Stories tagged with chiangmai
-
Travel to northern Thailand still proving popular
Trouble may be on the horizon for leading airline Thai Airways Internationals. It seems that their route from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son has such a positive effect on local business that tour companies and other local companies are planning court action if the company decides to scrap the route.
Thai Airways International (THAI) announced a few months ago that they were considering discontinuing the route as part of a scheme to cut loss-making secondary domestic routes. However, according to a report by the Bangkok Post, they plan to allow budget carrier Nok Airlines to take over the service.
In a recent press statement, the chairman of the Mae Hong Son chamber of commerce, Supot Klinpranit, announced that the tourism industry were distressed by THAI’s comments and that a number of tour operators were already starting to exclude Mae Hong Son from their programs.
However, it seems that there is a demand for the route as last year around 92,000 tourists travelled by plane to the province, generating a total of two billion baht per year in tourism.
With so much at stake, it seems that the service may continue a little longer.
Posted by: Andrew on 13 Aug 2009, 09:23 -
An end to currency conversion problems
Anyone who has spent time traveling through Asia will know that having to constantly exchange different currencies and work out the cost of goods can be a real headache. The good news is that all that could soon be a thing of the past, thanks to the Chiang Mai Initiative.
The Initiative was signed in May 2000 by 13 Asian countries including Thailand in an effort to improve trade and tourism.
According to a recent report by Nation Multimedia, the former Finance Ministry advisor Dr Olarn Chaipravat predicted at the time that the Chiang Mai Initiative could lead to a single Asian currency. A series of talks have been scheduled over the next few months to try to turn this prediction in to a reality.
This weekend more than 40 leaders of Asian and European countries will meet in Beijing to attend the Asia-Europe Meeting Summit, during which this will be one of the main topics up for discussion.
Although it seems that travelers may still have to battle with currency converters for some time to come, a single Asian currency may be on the way.
Posted by: Andrew on 06 Aug 2009, 09:05 -
Commerce Ministry to improve food safety standards
Restaurants in Thailand come in all shapes and sizes, from gourmet restaurants located in leading hotels to small street side food carts. While standards of food safety are generally high, this is not always the case.
This week the Commerce Ministry was urged to make food safety a priority and make sure that high standards can be found right across the board. Although all areas of Thailand are being looked at, one main focus area is the northern city of Chiang Mai, which often escapes scrutiny.
Veerasak Jinarat is the vice minister of the Commerce Ministry. In a recent interview with The Nation he said that: "The country's export problems with fruits and vegetables come down to a supply shortage, unpredictable production volume and, most importantly, lower quality than required by international standards.”
Over the next few months the Commerce Ministry will be working closely with members of the EU to make sure that food standards are high. Also involved with the project are the Federation of Thai Industries, the Board of Trade and the Thai Fruit and Vegetable Producers Association.
Posted by: Andrew on 31 Jul 2009, 09:07 -
Going green in Chiang Mai
If you’re in the city of Chiang Mai on Sunday and looking for something a bit different to do, why not visit the Dokmai Garden? This special garden will be open to the public from 9am to 3pm. Visitors will be able to listen to lectures by Don Cox and learn how to turn their fingers green.
The garden has been created by 29-year-old Ketsanee Seehamongkol. According to an article in the Bangkok Post the creator is: “a devout Buddhist, a young mother, a serious art collector and plant lover who would spend money on a trip to Europe to pick apples rather than waste it on celebrity parties. Dokmai Garden hosts a 'sacred' pot of water for the cyanobacterium, mother of photosynthesis and creator of the oxygen-rich atmosphere. This atmosphere enabled the evolution of all multicellular organisms, including man. The cyanobacterium's descendants are present in all green plants, and it is actually this slime that does the photosynthesis job, the plant is just the container.”
Located just to the south of Doi Suthep, this unusual garden has been open to the public since January.
Posted by: Andrew on 22 Jul 2009, 09:00 -
Chiang Mai zoo brings snow to Thailand
One thing that most visitors to Thailand love is the hot, tropical climate, which makes it possible to lounge on the beach all year round. So it might come as quite a surprise to learn that snow can be found in Chiang Mai.
This weekend Chiang Mai Zoo launched a new attraction, which is already proving to be a big hit. The Snow Dome, which is located in the panda-observation area, opened on Saturday and was soon fully booked.
50 people are allowed into the Snow Dome during one session and there are 12 sessions each day, starting at 9:45 and finishing at 6pm. Each session lasts for around half an hour, during which time visitors don thick jackets and shoes and ride on snow slopes in sledges, throw snowballs and play in this winter wonderland.
Although there is a similar center in Bangkok, this is already proving to be far more popular. As eight-year-old Monsikan Pleumjitjaijongdee commented to The Nation this weekend: "I've seen a snow dome before in Bangkok's Dream World, but I like this one better because they have panda dolls and doughnut skis for the visitors to play on."
For those born in the tropics this is a unique opportunity to experience a Western style winter.
Posted by: Andrew on 20 Jul 2009, 09:20 -
Former PM visits Malaysia
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shunawatra confirmed this week that he spent the night in Malaysia.
Residents of Udon Thani, which is located in the north of Thailand near the city of Chiang Mai tuned into FM 97.5 Udon Lovers community radio station to hear a live phone-in from Thaksin Shunawatra.
According to a report by The Nation Thaksin admitted that: "My private jet stopped for refuelling in Malaysia and they sent 20 special-branch policemen to guard me. They love and care about me. You people are role models for red-shirt supporters nationwide. If I have a chance to return, I will buy a plot of land and build a house (in Udon Thani).”
The former Prime Minister is officially banned from visiting Asia as he is accused of committing fraud. Thaksin claimed that he spent the night in Malaysia before jetting back to Dubai.
However, subsequent reports suggest that Thaksin was never in Malaysia at all and his broadcast was yet another bid for publicity. However, whatever the truth behind the rumour, the high ratings for the broadcast indicate that the former PM still has a huge following.
Posted by: Andrew on 16 Jul 2009, 08:50 -
Phuket’s red shirts head to Chiang Mai
Residents of Phuket in the south of Thailand can relax as the local ‘red shirt’ political group has announced that they don’t intend to interrupt the Asean-led meetings. These meeting will begin early next week and will be held in Cherng Talay.
Actually, the group plan to travel to the northern city of Chiang Mai instead to take part in another meeting.
Phuket UDD leader Wisut Tangwittayaporn is head of the National United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) movement in Phuket. This week he told the Phuket Gazette in an interview that:
“We have already confirmed with the UDD leadership in Bangkok that we will not take any action during the Asean meetings and that we will oppose any red-shirt members who try to disrupt proceedings. To quell any uneasiness the governor may have, we informed him that all red-shirt leaders in Phuket, about 80 of us, plan to leave Phuket for Chiang Mai to attend a big meeting while the talks are on.”
According to Mr Wisut, there are approximately 20,000 red shirt supporters on the island of Phuket.
Posted by: Andrew on 15 Jul 2009, 09:00 -
Travellers chuffed as train strike ends
Many residents of Chiang Mai and those passing through the capital will have breathed a sigh of relief as it was announced on Tuesday that the trains would start running again.
The State Railway of Thailand labour union announced the end of their two day nationwide strike, during which trains throughout Thailand had been at a complete standstill. The decision to return to work was announced after members of the State Railway of Thailand labour union met with a number of cabinet ministers in a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart.
As a result of the talks, which lasted for about one hour, it was agreed that the SRT labour union will be permitted to take part in a review of the entire restructuring plan along with the SRT board. It had been feared that the government were planning to privatise the state railway, but these rumours have been strongly denied.
''Don't worry. There will be no privatisation,'' Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was quoted as saying by the Bangkok Post. ''The rehabilitation plan is aimed at reducing debt."
Posted by: Andrew on 24 Jun 2009, 08:55 -
Reappearance of stolen goods sends two Australian tourists to jail
Two young men visiting Chiang Mai from Australia, Paul Johnson and Jacob McGrath, were staying at a guest house in the city, and returned to their room reportedly to find a number of expensive items missing – including a digital camera, an iPod, a laptop computer and a pair of sunglasses.
After allegedly searching through the guest house property, the pair called Chiang Mai police. All of the missing items were found shortly after the police arrived.
The two men were arrested, and charged with supplying false information to the police.
Although the men were scheduled to fly home to Australia the following day, they were required to remain in custody, pending a court appearance. Just four days after they were arrested, Johnson and McGrath were convicted of the charges and sentences to four months in jail.
The sentence was reduced quickly reduced to two months, due to the two pleading guilty to the charges.
Since their incarceration the two men have been living in a cell with 25 other prisoners, sleeping on thin mattresses and allowed two exercise periods per day of one hour each. It seems that Australian consular authorities were not able to visit the men until after their convictions. Their parents were not aware of the situation until a New Zealand missionary, who visited the jail, subsequently informed them.
Posted by: Andrew on 29 Apr 2009, 14:51 -
Online bookings return to normal levels
Thailand remains one of the top three destinations in Asia for international visitors in spite of recent anti-government demonstrations and violence in the streets of the country’s capital, according to a leading online accommodation booking site.
On Wotif.com, both daily traffic and sales are back to near-normal levels, according to the company’s CEO and managing director, Robbie Cooke, who added that many cancellations have been rebooked.
“The company follows the best deals and our customers have proven to be resilient following times of crisis. We expect some travellers will choose other destinations, but Thailand will recover its popularity in time,” he said in a report in the Bangkok Post.
Cooke added: “There is no other destination like it in terms of variety, value for money and quality tourism products.” At the current time, guesthouses and hotels in Thailand are offering discounts ranging from 30-50 per cent.
The travel executive noted that online customers are always looking for good deals to destinations such as Chiang Mai, Phuket and other Thai resorts and that he is confident they will continue to check for special offers on Wotif.com.
Online hotel sales in Asia only for only 15 per cent of all accommodation bookings made by Asian travellers, meaning that significant growth in the sector is possible. Wotif.com reported nearly A$500 million in bookings across its world-wide network in the last half of last year.
Thanks to www.bangkokpost.com for the above quotes, for more information on this article please visit their website.
Posted by: Andrew on 25 Apr 2009, 15:17 -
Chiang Mai puts aside protest concerns and celebrates Songkran
During the three-day Songkran celebrations in Chiang Mai a ban on vehicles travelling on the moat road didn’t seem to stop loads of motorbikes, cars and pick-up trucks filled with people and containers of water from enjoying their annual New Year’s fun - soaking everyone walking along the way.
A merit-making ceremony at Thapae Gate signalled the beginning of the festivities. The ceremony was led by Amornphan Nimanant, the governor of Chiang Mai province, and was followed by a traditional parade, during which the Phra Buddha Sihing image was carried through the streets of the inner city, while residents sprinkled water on the image as a sign of respect.
Later, a traditional Lanna market was set up Thapae Gate, where residents and visitors could shop for local products and enjoy a Lanna Khantoke meal. Throughout the three days of celebrations, fire-crackers, fireworks and music added to the festive sounds and sights.
Although by all reports the Songkran celebrations were quieter this year and saw fewer foreign visitors, there was a notable lack of unpleasant behaviour and violence reported – which in the past have been blamed on excess alcohol consumption.
Posted by: Andrew on 22 Apr 2009, 15:58 -
Chiang Mai hotel occupancy drops to 40 percent over Songkran
Major tourism associations in Thailand are reporting that the rate of hotel occupancy by foreign visitors at Chiang Mai hotels and resorts over the recent Songkran festival fell from the 2008 level of 90-95 per cent to 40-45 per cent this year.
The main reasons cited for the disastrous drop in advance bookings were political chaos and the looming threat of violent protests over the Songkran holiday period.
Chiang Mai has long been regarded as the main destination during Songkran for both domestic and foreign tourists. Visitors who were already in the city before the holiday began booking travel to other areas because of concerns over violence.
Bangkok travel agents handling Chiang Mai bookings for foreign tourists were reported to be requiring a 40 per cent non-refundable deposit, anticipating cancellations in the event of riots in Chiang Mai.
The city has already felt the impact of the global economic downturn, the siege of Suvarnabhumi Airport late last year and recent violent protests in Chiang Mai and Bangkok. Recently, the group Rak Chiang Mai 51 forced the cancellation of the city’s Gay Pride Parade.
These events, combined with exceptionally high pollution levels that have gained international attention, have led to a 25 per cent drop in visitors in recent months.
Posted by: Andrew on 18 Apr 2009, 14:08 -
Songkran extended on Khao San Road
In spite of the political turmoil that brought Bangkok to a dangerous standstill on Monday and Tuesday, revellers determinedly got on with the annual Songkran water festival on Khao San Road. And because initial festivities were cancelled during the festival days, the holiday was extended by a further two days, ending Friday evening.
The Khao San Road is one of the most popular places in Thailand to celebrate Songkran as a tourist, as this pedestrianised street becomes one massive water fight, safe from traffic. However it's proximity to some of the flashpoints of the prostest action of the United Front for Democracy against Dictactorship (UDD) made it a risky part of the city to be in.
Travellers who had to delay plans to visit the city now have a chance to join the fun, with two extra days added to the Khao San Road festivities. Furthermore, public holidays were declared across the country while the country recovers from the crisis that gripped the Kingdom over the previous weekend.
Bangkok's streets had mostly returned to normal by Wednesday evening as the army successfully dispersed the crowd and brought an end to the violent standoff. Only two deaths were reported at the end of it all and the leaders of the so-called 'Red Shirts' - supporters of ousted and fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who were calling for the government to step down - called it off.
Although the State of Emergency remains in the capital, normality had returned by Thursday and it was safe to travel freely about the capital. Rumours of a coup were unfounded and the government appears to have the situation under control.
Guide to the Khao San Road
Posted by: Andrew on 16 Apr 2009, 18:59 -
Bangkok streets return to normal
All was calm on the streets of Bangkok by Wednesday evening after the army brought the situation under control and dispersed rampaging protestors who had brought anarchy to the capital.
Bangkok is now considered safe to travel to, although several countries have yet to lift their travel advisory warnings for Thailand. The situation remains tense but the prostests have been called off, the streets have been cleared and the risk of violence has been greatly minimised.
The State of Emergency remains, declared on Sunday evening after red shirted supporters of exiled pariah Thaksin Shinawatra forced the cancellation of the ASEAN+3 summit in Pattaya. After storming the venue, they turned their attention to Bangkok, where 10,000 of them blockaded key intersections and violently brought the city to a standstill demanding the resignation of the government.
A peaceful quiet descended on the city Wednesday evening after a tense standoff between soldiers and the protestors throughout Tuesday, as 50 companies of soldiers gradually dispersed the crowds. Finally the leaders of the protest turned themselves in Wednesday morning and called off the protest, urging their ranks to return home.
A small group of die-hard supporters mustered at Sanam Luang, near Khao San Road, refusing to go home, but were under close guard from the military. Armoured personnel continue to preside of key parts of the city to prevent further trouble.
Meanwhile the airport remained busy and the annual Songkran festivities continued on Khao San Road and Silom avenue without hindrance or fear. Sporadic protests continue upcountry but are considered of no risk to tourists.
Breaking news from The Nation Newspaper
Posted by: Andrew on 16 Apr 2009, 18:46 -
Political tensions lead to fewer tourists
The Songkran festival period could be a quieter one this year, as the number of holidaymakers visiting the country during the Thai New Year celebrations is expected to fall by 20-40 per cent as compared with last year, as concerns rise about new political tensions.
Concerns have arisen due to the increased anti-government protests staged by the “Red Shirts” faction, including a major rally scheduled in the period leading up to the holiday.
Tourism groups are expecting foreign visitor numbers to drop off by as much as 40 per cent from 2008, and domestic tourists by 20-30 per cent. What this would mean is that Songkran may only generate around Bt30 billion in revenues, which is considerably less than the Bt50 billion projected earlier.
The downturn during Songkran would put even greater pressure on Thailand as it attempts to reach its target of Bt500 billion in tourism revenue this year.
"Political chaos in Thailand is becoming the main factor in both inbound and domestic tourism. Even tourists familiar with Thailand, such as those from Singapore and Hong Kong, are now waiting for the situation to clear up," said Apichart Sankary, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, as reported in The Nation.
The association executive suggested that many tourists were delaying booking their holiday until the mass rally in Bangkok has ended. In Chiang Mai, tourists have been reported to be urgently consulting travel agents for tours outside the provincial capital, as they fear confrontations stemming from the political turbulence.
Posted by: Andrew on 15 Apr 2009, 09:54 -
State of Emergency in Bangkok - clashes expected
As Thailand's latest political crisis escalates a state of emergency has been declared in Bangkok and its surrounding six provinces in an attempt to restore order to the capital. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared a state of emergency on Sunday after red shirted protesters from the United front for democracy, against dictatorship (UDD) forced the cancellation of the ASEAN+3 summit in Pattaya Saturday.
Protests from the group, led by fugitive and exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra have turned ugly after a mob of 10,000 stormed the Royal Cliff Beach Resort in Pattaya amid inadequate police security, forcing the airlift evacuation of heads of state and a major embarrassment for the crisis wracked country.
Bangkok remains at risk of violent clashes as the army are now set to be deployed and bring the situation under control. The protests, crucially, have moved from key administrative sites in the Dusit area, into the city proper as they try to block key roads and incite anarchy. They are demanding the government step down, accusing them of being illegitimate, while Thaksin himself is urging a revolution.
Several countries have issue travel advisory warnings and tourists are advised to avoid Bangkok for the time being as violent clashes between the army and this group of some 100,000 are anticipated Monday. Until now the government has been reluctant to use the army or heavy handed discipline on the protestors, fearful of losing face and credibility among the general population.
Following the Pattaya siege, the current crisis has lurched to an unprecedented level, reminiscent of the airport seizure last year, with mob rule becoming a popular tool for groups to voice dissatisfaction at the current political landscape. With the standoff reaching critical levels uncertainty remains in the capital, and unfolding events there might spill out to Northern and Northeastern provinces, including Chiang Mai.
The Southern provinces of Thailand remain peaceful and without risk but transport might be severely disrupted as the crisis unfolds.
The present government came to power four months ago after the ruling party was dissolved for vote fraud. MPs from a key factions of the party crossed the floor to help the opposition form a minority led coalition, which the protestors are refusing to acknowledge. Thaksin Shinawatra has been fighting to reverse his corruption convictions, unblock frozen assets and return to power, and has the support of the UDD.
No solution seems in sight for the political crisis and it is likely to cost the country a loss of more than 200 billion baht in lost tourism revenue.
Posted by: Andrew on 13 Apr 2009, 11:14 -
Pattaya under siege as ASEAN summit cancelled
The summit of the ASEAN+3 heads of state has been cancelled after militant protestors stormed the the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, terrorising the delegates and forcing an evacuation by helicopter of the VIPs. A state of emergency had been temporarily declared as the government battles with red shirted members of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (DAAD) that is calling for their resignation.
Riot police failed to properly secure the area as a mob of approximately 10,000 massed at the site, threatening to stop the conference and accusing the government of being illegitimate. In a huge embarrassment to the country, the summit was abandoned when the protestors broke through the glass doors of the media centre, creating chaos.
The protestors had moved to Pattaya on instructions from leaders, including fugitive ex PM Thaksin Shinawatra after a week of disruptive protests at Government House in Bangkok. it is part of a democratic crisis that follows on from the protest and airport seizure last year.
The state of emergency was lifted hours later, after the delegates were airlifted to safety and the prostestors withdrew, claiming 'victory'. By late Saturday evening most of the prostestors had returned to Bangkok and Pattaya had returned to normal. However the situation in Bangkok remains uncertain.
Tourists planning visits to the South are not considered at risk, and despite the damage to Pattaya's reputation it has now been left alone in the current crisis, and visitors are unlikely to experience any further inconvenience in the city but transportation might be disrupted to and from the capital if the situation develops further.
The crisis stems from the dissolution last year of the ruling party on vote fraud charges. They were seen as allied to ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, disposed in the 2006 coup. After the dissolution the opposition formed a government with a key faction of the previous government who crossed the floor to help form a minority led coalition. The DAAD are unwilling to accept this.
Posted by: Andrew on 11 Apr 2009, 10:47 -
Missionaries invade Changklan Road bars in Chiang Mai
On the evening of 24 March, four American missionaries invaded bars in the “red light” area on Changklan Road in Chiang Mai, shouting at patrons, bar owners, bar girls and passers-by that drinking and sex would land them in hell. They added that they had been sent by the Lord to spread the message so that sinners would repent.
The men pontificated for nearly an hour, while bar girls, bar owners and bar patrons shouted obscenities and used rude hand gestures in reply.
When the missionaries were interviewed by local reporters, the group’s leader, Tony House, said that the men were hoping to save sinners by making them aware of their misconduct and helping them avoid a descent into hell. House is a former Thai boxer, who trained at the Tony Siriprapa Gym.
House added that the group is committed to helping Chiang Mai residents by encouraging conversion to Christianity, and will continue to visit Changklan Road until all those who work there and patronize the bars reform their way of life.
The group leader emphasizes the importance of Chiang Mai’s culture and history and said that it should not be encouraging inappropriate acts such as drinking and prostitution.
Posted by: Andrew on 11 Apr 2009, 08:17 -
Bangkok shut down by protestors
Red shirted protestors have massed at strategic points in Bangkok's administrative and commercial districts, demanding the government step down. The protests have moved from the original assembly site to key installations and intersections in the city, turning militant and causing major disruptions to commuters. Visitors to the capital are at risk of inconvenience although no violence has been experienced.
The United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (DAAD), or 'Red Shirts' have been agitating for a dissolution of the Government that came to power just four months ago, unhappy with the minority coalition government which they claim is not the will of the majority. They are being led on by ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who is currently in exile to avoid a corruption conviction. For the second time in five months Thailand has lurched into a deep crisis, as neither side respects the current democratic process. It's having a debilitating effect on the economy and tourism.
The situation in Bangkok remains unstable, with several country's issuing travel advisory warnings. Protests have also been taking place without violence in cities of the North and Northeast, including Chiang Mai, but the south is peaceful. Tourists in Phuket, Krabi and Samui have not experienced any inconveniences, airport closures or protest action.
More than 100,000 red shirt supporters have assembled in Bangkok, mainly targeting Government House and some administrative buildings in the Dusit area, but have set some ambitious deadlines for their demands to be met, which might prompt action from riot police and military. They are also threatening to disrupt the ASEAN+3 summit in Pattaya over the weekend.
Many Bangkok resident have left the capital to go to their family homes for the long Songkran festival that runs until April 15th. The prime minister declared Friday 10th an additional holiday to side-step the prostestors, who are causing havoc to Bangkok's traffic congestion. The situation remains unclear.
Posted by: Andrew on 10 Apr 2009, 10:32 -
Chiang Mai site of mass rally opposing Thai government
On Sunday 22 March anti-governmental demonstrators returned to Chiang Mai, where they staged “red shirt” rally at the 700 Year Stadium in support of exiled ex-prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra. The political event was organised by leaders of the United Front for Democracy (UDD), as an event in its ‘Roving Truth Today’ talk show series. A feature of the rally was a two-way satellite link with the ex-prime minister, who spoke from an undisclosed location.
Nearly 10,000 of his supporters attended the event, which also included members of the Rak Chiang Mai 51 group, controversial due to its predisposition to violent activity. Violent acts in the past have led to numerous members breaking away from the group to form other organizations.
In his remarks to the crowd, during which he spoke in the northern Lanna Thai dialect, the ex-prime minister attacked the economic policies of the current government, asserting that the policies were not only the incorrect approach to solving the current problems but in fact caused additional suffering for the majority of Thais.
Thaksin Shinawatra assured his supporters that if he were to be returned to the office of prime minister he would be able to provide a solution to the current financial crisis.
Posted by: Andrew on 08 Apr 2009, 12:10