#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40021607

Loy Krathong to be celebrated in Bangkok for four nights at 10 major piers

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 01, 2022

The Bangkok River Festival 2022 or Loy Krathong Festival will be held from Saturday night to Tuesday night at 10 major piers in the capital, including those connecting important Buddhist temples.

The event was announced by Culture Minister Itthiphol Kunplome at the Siriphakdee Dharma Building inside the compound of Wat Prayun Wongsawat Worawihan on Friday.

Bangkok River Festival 2022 is being organised in cooperation with the ministry, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and Thai Beverage Co Ltd and other private partners. The organising committee was chaired by Suraphon Svetasreni.

Suraphon told the press conference that the festival would be held at the following 10 piers that have historical significance:

– The pier of Wat Pho or Wat Phra Chetuphon

– Wat Arun or the Temple of Dawn

– Wat Prayun

– Wat Kalayanamit Woramahawihan

– Wat Rakhang Kositaram Woramahawihan

– The Maharaj Pier

– Asiatique the Riverfront

– The Lhong 1919 pier

– Sooksiam @ Icon Siam pier

– The Guan Yu Shrine pier at Khlong San.

According to the organisers, the five temples will remain open late at night for tourists to pay their respects to Buddha images. All the five temples are official temples under the patronage of the Royal Family. The festival will offer a good chance to tourists to get blessings from the Buddha at such important temples, the organisers explained.

The organisers said several activities would be held at the festival venues, depending on the sites.

The five temples will also organise prayer and meditation sessions. There will also be street food stalls and sales of well-known products of communities near the venues.

There will be free speed boat shuttle services at the 10 piers as well.

The event is being held from 5pm to 10pm on Saturday and Sunday and from 5pm to midnight on Tuesday, November 8, which is the official Loy Krathong night of this year.

Related stories:

Total lunar eclipse to grace Loy Krathong festival in Thailand

Bangkok governor promises to keep partygoers safe on Halloween, Loy Krathong

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40021595

‘Floating Railway’ trips to Pa Sak Jolasid dam start on November 5

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 01, 2022

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) will operate special holiday trains from Bangkok to Pa Sak Jolasid Dam in Lopburi from Saturday. Bookings open today.

The trip across the dam, known as the “Floating Railway”, treats passengers to magnificent lake views amid the cool breezes of cold season. The round-trip excursions will run on Saturdays and Sundays from November 5 until January.

The trips start on November 5 and 6 and run every weekend, except the New Year holiday, until January 28 and 29 – a total of 24 days.

Trains will leave Hua Lamphong station at 6am and arrive at Pa Sak Jolasid Dam station at 10.35am. The return train will depart the dam at 3.30pm, arriving at Hua Lamphong station at 6.50pm.

The stops along the route are Samsen, Bang Sue Grand Station, Bang Khen, Lak Si, Don Mueang, Rangsit, Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Kaeng Khoi, Kaeng Sua Ten.

The train will then stop at the dam station’s “Floating Railway’’ viewpoint for 20 minutes, allowing passengers to admire the view and snap photos, before taking them to Khok Salung station to shop for OTOP products.

A round-trip ticket costs 330 baht for a non-air-conditioned seat and 560 baht for an air-conditioned seat.

Tickets can be booked from today at any train station or via the D-Ticket mobile application. For more information, contact the SRT call centre at 1690 or visit SRT’s Facebook page.

Related Stories

Train services set to hit the track to scenic Pasak Jolasid Dam

Weekend train trips to Pa Sak Jolasid Dam extended for month of love

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40021563

Russian tourists touch down in Phuket on first direct flight

MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2022

Direct flights from Russia to Phuket resumed on Sunday, boosting tourist arrivals on the southern holiday island.

Ikar Airlines flight EO3477 from Russia’s Sheremetyevo Airport (Moscow) touched down at Phuket International Airport at around 1.30pm with 449 passengers on board.

The Russian tourists were given a special welcome by airport staff led by staff administrative officer Pongsak Srimai.

Russian flag carrier Aeroflot also resumed its direct, nine-hour flight from Moscow to Phuket on Sunday.

Three Russian airlines have scheduled direct flights to Phuket to serve demand in Russia during the upcoming high season.

Aeroflot will operate daily flights between Moscow (Sheremetyevo Airport) and Phuket from October 30 to March 25.

Ikar Airlines will fly on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from the same airport from October 30 to March 25.

Siberia Airlines will fly between Irkutsk International Airport and Phuket on Thursdays from November 3 to March 23. It will also operate Monday flights between Vladivostok and Phuket from November 7 to March 20, and flights from Russia’s third-largest city, Novosibirsk, from November 3 to March 23 next year.

Phuket Airport expects to see about 30,000 arrivals per day in November.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40021555

Kaeng Krachan National Park’s misty mountain emerges pristine after 3-month rehab

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2022

Phetchaburi’s natural wonder of Khao Panoenthung will reopen on Tuesday, when tourists can once again experience its seas of mist and picturesque camping.

The mountain is part of Kaeng Krachan National Park, which is opening its doors after the rainy season.

The park was closed for three months to allow rehabilitation of the natural surroundings, said Yutthapol Angkinan, advisor to Natural Resources and Environment Minister.

Yutthapol was speaking to reporters as he led an inspection of the mountaintop in Kaeng Krachan district ahead of its reopening.

He said the mountain was closed to tourists as part of the Environment Ministry’s policy to help the flora and fauna of national parks regenerate during the rainy season.

Yutthapol said Khao Panoenthung is an important tourist destination in Phetchaburi because it offers cool weather all year round along with 360-degree views of the sea of mist lying across lush green forest.

The mountaintop has a campsite where tourists can stay overnight and wake up to spectacular views of the mist-blanketed mountains, he added.

The pristine mountaintop is about 50 kilometres from the Kaeng Krachan National Park office.

It has two main tourist attractions – a scenic viewpoint 900 metres above sea level and the summit itself.

Off-road vehicles carry tourists from the park office to the scenic points from 5.30am to 7.30am and from 1pm to 3pm. The vehicles make the return journey from 9am to 10am and 4pm to 5pm.

The mountain also has walking trails, but it takes four to six hours to complete the trek to its summit, 1,207 metres above sea level.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40021547

Thailand’s sexiest race sees 3,000 runners streak down Pattaya beach

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2022

Thailand’s largest – and “sexiest” – beach running event saw 3,000 Thai and foreign participants race down Pattaya beach in front of Central Pattaya on Saturday.

The “Pattaya International Bikini Beach Race” has been held since 2015 to promote Pattaya’s image as a sport tourism destination among Thai and international tourists.

The event features a five-kilometre race along Pattaya beach followed by a party. On the start line at this year’s race were celebrities including “Voice of Thailand” season 2 winner Thai Rangsan “Songkran” Panyaruean.

Event organiser Central Pattana said the race is designed to showcase the seaside city’s beautiful beach and various tourism activities for all groups of travellers. The health boost for runners was a bonus, it added.

For next year’s beach run, the mall plans to invite celebrities from other countries in a bid to attract more visitors.

Meanwhile, Pattaya authorities are planning activities to promote tourism at festivals in the latter part of this year, including Loy Krathong and New Year’s countdown fireworks.

Related News

Pattaya set to host International Bikini Beach Race on Oct 29
Pattaya hotel CEO urges govt to keep offering subsidies as industry not out of red yet

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40021521

Sukhothai starts Loy Krathong celebrations 11 days early with pomp and splendour

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2022

Sukhothai’s famous lantern festival kicked off on Saturday and will last until Loy Krathong arrives on November 8.

Loy Krathong, dubbed Thailand’s festival of lights, sees people releasing small floats called krathongs into waterbodies to honour the water goddess.

Many Buddhists also believe the krathongs will take away their sins of the past year and bring good fortune.

In Sukhothai, the Loy Krathong festival lasts for several days and includes the releasing of decorated lanterns, cultural performances and fireworks.

Saturday’s event began with a religious ceremony, which included paying respect to the ancient kings of the Sukhothai Kingdom, and wrapped up with an exquisite traditional dance performance by hundreds of dancers.

The event was held near the King Ramkhamhaeng Monument in the Sukhothai Historical Park in Muang district.

The festival this year will be marked with a best krathong contest, lantern decoration, lighting of candles around the ancient ruins and a spectacular fireworks show every night. Also featured are traditional khon masked dance performances and shadow puppet shows. And like every carnival in Thailand, there are also plenty of stalls selling Thai delicacies.

Entrance is free during the 11-day event.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40021504

TAT creates new strategy to promote Thailand as ‘sustainable’ destination

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2022

Nongluck Ajanapanya

Thailand will be rebranded as a “sustainable” destination to attract better quality tourists as well as preserve local communities and the environment.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) devised this plan just as the industry is starting to recover, with up to 7.3 million arrivals so far this year.

TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn told the press on Friday that Thailand’s priority is not just to be a top destination but also a sustainable one.

He said TAT will launch three key strategies next year, namely greater change, a more affordable experience and collaborative networking.

“Greater change indicates that tourism-related businesses should be ready to transform operations in line with the bio-circular-green [BCG] economy model,” the TAT chief said. “That includes waste reduction, resource efficiency and carbon emission neutrality.”

The SHA Green stamp – Thailand’s standard for environmentally friendly practices and low emissions – will be given to hotels and businesses that genuinely strive to be sustainable, Yuthasak added.

TAT is also planning to launch a new awards system for companies that excel in sustainable tourism, he said, adding that offering tourists a “wonderful experience” will also inspire them to contribute to the local economy and environment.

Yuthasak also announced that TAT is collaborating with real-estate conglomerate Assets World Corporation (AWC) and leading hotel groups to promote Thailand as a top destination for eco-friendly travel.

“[With this partnership], we hope to set a real example of what sustainable tourism should be like and demonstrate how serious we are about keeping the nation’s engine industry – tourism – revved up,” he said.

Wallapa Traisorat, AWC’s CEO and president, said the group shares TAT’s sustainability goals and hotels like Marriott, Banyan Tree, Okura, Hilton, IHG and Melia are also joining in.

“AWC is working with other partners from different industries and global hotel chains to bring all properties up to TAT’s ‘SHA’ standards to achieve the objective of carbon neutrality and zero waste by 2030,” Wallapa said.

Yuthasak, meanwhile, said TAT will propose that the Cabinet extend the “We Travel Together” co-payment travel scheme for a fifth time to cover the New Year holidays.

“If extended, the fifth phase will provide funding for 2 million rooms totalling about 7.2 billion baht,” the TAT chief said.

TAT expects 10 million people to travel around the country this year, and double the number next year with about 40 per cent being locals.

Nongluck Ajanapanya

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40021482

Chiang Mai gets ready for tourists as airlines increase flights to North

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2022

The North of Thailand can expect an influx of local and foreign tourists as airlines are reviving their flights to Chiang Mai ahead of the November to April high season.

Chiang Mai governor Nirat Pongsitthavorn said on Friday that provincial authorities are in talks with Nok Air to increase Bangkok-Chiang Mai flights from eight to 12 daily from November 1.

Korean Air, meanwhile, has bumped up its Seoul-Chiang Mai service to four flights per week since October 1 and expects to add another two flights per week from December to accommodate at least 22,000 passengers weekly.

Lao Airlines will increase the frequency of flights to Chiang Mai from Vientiane and Luang Prabang to three per week from next month, while EVA Air will operate seven Taipei-Chiang Mai flights per week also from next month.

EVA Air is expected to use the 184-seater Airbus A320 to ferry European, American and Japanese travellers from Taiwan to Chiang Mai.

China Airlines, meanwhile, will operate three Taipei-Chiang Mai flights per week from January 20.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40021471

Chiang Rai opens glass skywalk at Golden Triangle of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2022

Visitors to Chiang Rai are getting bird’s-eye views of the famous Golden Triangle after the northern province opened its latest tourism attraction. The glass platforms and bridges of Pha Ngao Skywalk offer 360-degree views of the meeting point of three countries – Thailand, Laos and Myanmar.

The new attraction was officially opened at Wat Phra That Pha Ngao in Chiang Saen district on Thursday by deputy governor Suphaphan Manjaroen and secretary to the sports minister Khemmapol Auitayakul

Visitors walk 9.9 metres along a glass bridge to a pair of octagonal glass platforms 25 metres above the ground. The skywalk faces north towards the Mekong River about 400 metres away, offering a panoramic view of the meeting point between three countries, known as the Golden Triangle.

The skywalk also has two walkways that link to the Phra That Phuttha Nimit pagoda, which is situated on a hill 486 metres above sea level.

Construction of the glass viewpoint began in 2020 with a budget of 35 million baht.

A soft opening of the new landmark last Saturday (October 22) allowed over 20,000 tourists to visit the skywalk over the long weekend for King Chulalongkorn Memorial Day.

Pha Ngao Skywalk is open 7.30am to 6pm daily and entry costs 40 baht per person. The platform can accommodate 100 tourists at a time and visitors are provided with special socks to prevent damage to the glass.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40021431

Rare twin waterfalls on Krabi’s scenic Koh Rok spring to life, delighting tourists

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2022

Tourists were in awe of rare twin seaside waterfalls on Krabi’s tiny paradise island of Rok as they cascaded down a cliff, showcasing their beauty.

Late October is the only time of the year that tourists visiting Mu Ko Lanta National Park can witness the rare sight, according to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP).

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, the DNP said that every year a basin of water forms around this time after weeks of heavy rains, which leads to two streams of water pouring down from the rocky cliff on this scenic island 30km south of Koh Lanta, a famous snorkelling and diving site on Thailand’s west coast.

Officials had surveyed the cliff and found that the top is a huge basin that retains a large amount of rainwater until it overflows down into the sea.

During other months, Koh Rok is also famous among Thai and foreign visitors for its white sandy beach, crystal-clear water and beautiful coral reefs, making it an excellent destination for snorkelling.

Koh Rok Nok, which is farther away and where the head office of the Mu Ko Lanta National Park is situated, meanwhile features a nature trail along a sandy beach and is dubbed “Queen of the Andamans” by locals and tourists.