Head of guest service Witchunee Kuntapeng said the Bangkok-Chumphon route has been well received. The high load factor was likely due to Chumphon being a much-awaited destination.

AirAsia is the airline with the most routes in the Thai South.

The Bt50 discount on shuttle rides between the airport and downtown allowed passengers to ride the regularly priced Bt150 shuttle for only Bt100.

The privilege can be accessed until May 31 at the Fame Tour counter at the airport or at the Fame Tour shop on Saladaeng Road in Muang Chumphon.

An island transfer to Koh Tao will be available for AirAsia passengers in April.

Jirut Wisaljitr, director general of the Harbour Department, said on Monday that he had assigned his deputy, Nut Jubjai, to carry out a feasibility study into opening regular shuttle boat services between Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga.

Jirut said he was confident the study would be completed soon, paving the way for the services to start by the end of the year.

“Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga are the pearls of the Andaman sea and many tourists visit them but there are no regular passenger boat services linking them,” said Jirut.

His department favoured inter-province shuttle boat services because this offered the best way of providing an efficient service while also keeping costs down for tourists.

He said his deputy would survey the infrastructure needed to launch the shuttle boat service and would consult with local boat operators as well as carry out market research on the needs of passengers.

Jirut will visit the three provinces this week to meet passenger boat operators and discuss possible routes for the new services.

He said his department would also ensure that existing passenger boat services operators in the country improved their services to reach international standards.

The operators would be required to replace their ageing fleets with new boats and to increase the number of vessels on hand to cut the waiting time for passengers.

The operators, including the Chao Phraya Express Boat, Seatran Ferry and Raja Ferry Port, will be required to submit proposals to the Harbour Department for consideration, Jirut added.

Unlike previous years the celebrations this year would not be held at Sanam Luang, the BMA official said.

On April 12, there will be a procession of the Phra Buddha Sihing image to Lumpini Park. The procession will start at 8.30am and will stop at six locations for Buddhists to pay obeisance to the Buddha idol. The idol is scheduled to reach the park at 5pm and will be placed on the main stage for merit-making rites.

On April 13, which is Songkran Day or New Year Day, Buddhist monks will receive alms at the merit-making venue and there will be a rite for the pouring of water on the hands of the elderly, Silapasuay said.

She said the celebrations will be bigger than in previous years and there will be Songkran beauty contests for girls, middle-aged women as well as the elderly.

She said Songkran revellers could get dressed in period costumes or floral-patterned colourful shirts that are normally worn for Songkran.

She said there would be traditional shows and booths would also be set up to sell OTOP products and goods that are original to Bangkok.

Since the BMA-organised festivities will take place in the proximity of the annual Songkran celebrations on Silom Road, a huge number of revellers are expected hence visitors are advised to use either BTS Skytrain of MRT subway to reach the park, the BMA official added.

Nattaporn Jatusripitak, spokesman attached to the deputy prime minister in charge of economic affairs, said the visa exemption for 21 nations from March 1 to August 31 2017 caused the government lo lose income from visa issuance by Bt7.19 billion, but tourism income during the period increased by Bt47.553 billion.

The figures came from the Tourism and Sports Ministry’s report to the Cabinet on Tuesday.

The ministry told the Cabinet that the visa exemption measure for the 21 nations did not have to be extended as tourism income had improved, Nattaporn said.

During the period, 6.06 million tourists from the 21 countries were granted visa exemption and their number increased by 4.46 per cent compared to the same period of the previous year.

The number of tourists from the 21 countries constituted 34.97 per cent of all 17.35 million tourists from all countries, who boosted the country’s coffers by Bt303.143 billion during the period. Tourism income during the period increased by 6.64 per cent, the spokesman added.

DOT’s director general Anan Wongbenjarat said the Division of Tourism Business and Guide Registration has increased the number of volunteers to assist foreign visitors at various main tourist attractions in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga, Chon Buri, Songkhla, Surat Thani, Kanchanaburi and Nakhon Ratchasima.

Consequently, the number of the tourism volunteers has increased from 52 to 71.

Apart from helping the visitors and coordinating with private and government agencies, the volunteers are also responsible for filing daily reports to the DOT on the latest tourism information in their area.

They are especially handy during emergencies, when the tourists have accidents or need urgent help.

Deputy TAT governor Sujitra Jongcharnsittho says the Thailand International Kite Festival 2018 will be held at the Army Non-Commissioned Officer School next to Ratchapak Park from Friday to Sunday, with the theme “Heroes in the Air”.

Tourists from at least ten countries are expected to join in and the park will have a DIY corner for them to design and paint their own kites.

There will also be several food trucks showcasing the seaside resort’s signature dishes.

The newly revamped site has been designed to provide the ultimate user-friendly experience and features, offering direct access to the group’s resorts as well as a focus on allowing all affiliated hotels and resorts to be booked via Rasa Hospitality, the company said in a statement.

The website also has a member sign-up allowing users to find exclusive deals which are better than those found at online travel agent sites.

Beyond the focus on highlighting the network of member hotels and resorts, the new site has been designed to support the expansion of the management company both within Thailand and abroad, the company said in its statement.

“We are delighted about our new website launch as it provides guests, partners and media a better understanding of Rasa Hospitality’s products and services,” said Michael S Howard, co-founder and managing director of Rasa Hospitality.

The new website will be updated on a regular basis with business activities, corporate milestones, events and essential information for partners, he added.

Thanongsak Pongprasert, deputy governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) said on Tuesday that the Bangkok-Pattaya-Plu Ta Luang train route will start running as a pilot tourism route for six months from March 17 to September 30. Ban Plu Ta Luang is a tambon in Chon Buri’s Sattahib district.

The new route will run only Saturdays and Sundays and will stop at six major tourist destinations – Sri Racha, North Pattaya, Pattaya Floating Market, Nongnuch Garden, Wat Yan Sangwararam and Ban Plu Ta Luang.

Thanongsak said the SRT expected that 80 to 90 per cent of seats would be sold.

The one-way trip would cost Bt170.

The train will leave Bangkok station at 6.45am and and will reach the Ban Plu Ta Luang station at 9.50am.

The return train will leave Ban Plu Ta Luang station at 3.50pm and will reach Bangkok at 6.55pm.

Public transport will be available at each station to take tourists to nearby attractions.

Rungthip Bookhunthod, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand office in the northeastern province, said on Monday the festival continuing through April 3 would feature traditional performances at the Thao Suranee Monument and in front of the provincial hall.

Thao Suranee, referred to affectionately as Ya Mo (Grandma Mo), was the wife of the province’s governor in the 19th century who, in his absence, saved the populace from being taken hostage by the invading king of Vientiane.

Rungthip said tourists staying at any hotel in downtown Nakhon Ratchasima during the festival would be able to redeem their hotel receipt at the TAT office for a pha khama wrapping cloth worth Bt150.

The upgraded service has proved successful for Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI), which has been operating for three decades in Auckland.

“We’re committed to helping grow and strengthen New Zealand’s market ties with Thailand through our new daily Dreamliner service, which offers business travellers 30 ‘royal silk class’ business seats to Bangkok daily, and boosts business class capacity by 40 per cent per week,” said Karun Sirarojanakul, the Thai Airways general manager for New Zealand.

The full services delivered a pleasurable experience, including business-class seating and sleeping on board the long-haul 787-9 Dreamliner that recently replaced the airline’s 777-200ER aircraft used on the route to Auckland since 2008

“THAI is the only airline that operates the Bangkok-Auckland-Bangkok route,” said Karun. Flight frequency on the route increased in 2016 from four flights to five flights per week, boosting weekly capacity by 25 per cent. That was again stepped up in 2017 to daily flights, boosting total capacity by 40 per cent per week.

Thailand is now New Zealand’s eighth largest trading partner, with goods trading between the countries increasing almost 150 per cent since the Closer Economic Partnership was signed in 2005, according to New Zealand Export and Trade website.

Total trade figures between New Zealand and Thailand now total $3.62 billion (Bt113.32 billion) and it is estimated the new THAI service is worth $53 million to New Zealand’s economy.

“The increase in service is great news for New Zealand and will inject $53 million annually into the New Zealand economy,” said Scott Tasker, Auckland Airport’s general manager for aeronautical commercial on the Auckland Airport website.

Beside its alliance, the four-star airline also operates code-share with non-alliance members including Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia, making it easier for passengers to access local destinations.

New Zealanders have a visa exemption for a one-month visit to Thailand.

“Thailand is a popular holiday destination for Kiwis, with more than 120,000 New Zealanders travelling there during the past year,” Karun said.

“The upgraded service will bring more travellers to Thailand, which is the travel and business hub of Asia. On the other hand, Thais can enjoy exploring adventurous experiences and attractive Maori culture here,” he added.

THAI has joined with Destination Rotorua, Ngai Tahu Tourism, and Auckland International Airport to promote travel between Thailand and New Zealand with special campaigns that end this month.

Joining the recent media trip, I experienced cultural destinations in Rotorua, an island city located in New Zealand’s North Island that is renowned for its geothermal activity and Maori culture.

THAI has launched the “Hello New Zealand” campaign for customers to mark the special occasion of its increased flights.

A special fare for economy-class travel on the Bangkok-Auckland-Bangkok route starts at Bt25,720 per person (fares are inclusive of applicable airport taxes for a minimum of two travel partners).

Royal Orchid Plus joined hands with New Zealand Immigration and offers ROP members (Platinum Member, Gold Card and Silver Card) plus one non-ROP member travel partner who holds a Thai passport and resides in Thailand, the chance to apply for a New Zealand Visa without presenting a bank statement. This offer will be valid until March 31, 2018 and is applicable for ROP members who have held silver card status for at least 12 months.

“Hello New Zealand” tour packages are available for those who prefer freedom when they travel. This includes a four-day North Island fly-and-drive package starting from Bt42,500 and a 10-day North and South Island fly-and-drive package starting from Bt74,900. These prices include economy class tickets, accommodation with breakfast and car rental (unlimited distance). The package also includes an iFREE Global Travel Sim card.

Meanwhile, Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) and its subsidiaries have announced their results for 2017 with an operating profit of Bt2.85 billion (29.8 per cent lower than the same period last year). They attribute the drop to a 24.2 per cent increase in jet fuel prices, while average passenger yields decreased by 7.7 per cent due to the heavier competition and the reduction of fuel surcharges even though the average cabin factor was higher than last year.

After deduction of one-time expenses, mainly from the impairment of assets and aircraft and the loss on foreign currency exchange, THAI and  its subsidiaries reported a net loss of just over Bt 2.07 billion.