The original Viengtai Hotel opened its doors in 1953 and was the first hotel in the Bang Lamphu-Khao San area, which over the years has grown into a popular place to stay.

Back then, with little modern accommodation catering to visitors to the capital, the hotel aimed to create a home-away-from-home for tourists. The hotel has since been refurbished and underwent a complete rebranding facelift under ibis Styles.

“Khao San Road has long been favoured by backpackers,” says Patrick Basset, Chief Operating Officer of AccorHotels, Upper Southeast and Northeast Asia.

“The road is lined with budget guesthouses and midrange hotels and we are pleased to introduce ibis Styles Bangkok Khaosan Viengtai as the first international hotel in the area. We offer travellers all-inclusive bed and breakfast with spaciousness and comfort.”

The hotel features 215 contemporary and well-appointed guestrooms, Streats Cafe offers an international menu while Streats Bakery boasts freshly made French pastries at. A selection of meat skewers and easy dishes are available at Streats Bar, an open concept grillbar that also serves a range of signature cocktails and housepours.

Outdoor facilities include a pool, kids club, and bike rentals. For social events and business meetings, the hotel has two meeting rooms that can cater up to 200 guests.

“Located in the heart of the capital’s old town, ibis Styles Bangkok Khaosan Viengtai is a stone throw away from vibrant Khao San,” says general manager Pierre-Yves Viou.

Guests booking a weekend stay until October 31 can enjoy a special price of Bt2,530 net per night with breakfast for two.

For reservations, email h9906re@accor.com or call (02) 280 5434.

“This new Istanbul-Phuket service is part of the collaboration between TAT and Turkish Airlines to meet the growing demand for travel to Thailand from holiday-makers from Turkey, Europe and Latin America. In addition, 2018 marks 60 years of Thai-Turkish relations, and TAT is planning to organise cultural and tourism activities in cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Thailand,” says Pataraporn Sithivanich, TAT Executive Director for Europe, Africa and the Middle East Region.

The new route to Phuket, one of the world’s best-known beach destinations, will be served by four direct flights per week, with plans to increase these to daily in the upcoming winter season as cater to the higher demand for trips to Thailand.

Phuket is Turkish Airlines’ 300th destination. The airline began a direct Istanbul-Bangkok service in 1989 and now operates 14 flights per week.

“Since 2012, Turkish nationals entering Thailand have been able to apply for a visa-on-arrival and this has led to many more people discovering Amazing Thailand. We know this new Turkish Airlines’ Istanbul-Phuket flight will ensure that more visitors enjoy the delights and unique culture of the southern region of Thailand,” says Pataraorn.

Turkey is one of Thailand’s most important emerging tourist markets. In 2016, Thailand welcomed 74,568 visitors from Turkey, representing an increase of 17.97 per cent over 2015. This year, from January to May, there were 35,605 Turkish travellers to Thailand, up 2.66 per cent year-on-year. The majority of Turkish travellers visit Thailand for a holiday, especially during November to January.

The system, which will take effect on August 1, will also support connectivity with other airlines.

“Thai Smile has selected Amadeus Altea for use in four key areas, namely reservations, ticketing, inventory and check-in (departure control). The system is designed for speed and automation, so we are ensuring our passengers will receive more convenience and service improvements, for example when it comes to re-accommodation in the event of a disruption,” said Wiwat Piyawiroj, the airline’s acting chief executive.

“Amadeus Altea is also a modern Passenger Service System (PSS) based on world-class technology and used by leading airlines. The system is designed to allow Thai Smile to share information more efficiently with other partner airlines, delivering more seamless services.”

Amadeus Altea’s IT platform will also help to maximise bookings, boost sales revenue and deliver cost efficiency to Thai Smile. The airline will be able to the quality of services and employee’s performance and provide effective corrective measures.

THE RAINY season in Thailand is in full swing and the northeastern province of Chaiyaphum has once again laid out its welcome mat of picturesque pink Siam tulips that stretch as far as the eye can see.

Part of the Phang Hoei mountain range, the province’s Sai Thong National Park is a popular destination among trekkers in July and August with stunning waterfalls and majestic views from the vantage points joining the colourful carpet of flowers known in Thai as dok krachiao.

Sai Thong National Park offers a trek along a fourkilometre trail to admire four Siam tulip fields that are only on view in July and August.   

The land now occupied by Sai Thong was managed under a forest concession to produce inferior wood and rubber wood from 1979 to 1989 but was designated a national park in 1992, occupying almost 200,000 rai of dry dipterocarp forest filled with local plants and wild animals. The park opened to the public in 1994 and brought with it a nature trail to the fields of pink Siam tulips that popped up in the heart of the dry forest during the rainy season.

“Today we offer a four-kilometre round-trip trail to four Siam tulip meadows. Unlike in other places where they start blooming in June, our Siam tulips burst into flower in early July. Our trail is ideal for trekkers and those who love photography because our flowers are large and the colours are vivid. We are currently looking into the possibilities of opening trails into the stone field and cycad forest in the future,” says Vorapol Deeprasai, head of Sai Thong National Park.

“We focus on safety and want visitors be impressed. We actively encourage travellers to help conserve nature and not damage flowers or other plants.”

A four-wheel pickup is on hand to bring travellers up the mountain and the organised tour has us trekking for two-and-a-half hours to explore the world of Siam tulips carpeting more than 1,000 rai of grassland.

Just a short walk from the meeting point, Pha Ham Hod offers a magnificent panorama of green spread over Phraya Lae and Wichianburi sub-districts. Up here though, at an altitude of 867 metres, it’s foggy and visitors are queuing to sit on the edge of the cliff and pretend that they’re riding on a fluffy cloud.

Our trek takes us to an existing cycad forest from where we can clearly see white Siam tulips dotting a pasture surrounded by bamboo grass, ferns and Indian head ginger. Nearby is a field covered with the flowers, this time a vivid pink, and the silence is shattered by non-stop shutter clicks as everyone works to take as many photos as they can.

“Siam tulips grow well in a dry dipterocarp forest and pasturelands, where they can take in moisture from fog. Our park is home to more than 30 species of Siam tulips of different colours. Right now, we are showcasing just four species because the flowers need a lot of time to grow to maturity,” says a forestry technical officer, who stands by to educate visitors.

“A white Siam tulip has a shorter stalk than its pink cousin and comes into bloom for just two months. This area is a cycad forest and produces edible fruits that look like jelly. Local folks like to boil them with syrup.”

The following day we join another trek in Pa Hin Ngam National Park, which was added to the national park list in 2007 and covers more than 60,000 rai at the boundary of the Dong Phaya Yen Mountains and the Khorat Plateau.

Here too, visitors are spoiled with a spectacular view of pink Siam tulips and the strange stone formations that gave the park its name.

The park has three zones: the 846-metre-high Sud Phan Din viewpoint overlooking the Sonthi River valley, the Sap Langka Wildlife Sanctuary and a massive Siam tulip meadow that appears to be dancing in the mist. Visitors can walk along the long wooden bridge and enjoy taking some selfies against a sea of pink.

Pa Hin Ngam National Park is famous for its scenic pink Siam tulip meadow and unusual sandstone formations at Larn Hin Ngam. 

Lan Hin Ngam is a natural art gallery showcasing sandstone formations created by the erosion of the soil and rocks which, with a little imagination, resemble the Fifa World Cup trophy, radar, hens and other creatures.

Our visit also takes us to Phu Laen Kha National Park, home to Mor Hin Khao, a jungle of white sandstone formations in weird shapes and the Pha Hua Nak cliff, which offers a stunning view of the sunset.

Part of Phu Laen Kha mountain range, Tat Ton National Park is home to its namesake Tat Ton waterfall. It’s a popular picnic spot for local families providing a beautiful view of the water that cascades down wide rock plateaux in the rainy season.

Phu Laen Kha National Park’s Mor Hin Phao is also packed with weird sandstone formations while its Pha Hua Nak viewpoint is the place to admire the sunset. 

Our trip to Chaiyaphum ends with a visit to Wat Sila Art where we pay respect to the sacred carved stone Buddha statues. We also enjoy a meal at Don La Nam restaurant, which is famous for its delectable fish dishes. Here we receive a warm welcome from its owner Daranee Pattirupanon, who takes time out to show us how to prepare Chaiyaphum’s favourite pickled fish dish Maam Kee Pla.

“Holidays are times when we can go to new places, try new experiences and take a break from the routine of everyday life. Expectations often run high and with so much to see and do, a lot rides on those first 24 hours,” said Pepijn Rijvers, chief marketing officer at Booking.com.

But how do these hours play out? What are the ultimate priorities for Thais during that first day on holiday? Here’s what really goes on in the first 24 hours.

First items on the agenda are what you’d expect: Explore around the hotel (59 per cent) and unpack their bags (43 per cent). Meanwhile another 59 per cent choose to go for a long walk after arriving at the destination, and indulge in a local delicacy (53 per cent).

Beyond exploring the accommodation, there are some priorities in the room itself. The research shows that Thai travellers want a room with an amazing view (53 per cent), a comfortable mattress (43 per cent) and a hearty breakfast (38 per cent). That’s followed closely by strong Wi-Fi signal (37 per cent) and excellent restaurant (36 percent).

The research also shows that 21st Century Thais traveller will start taking pictures for social media channels (43 per cent) right away, within the first 24 hours of their holiday, followed by going online to check out local restaurant reviews (32 per cent) and check work emails (12 per cent).

In fact, these tech-orientated activities tend to happen before the more traditional aspects of a holiday like indulging in a first holiday ice cream and hitting the pool.

“Chiang Mai, with its lovely Lanna temples, charming traditions, unique food, family-friendly attractions and stunning setting is a gem in Thailand’s northern hills. There’s so much for tourists to do here, from cultural exploration to adventurous treks and food tours. I’d like to thank the readers of Travel + Leisure for rating the city so highly and naming the capital of Lanna one of Travel + Leisure’s World’s Top 15 Cities 2017,” said Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Chiang Mai took the third place on the list of Travel + Leisure World’s Top 15 Cities 2017 with a score of 91.40 out of 100. Bangkok came in eighth.

The score is based on a survey of over 300,000 international T+L readers who were asked to rate the “best of the best” in international travel experiences and destinations and contribute to the globally respected, Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards.

T+L readers rated cities on their sites and local landmarks, culture, food, the friendliness of the people, shopping opportunities and overall value for tourism. The winning cities also all shared the common characteristics of being pedestrian friendly, having large areas of green space nearby such as Chiang Mai’s Queen Sirikit Botanical Gardens and boasting a rich history that is being preserved as the city grows and develops.

The T+L website recommends Chiang Mai, as it is home to “some of Thailand’s greatest cultural treasures” and boasts “a more laid-back atmosphere than Bangkok’s”. The magazine also recommends that visitors admire the “traditional crafts at the Bo Sang Umbrella Factory” and get “lost in the magic of the Night Bazaar.” These are just some of the attractions that have led to the city winning many Thailand Tourism Awards.

“Chiang Mai is an increasingly popular as a Thai destination and attracts a range of visitors from honeymooners to foodies and even MICE events. It’s the perfect place to enjoy unique Thai local experiences; such as fire massages at the Ban Rai Khing Community, traditional dancing or a sit-down Khantoke dinner,” Yuthasak said.