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Capital set to lure more tourists with vibrant-nightlife project

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2022

Nongluck Ajanapanya

Bangkok has drawn up plans to attract more tourists from around the world by developing a vibrant nightlife in the city.

Speaking at a Thai Hotels Association luncheon on Wednesday, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said the tourism and hotel industry is one of the top priorities for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to support because it is a major source of employment in the capital.

He noted that part of the BMA’s responsibility is to support hotel owners and entrepreneurs so they are ready to welcome an increasing number of foreign tourists.

Aside from making it easier to obtain a licence and pay taxes, Chadchart also announced plans to expand the city’s nightlife activities.

He said the BMA is currently in talks with experts and related partners on decorating potential communities to serve as an attraction, primarily in downtown areas such as riverside zones.

“Light, colour and arts will be used to decorate potential areas,” the governor said. “Depending on demand, some will be decorated seasonally, while others will have permanent decorations. It will be part of a colourful Bangkok project. This vibrant nightlife can be experienced starting this year.”

The BMA also plans to launch something called “Midnight Bangkok Governor”, which will see Chadchart and his team patrolling the capital during the night so that tourists feel safer and are more confident in visiting the city.

The plan is consistent with the Tourism Ministry’s proposal to extend operating hours of night entertainment venues to 4am.

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Chadchart insisted he had no objections to the plan as long as it did “not cause any trouble”. It is necessary to consult all relevant parties and decide on zoning to determine which areas should be permitted to stay open longer, he said.

Meanwhile, Chadchart revealed a plan for Bangkok to become a sister city of Venice, Italy, so that the two famous cities can share and collaborate on culture and knowledge, including water management.

“It’s still in the early stages. Next year, an action plan and other concrete activities will be carried out,” he said.

Despite being the most popular tourist destination, Bangkok is ranked a low 98th among 140 countries in terms of liveability. Chadchart therefore emphasised the importance of making the capital a more livable city.

“Everyone should be able to live happily. It also reflects the quality of the city. If Bangkok is a city in which everyone wants to live, it will benefit tourism in the long run,” he suggested.

The governor went on to mention some issues that need to be addressed, such as a shortage of workers in the hospitality industry and tourists being scammed or exploited.

The BMA is now offering short courses at Bangkok Vocational School and matching graduates with businesses.

Thai Hotels Association president Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi spoke about the tourism industry in general.

According to her, this year is considered the beginning of a “great recovery” in tourism, because increasingly large numbers of tourists are expected to return to Thailand in the second half of the year and the hotel sector would recover as well.

High inflation, operating costs and labour shortages, on the other hand, are major concerns for all entrepreneurs, she said, adding that the association is in discussions with the government to find appropriate solutions.

The luncheon meeting came just as the Food & Hospitality Thailand 2022 exhibition began.

More than 300 of the world’s leading food and hospitality companies are participating, allowing visitors to see premium food products and appliances, new technologies and innovations, with competitions, conferences and seminars as well as table top sessions with exhibitors from around the world via both online and on-site formats.

The event is taking place at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre until September 24.

Nongluck Ajanapanya

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020288

TCEB to help Phuket promote annual veg fest as an international event

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2022

THE NATION

The Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) on Tuesday announced cooperation with the Phuket provincial administration and local tourism businesses to turn the annual vegetarian festival into a flagship international event.

The collaboration was announced at a press conference in the meeting hall of Blue Elephant Restaurant. Phuket Governor Narong Wunsiew, TCEB director Patanachai Singhavara, deputy Muang Phuket mayor Prasit Sinsaowapak and Thanet Tantipiriyakit, the president of Phuket Tourism Business Association, addressed the press.

The governor said the veg festival was being held from September 26 to October 4 this year and the festival reflected several dimensions, including beliefs, faith, old customs and activities of ancient communities on the island province.

He said the veg annual festival was appealing to foreign tourists because of its many attributes.

He said the fact that Phuket has been selected by Unesco as one of the Creative Cities of Gastronomy since 2015 added charm to the annual festival.

The governor said visitors to the annual veg festival would also be treated with many dishes, including popular local dishes and special dishes created just for the festival.

TCEB director Patanachai said the bureau decided to promote the annual event as a flagship international event because Phuket is a MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) City and his organisation wants to support the government’s policy to revive the economy by organising international events.

With cooperation from local communities, the international Phuket veg festival will generate income for the province and will promote the local culture and the attributes of Phuket worldwide, the director added.

Patanachai said the TCEB has studied and found that Phuket is already a well-known destination for the annual veg festival but the bureau wants to expand the marketing base of the event by trying to draw attention of new world travellers.

As part of the promotion of the event, the TCEB is also supporting local businesses to hold the Gastronomy Chef’s Table activity to promote the outstanding character and culture related to the annual veg festival.

Muang Phuket Municipality deputy mayor Prasit said the local body has cooperated with local people to decorate the town and the main road where the vegetarian festival’s procession would be held.

The municipality will also control food quality and ensure that tourists would be safe and receive all convenience during the festival, Prasit said.

He said precautions would be taken against Covid-19.

Thanet said the private sector and the tourism association would cooperate with the Phuket Industrial Council and the TCEB to hold Gastronomy Chef’s Table event in Krathu district on September 25 and at the Queen Park in Muang district on September 27.

The organisers also will sell clean foods during the festival to promote Phuket as a health hub, Thanet added.

THE NATION

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Prayut reminds supporters he is only a minister – not PM

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2022

General Prayut Chan-o-cha reminded supporters in Rayong on Friday that he was now just a minister, and not the prime minister.

Prayut spoke after travelling to observe flooding in the eastern seaboard province in his capacity as defence minister.

He was greeted by a crowd of locals, who sought selfies with the suspended PM and began calling him prime minister.

Gen Prayut retorted by saying, “I am a minister today”. He then waved to the gathering and made an “I love you” sign with his hand.

Prayut was suspended as prime minister on August 24 pending a Constitutional Court ruling on his eight-year tenure. The case stems from a petition lodged by the opposition that claims his tenure expired on August 24, eight years after he was appointed following the 2014 coup. The court’s nine judges are expected to deliver their ruling on September 30.

On Friday, Gen Prayut visited a rescue centre for flood victims in Rayong’s Thap Ma municipality. He was accompanied by Deputy Public Health Minister Satit Pitutacha, who is a Rayong resident, and Labour Minister Suchat Chomklin.

Prayut thanked the agencies and individuals involved for helping to alleviate flooding and damage throughout the country.

Recent heavy rainfall has flooded communities along Rayong’s Thap Ma Canal, affecting about 15,000 people and almost 9,000 households.

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Nok Air set to discontinue direct flights to, from Betong

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2022

THE NATION

Nok Air has decided not to continue direct flights to and from Betong International Airport in Yala after its Flying Betong Direct project ends this month.

The airline’s chief commercial officer, Teerapol Chotichanapibal, said the project of flying directly to and from Betong would not be continued under a third phase once the second comes to a close.

Teerapol said Nok Air had cooperated with tour companies by selling packages for direct flights to and from Betong during the two phases – from April 29 to July 29 and from July 31 to October 28.

The airline is using its 86-seater Q400 Next Gen planes for three flights per week to the southern city.

“Nok Air will not continue the services in the next phase because we will have to use the planes on other routes, where there are more passengers under winter flight schedules, such as the Bangkok-Mae Hong Son and Bangkok-Mae Sot routes,” Teerapol explained.

He said Nok Air has also noticed that Thais now prefer making foreign trips to Japan and Singapore than visiting Betong.

“We will have to wait for Thais to get over the excitement of a renewed chance to visit these foreign destinations before we consider whether to resume direct flights to Betong,” Teerapol made it clear.

But he said it was “not a waste” for Nok Air to carry out direct flights to Betong.

“We will simply have to wait for the right time after Thai tourists are no longer excited about foreign destinations. They have been longing to make foreign trips once the Covid-19 pandemic eased. After that, we may reconsider direct flights to Betong again,” Teerapol said.

Nok Air’s partners, who have been selling tour packages to Betong, understand the current situation well, he said.

The tour companies could not sell foreign trip packages earlier because of Covid travel restrictions, so they adapted to selling Betong tour packages, which became a “unique product” as many Thais had never visited that city.

Teerapol said the first phase of the project was a success because many Thai tourists sought to visit Betong for the first time, but the number of passengers dropped during the second phase.

“And now, international destinations have reopened, so these tour companies have begun selling foreign packages again,” Teerapol pointed out.

Betong mayor Sakul Lenglukkul said that during the Covid restrictions, foreign tourists could not return to Betong so the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) teamed up with Nok Air to promote the city. In the past, tourists from Malaysia and Singapore made up 70 to 80 per cent of tourists visiting Betong, he said.

During the first phase, TAT subsidised 1,000 baht of the air ticket to Betong, so it proved a success, Sakul said.

He blames “expensive” air fares as the main obstacle to promote Betong as a tourist destination.

He said the fare of 6,000 baht per trip to Betong was high compared to airfares for foreign destinations. For example, the flight from Bangkok to Penang in Malaysia is just 3,000 baht per trip, Sakul said.

Moreover, he said, Thai tourists can also fly to Hat Yai International Airport for 1,000 baht and travel by road to Betong, so tour operators have turned to promoting packages to Hat Yai and linking it to Betong.

“If the airfare is reduced to 3,000-4,000 baht per trip, Betong airport will not be deserted as you see in the current situation. The flight from Bangkok to Mae Hong Son by Nok Air is also cheaper than flights to Betong – at 3,500 baht per trip,” Sakul bemoaned.

He called on the government to expand the airport runway to accommodate larger planes, such as the Airbus A320, so that there are more passenger seats available per flight and airfares go down.

Betong Tourism Association vice president Narin Ruangwongsa said it would take seven years to expand the current runway from 1,800 metres to 2,500 metres, and 1.8 billion baht would be needed for the purpose.

As a result, he said, the runway expansion may have to wait for approval from a new government after the general election expected next year.

He said if the runway is extended, the airport will have the capacity for direct flights from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Malaysia, as well as other markets such as western and Middle-East nations.

“The utilisation of the airport could be better optimised so that Betong will not have to wait for tourists coming through Hat Yai,” Narin said.

“[Without a longer runway] we’ll lose a chance to upgrade the status of our town, although we have the Aiyerweng Skywalk for tourists to enjoy a sea of mist.”

According to Narin, Betong has 2,000 registered hotel rooms and another 2,000 non-registered rooms.

“With the country reopening in July, the room occupancy rate in Betong has averaged about 70 per cent. Most tourists who arrive on weekdays are Thai, and most on weekends are Malaysian,” Narin added.

THE NATION

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Bangkok’s ‘green lung’ – Bang Krachao – eyed for eco-tourism

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2022

THE NATION

Bang Krachao, the hidden oasis dubbed Bangkok’s “green lung”, is being eyed as a special zone for sustainable tourism.

Watcharee Churaksa, assistant director of Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA), said details will be finalised this year before being proposed to the national tourism policy committee for consideration.

“In few months, a subcommittee will deliberate a plan on developing Bang Krachao as a new zone of sustainable tourism before the DASTA board studies it and seeks approval and funding from the Cabinet,” Watcharee said.

She added that DASTA also plans to nominate Bang Krachao for the “Green Destinations Top 100 Stories” chosen by the Netherlands’ Green Destinations Foundation soon. Chiang Khan and the old city of Nan were included in the last list issued in 2020.

Watcharee also said that DASTA has received funding from the

Thailand Science Research and Innovation to develop Bang Krachao as a sustainable tourism site in line with international standards.

Bang Krachao is an artificial island formed by a bend in the Chao Phraya River and a canal at its western end. It lies to the south of Bangkok in Samut Prakan’s Phra Phradaeng district.

She said the DASTA will work with communities in six subdistricts to promote six tours in Bang Krachao based on interest. They are:

• Green tour, in which visitors soak in the lush surroundings of Bang Krachao

• Tasting tour, in which visitors taste local delicacies at specific eateries and communities

• Dharma tour, which will take tourists to different temples

• Learn and play tour, in which visitors learn about the area’s environment

• Wellness tour, which will include healthcare services or a bicycle trip

• Following the footsteps of King Rama IX

She said DASTA will also promote two annual fairs that are unique to the area, namely the Mon community’s parade of swan and centipede flags and the giving of honey to monks, both of which are held in April.

Meanwhile, Samut Prakan deputy governor Chaipoj Jaroonpong said the provincial administration has set up a committee to develop tourism and promote Bang Krachao as the “new Venice of Thailand”.

Bang Krachao currently attracts some 100,000 visitors monthly, generating revenue of 8 million to 10 million baht. Chaipoj said 70 per cent of the visitors are Thai.

THE NATION

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Kanchanaburi’s glass skywalk now open to tourists

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2022

THE NATION

Kanchanaburi’s all-glass skywalk along the Kwae Yai River was officially opened on Saturday night with much pomp and splendour.

The opening ceremony was presided over by provincial governor Jirakiart Phumsawat.

Officials said tourists will be allowed onto the walkway from Sunday onwards, though the numbers would be limited to no more than 120 persons per round.

From Mondays to Fridays, the walkway will be open for six hour-long rounds starting from 9am to noon and then again from 3pm to 6pm. There will be no 12pm to 3pm break on weekends and public holidays.

Tourists are required to buy a pair of special shoes for 60 baht each before they are allowed onto the all-glass walkway. However, they can take these shoes home with them.

The skywalk is part of a project to improve the landscape of the old town of Kanchanaburi and tackle the encroachment along the Kwae Noi and Kwae Yai rivers.

Apart from the skywalk, the provincial administration has also built public parks along the river banks and created a walking street below the walkway. Vendors have been allowed to set up stalls from 4pm to 10pm every Saturday.

THE NATION