A senior Transport Ministry official told reporters the State Railway of Thailand would be increasing passenger train capacities over the New Year holidays. Anon Luangboribun stated that the total daily capacity would be increased to 120,000 passengers for the period between 29 December and 3 January.
Thailand’s deputy transport minister says the national bus operator has been told to be more competitive. Pairin Chuchotethaworn says senior Transport Company (baw-kaw-saw) officials have been told they need to up their game and offer viable alternatives to budget airlines.
The weekend saw the introduction of a tracking app for buses on Phuket Island. Mobile smartphone and tablet users who download the Bus Beam app will eventually be able to check the progress and location of all the island’s buses as well as intercity ones.
A senior Thai nature conservation officer has revealed a plan to dust off an application to have the Andaman Sea region of the nation UNESCO listed. At a press briefing last week, doctor Chamniern Vorratnchaianan said the application process had begun again and was likely to include the chunk of Andaman coastline from Phang Nga Bay down to Satun.
Fans of natural and quirky phenomena are in for a rare treat this Thursday night. Thailand’s Astronomical Research Institute says Geminid meteor showers will be shooting through the night sky for up to eight hours.
Thailand’s national airline has agreed sponsorship terms with the English Football League (EFL). The deal will see Thai Airways designated as the official sponsor of matches for the three divisions in the league but this does not include the Premier League.
Thailand’s Airports Department issued a statement yesterday confirming Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport had opened up again. The southern Thai airport was closed last Thursday when rising floodwater swamped the runway and essential electrical equipment.
Vana Nava Waterpark in Hua Hin is preparing to stage a fun run to celebrate a carnival based on the Japanese manga cartoon characters in One Piece. Runners have a choice of five and ten kilometre circuits on Sunday, but will have to get up early as registration is at 05:00.
Thai VietJet Air has confirmed flights from Bangkok to Dalat will start up on the 18 December. Flights will operate once in each direction with operational days slated for Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Rainstorms and high seas have been battering the southern Thai peninsula and Gulf of Thailand islands over the past few days. The weather forecasters say the rain is likely to last throughout the weekend in provinces from Suratthani southwards.
Myanmar’s national airline is set to inaugurate a new route which will link two of Southeast Asia’s most famous tourism sites. Myanmar National Airlines will launch a route connecting Bagan and Siem Reap, the gateway to Cambodia’s Angkor Wat complex, next April.
Thai Airways increased fuel surcharges on all international flights to and from Bangkok yesterday. The extra charges range between US$5 (THB163) and US$45 (THB1,468) and will be added on to the price of the airline’s tickets.
Passengers using Bangkok’s main airport have been asked to refrain from leaving gifts for the gods at the base of statues. The request follows an increase in the number of spiritual donations placed on the plinths of the statues in the terminal building at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
US rockers the Imagine Dragons are due in Bangkok in the New Year and will play live at the SHOW DC mall. Singha Music is supporting the gig at the mall’s Oasis Arena on the 11 January.
A delegation of VIPs was on board a debut flight from Nakhon Ratchasima when it touched down at Phuket Airport on Sunday. Nakhon Ratchasima governor Wichian Janthorn-otai led the delegation and was welcomed by Phuket’s vice-governor and local tourism authority officials.
The director of Thailand’s National Parks Department has issued a warning saying a no-alcohol rule will be rigidly applied. Thanya Netithammakun says rangers have been given orders telling them to ask visitors caught drinking alcoholic drinks in parks under the department’s jurisdiction to leave.
Canadian singer Shawn Mendes is due to make a stopover in Bangkok next week on his Illuminate World Tour. The teen singing sensation will play live on stage at the Muang Thong Thani complex’s Impact Arena on Monday 11 December.
Tomorrow is a public holiday in Thailand in honour of the memory of the late King Bhumibol. The main branches of banks, post offices, provincial immigration offices and local government offices will be shut for the day.
Authorities on Malaysia’s Langkawi Island have confirmed the 2017 edition of the popular international music fest will take place. The two-day musical extravaganza will take place at Pantai Cenang Beach and will kick off on the 23 December.
Qatar Airways recently confirmed the addition of Pattaya’s Utapao Airport to its fast evolving network of flight options. The service will launch on the 28 January 2018 and will operate four times a week in each direction between the Thai eastern seaboard airport and the Qatari capital of Doha.