Runners planning on taking part in Bangkok’s Unforgettable Marathon in February still have a window to snap up discounted registration. The deadline for early bird bookings is New Year’s Eve. After that, the entry prices are at least 20 per cent higher in all race categories.
A spokesperson says the government of Thailand has identified two possible locations for a new Chiang Mai airport. One is in the northern province’s district of San Kampaeng and the other in the Ban Thi area of neighbouring Lamphun Province.
Thailand’s Immigration Bureau has increased its security presence and police patrols at the nation’s airports for the New Year. Immigration boss Suttipong Wongpin said the enhanced security was in response to the predicted surge in tourist arrivals over the holidays.
The governor of Phuket was on hand on Christmas Day to launch the countdown party to ring in 2018. The popular annual event features seven days of live entertainment and music and the opportunity of sampling tasty snacks and drinks in a carnival atmosphere.
A study carried out by the Thai Environment Ministry has found 13 of the nation’s beaches are clean enough to be blue flagged. Chonburi’s Toey Ngam Beach comes under the jurisdiction of Sattahip Naval Base and is the number one five star beach in the nation for 2017.
Weather and water management authorities in Thailand have issued a severe weather alert for the lower half of the country. The warning says Tropical Storm Tembin should reach Vietnam today and will sweep across to southern Thailand tomorrow.
Thailand’s culture-minister has confirmed Bangkok’s Royal Crematorium will be moving to new homes. Vira Rojpojchanarat told media reporters the bulk of the crematorium’s pavilions, stupas, statues and decorative items would be transported to Pathum Thani and Nakhon Pathom.
Residents of an eastern Thai town are gearing up for their annual Christmas Day parade. The Christmas Star Pageant is scheduled to start at 18:00 today and, if previous years are a benchmark, will feature around 200 ornately decorated floats.
The company which runs the fledgling Yangon Water Bus service is in the process of adding new vessels to its fleet. A Tint Tint Myanmar Company told media sources in the Myanmar city another five vessels would be added during the course of December.
The government of Thailand has declared a four-day national holiday to celebrate the beginning of 2018. All government offices including provincial immigration offices plus post offices and the main branches of banks will be closed for the duration.
The operator of ferries linking Pattaya and Hua Hin has suspended services until Sunday. A statement posted on Facebook by the Royal Passenger Liner Company said expected waves of up to four metres high were expected to make sea trips across the north part of the Gulf of Thailand extremely dangerous.
DFS Group duty free outlets at Singapore’s Changi Airport are offering festive season discounts to inbound travellers. An additional 10 per cent off the tax free prices for beers, wine and liquor is available for arriving passengers provided they satisfy certain conditions.
Thailand’s transport-minister has confirmed tomorrow is the big day when construction of a hi-speed rail project will kick off. Prime-minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is scheduled to attend the ceremony which will launch the first phase of the system and signal a new era in the development of Thai public transport infrastructure.
Passengers aboard Thai Vietjet Air’s inaugural flight to Dalat were provided with a unique spectacle on Monday. Instead of demure hostesses wheeling trolleys down the aisle of the Airbus A320, passengers were feted with the sight of bikini clad models using it as an impromptu catwalk.
The temples of Angkor marked the 25th anniversary of their UNESCO listing with a colourful ceremony late last week. The Apsara Authority manages the illustrious complex of temples and arranged the celebratory rites to commemorate the elevation to World Heritage Site extraordinaire.
Nok Air has announced a new route which will connect two of eastern Thailand’s travel hubs. Scheduled for takeoff on the 17 January, the flight connection will link the Esarn towns of Udonthani and Ubon Ratchathani and will fly three times a week in each direction.
Authorities in Thailand have confirmed record numbers of people have visited the Royal Crematorium in Bangkok. Figures released late last week show the number of Thais and foreigners who have visited the cremation site of King Bhumibol Adulyadej had surpassed three million.
Thai bus operator Nakhonchai 21 has added evening and night buses to its schedule for the Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima route. The extra buses inaugurated on Saturday with a special VIP hostess service and increased the options for people travelling between two of Thailand’s biggest cities.
Officials at Chiang Mai Airport welcomed the maiden flight on a new route from Qatar with a traditional water cannon salute on Wednesday morning. The Qatar Airways flight was the first of a four-times a week service which will operate through until May next year.
Tourist authority officials and Bangkok dignitaries were on hand this week when the Ratchaprasong Christmas lights were unveiled. This year’s illuminations include the highlight, and first in Thailand, of 3D lighting shows of Bangkok. The 3D shows are scheduled to take place five times a day until New Year’s Eve.