok and the North of Thailand including Sofitel Central Plaza Bangkok, Central Duangtawan Hotel, Chiang Mai, Central Mae Sot Hill Hotel, Mae Sot are absolutely unaffected."

Neuer Flughafen: Verschiebung

2004-12-25T06:41:00.000+07:00

Um ein halbes Jahr wird die Inbetriebnahme des neuen Bangkoker Flughafens Souvarnabhumi verschoben, und zwar auf den April 2006. Jetzt wird sich innerhalb der beteiligten Firmen gegenseitig der Schwarze Peter zugeschoben, wer nun verantwortlich ist für die Verschiebung. Die deutschen Firmen Bilfinger und Vossloh sind auch beteiligt.

Der Anschluß des neuen Flughafens an das Nahverkehrsnetz durch eine Bahnverbindung wird in sehr naher Zukunft beginnen. Ein Konsortium von Siemens, B. Grimm International und Sino-Thai Engineering soll erwartungsgemäß den Zuschlag für das 26-Milliarden-Projekt bekommen.

Quelle: www.thailand-tip.de

Gemeinsam in der Luft

2004-12-25T06:29:00.000+07:00

Die beiden wichtigsten Fluggesellschaften Thailands bauen nicht nur ständig ihre Flotten aus, sondern sind sich auch ein Stückchen näher gekommen.

Ein zwischen der staatlichen „Thai Airways“
und der privaten „Bangkok Airways“ ausgehandeltes Code-Share-Programm hat dazu gedient, die Flug-Verbindungen von der nordthailändischen Metropole Chiang Mai nach Mae Hong Son (jetzt insgesamt 20 Flüge pro Woche) an der Grenze zu Myanmar und ins laotische Luang Prabang (drei Flüge) sowie zeitweise auch von Bangkok nach Krabi (35 Flüge) und Phuket (84 Flüge) in Süd-Thailand zu erhöhen. Gleichzeitig hat „Bangkok Airways“ einen weiteren Airbus A-320 mit 162 Sitzen in Empfang genommen, der auf den Namen „Krabi“ getauft wurde und die die bisherige Luftflotte aus einem Airbus A-320, vier Boeings 717 sowie neun ATR-72-200 und 500 verstärkt.

Ebenfalls ein A-320 ist auch die neueste, auf den Namen „Guilin“ getaufte Maschine der „Thai Airways“. Insgesamt ist bis September 2010 die Anschaffung von 14 neuen Groß-Flugzeugen geplant - darunter sechs der neuen A-380 Super-Liner von Airbus. Die Regierung von Thaksin Shinawatra hatte ihre Zustimmung dazu bewusst hinausgezögert, um ein Zeichen gegen die europäischen Importbeschränkungen für Lebensmittel aus Thailand zu setzen.

Quelle: www.tourservice-asia.de

Kim: Es sieht aus wie im Paradies

2004-12-23T05:28:00.000+07:00

Der Name der Kleinstadt Sawankhalok, in der Kim Benjamin Ackermann in Thailand lebt, bedeutet übersetzt Paradies. "Und so sieht es auch aus", freut sich der 16jährige. In der Schule stehen Stockkampf und Thai-Boxing auf dem Stundenplan. "An Weihnachten wird es wahrscheinlich einsam", sagt Kim, dessen Gastfamilie buddhistisch ist und kein Weihnachten feiert. Er freut sich trotzdem darauf, weil er als Weihnachtsmann verkleidet zur Schule kommen will. Das wichtigste Fest Thailands, Thai-Neujahr Ende November, hat er schon hinter sich.

aus: www.abendblatt.de

Huge infrastructure projects to drive growth in Thailand

2004-12-23T05:16:00.000+07:00

State plans to make huge new investments of up to 1.4 trillion baht in logistics and transport over the next several years will be key for driving future economic growth, according to Vijit Supinit, the chairman of the Stock Exchange of Thailand.
He said he remained optimistic about the SET's medium-term prospects, despite the fact that the index was down some 14 percent for the year.
Overall trends remain positive over the next four years, Mr Vijit said, thanks to projections of steady corporate earnings growth with the general economy. Listed company profits for the first nine months of the year totalled 320 billion baht, up over 40 percent year-on-year.
Yet shares have failed to perform, with sentiment affected by negative factors such as high oil prices, rising interest rates, the bird flu outbreak and violence in the South.
New listings over the past year have also had a generally poor record, with the majority posting losses from their initial public offering prices on their debut.
But Mr Vijit said investors should take a longer-term view on investment overall.
"It is crucial that investors change their investment behaviour and look long-term. Corporate fundamentals needs to be taken more seriously," he said.
"I feel sorry for those investors who sold out IPO shares on its first day trade. It's a pity because many investors don't really take a look at fundamentals of listed companies at all."
Mr Vijit expressed frustration with the limited time horizon shown by many retail investors.
"This sort of behaviour is totally unacceptable ... I only hope that at the end of the day, they'll finally realise that they should look at the big picture," he said.
Investors dumping new shares on the first day of trade often forfeited the opportunity to reap dividends, compounding their losses.
Mr Vijit said IPO pricing by local advisory companies had been mostly approrpriate, and that the poor results posted by many new listings was the result of investor behaviour.
The SET expects some 100 new listings on the main board and another 40 on the Market for Alternative Investment in 2005, as companies face growing pressure to raise funds to boost their production capacity to meet demand.
Sopawadee Lertmanaschai, chairwoman of the SET Capital Market Opportunity Centre and the MAI, said 207 companies had expressed interest in listing on the capital market next year.
Around 137 companies had expressed interest in the SET, with the remainder looking at the MAI. Total fundraising for 2005 by newly listed companies was projected at over 54 billion baht, with SET-listed firms raising an average of 500 million baht each and MAI companies 100 million.
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International acclaim for Thailand's one stop service for health care products

2004-12-22T13:54:00.000+07:00

Thailand’s one stop service for health care products has been praised for its quickness, user friendliness, and transparency--non discrimination and fairness to all customers--according to Deputy Public Health Minister Suchai Charoenrattanakul.
Many foreign observers, including those from China, Singapore, Brunei and India, have been impressed by the efficiency and fairness of the one stop service, regulated by the Public Health Ministry's Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Dr. Suchai told TNA.
The FDA has also launched a website, [www.fda.moph.go.th], as an additional channel for public complaints about health care products and services to the hotline 1556

by http://www.mcot.org

Thailand aims to emerge as Asia's Hollywood?

2004-12-22T13:51:00.000+07:00

The Thai government and local movie execs are offering tax incentives and promoting the country's beaches, mountains and waterfalls in a bid to attract foreign filmmakers and turn the Southeast Asian nation into Asia's new Hollywood.
The local industry got a boost with Oliver Stone's recent epic about the life of Alexander the Great, which was shot in locations around central Thailand, using hundreds of extras and 20 bull elephants. The movie drummed up about 200 million baht (US$5 million; euro4 million) for Thailand, said Sasitara Phichaichannarong, director of the Tourism Ministry's development department.
"Thailand has wonderful locations, good facilities and the cost of film shooting is very competitive," Gregory Ricketson, an Australian film producer who has shot three films in Thailand, said Monday at a forum to promote Thailand as an Asian film production center.
Thailand pulled in nearly 1.1 billion baht (US$28 million; euro21 million) this year from 413 productions _ including features, TV series and music videos _ shot here, Sasitara said. Japanese shot the most _ 140 _ in 2004, while 77 were by Europeans and 20 by Americans.
She said the goal is to increase such revenues to 4 billion baht (US$102 million; euro76 million) within five years.
To lure foreign filmmakers, the government has given an eight-year tax break for companies, foreign or local, to invest in film production and reduced income tax on foreign actors to a 10 percent flat rate, Sasitara said.
Political stability, good facilities and hardworking crews also give Thailand a leg up over its neighbors, said Sasisupa Sungvaribud, the Film Production Service Association president.
Still, Thai film production mostly depended on initiatives by individual artists, and the government should provide more assistance and subsidies to help build a "real" industry, said Christian Jeune, the Cannes Film Festival director.
Foreigners also complain about having to get permission from various government agencies to shoot in different locations. Those agencies have improved coordination and will speed up the paperwork, Sasitara said.
More collaboration with foreign filmmakers could help the local industry build up its know-how, said Surasak Sunpituksaree, of Thailand's Federation of National Film Association.
Export income from local films this year has increased fourfold, from 800 million baht (US$20 million; euro15 million) baht to 3.2 billion baht (US$82 million; euro61 million) as more Thai films have been screened abroad, he said.
Thailand's film-making potential was put on the map with "The Killing Fields," which depicted the brutality of the 1970s Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia. The 1983 production was shot totally in Thailand, with some scenes filmed in actual refugee camps near the Cambodian border.
Another Hollywood movie, "The Beach," shot in 1999 and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, showed off southern Thailand's beautiful beaches, Sasisupa said.

by chinapost.com

Bei Thai-Massage steht harmonisches Gleichgewicht im Vordergrund

2004-12-19T07:03:00.000+07:00

Eine traditionelle Thai-Massage unterscheidet sich deutlich von der klassischen «westlichen» Massage. Die asiatische Methode verstehe sich als ganzheitliches Heilverfahren. Sie beziehe auch Dehn- und Strecktechniken, Yoga-Elemente und Reflexzonenmassagen mit ein, erläutert der Deutsche Wellnessverband in Düsseldorf. Im Vordergrund stehe weniger die Entspannung der Muskeln als vielmehr ein harmonisches Gleichgewicht der Körperenergien.
Der Masseur arbeitet dabei punktuell mit dem Druck von Daumen- und Handballen, mit Ellenbogen, Knien und Füßen. Massiert wird am Boden, dabei ist der Klient immer bekleidet. Eine Sitzung wird den Angaben zufolge immer als Ganzkörperbehandlung verstanden und dauert in der Regel eine bis zweieinhalb Stunden.
Die traditionelle Thai-Massage, die in Thailand auch als «Nuad» bekannt ist, hat ihren Ursprung in der indischen Ayurveda- und Yoga-Lehre, ist aber auch geprägt durch Einflüsse aus der Traditionellen Chinesischen Medizin.

Schlafen und träumen wie die Götter

2004-12-19T06:45:00.000+07:00

Die meisten der weltbesten Hotel- Gruppen sind in Asien zu Hause. Heinz Horrmann sagt, warum
Süsse Träume wünscht die zierliche Zimmermaid, die einst aus Thailand zum Arbeiten nach Hongkong gekommen war, legt die gefalteten Hände vor die Brust und schlägt die Augen nieder. Das Schlafgemach im "Island Shangri-La" ist angenehm vorbereitet. Duftende Blumensträußchen auf dem kühlen Kopfkissen - und die drückende Tropenschwüle bleibt, dank der geräuschlosen Klimaanlage, ausgesperrt.
Asiens sanfte Anmut wird in diesem und anderen Hongkonger Hotels der Superlative zelebriert: im "Peninsula", dem Traditionshaus, im früheren "Regent", dem jetzigen "InterContinental" oder im "Mandarin Oriental". Ein Hotel und mit ihm die gesamte gleichnamige Gruppe wird in der Aufzählung der Besten oft vergessen: "Shangri-La". Insgesamt sind es gleich acht Hotel-Gruppen, die feinste Lebensart garantieren.
Auch die Experten-Rangliste der besten 50 Ferien-Resorts weltweit zeigt ein deutliches Übergewicht asiatischer Gastlichkeit auf. Die exklusiven Aman-Resorts als absolute Spitzenreiter, die glamourösen Taj-Hotels in Indien, die Oberoi-Adressen, die Wellness-Zauberer von Banyan Tree und die bekannten Weltklasse-Gruppen Mandarin Oriental, Peninsula und Raffles dominieren. Ganz gleich, ob Strandhotels in Spitzenlagen oder Domizile im Landesinneren der Urlaubsländer, überall gibt es in Zahl und Ausstattung Vorteile gegenüber der Karibik und der Südsee, jenen Destinationen, die auf den nächsten Plätzen in der Beliebtheitsskala folgen.
Dieser Trend setzt sich erkennbar auch in Zukunft fort. In Thailand, Kambodscha und in Malaysia werden etliche neue Resorts eröffnet. In den nächsten Wochen stehen in diesen Ländern ein halbes Dutzend Eröffnungen an.
Gesundheit, Fitness und Schönheitspflege bestimmen die Konzepte der aktuellen Ferienadressen. Vorreiter dieser Idee ist das "Chiva-Som Luxury Health Resort" in Hua Hin (Thailand), das nur 40 Zimmer und Suiten sowie 17 Thai-Pavillons offeriert.
Ein ehemaliger Amanpuri-Manager krönt die feine Palette demnächst mit dem "Trisara". Der Name ist eine Wortschöpfung aus dem Sanskrit. Tri bedeutet drei, Sara der paradiesische Garten, in dem Buddha auf dem Weg zur Erleuchtung die dritte Ebene erreichte. Die Eröffnungsraten beginnen bei 325 Dollar. Jeder Gast bekommt nach medizinischer Untersuchung seine individuellen Trainingsprogramme zusammengestellt. 33 Poolvillen von Tanzsaalgröße (240 Quadratmeter plus Pool und Garten) sorgen für den besonderen Stellenwert in der Luxushotellerie Südostasiens.
Vorbei sind die Zeiten, in denen man in Resorts wie einst Robinson ohne Kommunikation lebte. Heute lautet das Motto: Die schönste Natur genießen, ohne auf modernste Technik und Luxus zu verzichten. Das gilt für die wenigen hochklassigen Individual-Hotels und in stärkerem Maße für die Spitzenhäuser der besten Hotelgruppen der Welt. Von den rund 4000 Zusammenschlüssen und Marketing-Vereinigungen auf allen Kontinenten sind die Hälfte der Top ten in Asien angesiedelt, pflegen asiatische Service-Bereitschaft und breiten sich behutsam, aber konsequent auf den Märkten in den USA und Europa aus. Dabei profitierte Mandarin Oriental von der Übernahme der Rafael-Hotels in New York, Genf, München und auf den Bermudas. Lediglich das "Turnberry Isle" in Aventura (Florida) verlor die Gruppe an Fairmont.

Thailand tourism flourishes despite bird flu, Muslim violence

2004-12-19T06:39:00.000+07:00

The number of tourists visiting Thailand increased this year by about 20 percent, despite bird flu and violence in the deep south, the head of the Tourism Authority of Thailand said Friday. And another banner year is forecast for 2005.
A total of 12 million tourists will have visited the country by year's end, bringing in revenues of 384 billion baht (US$9.77 billion; euro7.35 billion), an increase of 24.2 percent from 2003, the TAT said.
"How can we make a big jump like that when there's bird flu... The southern unrest?" TAT Governor Juthamas Siriwan told reporters. "The main thing is that everyone — not just TAT alone, but the tourism industry... worked very hard. Thailand is very hot right now."
Juthamas said a large portion of the growth came from strong markets including Japan, the United States and the Middle East.
She also attributed the massive growth to government plugs for tourism, which has been one of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's top priorities.
Thaksin has downplayed bird flu and a growing Muslim insurgency in the southern provinces for the sake of sustaining the country's no. 1 income earner.
The avian influenza outbreaks in Asia forced authorities to cull more than 100 million poultry birds in an effort to control the situation. The virus spread to humans as well, killing 12 people in Thailand and 20 in Vietnam.
There were also fears that tourism would be hurt by the violence in southern provinces bordering Malaysia — the only Muslim majority area in mostly Buddhist Thailand.
In 2003, 10 million tourists visited Thailand, a drop of 7.4 percent from the year before, due to the SARS respiratory disease that killed 349 people in mainland China and sickened thousands worldwide before subsiding in July 2003.
Juthamas said Thailand is aiming for 13.4 million tourists in 2005, and in 2008, more than 20 million tourists and tourism revenues of 789 billion baht (US$20.1 billion; euro15.1 billion).
SOURCE - China Post

Star Alliance führt Airpass für Thailand ein

2004-12-17T07:34:00.000+07:00

Hotelkritiken

Die Star Alliance kündigte am Montag die Einführung eines Airpasses für Thailand an, der interessant für Flugreisende sein soll, die dieses südostasiatische Land erkunden möchten. Der Thailand-Airpass, der ab dem 15. Dezember 2004 angeboten wird, ist das zehnte Flugtarifprodukt der Star Alliance.

Der Thailand-Airpass der Star Alliance bietet ermäßigte Preise speziell für Inlandflüge für Passagiere aus Übersee, die Thailand besuchen und das Inlandsflugangebot der Thai Airways International in Verbindung mit internationalen Flügen nach, von oder über Thailand mit jeder Partner-Airline der Allianz nutzen. Die Flugreisenden können drei bis acht Streckencoupons erwerben, wobei die ersten drei $169 US und jeder weitere Coupon $59 US kostet.

Der Thailand-Airpass der Star Alliance kann in Verbindung mit jedem internationalen Flugticket erworben werden, sofern es sich um Rund- oder Gabelflüge handelt. Es gibt keinerlei Einschränkungen in Bezug auf eine Mindestaufenthaltsdauer; die maximale Aufenthaltsdauer beträgt drei Monate. Die entsprechenden Airpass-Flugtickets müssen separat von dem internationalen Flugticket und vor Ankunft in Thailand ausgestellt sein. Der Thailand-Airpass der Star Alliance steht thailändischen Staatsangehörigen nicht zur Verfügung. Außerdem wird er jedem Passagier pro internationalem Flug nur einmal ausgestellt. Weitere Informationen erhält man ab diesem Mittwoch auf der Homepage der Star Alliance.

Wie bei allen Tarifen der Star Alliance werden die mit dem Thailand- Airpass zurückgelegten Flugmeilen auf alle Vielfliegerprogramme der Partner-Airlines angerechnet.

Neben dem neuen Thailand-Airpass gibt es ein Round-the-World-Ticket, ein Asien-Rundreise-Ticket [wir berichteten] und Airpässe für Asien, Brasilien, Europa, Japan, Nordamerika und den Südpazifik sowie den Pazifik-Rundreise-Tarif.

New Japanese technology to produce ethanol

2004-12-04T06:47:00.000+07:00

BANGKOK, Dec 3 (TNA) - A Japanese scientist has unveiled the latest technology to produce ethanol and bio-diesel to help replace the use of fossil fuels in the near future.
The new technology aims to extract fuel from biochemical substances found in wood, Prof. Dr. Shiro Saka of Kyoto University’s Department of Socio-environment Energy Science told an international meeting on “Energy and sustainable environment” in Thailand’s southern beach resort of Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province on Thursday.
Prof. Dr. Saka told more than 300 international energy experts that his department was studying how to extract lignocelluloses -- a biochemical substance found in wood which can be used to produce ethanol.
The research project also plans to study commercial methods of producing the substance.
If the project succeeds, Japan should be able to produce more than eight billion litres of high grade ethanol a year.
New technology, known as “catalyst-free method” can also produce bio-diesel, by turning used vegetables or animal oil into bio-diesel fuel, Prof. Dr. Saka also told the meeting.
Japan has stepped up its efforts to find alternative fuels to replace carbon-based fossil fuel to help reduce the green house effects caused by the emission of gases from burning of fossil fuel.
According to the Kyoto Pact, industrial countries in the European Union (EU) and Japan must reduce their carbon dioxide emissions by 6% by 2010.
“Currently, the Japanese government has tested the use of E3, ethanol mixed with benzene in the ratio of 3 in 100.
Further studies are aimed at increasing the ethanol mixture to 10%,” Prof. Dr. Saka said.
However, the E10 will have to wait until the year 2020 when automobile manufacturers alter their engines and make them compatible with E10.

Carlson Hotels Worldwide tries for comeback in Thai market with Regent brand

2004-12-01T05:34:00.000+07:00

Carlson Hotels Worldwide tries for comeback in Thai market with Regent brand - 26 Nov 03:00: "Carlson Hotels Worldwide tries for comeback in Thai market with Regent brandBy Boonsong Kositchotethana, Bangkok Post, Thailand
Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News
Nov. 26--Carlson Hotels Worldwide is aggressively relaunching its Regent brand -- absent from Thailand since November 2003 -- as part of a strategy aimed at rebuilding its local profile.
The Minnesota-based group has struck a deal that will put Regent, its flagship five-star brand, back onto the Thai skyline with a 20-year agreement to run a four-billion-baht luxury hotel and residence on Sukhumvit Road, in front of the old Ambassador Hotel next to Soi 13, for Grande Asset Plc.
Carlson has also been in discussions with various property owners to manage their hotels and resorts under the Regent brand in Thailand, specifically in Hua Hin, Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Phuket, said Paul Kirwin, president and managing director of Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific. "

Deutsche U19-Frauen werden in Thailand Weltmeister

2004-11-28T07:29:00.000+07:00

Die deutsche U19-Nationalmannschaft hat sich mit einem 2:0-Erfolg über China den Titel bei der Weltmeisterschaft in Thailand gesichert. Für das Team von Trainerin Silvia Neid trafen Simone Laudehr und Melanie Behringer. Mit einem 2:0-Finalsieg über China sind die deutschen U19-Juniorinnen in Thailand erstmals Weltmeister geworden und haben damit ihre momentane Galaform eindrucksvoll unter Beweis gestellt. Simone Laudehr vom FCR Duisburg (4.) und Melanie Behringer vom SC Freiburg (82.) erzielten vor 30.000 Zuschauern die Tore für das Team von DFB-Trainerin Silvia Neid. "Ich bin stolz auf meine Mannschaft. Sie hat wieder toll gespielt. Unser Ziel war es unter die ersten Vier zu kommen, nun sind wir die Besten. Unser großes Plus war der Teamgeist", meinte Neid im Anschluss.

mehr bei: Fussballspiel Thailand - Deutschland am 21.Dezember 2004

Die Regatta des Königs

2004-11-28T07:27:00.000+07:00

Der Cup zum Geburtstag von Bhumipol Adulyadej ist Asiens größtes Segelereignisvon Olaf PetersenDie Regatten um den Kings Cup Anfang Dezember in den tropischen Gewässern um Thailands Touristen-Zentrum Phuket waren für Segler aus Deutschland bisher ein Geheimtip. Nur wenige beteiligten sich. Die elf Flugstunden von Deutschland bis zum Regattavergnügen schreckten ab, obwohl die Segelwettfahrt in einer besonders reizvollen Insellandschaft stattfindet. In diesem Jahr wollten allerdings erheblich mehr Segler die größte Regattaveranstaltung Asiens zum Abschluß ihrer diesjährigen Segelsaison machen als es Boote gab. Doch wer nicht schon kurz im Anschluß der Veranstaltung im vorigen Jahr eine Charteryacht für das Ereignis in Thailand gebucht hat, muß jetzt wieder ein Jahr warten
mehr bei: http://www.huahin-tourist-information.com/cgi-bin/weblog.php.cgi?weblog=2

Bird-watchers flock to Thailand

2004-11-28T07:14:00.000+07:00

By Sharon Chan
WE saw lots of birds and also lots of birders!” enthused a participant to 2004’s Raptor Watch in Chumphon, 600km north of Hatyai and only 200 km south of Hua Hin, Thailand.
Every year, around September and October, hundreds of bird-watchers armed with binoculars, sighting scopes and cameras descend upon this otherwise little known town on the Isthmus of Kra, midway between Bangkok and Hatyai. These connoisseurs of feathered creatures come from the host country, Malaysia and Singapore and as far away as the UK and Hong Kong.
Lim Aun Tiah, 62, of the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) is impressed with the organisation of the Chumphon Raptor Watch and has made it a point to come every year since it was started three years ago.
“We want to support the organisers. The Raptor Watch creates awareness among the local population. It helps to gather data that can be used in long term environmental conservation. The raptors are at the top of the avian food chain. Any variation in avian population would be a good indication of forest degradation or climatic changes.
“Another very important point is the sharing of data. We hope to build up a database to incorporate Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia, countries on the bird migration path between Asia and the southern continents.”
Thailand’s national representative for the Asian Raptor Research and Conservation Network (ARRCN), Surachai Rungkunakorn, 32, the first organiser of the Chumphon Raptor Watch three years ago, said, “I was very impressed with the Malaysian Raptor Watch at Tanjung Tuan. ARRCN suggested a similar event in Thailand, and so I had to look for a suitable place to count raptors (birds of prey which feed on smaller creatures). ”
That was where Chukiat Nualsri, 34, came in. Being the District Officer of Thayang sub-district, he suggested his own town Chumphon, which is situated on one of the narrowest parts of the isthmus which links Thailand to Peninsular Malaysia. the southern most country of the Asian mainland.
From Oct 23 to 25 this year, the normally sleepy Chumpon came alive as people from all walks of life came calling. The few hotels were filled to capacity and tiny food shops and restaurants did brisk business as hungry birders chomped their way through town – in between getting their fill of the area’s large birds.
The final official tally of the 2004 raptor count was 53,701 with about 90% being Black Bazas. A far second was the Grey-faced Buzzard, with sprinklings of the Japanese Sparrowhawk, Chinese Sparrowhawk, Oriental Honey Buzzard, Black Kite and Eastern Marsh Harrier.
We enjoyed those three days mingling with like-minded people and adding to the noise. It must be pointed out though that keeping a tab on the raptor population is not just about having fun. Every year a few dedicated bird-lovers spend months in selected venues to keep track of migratory raptors. So it’s serious business.
But we had fun indeed chasing birds, meeting people who are birds of a feather and savouring the delicious food and warm hospitality of Thailand. W
For further information, visit http://seed.net/savebird/thaiRaptorWatch/raptor_count2004_ e.html

Thai hospitality firm Royal Garden Resorts seeks opportunities abroad

2004-11-25T14:31:00.000+07:00

By Nondhanada Intarakomalyasut
Royal Garden Resorts Plc (RGR), a leading player in Thailand's hospitality industry, is looking towards expanding both its food and hotel businesses overseas by means of acquisitions and management contracts.
Chairman Bill Heinecke yesterday said that the group was looking at Bali, the Maldives and Vietnam as potential destinations to either take over properties or manage existing hotels under its own brands.
As the group now had its own hotel brand, Anantara, Mr Heinecke said he has been approached by several hotels overseas to manage their properties. Next year, the group is likely to have more properties overseas as well as more food outlets under a franchise basis in China, the Middle East and Asean.
Currently, it has 15 franchised Pizza Company outlets overseas and expects that number to increase to at least 35 next year, mainly in China. At the same time, the group is looking to open Mandara Spa outlets overseas after it acquired the 49 percent stake worth US$ 2.4 million owned by Nasdaq-listed Steiner Leisure Ltd and became the sole owner of the spa business.
Pratana Manomaiphiboon, RGR's chief financial officer, said the group was trying to increase the stakes in all of its ventures as it would help immediately generate more revenue for shareholders.
It recently acquired a 50 percent interest worth 479 million baht in the five-star JW Marriott Phuket resort and spa previously held by the US hotel chain Marriott International as part of an aggressive growth plan.
It also increased its holding in Rajdamri Hotel Plc from 49.3 percent to 57.7 percent by acquiring shares from Kasikornbank worth 176.7 million baht.
"I want to buy businesses that I already know and our company usually acquires businesses at reasonable prices," said Mr Heinecke.
Recently, it opened two new Anantara Resort and Spa sites on Koh Samui and Kao Lak, Phangnga, in addition to two Anantara properties in Hua Hin and Chiang Rai.
Mr Heinecke said the unrest in the South had had no impact on RGR's hospitality business. In fact, revenue from the JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa grew 38 percent in the first nine months of this year.
Currently, the group runs 2,241 hotel rooms in 14 properties and has 464 food outlets under brands including The Pizza Company, Swensen's, Sizzler, Dairy Queen and Burger King.
RGR shares closed yesterday at 2.58 baht, up four satang, in trade worth 4.68 million baht. Over the past 52 weeks the shares have traded in a range between 2.44 and 3.78 baht.
-----
To see more of the Bangkok Post, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.bangkokpost.com.

SLAM! Sports - Soccer - Thai music tycoon still interested in Liverpool

2004-11-23T08:04:00.000+07:00

SLAM! Sports - Soccer - Thai music tycoon still interested in Liverpool: "Thai music tycoon still interested in Liverpool

BANGKOK (AP) - An entertainment tycoon leading Thailand's effort to buy a stake in Liverpool says he is still interested in the deal but he would first want to reach a merchandising agreement with Reebok, which owns the rights to produce the soccer team's products in Asia."
Paiboon Damrongchaitham, chairman of music and entertainment conglomerate GMM Grammy, announced in June that he would lead a 88-million-euro ($136 million Cdn) bid for a 30 per cent stake in the English Premier League team.

He took up the project after the Thai government abandoned its plan to fund the purchase using money from a state lottery amid criticism that it would be wasteful.

Speaking at a news conference Monday, Paiboon said that he submitted a proposal to Reebok last Friday about obtaining merchandising rights for Liverpool products in Asia. He said he expects an agreement to be reached within six weeks but declined to give details.

If a deal with Reebok is reached, Paiboon said he would hold further talks with Liverpool for the purchase of a stake.

Norwegian Royal visit to Thailand

2004-11-23T07:58:00.000+07:00

Norwegian Royal visit to Thailand: "
Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit will on Tuesday begin a four-day official visit to Thailand, at the invitation of King Bhumibol Adulyadej - Rama IX.
The visit will mark the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Norway and Thailand.
The Norwegian Royals will on Wednesday be received in audience by King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit at the Royal Palace in Hua Hin, around 200 km south of Bangkok.
The Norwegian Royal couple arrived in Thailand already on Saturday"

World's largest elephant banquet held in Thailand

2004-11-22T06:59:00.000+07:00

Bangkok (VNA) - Over 10,000 Thai and foreign tourists flocked to Thailand's northeastern province of Surin for a world record-breaking banquet involving over 300 elephants.
The banquet, which won a place in the Guinness Book of Records, took place in the centre of Surin town, and was presided over by a former defence minister on Friday.
Tourists packed the streets of the town to watch the procession of over 300 elephants wind its way throughout Surin to the banquet tables, where the hungry pachyderms were greeted with five tonnes of pineapples, five tonnes of bananas, 25 tonnes of sugarcane, five tonnes of watermelons, five tonnes of cucumbers, five tonnes of sweet potatoes and 10 tonnes of maize arranged on 400 tables stretching for one kilometre along the road.
Visitors to Surin will be able to witness the annual elephant show over the weekend.
http://www.vnagency.com.vn

New Thailand tourism campaign announced - (United Press International)

2004-11-21T07:08:00.000+07:00

New Thailand tourism campaign announced - (United Press International): "New Thailand tourism campaign announced

BANGKOK, Thailand, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- The Tourism Authority of Thailand has made 'Happiness on Earth' its marketing campaign, with the theme 'Every Hour in Thailand is Happy Hour.' "

Tourism Authority of Thailand News Room - LATEST UPDATE

2004-11-19T15:23:00.000+07:00

Tourism Authority of Thailand News Room - LATEST UPDATE: "BAN MAI RIVERSIDE MARKET

At Talat Ban Mai, the local community has revived its 100 year-old riverside market on the east end of Chachoengsao. Open during weekends and public holidays, the well-preserved market offers visitors glimpses of traditional town life and an opportunity to taste a myriad of Thai and Chinese delicacies for which the area, an 80-minute drive east of Bangkok, is known.
Though the name means �new village market�, this network of over 120 wooden shophouses and stalls has barely changed since King Rama V paid a visit on 25 January 1907. The Sino-Thai settlement, founded during the reign of King Rama III, prospered from waterborne trade at the confluence of the Klong Ban Mai canal with the 230-kilometre-long Bang Pakong, one of the major rivers flowing into the Gulf of Thailand."

Tourism Authority of Thailand News Room - LATEST UPDATE

2004-11-19T15:20:00.000+07:00

Tourism Authority of Thailand News Room - LATEST UPDATE: "THAILAND TO HOST ASIA'S FIRST IUCN CONVENTION"

2004-11-09T16:22:00.000+07:00

......
For holidays, Thailand is a great place. I like Hua Hin because it has a whole combination of things. The beach is there. So are the golf courses.
We have a lovely hotel there in the Sofitel Hua Hin. If I had to name a good non-Accor resort there, I'd have to say the Chiva-Som is a spectacular place. Then again, I get bored after a while in a spa. I don't visit places like Chiva-Som very often.....

to read the whole article click here

Hua Hin-Bangkok air shuttle launched

2004-11-04T15:56:00.000+07:00

Bangkok Post Horizons

JARUNEE TAEMSAMRAN
Tourists travelling between Don Muang Airport to Hua Hin, Thailand's favourite seaside resort town, now have another way of commuting between the two destinations.Instead of travelling by road which usually take three to four hours or more depending on the traffic, you can now fly from Bangkok to Hua Hin in only 40 minutes.The so-called Hua Hin Air Shuttle service is operated by Siam GA (SGA), a small airline, which hopes to serve an increasing number of tourists wishing to travel to Hua Hin in a more convenient way.``There is quite a huge demand for air shuttle service to Hua Hin as the destination now attracts more upmarket international travellers,'' said Dr Jain Charnnarong, the company's managing director.
In launching the air shuttle, the company has joined hands with leading hotels in Hua Hin such as Anantara Resort and Spa, Evason Hua Hin Resort and Spa, Chiva Som International, Royal Marriot, Regent Cha-am, Hyatt Regency and Sofitel Central Hua Hin.New international hotel chains slated to open in Hua Hin and Cha-am shortly are expected to join in as well.
Since November 1, the airline has been operating four daily flights to Hua Hin from Bangkok using the 12-seater Cessna aircraft.The Cessna is a light aircraft fit for low altitude flying. Passengers on shuttle flights will have the opportunity to enjoy a bird's eye view of the scenic terrain along the route. The aircraft will fly over Bangkok , Samut Prakarn, the Gulf of Thailand, the Chao Phraya River and Petchaburi before touching down in Hua Hin.
``The scenery is very beautiful,'' said Dr Jain.
A round-trip ticket cost 5,500 baht (US$135) per person. At least two days advance booking is required.
Since the flying time is only 40 minutes, there is no inflight service. However, the airline does have its own lounge in Bangkok and Hua Hin where passengers can relax and help themselves to food and drinks.

Mixed Blessing: Finding a balance between cultures

2004-11-02T14:24:00.000+07:00

E-Citylife: "Mixed Blessing: Finding a balance between cultures"
One of Thailand's newest pop stars, Lanna Cumming had a confusing time growing up. After years spent flitting between schools in Bangkok, Malaysia and Australia she joined an international school here in Chiang Mai. Born to an Australian father and Thai mother (the famous northern singer Soontaree Vechanont) Lanna struggled to find peers to identify with and consequently became quite isolated......
.....Jason feels no need to assert his heritage and finds Thaksin and the whole notion of Thainess complicated. "His obsession with Thainess doesn't really match his actions, and what is Thainess anyway? He doesn't go to Hua Hin for his vacation, he goes to Australia." Having always found tolerance to be one of the most admirable Thai qualities, Jason now sees a country where people are turning against each other and immigrants in particular.
....... read the whole article here

E-Citylife Far from Worries

2004-11-02T14:16:00.000+07:00

E-Citylife: ...... "Only a few hours drive from Bangkok and located on the southern railroad, Hua Hin has been a popular seaside retreat for much of the last hundred years. King Rama VII lent the town a dash of celebrity in the late 1920s with the construction of Klai Kangwon (Far From Worries) Palace which he used to escape the travails of the capital: the rest of Bangkok's high society promptly followed suit, flocking to the elegant Railway Hotel (now the Sofitel Central). Over the following years, as the numbers of tourists steadily grew, beachfront bungalows began to spring up and the city began to take shape as the well-heeled Thai's beach resort of choice. Now, Hua Hin's resident population of only around 65,000 swells to close on 200,000 at the height of the tourist season." ........

Directions: Thailand crisis: main resorts 'still safe'

2004-11-01T05:53:00.000+07:00

The far south of Thailand has been declared off limits for tourists after terrorist attacks and rioting in the Narathiwat region last week. On Monday, 78 people died of suffocation in police vans after being arrested during a protest march, and on Thursday, one person died when a bomb exploded in Sungai Ko-Lok, a tourist town popular with Malaysians. More than 400 people have died so far this year in the conflict between Thailand’s Muslim community, based in the southern provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala and Songkhla, and the central government in Bangkok.
The UK Foreign Office (0870 606 03290, www.fco.gov.uk) is now recommending against all but essential travel to the provinces. The far south of Thailand is not yet a well- developed package-holiday destination, said Thailand Tourism: “The nearest westerners’ resort is Trang (more than 150 kilometres from Songkhla) and we’re confident these troubles will stay in the far, far south.”
NI_MPU('middle');
In an indication that British travellers may be becoming more sanguine about the relative threats of terrorist attacks, Thailand Tourism claims that no travel operators have reported any customer queries regarding the unrest.
However, the overland crossing between Thailand and Malaysia has become a very popular independent traveller’s route. The Rough Guide to Thailand, published before the troubles began, describes Songkhla as having “fine restaurants and excellent accommodation, a stimulating place in which to hole up for a few days”, while Narathiwat is described as “increasingly popular with travellers stopping off on their way to or from the border, an easy-going place in which to soak up the atmosphere for a few days”. Before the troubles erupted, the region was beginning to develop, installing airstrips and regional tourist offices.

from http://www.timesonline.co.uk

Drehstart für ZDF-Psychothriller "Lieben und Töten" in Thailand Wolf Gremm verfilmt Roman von Barbara Wilde

2004-10-30T05:51:00.000+07:00

Am 1. November 2004 beginnen auf der Insel Phuket in Thailand die rund vierwöchigen Dreharbeiten für den neuen ZDF-Fernsehfilm der Woche "Lieben und Töten". Anne Brendler und Francis Fulton-Smith spielen das krisengeschüttelte Ehepaar, das mit einem Urlaub in Thailand einen Neuanfang wagen will. Isabelle und Tom besuchen Isabelles beste Freundin Julia (Gesine Cukrowski), die eine Tauchschule betreibt. Statt wieder zueinander zu finden, spitzt sich die Ehekrise zu, denn Tom wird ein Video zugespielt, das Isabelles Untreue beweisen soll.Als sich Isabelle tatsächlich in einen anderen Mann verliebt, den deutschen Abenteurer Klaus (Bernhard Schir), nehmen dramatische Ereignisse ihren Lauf. Klaus gerät unter Verdacht, vor Jahren seine Frau getötet zu haben, um ein sorgloses Leben auf Phuket führen zu können.Isabelle wachsen die Dinge über den Kopf und sie versucht, nach Deutschland zurück zu fliegen. Doch jemand hat dafür gesorgt, dass sie das Land nicht verlassen kann. Wer ist dieser gefährliche Widersacher, der sein Spiel mit ihr treibt? Isabelle gerät in Lebensgefahr."Lieben und Töten" ist eine Koproduktion von Ziegler Film GmbH & Co. KG und Siamlite Filmservice Co. Ltd. im Auftrag des ZDF. Das Drehbuch von Mathias Klaschka und Wolf Gremm, der auch Regie führt, entstand nach dem Roman "Wie das Gift in die Mango kam" von Barbara Wilde. Die Redaktion im ZDF hat Pit Rampelt . Ausführender Produzent ist Wolfgang Hantke.Ein Sendetermin steht nicht fest.ots-Originaltext: ZDFDigitale Pressemappe: http://www.presseportal.de/story.htx?firmaid=7840

Bangkok Post Thursday 28 October 2004 - Speeding on waterways

2004-10-28T06:32:00.000+07:00

Bangkok Post Thursday 28 October 2004 - Speeding on waterways: "Speeding on waterways

Jet ski tours offer a modern edge to the spirit of adventure and a chance to see Thailand and meet its people intimately
Stories and photos by JARUNEE TAEMSAMRAN
Fancy touring Thailand's rivers? The gentle breeze blowing off the rivers will surely cool you down and set you up nicely for a relaxing experience in truly traditional countryside atmosphere amid warm and friendly people.

For tourists, the usual mode of river travel in Thailand has been cruise ships or long-tailed boats. But lately, another alternative has come along the way _ jet skis. Sounds fanciful, doesn't it? because the general image people have about jet skis is that of riding them full throttle into the open sea against the backdrop of blue sky and nothing in the way to slow them down.

But for a change just imagine riding them in a river or canal, just like long-tailed boats, and you will get an idea of their utility and versatility, your prescription for fun and adventure on the waterways.

As a matter of fact, there are a growing number of people in Thailand who have subscribed to this mode of travel to explore the country and its rich assortment of treasures lying along its intricate network of rivers and canals.

``You have to do it yourself to believe it,'' said Mr Sataporn Navamala, who was taking us on a jet ski tour in Samut Songkhram, a province that's an hour-long drive from Bangkok.

The jet ski is a light-weight craft that is convenient to get around with on water, just like boats that ply the waterways. And like motorcycles that can zigzag their way past traffic on congested roads, jet skis are fast and versatile vehicles ideal for nego"

Unterwegs im grünen Norden

2004-10-28T06:15:00.000+07:00

Elefanten und Bergvölker: Chiang Mai ist eine Reise in die Vergangenheit
VON Detlef Berg, 27.10.04, 12:42h, aktualisiert 27.10.04, 12:49h
In Nord-Thailand schwingen die Elefanten in ihren Camps manchmal sogar den Malerpinsel. (Foto: dpa)
Chiang Mai/dpa. Wenn sich Thailand-Touristen über ihre Zeit in Siam austauschen, geht es oft um ganz ähnliche Erlebnisse: Die Palmen an den weiten Sandstränden Phukets haben viele Urlauber ebenso in Erinnerung behalten wie das quirlige Großstadtleben Bangkoks. Wer vor allem in Nord-Thailand unterwegs war, kann aber noch von anderen Erfahrungen erzählen: Eine Tour in Richtung Chiang Mai ist eine Reise in die Vergangenheit und zu Bergvölkern mit ganz eigenen Traditionen.
Einen tiefen Blick ins Geschichtsbuch ermöglicht schon Ayutthaya, als erste Station gut 70 Kilometer nördlich von Bangkok gelegen. «Zu unseren Füßen liegt eine der Hauptstädte des alten Siam», erklärt der Reiseführer Albert. Ayutthaya liegt auf einer Insel, die drei Flüsse umspülen und gehörte 400 Jahre lang zu den reichsten Imperien Asiens: «Das mächtige Reich umfasste große Teile von Laos und Kambodscha und erstreckte sich im Süden fast bis Singapur», erzählt der Guide. «Die Stadt entwickelte sich zum Kulturzentrum und wichtigen Handelsplatz, an dem viele europäische Handelshäuser Niederlassungen unterhielten.»
Doch 1767 wurde die Stadt zerstört. Bis heute hätten die Thais den Verlust der Pracht nicht völlig verkraftet und den Birmanen die Zerstörung nie verziehen, sagt Albert. Die Reste sind aber immer noch so imposant, dass sie die Unesco zum Weltkulturerbe erklärte.
Nächste Station auf der Reise in den Norden ist Sukothai, rund 440 Kilometer von Bangkok entfernt. Die Fahrt dorthin führt durch eine weite Ebene, die durch den Menam Chao Phraya und seine wasserreichen Nebenflüsse geprägt ist. Links und rechts der stark befahrenen Straße erstrecken sich endlos erscheinende Reisfelder. «Das ist die Reisschüssel unseres Landes», sagt Albert.
Sukothai bedeutet «Morgenröte des Glücks». Um die erste Hauptstadt des thailändischen Königreichs ranken sich zahllose Geschichten. Eine besagt, dass das thailändische Lichterfest Loy Krathong seinen Ursprung in dem mit Seerosen überwucherten «Goldenen Teich» des Wat-Trapang-Thong-Tempels hatte. Hier werden - wie überall im Land -in der Vollmondnacht des elften Mondmonats, meist im November, winzige Boote ausgesetzt: jedes mit einer Kerze, einer Münze und einem Räucherstäbchen. Jedes Boot symbolisiert dabei einen Wunsch.
Am Morgen darauf geht es weiter nach Chiang Mai. Die «Rose des Nordens», wie die Thais die zweitgrößte Stadt ihres Landes nennen, kann mit mehr als 100 Tempelanlagen aufwarten. In der 1291 gegründeten Stadt sind bis heute Reste einer mittelalterlichen Mauer erhalten geblieben, die die historische Altstadt von den immer weiter ins Umland wuchernden Wohnsiedlungen und Fabrikanlagen trennen.
Am späten Nachmittag führt ein Ausflug zum Tempel Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep hoch über der Stadt. Als im 14. Jahrhundert der Legende nach ein weißer Elefant genau hier in die Knie ging, dreimal trompetete und den Ort als Aufbewahrungsstätte einer Buddha-Relique auserkor, entstand einer der heiligsten Orte der Nation. «Himmelsschlangen» flankieren eine Treppe mit 300 Stufen zur Chedi genannten Reliquienkammer, der von einer Galerie von Glocken umgeben wird.
«Kein aufrechter Pilger wird versäumen, diese Glocken zu läuten», sagt Albert. «Viele Gläubige kaufen als Opfergabe Blattgold, das sie auf bestimmte Buddha-Figuren auftragen.» Das verspricht ebenso Glück wie die Stoffbändchen, die als Amulett am Handgelenk getragen werden.
Ein Glückssymbol ganz besonderer Art sind in Thailand Elefanten. Seit die grauen Riesen nicht mehr für Hilfsdienste beim Holzfällen benötigt werden, zeigen die Jumbos in mehreren Camps den Besuchern, was sie können. Ein aufregendes Erlebnis ist auch ein Elefantenritt -erstaunlich trittsicher meistern die Dickhäuter selbst steile Hänge.
Eine Attraktion in Chiang Mai ist auch der Nachtmarkt. Rund um die Chang Klan Road füllen sich jeden Abend nach Einbruch der Dunkelheit die engen Gassen der Stadt, das laute und bunte Treiben dauert bis weit nach Mitternacht. Dicht umlagert sind vor allem die vielen kleinen Imbissstände: Geschickte Köche bereiten vor den Augen der Kunden in wenigen Minuten Köstlichkeiten wie scharfe Nudeln mit Curry zu. Selten kostet eine Portion mehr als ein oder zwei Euro.
Das Warenangebot auf dem größten Nachtmarkt Thailands ist riesig: Früchte wie Rambutan, Durian oder Ananas liegen hoch aufgetürmt nebeneinander. Apathische Hühner dösen mit zusammengebundenen Füßen auf Bananenblättern, einige Stände weiter werden Designerklamotten, edle Taschen und Luxusuhren ausgebreitet. Diese «Markenartikel» sind allesamt Imitate. An einer anderen Ecke kann man jungen Männern beim Schnitzen von Teakholz-Elefanten zuschauen. Wie Lackwaren, Silberschmuck, Keramik oder Korbwaren sind die Dickhäuter beliebte Souvenirs. Kunst und Kitsch liegen allerdings dicht beieinander.
Viele dieser Erzeugnisse werden noch immer in traditioneller Weise in der Umgebung von Chiang Mai hergestellt. Im neun Kilometer entfernten Dorf Bo Sang zum Beispiel können Touristen Silberschmieden bei der Arbeit zusehen oder sich anschauen, wie bunte, handbemalte Papierschirme entstehen, angefangen beim Schöpfen des Papiers bis hin zum Bemalen. Das Dorf Kamphaeng ist wegen seiner auf Holzwebstühlen gewebten Seidenstoffe bekannt, und an der Straße nach Fang entstehen in Manufakturen die feinen, grünlich schimmernden Celadon-Keramiken, deren Geheimnis chinesische Künstler in die Region brachten.
Der Norden Thailands mit seiner wuchernden Natur, den Bergen und Wasserfällen ist auch ein Tummelplatz für Globetrotter aus aller Welt, die auf dem Weg zum Dschungel-Trekking oder zum legendären «Goldenen Dreieck» sind. Als Ausgangspunkt für Abstecher in die Berge bietet sich Chiang Rai, die nördlichste Provinzhauptstadt des Landes, an. Im «Hilltribe-Museum» erfahren Besucher dort, dass sechs größere Bergvölker, die in den vergangenen 200 Jahren zumeist als Flüchtlinge ins Land kamen, in der Region leben. Jedes spricht seine eigene Sprache, trägt seine eigene Tracht, hat eigene Glaubensvorstellungen und religiöse Riten.
Allen gemeinsam war die traditionelle Einkommensquelle: der Anbau von Schlafmohn zur Opiumgewinnung. «Lange Zeit war Opium legal», erzählt ein Mitarbeiter des Museums. «In den dreißiger Jahren des 20. Jahrhunderts wurde der Opiumanbau sogar von der Regierung gefördert, um teure Importe aus Britisch-Indien zu vermeiden. Erst 1959 kam es zum Verbot.» Es habe lange gedauert, bis es auch durchgesetzt war.
Die Landwirtschaft wurde auf den Anbau von Kaffee, Reis, Gemüse, Erdbeeren und Blumen umgestellt. «Heute verdienen die Bergbauern daran mehr als am Mohnanbau», sagt Albert. «Das heißt aber nicht, dass die Region als Umschlagplatz für Opium ausgedient hätte. Die Grenzen sind lang und schwer zu kontrollieren. Mehr Probleme haben wir aber mit Amphetaminen, die ins Land geschmuggelt werden, obwohl die Strafen für Drogendelikte bei uns extrem hoch sind.»
Auch der Tourismus trägt heute zum Lebensunterhalt der Bergvölker bei. So begleiten junge Männer die Fremden bei Dschungeltouren, ganze Dorfgemeinschaften haben sich auf Besucher eingestellt. Kritiker wenden ein, dass Reisegruppen nur «ein folkloristischer Budenzauber mit Tänzen, bunten Trachten und einem an der Opiumpfeife saugenden Großvater» vorgeführt wird - für bare Münze, versteht sich.
Mehr Authentizität verspricht ein Besuch des Dorfes Ban Lorcha unweit der Grenzstadt Mae Sai. Am anderen Ufer des gleichnamigen Flusses beginnt Myanmar, das frühere Birma. Das Tourismusprojekt hier entstand mit staatlicher Hilfe und ermöglicht Einblicke in das Leben der Bergvölker. Durch einen Torbogen betreten die Besucher das vom Stamm der Hmong bewohnte 350-Seelen-Dorf. Auf einem 1,2 Kilometer langen Rundweg besteht die Möglichkeit, Wohnhäuser von innen zu sehen und den Hmong bei ihrer handwerklichen Arbeit über die Schulter zu schauen. Ein Englisch sprechender Führer hilft, Fragen der Besucher zu beantworten.
Natürlich darf in Nord-Thailand eine Visite des «Goldenen Dreiecks» nicht fehlen. «Mit dem Begriff ist nicht das Dreiländereck von Thailand, Birma und Laos gemeint, sondern es umfasst ein größeres Areal dieser Länder, das früher für den Opiumanbau berühmt-berüchtigt war», erläutert Albert. Mitten im träge dahin fließenden Mekong treffen sich die Grenzen der drei Länder. Auf einer zu Birma gehörenden Insel thront ein Luxushotel mit Kasino. Thailand hatte die Betriebsgenehmigung aus Angst vor Geldwäsche verweigert, doch über die Grenze ist es ja nur ein «Katzensprung».
http://www.mz-web.de

International aviation meeting helps solve Thai tourism ‘crisis’

2004-10-27T13:25:00.000+07:00

MCOT English News

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, Oct 27 (TNA) – The World Airlines Clubs Association (WACA)'s decision to host its 37th annual general meeting in Cha-am--a renowned resort site in Thailand's southern province of Petchburi-- yesterday will help the country eradicate its currently negative image of a country rife with bird flu and insurgency, the director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT)'s Central Region Office, Region 2 said yesterday.

Mr. Silachai Surai said that the meeting would highlight the capability of the resorts of Cha-am and Hua Hin in the nearby Prachuap Khiri Khan to host international level conferences – particularly important given that the delegates to the WACA meeting were likely to publicize their experiences of Thailand to airlines around the world.

Most importantly, he said, it would help do away with rumours concerning Thailand’s avian flu situation and militant action in the three southern border provinces, generating confidence that neither bird flu, nor southern violence were affecting tourists to the kingdom. (TNA)--E006

Border customs to get One-Stop-Service Centres

2004-10-25T05:56:00.000+07:00

Thailand plans to introduce ''one-stop-service'' centres at some of the country’s border towns to help speed up customs procedures for traders, according to a senior customs official.

One-stop centres will be established initially at four border checkpoints -- Mae Sai checkpoint in northern Chiang Rai province, Mae Sot checkpoint in Tak province, Aranyaprathet checkpoint in Prachinburi province bordering Cambodia, and another one in the nearby Mukdaharn province, the country’s chief customs official, Sathit Limpongpan told TNA on Sunday .

''The one-stop-service centres will cut down on the time consuming paperwork for cross-border traders and should also help increase the value of bilateral trade with our neighbouring countries,'' said Mr. Sathit.

Border trade has long been an important part of the Thai economy, he said. Customs officials hope to provide a speedier service to traders to help boost border trade, he said.

''Usually, to import certain goods from neighbouring Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia, local traders need special licences. These they have to acquire from various ministries – including the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry and the Health Ministry Health. In the past they would have to make special trips to Bangkok and waste their time. In the near future, our one-stop-service centres at the border check points will issue all licences on the spot. This will save a lot of time and effort, and allow the goods to be processed very quickly,'' he said.

Thailand's neighbours are expected to introduce a similar service for traders on their side of the border in due course, he said.

The Thai customs will begin a one-day-clearance service for cross-border traders from early next month.

''We will reduce the week-long process to only one day to save traders time and money,'' Mr. Sathit said.(TNA)-E110

Six Senses ausgezeichnet

2004-10-23T06:43:00.000+07:00

Six Senses ausgezeichnet: "Bei den 16. Travel Awards wurden die Six Senses Spas von den Lesern von TTG Asia zur besten Spa Gruppe im gesamten asiatisch-pazifischen Raum gek�rt.

Die Travel Awards werden j�hrlich f�r herausragende Leistungen im Reisebusiness vergeben. 1989 eingef�hrt geh�ren sie zwischenzeitlich zu den begehrtesten und prestigetr�chtigsten Preisen der Reisebranche. Die Nominierten in den verschiedenen Kategorien werden von mehr als 28.000 Lesern von TTG Asia und TTG China gew�hlt.
W�hrend der letzten zehn Jahre haben sich die Six Senses Resorts & Spas mit ihrem innovativen Konzept besonderes Ansehen f�r ihre ganzheitliche Spa-Philosophie von den Malediven �ber Thailand bis Vietnam erworben.
'Das Konzept des Six Senses Resorts basiert auf Entspannung in einer nat�rlichen Umgebung, die Spa Philosophie ist ein zentraler Baustein davon', sagte Six Senses Gr�nder and CEO Sonu Shivdasani anl�sslich der Preisverleihung. 'Dabei handelt es sich nicht um starre Vorgaben, sondern vielmehr um eine Mischung aus Verw�hn- Programmen und Therapien mit Schwerpunkt auf Gesundheit, Entspannung, Sch�nheit, Stressabbau und Erholung vom t�glichen Druck in einer zunehmend hektischen Welt.'
Dieses ganzheitliche Konzept f�r K�rper, Geist und Sinne gilt in allen Spas der Hotelgruppe: In den Soneva Resorts auf den Malediven ebenso wie in den Evason Hideaways und Evason Resorts in Thailand und Vietnam.
Six Senses Spas werden zudem in anderen Hotels und Resorts betrieben, die nicht zum Unternehmen geh�ren; die ersten er�ffneten j�ngst im Madinat Jumeriah in Dubai und The Imperial in New Delhi. Weitere Six Senses Spas sind in Irland, Mauritius, Qatar, Jordanien, Portugal, Spanien, Griechenland und der Dominikanischen Republik geplant. "