The magazine chose the Phi Phi Islands thanks to the archipelago’s natural setting and easily accessible location just a short boat ride from Phuket.

The feature also recommended a range of activities, such as kayaking to scenic coves, rock climbing, and exploring Phi Phi Le National Park with a private boat charter.

“It’s been a long time coming, but our flights to the Land of the Rising Sun are finally set for take-off soon,” NokScoot chief executive officer Yodchai Sudhidhanakul confirmed.

“The Bangkok-Narita route will mark our first foray into the Japanese market after having flown to China and Taiwan for the past four years,” he added.

The Bangkok-Narita service has always been a key part of NokScoot’s long-term growth strategy.

Since the airline’s inception in 2014, NokScoot has been preparing for the route’s launch, working through regulatory issues between the Thai and Japanese authorities.

To celebrate the highly anticipated launch, NokScoot is offering promotional economy-class fares, starting from Bt2,777 for a one-way FLY ticket, tax-inclusive, for travel to Narita between June 1 and October 27.

The special rate is available until Wednesday this week.

There people can pay respects and pour water on the revered statue during the Thai traditional New Year celebration period on April 12-15.

The procession through the streets of old Bangkok was launched in the morning by BMA governor Pol General Aswin Kwanmuang.

The procession also stopped at six designated locations so that people could pay homage in the hope of earning good fortune. The six locations were Santi Chaiprakan Park, Wat Chana Songkhram, Pak Khlong Talad, Wongwian Yai, Sathorn Square, and MBK mall. The statute then continued to Lumphini Park where it will remain for four days.

BMA will also host an alms offering ceremony at 7am on Friday involving 166 Buddhist monks before hosting various Songkran-related activities – under the theme emphasising Thai culture –at Lumphini Park, including a Songkran beauty queen contest.

Airports of Thailand president Nitinai Sirismatthakarn said on Friday an additional 5,550 square metres had been opened in the concourse the day before.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has predicted that 393,900 travellers will use Phuket airport from April 11-17 – a rate of 56,300 per day, representing an increase of 16.8 per cent over Songkran 2017.

Nitinai said the passenger building on the north side of the airport was being renovated and was opening in stages.

On Thursday a 3,000-square-metre second-floor lobby opened, with extra toilet facilities.

On the first floor, 2,550 additional square metres will handle arrivals via the bus gate, and a third luggage conveyor was added, so passengers can collect their bags faster, Nitinai said.

Next month, he said, 350 more luggage check-in stations would be ready.

Nitinai said renovations would be complete by June, including more X-ray scanners to hasten departures.

The fully booked inaugural flight, VZ340, operated by a new Airbus A320 with the “Amazing Thailand” tourism logo, departed Bangkok 07.10am and landed safely at 08.35am at Krabi International Airport with a water-canon salute.

All passengers and flight crew were greeted with flower garlands from Krabi Governor Pol Lt-Colonel ML Kitibodi Prawit, Krabi Airport Director, representatives from the Travel Authority of Thailand’s Krabi office and other guests and the media.

On board the inaugural flight, passengers were surprised by a mid-air flash mob in a beach theme, a lucky draw game to win hotel vouchers in Krabi and special gifts to all 180 passengers.

“The flight was very smooth and on time. I was surprised and enjoyed the dances which were very fun and lively. Thank you Thai Vietjet for this special experience and affordable fares for our travel between Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and Krabi,” said one of the passengers.

Krabi, a popular holiday destination, offers great beaches, clean air, temples and views of lush mountains.

Thai Vietjet also flies to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Phuket and Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, Hai Phong and Da Lat in Vietnam.

The races for five types of boats will be held from 8am until noon, beginning at Wat Krathum Sua Pla and concluding at Yamiulebadah Mosque which are located on the same bank of the canal not far from each other.

The district office announced on its website that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration governor will launch a tourist boat at 9.30am, taking tourists from Wat Krathum Sua Pla to Wat Mahabut in Phra Khanong district.

Apart from boat racing, booths will be set up at Wat Krathum Sua Pla to sell products locally made in Prawet. The temple is located on Onnuj Soi 67.

Visitors to the temple will also be treated to a show of 80 much-respected Buddha images in a museum, a wax museum and a display of ancient boats.

A local official said there would also be a temporary floating market at the temple on Saturday.

The additional service comes into effect on July 1, the carrier said on Monday.

The new outbound flight PG713 will depart from Suvarnabhumi Airport at 5pm and arrive at Mandalay International Airport at 6:25pm every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Inbound flight PG714 will depart at 7pm and arrive in Bangkok at 9.35pm the same day.

Bangkok Airways currently uses a 162-seater Airbus A320 aircraft on the route.

Jirut Wisaljit, director-general of the Harbour Department, said the new port and the “Andaman Ring Route” ferry service would reduce congestion at the Phuket airport and on roads in the three southern coastal provinces.

He said the three provinces are popular among foreign tourists and the port and ferry routes would help reduce congestion of tourists flying between Phuket and Krabi or driving between provinces.

The new pier near the Phuket International Airport would allow tourists to get off boats and take planes without having to use road transport, he said.

The first route will link Ao Por pier in Phuket to Chong Lad pier of the Koh Yao Yai in Phang Nga and to Tha Lane pier in Krabi.

The second route will link Chong Lad pier to Manoh Pier of Koh Yao Noi in Phang Nga.

The third route will link Ban Hua Hin pier in Tambon Koh Klang of Koh Lanta district of Krabi to Klong Mad pier in Tambon Koh Lanta Noi in Koh Lanta district.

For the fourth route, ferryboats will travel from Ao Thong Lang pier on Koh Lanta to Koh Jum in Krabi.

And the fifth route will link Koh Lanta Yai to Koh Por in Krabi, Jirut said.

He said there will also be a new speedboat service from Ao Por pier in Phuket to Laem Lan pier on Koh Yao Yai, Laem Dong beach of Koh Phi Phi, Ton Sai beach of Koh Phi Phi and Sala Dan pier of Koh Lanta in Krabi.

Jirut said the new boat services are expected to start within this year.