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https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40012075

Rayong’s main beach is back open again after a 10-day operation to clear oil spill contamination caused by a pipeline leak in the Gulf of Thailand.

Declared a disaster zone on January 29, Mae Ramphueng Beach is now preparing to welcome back visitors with the February 12-14 “Rayong in Love” festival for Valentine’s Day.

Several kilometres of the beach were tarred after an underwater pipeline owned by Star Petroleum Refining (SPRC) leaked on January 25, releasing oil into the sea 20 kilometres southeast of Map Ta Phut Industrial Port on the eastern seaboard. Local fisheries were ordered to halt operations for at least a month until water conditions improve.

“Officials, volunteers and local communities have been working hard to eliminate oil slicks in the past week and now Mae Ramphueng Beach is oil free,” said Rayong governor Charnna Iemsaeng on Monday.

He added red flags had been removed from the beach to show that tourists can now safely swim in the sea. “As for the booms deployed in the sea to prevent the oil slick from spreading, we will try to remove them all before the festival starts,” Charnna said.

Officials are also monitoring seafood sold at markets around the beach for oil contamination, but none had been found so far, he added.

The governor said the Valentine’s festival was being organised to show that Mae Ramphueng Beach is safe for swimming and Rayong seafood is safe to eat.

“The three-day event will serve up a free buffet for all seafood lovers to enjoy. The seafood is provided by businesses affected by the oil spill who want visitors to return to Rayong.”

“Rayong in Love” will also feature daily live music performances and cooking shows. Meanwhile Muang Rayong district office will open a booth for people wishing to register their marriage on Valentine’s Day at Mae Ramphueng Beach.

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Published : February 08, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40012011

The “Charming Chiang Mai Flower Festival 2022” that kicked off on February 1 has seen a large number of visitors, both Thais and foreigners, who have poured in to Thailand’s Rose of the North to witness exotic florals in 27 rai of exhibition areas at the Chaloem Phrakiat Park behind the Chiang Mai City Hall in Muang district.

“As the event will run until February 15, we expected to see increasing visitors during the later days especially on Valentine’s Day on February 14,” said Chiang Mai governor Prajon Prachsakul. “Throughout the 15 days festivals, Chiang Mai expected to welcome up to 1 million visitors who will generate tourism income for the province of at least 1 billion baht.”

The 27 rai flower exhibition areas feature cold-weather florals such as tulips, lilies, hydrangeas, and a variety of orchids, as well as the musical fountain and light shows every night at 6pm, 7pm and 8.30pm. There are seven exhibition zones to explore: Magic of Flower Light, Best of Chiang Mai, Golden of Lanna, Sat-tha (faith), Wonder Forest & Light of Glory, Tropical Rain Forest, and Evolution of Chiang Mai.

Admission to Charming Chiang Mai Flower Festival 2022 is free.

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Chiang Mai flower festival to ignite ‘Bt1.5bn tourism boom’ after Covid gloom | Voice of The Nation

Published : February 07, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/thai-destination/40011991

Day trips by train from Bangkok to the largest reservoir in Central Thailand have proved so popular that the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is extending the service for another month.

The trips to Pasak Jolasid Dam in Lopburi province also stop in the old capital of Ayutthaya. The SRT said demand from both Thai and foreign tourists has been strong since the trips launched on November 26, with long queues forming for tickets. The romantic scenery of the reservoir should also be a magnet for lovers celebrating Valentine’s Day this month.

As a result, the SRT is running eight more trips on each Saturday and Sunday of February.

Timetable:

6am: Depart from Bangkok Station (Hua Lamphong) followed by stops at Samsen, Bang Sue, Bang Khen, Lak Si, Don Muang, Rangsit, Ayutthaya, Saraburi and Kaeng Khoi junctions.

9.25am: Arrive at the viewpoint in the middle of Pa Sak Jolasid reservoir.

9.50am: Arrive at Khok Salung Station to taste and purchase OTOP products.

10.35am: Stop at Pa Sak Jolasid Dam to visit nearby attractions.

3.30pm: Return by train from Pasak Chonlasit Dam to Bangkok, stopping at Kaeng Khoi, Saraburi, Ayutthaya, Rangsit, Don Muang, Lak Si, Bang Khen, Bang Sue and Samsen stations.

6.50pm: Arrive at Bangkok Station (Hua Lamphong).

Round-trip fare (3rd class with fans):

Bangkok-Pasak Chonlasit Dam-Bangkok is 330 baht.

Saraburi/Kaeng Khoi-Khok Salung is 130 baht.

Pa Sak Jolasid Dam-Bangkok (one-way) is 150 baht.

Round-trip fare (2nd class air-con):

Bangkok-Pasak Chonlasit Dam-Bangkok is 560 baht.

Saraburi/Kaeng Khoi-Khok Salung is 260 baht.

Pa Sak Jolasid Dam-Bangkok (one-way) is 250 baht.

Travellers must be fully vaccinated (two jabs) or show a negative result from an ATK test taken within 72 hours of departure. Tickets for the trip can be purchased at any railway station.

Published : February 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40011926

As per the Hotel Business Operator Sentiment Index for January, 42 per cent of hotel operators are still worried that the Covid-19 crisis will hinder the sector’s recovery.

“Our survey found that the emergence of the highly transmissible Omicron variant in Thailand and temporary suspension of the Test & Go scheme have forced most customers to cancel their hotel bookings in January,” Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, chairman of the Thai Hotel Association (THA), said on Thursday.

“January has recorded 32 per cent average occupation rate, dropping from an average of 36.9 per cent in December. THA believes February’s average occupation rate will drop even further to 24 per cent.”

A survey was conducted among 200 hotels nationwide, including 18 alternative quarantine hotels and seven hospitels, from January 10-26. Most of the respondents or 73 per cent said they had opened for service in December, while the rest plan to reopen in the second half of this year.

Most hotel operators say their income in January is about the same as the previous month. Meanwhile, 49 per cent have earned less than 30 per cent of the pre-Covid level, while 26 per cent have been able to rebuild their revenue. Most of these hotels are in the South and East of Thailand.

Of the respondents, 53 per cent said they have enough liquidity to run their businesses for another three months, while 11 per cent said they only have enough to survive for one month. However, 17 per cent said their liquidity has risen compared to the previous month, and most have reported a 50-per-cent occupancy rate.

Average employment in the hotel business in January has also dropped to 63.6 per cent from 64.7 per cent in the previous month corresponding to the low occupancy rate.

The survey also found that most hotel operators want the government to keep the co-payment scheme alive to help them continue employing staff and provide a debt moratorium programme for operators’ bank loans.

The operators are also hoping the government will increase the limit on rooms that can be let out, extend ongoing tourism stimulus schemes and launch new campaigns that focus on promoting corporate seminars.

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Published : February 04, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40011889

It takes devotees a climb up 3,799 steps to reach the Khaowong Phrachan Temple in Lop Buri province. The annual pilgrimage to this ancient temple, which started on the first of this month and is being held on a limited scale due to the Covid outbreak this year, ends on February 15.

Visitors and pilgrims have 24-hour access to the temple during this fortnight period when the entire stairway is well lit throughout the night to make it safe for the faithful. The main body of this Buddhist temple is situated in Muang district on a mountaintop 650 metres above sea level. The distance from the first to the last step measures 1,680 metres, slightly more than a mile.

It is not known when exactly the Khaowong Phrachan Temple was built but it was first introduced to the public in 1953 when it was discovered by late revered monk Luang Phor O-Bhasee, who named the peak on which the temple was situated as Khaowong Phrachan. This peak is surrounded by four smaller hills in a mountain range in the shape of a crescent moon.

Among many unique incidents and items related to the Khaowong Phrachan Temple is a Buddha footprint in a piece of stone, which is believed to be authentic and one of the four in Thailand, in addition to a piece of Holy tooth relic of Lord Buddha. There is also one museum whose display items consist mainly of ancient Buddha amulets that once belonged to a late abbot.

There are also two legends about the temple related to Thai and Chinese folklores dedicated to the building and existence of the Khaowong Phrachan Temple.

Published : February 03, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40011791

Thailand plans to charge every visitor a 300-baht landing fee (“Kha Yeap Pan Din”) from April 1, with the revenue collected to be used for tourism development including disabled-friendly tourist attractions.

The fee will also be used to provide tourists with medical cover of 500,000 baht or 1 million baht in case of death.

The plan sparked widespread criticism among both Thais and foreigners when it was revealed last month by Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.

Phiphat defended the move by explaining that other countries such as Japan, Malaysia and European nations also collect landing fees, but these are mostly included in flight ticket prices or accommodation fees.

Research by news website Thansettakij found that up to 40 countries collect a landing fee, though the names, formats and purposes of the schemes vary.

Japan

Japan began collecting a “Sayonara” tax in January 2019, charging every visitor 1,000 yen or $9.25 (290 baht). The fee is included in air or sea tickets booked by all foreign visitors, regardless of nationality.

Bhutan

Bhutan collects a tourism fee of $250 (8,300 baht) per person per day during high season (March-May and September-November) and $200 (6,640 baht) per person per day for the rest of the year. This is by far the most expensive landing fee in the world.

Southeast Asia

Malaysia imposes a tourist tax of $2.45 per night. New Zealand collects a one-off fee of the same name, charging each foreign visitor $23.94.

Indonesia’s holiday island of Bali demands a “Departure Tax/Local Development Tax” of $10 from tourists.

Europe

For visitors to France, the “Taxe de Sejour” averages $5.71 per day. The fees differ from city to city.

Germany collects a “Culture Tax” and “Bed Tax” that averages $5.71 per person per day, or 5 per cent of hotel fees.

Spain imposes a “Tourist Tax” of $2.85 per day, but not exceeding 7 days in total.

Switzerland’s tourism levy starts at $2.85 per person per day, with fees varying according to accommodation type.

Greece collects a “Stayover Tax” of $4.57 per person per day.

United States

The US imposes an “Occupancy Tax” of around 16.25 per cent of your hotel fee, but this can vary from state to state.

Meanwhile the Thai Tourism and Sports Ministry estimates that Thailand could welcome up to 5 million foreign tourists in 2022, boosting revenue from the new landing tax by 1.5 billion baht.

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Published : February 01, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40011781

Thailand relaunched its Test & Go scheme on Tuesday, opening its doors to travellers from all countries instead of just 63 as it had done earlier.

The Foreign Ministry also began accepting Thailand Pass applications from 9am on Tuesday.

Under the new Test & Go scheme, travellers are required to book and pay for accommodation and RT-PCR tests on their first and fifth days in Thailand. Previously, travellers arriving under Test & Go were only required to spend one night in hotel and pay for one RT-PCR test.

This change in Test & Go regulations will be beneficial for hotels because they will be selling two nights instead of just one.

More than 2,000 hotels in 38 provinces with the SHA Extra Plus (SHA++) stamp are expected to benefit from the scheme, including 565 in Phuket, 198 in Krabi, 122 in Chiang Mai, 177 in Chonburi and 446 in Bangkok. These hotels are linked to hospitals that will conduct RT-PCR tests on visitors arriving under the Test & Go scheme.

Foreign travellers are also required to have insurance with a coverage of no less than US$50,000. If the insurance does not cover the cost of isolation after the traveller is infected or at high risk of infection, then the traveller must cover the cost of isolation themselves.

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Vaccinated travellers or those who develop mild symptoms will be allowed to isolate in hospitels, while those in SHA++ hotels can continue staying in their hotel rooms. Doctors will keep an eye on the patients remotely in both cases.

Though Thailand has reopened, the procedure has become more complicated. When travellers submit proof of paid accommodation, the Thailand Pass system will give hotels 30 hours to approve the booking.

Once the booking is approved and the vaccination certificate verified, travellers will receive a QR code.

This QR code can then be used for the first RT-PCR test. Tourists staying in Thailand for more than five days will be required to show up at their booked hotel for a second RT-PCR test. If the second test is also negative, then visitors are free to travel across the country.

If tourists fail to show up on the fifth day or if hotels cannot contact them, then they are required to call the Tourist Police 1155 hotline.

The Test & Go scheme will be closed again if there is a spike in new Covid-19 cases.

Meanwhile, tourists are expected to spend about 60,000 baht per person and the Tourism Authority of Thailand expects some 200,000 arrivals monthly now that the country has reopened.

Published : February 01, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/pr-news/thai-destination/40011756

Royal Orchid Sheraton has announced a roadmap to meet wellness tourism trends within two years, in time to mark its 40th anniversary.

Bangkok’s riverside Royal Orchid Sheraton has announced a roadmap to meet wellness tourism trends within two years, in time to mark its 40th anniversary.
CEO Wittawat Wipakul said the property would prioritise wellness and health services – including exercise, nutrition therapy, preventive healthcare and rehabilitation – under its new “WELLeisureTM Hotel” guideline.
The move aims to draw tourists focused on holidays and health, he said.
 

Royal Orchid Sheraton also plans to lure visitors with the city’s largest riverside rooftop bar, commanding unparalleled views over Bangkok and the Chao Phraya.
Meanwhile, for its restaurant refurbishment, inspiration is being drawn from the hotel’s location at what was once the residence of Captain John Bush – an English mariner who served Siam during the reign of King Rama IV.

The riverside restaurant is a popular viewpoint for the spectacular firework displays at IconSiam on the opposite side of the Chao Phraya.

Published : January 31, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40011754

Thailand’s Rose of the North bursts into bloom tomorrow (Tuesday) with predictions that the “Charming Chiang Mai Flower Festival 2022” will ignite a 1.5-billion-baht tourism boom.

Afloral rainbow is unfurling across the city and in Chaloem Phrakiat Park until February 15, bringing a ray of hope to the tourism-reliant city after two years of Covid-19 lockdowns and travel bans.

The event features seven flower gardens that will carpet 27 rai in dazzling colours, the Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) said on Monday.

Meanwhile, nightly fountain shows (6pm, 7pm and 8.30pm) will delight locals and tourists at Mae Yuak Reservoir outside City Hall. Visitors must register for entry in advance as part of Covid-19 measures.

Tourists are advised to check accommodation availability and book in advance as the festival is a highlight of Chiang Mai’s calendar.

Reliant on tourism, the city has suffered two years of economic hardship due to Covid-19 lockdowns and travel bans

Meanwhile, the city also has plenty of other events to entice tourists and residents alike in February, said PAO president Wiphawan Woraputthipon.

The Chiang Mai marathon kicks off on Saturday (February 6) with runners tackling a route through Chaloem Phrakiat Park to Huay Tung Tao Reservoir. The One Tambon One Product exhibition runs from February 7-13, coinciding with the Miss Chiang Mai contest from February 10-13.

Wiphawan said the city expects to generate more than 1.5 billion baht in revenue from these events, boosting tourism-related businesses such as hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops.

Published : January 31, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40011624

The southern province of Krabi was named Thailand’s Most Welcoming City based on 1.3 million travellers’ reviews of 12,969 hotels in Thailand.

This ranking was part of the Booking.com Traveller Review Awards 2022.

Krabi scored 8.6 out of 10 based on favourable reviews from travellers who praised the province for its warm hospitality, clean environment, marvellous beaches, pristine natural beauty and untarnished islands.

The other Thai cities that scored high on the “most welcoming” list were Trat, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai and Nakhon Ratchasima, in that order.

Michelle Gao, Booking.com’s regional manager for Mekong Region, said apartments were the top choice globally for a fifth year in the row, with Italy leading the pack in this category.

“In Thailand, however, hotels appear to be the most popular, with 3,541 hotels winning the Traveller Review Awards 2022,” she said. “Meanwhile, 4,213 other accommodations [such as houses or apartments] have received awards this year.

“Travellers in Thailand choose their vacation accommodation based on the quality of service, cleanliness, location and comfort,” she added. “Price, facilities and Covid-19 preventive measures are secondary factors for most travellers.”

Meanwhile, the 2022 Most Welcoming Cities on Earth award was won by the Italian city of Matera followed by Bled in Slovenia, Taiwan’s Taitung City, Greece’s Nafplion and Spain’s Toledo respectively.

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Published : January 28, 2022

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