News in Asia

Thai government has shelved three high-speed rail projects discussed earlier. The main reason for putting all them to pause is lack of investor interest.

Not only graffiti – while many Thai cities and towns adorn the walls of their buildings with graffiti works to create new tourist attractions, some of Bangkok's neighbourhoods will use manhole covers instead.

Several parks across China will cut admission fees or offer free entrance to visitors on October, 1, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Sri Lanka reports tourist arrivals that plummeted after the Easter Sunday bomb attacks on hotels and churches are returning to normal. 

The first 9D glass bottomed bridge opened to public in Korla Longshan Park in northwest China's Xinjiang Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture on September, 16.

The largest Universal theme park & resort in the world is set to open in Beijing, China, in 2021.

Tourism boom in Laos makes the country more attractive in the eyes on global hotel brands. Hilton, an international hotel and resort chain, has recently announced their intention to open the first hotel in Vientiane, the capital of Laos.

The expressway that will link the Lao capital of Vientiane with Vang Vieng, a populat tourism district in Vientiane province, is 40 percent complete. Can't wait to make a beeline for Vang Vieng in just a couple of hours instead of six!

Lion Air, Indonesia's largest low-cost airline based in Jakarta, laucnhes two new direct routes between Yogyakarta, Java, and Kalimantan. Both routes are scheduled to become operational on September, 25, 2019.

IndiGo, India'a largest low-cost airline, has started to serve its first destination in Myanmar. Now the airline flies between Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal State, India, and Yangon, Myanmar.

Qatar Airways, the state-owned flag carrier of Qatar, introduces flights between Doha, Qatar, and the island of Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia this October.

Bangkok is preparing for the Royal Barge Procession that will take place on October, 24, 2019. The sixth minor rehearsal for the Royal Barge Procession will be held on September, 27 – if you happen to be in Bangkok, make a beeline for Chao Phraya River to see it.

A direct train may link Sealdah in West Bengal to Rangpo in Sikkim by 2021, as the Indian Railways has set the date the Sivok-Rangpo line is expected to become operational. Once completed, the 44.9 km railway line will offer one of the most picturesque this train journeys in the country.

Tiger Hill, one of West Bengal's most popular attractions, is no longer free to visit. Since September, 15, the entry fee of INR50 (USD0.70) is charged.

Asia & Oceania Gala Ceremony of the 26th World Travel Awards will take part on the island of Phu Quoc, Vietnam, on October, 12, 2019. Can't wait to hear the names of the winners!

Vietnam Airlines has announced the launch of direct flights between Ho Chi Minh City, Vientam, and two of the world's most popular holiday destinations – Bali in Indonesia and Phuket in Thailand.

The main vegetarian event of the year for Thailand – The Vegetarian Festival – will hit the country between September, 28 and October, 7. Called 'Tesagan Gin Jae', this festival is even more vegan than vegetarian. 

Direct flights will connect Chiang Rai in the north of Thailand and Hangzhou, China. Thai AirAsia has announced the airline is going to start serving this route from December, 1, 2019.

The “Pearl of the Andaman Sea”, Thailand's popular island of Phuket, has been facing strong competition from Indonesia and Vietnam recently. To preserve its status of one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, the island will put focus on Phuket Old Town now.

Thailand's northeastern province of Loei expects at least 5 percent expansion of tourist arrivals the next year – up from this year's projected 3.5 million, a result of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s efforts to promote tourism in the country's secondary destinations.