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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020388

Heavy rains keep Tham Luang caves closed for now

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2022

THE NATION

Chiang Rai’s Tham Luang-Khun Nam Nang Non National Park will remain closed until October 15 to prevent a repeat of the 2018 Wild Boar incident.

The national park has been closed since July 1 and was scheduled to reopen on October 1. However, national park chief Rungsaran Banluesakchai said heavy rains had flooded the Tham Luang Cave and Khun Nam Morakot Pond areas, making the areas dangerous for tourists.

“Hence, the national park will remain closed to visitors at least until October 15,” she said, adding that people can still contact the national park as usual.

In June 2018, the world was transfixed for 17 days as an elaborate international rescue mission unfolded after rising waters in the cave system trapped 12 members of the Wild Boars football team and their coach.

The 200-metre-deep Chamber 1, which leads into the cave complex, served as the command centre for a rescue operation led by Chiang Rai governor Narongsak Osotthanakorn and the Thai Navy SEALs.

All 12 boys and their coach were rescued from the cave by an international team of divers between July 8 and 11.

The Wild Boars have since become celebrities, with their ordeal depicted in a series of films and documentaries.

Four years since the gripping rescue drama, the authorities have cemented the area in front of the cave and built a stairway leading into it.

A statue of Saman Kunan, a Royal Thai Navy SEAL member who died during the rescue operation and became the Tham Luang hero, has also been erected in front of the cave.

A car park and a tourist service centre with toilets have also been built nearby.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020383

Airlines pump up for Japan’s Oct 11 reopening with scores of special deals

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2022

With Japan set to open its doors to tourists from October 11, airlines have started wooing people waiting for the past two years to visit the Land of the Rising Sun.

Thai Airways International (THAI), AirAsia, ZipAir and VietJet Air are all competing to offer the best deal.

THAI roundtrip flights to major Japanese cities cost between 15,385 and 25,490 baht, provided reservations are made by October 7 and tickets are used up between October 30 and December 15. The airline flies to Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, Nagoya and Fukuoka.

AirAsia, meanwhile, is offering one-way fares for between 3,690 and 8,430 baht to Fukuoka, Tokyo, Osaka and Sapporo. Reservations, however, close on September 25 for flights to Fukuoka between October and March and to other Japanese cities between January and October next year.

Meanwhile, Japan Airlines’ low-cost carrier ZipAir is offering one-way fares between Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi and Tokyo’s Narita at the starting price of 4,950 baht. One-way fares go down to 2,350 baht for children aged six and less. Reservations must be made before March 3.

VietJet is offering one-way tickets between Bangkok and Fukuoka from 3,999 baht.

On Thursday, Japanese PM Fumio Kishida announced that Japan will allow independent tourism and abolish its daily cap on arrivals from October 11. Visa-free entry for travellers from 68 countries will also be restored.

This long-awaited announcement comes after Japan put in place strict Covid-19 restrictions since the pandemic first struck in 2020.

In June, Japan began allowing entry to foreigners on guided tours and by September, the daily arrival cap was raised to 50,000.

In 2019, Japan welcomed a record 31.88 million foreign tourists, but arrivals plummeted to just about 250,000 in 2021 due to tight restrictions.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020377

Phuket tourists spellbound by the enchantment of Carnival Magic

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2022

THE NATION

Thai and foreign tourists have been flocking to Carnival Magic, Phuket’s latest theme park, since its official launch on Tuesday.

The 6.6-billion-baht theme park covers an area of more than 100 rai in Kathu district.

Kittikorn Kewkacha, president and CEO of Phuket FantaSea Plc and Carnival Magic Co Ltd, said on Friday that the theme park appeared to be a huge hit among foreigners.

The tourism industry is picking up now that Thailand has eased Covid-19 restrictions, and on the back of this, the park expects to welcome as many as 2 million visitors next year, he said. This should also help revitalise Phuket’s economy, Kittikorn added.

The park comprises four zones: Carnival Fun Fair shopping street, Bird of Paradise Buffet Restaurant that can accommodate 3,000 guests, River Palace, a 10-rai indoor theatre, and Kingdom of Lights illumination park that features decorations and sculptures made with 40 million LED lights.

“Our primary targets for now are Thais and tourists from neighbouring countries,” Kittikorn said. “But we will soon launch promotional campaigns targeting visitors from other parts of Asia, Australia, North America and Europe.”

He said the theme park will not only bring tourists to Phuket, especially during the high season, but will also boost employment and local consumption, which should contribute to the country’s recovery.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020344

TAT works hard to bring Japanese tourists back to Thailand

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2022

THE NATION

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) hopes at least 350,000 Japanese tourists will visit the Kingdom this year and generate at least 21 billion baht in revenue.

TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said on Thursday that from January 1 to September 20, as many as 166,709 Japanese tourists had entered Thailand, making them the 12th highest arrivals in the country.

“TAT aims to achieve the 350,000 target this year by launching several campaigns, including joining the Tourism Expo Japan 2022 [TEJ] in Tokyo this week,” he said.

This is the 34th time the annual TEJ expo has been organised by the Japan Association of Travel Agents and Japan Travel and Tourism Association, and the first in two years since the arrival of Covid-19.

The event gives tourism operators a platform to discuss business deals as well as promote attractions and packages to potential travellers.

The four-day event, which wraps up on Sunday, has booths from 63 countries, including airlines, and expects to attract some 200,000 visitors.

Seven hotels and three tour companies from Thailand have joined the event to present packages, products and services under the “Imakoso Thai E” (Now is the time to visit Thailand) campaign.

Yuthasak said TAT will also collaborate with seven Japanese tour companies, including HIS, JALPAK, JTB, NOE, TOBU Top Tour, NTA and Air Trip to promote travel packages to Thailand. The aim is to sell at least 10,000 packages in the last quarter of 2022.

The packages have been designed under the “COSMO” concept, which translates to:

• C = Corporate trip extension (offering extra free days of stay for corporate clients)

• O = Older tourists get to experience luxury

• S = Solo traveller privileges

• M = Me, Mom and More friends (discounts for those travelling with their mother or in groups of three or more)

• O = Outdoor sports.

In 2019, before the pandemic, some 1.8 million Japanese tourists visited Thailand, generating income of over 93 billion baht. The Japanese were the fifth highest foreign arrivals in Thailand. This number, however, dropped to 320,331 people in 2020 and 9,461 in 2021 due to Covid-19 lockdowns.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020318

Chiang Mai selected World Festival and Event City for 2022

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2022

THE NATION

Chiang Mai has been selected as one of five “World Festival and Event Cities” for 2022 by the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA).

The northern city won the title on Wednesday, the last day of the three-day 65th Annual IFEA Convention, Expo & Retreat.

The four other cities chosen are Jinju (South Korea), McAllen (Texas, US), Penghu County (Taiwan) and Philadelphia (US).

Chiang Mai deputy governor Worayarn Boonyanarat said IFEA selected the festival cities based on their capability to hold outstanding events with close cooperation among local partners. Such cities must also be able to become role models for using events and festivals to drive the economy.

Worayarn said Chiang Mai met all the criteria and it has been holding a variety of festivals with participation and support by government agencies, the private sector and local communities.

Chiang Mai has used festivals and events to drive its economy, tourism and job creation, he noted.

This year, the IFEA added the ability to manage the Covid situation as a factor in selecting cities.

The deputy governor said the award affirmed Chiang Mai’s charm as a tourist destination and a destination for meetings and international festivals.

Worayarn was assigned by Interior Ministry permanent secretary Sutthipong Julcharoen to attend the IFEA event along with Jutha Tharachai, director of the northern division of the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB).

Jutha said the TCEB and the Visit Lanna Association, which nominated Chiang Mai for the award, would cooperate with all sectors to use soft power to promote the province as an “outstanding destination” for international events.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020297

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.

​​​​​​

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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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020147

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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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020069

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