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https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40007287

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Thailand has earned prestigious acclaim on the global travel awards stage with prominent placings in the best city, island and resort categories of the Conde Nast Traveler 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards, The Tourism Authority of Thailand said on Saturday.

Bangkok was named in 9th spot in the ‘Best Big Cities’ sub-category of ‘The Best Cities in the World’ category. The Thai capital was praised as being “Consistently ranked as one of the most-visited cities in the world” where visitors could experience “a multifaceted identity that blends history, culture, street style, and luxury like nowhere else.”

In addition, three Thai islands were named on the ‘Top Islands’ sub-category, with Samui coming in at 7th with a score of 93.33, Phi Phi Islands in 9th with a score of 91.83, and Phuket in 10th with a score of 89.79.

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Honoured with impressive placings on the list of ‘The Best Resorts in the World’ category were Anantara Chiang Mai Resort in 8th, Amanpuri in Phuket in 13th, and Soneva Kiri on Koh Kood in Trat in 21st.

Meanwhile, the spa resort Chiva-Som in Hua Hin was named No 1 among 50 spa resorts worldwide that filled the ranks of the list of ‘The Best Spa Resorts in the US & Around the World’. The Readers’ Choice Awards described Chiva-Som as “one of the premier spa resorts in the world”.

The 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards also featured two Thailand-specific lists, a reflection of Thailand’s enduring status as one of the world’s favourites and best-known holiday destinations.

The ‘Top 10 Hotels in Bangkok’ list was made up as follows:

#1 The Sukhothai Bangkok (97.65 score)

#2 Capella Bangkok (97.55)

#3 Shangri-la Hotel, Bangkok (97.37)

#4 Lebua at State Tower (97.28)

#5 The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok (97.14)

#6 Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River (96.55)

#7 Banyan Tree Bangkok (96.19)

#8 The Peninsula Bangkok (95.25)

#9 Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok (95.03)

#10 Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok (94.5)

The ‘Top 20 Resorts in Thailand’ list was made up as follows:

#1 Anantara Chiang Mai Resort (99.81 score)

#2 Amanpuri in Phuket (99.76)

#3 Soneva Kiri on Koh Kood (score 99.66)

#4 COMO Point Yamu in Phuket (98.93)

#5 Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui (98.76)

#6 Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Krabi (98.66)

#7 Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort (98.25)

#8 Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort (97.73)

#9 Aleenta Phuket Resort & Spa (97.48)

#10 Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai (97.02)

#11 Rosewood Phuket (96.33)

#12 The Nai Harn Phuket (95.81)

#13 Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle (94.6)

#14 Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas (93.47)

#15 The Sarojin in Phuket (93.36)

#16 The Slate in Phuket (93.07)

#17 Anantara Hua Hin Resort (92.25)

#18 Pimalai Resort & Spa on Koh Lanta (92.18)

#19 Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort (91.58)

#20 Melia Koh Samui (90.98)

The 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards were the 34th edition of the annual awards, in which Conde Nast Traveler readers can vote in various categories; such as, best countries, cities, islands, spa resorts, and cruise lines.

Published : October 10, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40007123

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Phetchabun held its annual Um Phra Dam Nam Festival at the Bot Chanaman temple pier on “Sat Thai” Day, or Wednesday.

Translated from Thai, “Um Phra Dam Nam” literally means “diving while holding Buddha’s image”.

The image of Phra Buddha Mahadhamaracha was brought by boat from Trai Phum temple.

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Phetchabun Governor Krit Kongmuang submerged the Buddha image in the river. The image was submerged six times, three times each on the northern and southern sides.

Meanwhile, participants spread marigold petals on the river.

The image was transported back to Trai Phum temple after the ceremony.

Phetchabun holds annual ceremony submerging Buddha statue

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Participants were given khao tom and krayasat, both believed to be auspicious foods.

Normally, 10,000 people participate in the event every year. This year however, the province cut the celebration and festival part due to the Covid-19 situation.

Participants who did not receive two doses of vaccine were tested with antigen test kits. Only those who tested negative were able to participate.

Phetchabun holds annual ceremony submerging Buddha statue

Published : October 06, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40007051

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The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is planning to launch a new tourism promotion programme called “Unlock Thailand” to target Asian tourists, said Thanes Phetsuwan, TAT deputy governor of marketing – Asia and South Pacific, on Monday.

“The scheme will make the fullest use of CCSA’s latest announcement that reduces mandatory quarantine period for foreign visitors to Thailand from 14 days to as low as 7 days, effective since September 30,” he said. “So far, the reopening of selected provinces under tourism sandbox programmes since July 1 has mainly attracted tourists from faraway markets at more than 90 per cent, while only 10 per cent of visitors under these schemes are from Asian countries.”

Thanes added that another factor that makes sandbox programmes unpopular among Asian visitors is the Covid-19 measure imposed by the government of each country. “Singapore and Japan now require returnees from Thailand to undergo mandatory 14-day quarantine before entering the country, while China still prohibits its citizens from overseas travel to curb the outbreak,” he said. “However, we expected that these rules will be eased up by early 2022, to prepare for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing.”
 

TAT’s Unlock Thailand will aim primarily at India and South Korea markets, as the Thai government has recently reduced warning level of India from high risk to medium risk country, and allowed Indians to be one of 78 nationals that can participate in the tourism sandbox schemes. “TAT will negotiate with Indian authority to draft the air bubble agreement, whereas commercial flights from India can directly land in Thailand without having to go through a hub at the Middle East to change flights,” said Thanes.

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“As for South Korea market, TAT will try to push for travel bubble agreement for fully vaccinated tourists to engage in variety of activities in Thailand,” he added. “The pilot phase will focus on offering golfing packages in Chiang Mai, which has over 10 golf courses that are popular among South Korean golfers.”

Four selected districts in Chiang Mai are scheduled to open to foreign tourists on November 1 under the province’s “Charming Chiang Mai” programme, whereas vaccinated tourists can travel to Chiang Mai and stay at certified hotels for seven days, during which they can travel on sealed routes in the province under supervision of guide tour companies. After seven days and they still test negative for Covid-19, they can proceed to travel in other provinces of Thailand.
 

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Published : October 05, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40006944

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Loei’s Phu Kradueng National Park welcomes its first batch of 500 visitors on Friday after the government lifted restrictions.

Phu Kradueng also held the 2022 open ceremony with Loei governor Chaitawat Niemsiri.

Phu Kradueng National Park chief Samret Phusansri said that the high season of Phu Kradueng in 2022 has officially begun, from October 1 to May 31. Samret added that the national park has adapted to the ‘new normal’.

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Tourists must be vaccinated and take a Covid-19 test with an antigen test kit or RT-PCR within 72 hours.

Tourists must receive one of these vaccines to enter Phu Kradueng National Park, which are:
• One dose of AstraZeneca within 14 days
• Two doses of AstraZeneca
• Two doses of Sinovac
• One dose of Sinovac and one dose of AstraZeneca
• Other vaccines that authorised by the Ministry of Public Health

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Published : October 02, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40006900

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Many tourists flocked to Phu Chi Fa National Park in Chiang Rais Thoeng district to witness the beauty of nature on Friday after it had been temporarily closed at the beginning of this year amid the Covid-19 crisis.

The national park reopening came after the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA)’s approval to ease Covid-19 restrictions in a bid to enable businesses to perform economic activities on Monday.

Banterng Kruawong, Tap Tao Subdistrict Administrative Organization President, said the national park has implemented measures to contain the spread of Covid-19 and ensure tourists’ safety.

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Tourists flock to Phu Chi Fa National Park after CCSA lifts Covid-19 restrictions

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• Private sector agreed on the country opening: FTI poll
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Tourists flock to Phu Chi Fa National Park after CCSA lifts Covid-19 restrictions

The morning temperature at the national park was 13 degrees celsius with a beautiful sea of fog.

Tourists flock to Phu Chi Fa National Park after CCSA lifts Covid-19 restrictions

There were no new Covid-19 cases reportedly found in Tap Tao Subdistrict after a cluster emerged in June.

Published : October 01, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40006889

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Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) on Thursday updated that the quarantine period of persons who have already received complete doses of Covid-19 vaccine will be reduced from 14 to 7 days, starting from this Friday.

7-day Quarantine

This period is for travellers who have been fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health or the World Health Organisation, for at least 14 days before the travel date. Also, they are required to present the vaccine certificate (either the original or a printed copy) at the point of entry into Thailand.

During the quarantine, the travellers are required to undergo two RT-PCR tests – first upon arrival on Day 0-1, and the second before finishing the quarantine period on Day 6-7.

10-day Quarantine

This period is for travellers – who have not been vaccinated, without a vaccine certificate, or partially vaccinated – and who arrive in Thailand by air.

They are also required to undergo two RT-PCR tests – first upon arrival on Day 0-1, and the second on Day 8-9.

14-day Quarantine

This period is for travellers – who have not been vaccinated, without a vaccine certificate, or partially vaccinated – and who arrive in Thailand by land.

They are also required to undergo two RT-PCR tests – first upon arrival on Day 0-1, and the second on Day 12-13.

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Published : October 01, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40006795

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The dinosaur valley in Chonburi’s Nongnooch Garden Pattaya has been listed as a top tourist attraction under the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)’s 25 Unseen New Series.

Kampol Tansajja, the garden’s director, said apart from the dinosaur valley, the property also has more than 40 different gardens for tourists to enjoy.

He said another 41 life-size dinosaur statues of 30 different species have recently been added in a bid to draw tourists.

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“Now we have more than 900 dinosaur statues of 320 species,” he said.

Nongnooch Garden Pattaya’s dinosaur valley named top attraction

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Nongnooch Garden Pattaya’s dinosaur valley named top attraction

In a bid to promote local tourism, Nongnooch Garden is allowing fully vaccinated people to enter the garden for free from October 1-17. Kampol said the garden is ready to open to tourists under the Pattaya Move On sealed travel scheme.
Nongnooch Garden Pattaya’s dinosaur valley named top attraction

“We have also implemented measures to contain the spread of Covid-19 in line with SHA and Safe Travel standards approved by TAT,” he added.

Published : September 29, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/pr-news/thai-destination/40006737

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Virtual event hosted by Laguna Resorts & Hotels, C9 Hotelworks and Delivering Asia Communications reveals how pent up demand will drive Russian business back to Phuket now the Sputnik vaccine is approved

Phuket’s tourism industry can look forward to a stronger high season, as Russian travellers prepare to swap their cold winter weather for a sun-soaked Sandbox escape, a recent webinar has learned. In the “Phuket Sandbox: Russia’s Winter Wonderland” event, Russian outbound tour operators expressed their belief that many of their clients are longing to return to Phuket. They warned however, that some key factors were still restricting the destination’s full potential.

Recently, the webinar was organised by C9 Hotelworks and Delivering Asia Communications (DAC), and hosted by Laguna Resorts & Hotels. It was attended by a wide range of industry experts, including top tour operators, leading hoteliers, airline executives and representatives from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), and there was a general feeling of optimism about the upcoming peak season in Phuket.

Prior to the global pandemic, Russia was one of Phuket’s biggest source markets. In 2019, over 700,000 visitors arrived direct from Russia, and while that level is unlikely to be matched in the near future, hoteliers and tour operators are confident that the coming months will see the start of a recovery.

Russian tour operators gear up for Phuket high season as travellers book Sandbox breaks to beat the winter blues

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This belief is driven by the fact that, effective 1st September 2021, Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health added Russia’s Sputnik to its list of approved vaccines, which will enable thousands of Russian citizens to take part in the Phuket Sandbox programme. Ravi Chandran, CEO of Laguna Resorts & Hotels, called this move a “huge boost to the Sandbox”.

“It adds stability and continuity to the Sandbox concept and it will give a lot of the other European countries – and other countries around the world – confidence in the concept, when they see a big player like Russia participating,” Mr. Chandran told the webinar. He added that arrival numbers would probably start slowly, before “building up in November and December, once more airlines launch flights”. The first Aeroflot flight is due to depart on 4th October 2021.

Russian tour operators gear up for Phuket high season as travellers book Sandbox breaks to beat the winter blues

To drive Phuket’s rebound, Khanittha Phanworawat, Director of the TAT’s Moscow Office, revealed that her team is now ramping up its promotional efforts in Russia.

“The Phuket Sandbox is our main agenda for the travel trade,” Ms. Khanittha stated. “We explained the concept to Russian tour operators at an event in Moscow in September. B2B online workshops have also connected Thai hoteliers and suppliers with Russian agents, and we have set up a dedicated Russian language website to provide the latest information for travel to Thailand.”

“It adds stability and continuity to the Sandbox concept and it will give a lot of the other European countries – and other countries around the world – confidence in the concept, when they see a big player like Russia participating,” Mr. Chandran told the webinar. He added that arrival numbers would probably start slowly, before “building up in November and December, once more airlines launch flights”. The first Aeroflot flight is due to depart on 4th October 2021.

To drive Phuket’s rebound, Khanittha Phanworawat, Director of the TAT’s Moscow Office, revealed that her team is now ramping up its promotional efforts in Russia.

“The Phuket Sandbox is our main agenda for the travel trade,” Ms. Khanittha stated. “We explained the concept to Russian tour operators at an event in Moscow in September. B2B online workshops have also connected Thai hoteliers and suppliers with Russian agents, and we have set up a dedicated Russian language website to provide the latest information for travel to Thailand.”

Tour operators said they were hopeful that Russian ‘snow birds’ would flock back to Phuket this winter. Salim Akbas, Product Purchasing Manager (Southern Thailand) for ODEON Tourism, said that Russia was a “really good fit for the Sandbox” due to the 14-day length-of-stay requirement, which is similar to the usual vacation duration preferred by Russian travellers, and their strong appetite for Thailand’s beaches and food. The “7+7” extension of the Sandbox will also enable visitors to experience more parts of the Kingdom, with the option of combining Phuket with destinations such as Khao Lak, Koh Samui and Koh Phi Phi.

Launched on 1st July 2021, the Phuket Sandbox allows fully-vaccinated international travellers from 60+ countries and territories worldwide to enjoy quarantine-free stays in the “Pearl of the Andaman”, if they fly direct to the island, stay in approved accommodation, and take regular PCR tests during the stay.

A dedicated PCR test centre now has been set up within Laguna Phuket, the integrated resort that features seven world-class, SHA Plus-certified resorts, plus a wide range of restaurants, bars, spas, boutique shopping, private yachting and water sports, all nestled within 1,000 acres of sparkling lagoons and verdant parkland, with a 3km stretch of pristine beach at Bangtao Bay. Golfers can tee-off at the 18-hole Laguna Golf Phuket, which was named as “Thailand’s Best Golf Course” at the World Golf Awards. This means that international guests, including Russian nationals, can enjoy safe, serene and secluded Sandbox stays at Laguna Phuket.

For more information about Laguna Phuket and to book your stay, please visit http://www.lagunaphuket.com.

For all the latest updates about the Phuket Sandbox and tourism in Thailand, please CLICK HERE to visit the TAT’s official website.

Published : September 28, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40006697

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Chiang Rai is preparing for the tourist season as the Covid-19 situation in the province has eased up. Wat Rong Khun is renovating its landscape, while Phu Chi Fa National Park is ready to open for tourism on October 1.

As winter is arriving, the northern part of the country is preparing to welcome tourists for its high season amid the improving pandemic situation, especially in Chiang Rai province.

Wat Rong Khun (White temple) in Pa O Don Chai subdistrict, Muang district has announced the reopening after being closed for several months. The front area and the exhibition zone are open for visitors, while other areas remain closed for repairs and renovation.

With the Covid situation improving, Chiang Rai braces for tourist season

Chiang Rai’s Phu Chi Fa National Park is expecting a large number of tourists during the upcoming winter season. The park will be open on October 1 as no virus case has been found for some period. Tourists can visit the park during daytime, and can set up tents in the community areas or stay at private hotels or resorts.

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• Tourism bodies seek Bt10 billion government assistance
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With the Covid situation improving, Chiang Rai braces for tourist seasonWith the Covid situation improving, Chiang Rai braces for tourist season

Published : September 27, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40006661

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Chatuchak’s Khlong Prem Prachakorn is ready to welcome visitors with new sceneries of street art murals and landscape improvement.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) aims to create the area along the canal as a place to relax for scenic views and become a new check-in point in the capital.

The BMA had organised a street art painting contest under the name “Khlong Prem Prachakorn at Chatuchak” with a total prize of 100,000 baht on offer by implementing the U2T project under the supervision of the Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, in collaboration with Chatuchak District Office and the Pracha Ruam Jai community 2.

There were six teams of contest winners, which had started their mural paintings along Khlong Prem Prachakorn on September 9. The murals are now ready to be seen by visitors with the improved landscape along the canal.

Khlong Prem Prachakorn is one of the communities that the BMA has focused on under the policy of improving the canal landscape of Bangkok to stimulate awareness of canal maintenance and participation in sustainable development of canals from all sectors. The canal is considered to be the first to be dug during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), approximately 50 kilometres long, that connects the capital and Ayutthaya province. The name “Khlong Prem Prachakon” means “the canal of citizen’s joyfulness”.

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• New park opens in central Bangkok
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Street art ready to dazzle visitors to Prem Prachakorn canalStreet art ready to dazzle visitors to Prem Prachakorn canal

Published : September 26, 2021