26
July

Transfer Passenger Tour

Promotions, 07.26.09

www.tourismthailand.org

Thailand is blessed with so many attractions that visitors are faced with a problem – time, there’s never enough of it. To explore all the temples, beaches, national, parks and museums in the country would take forever.

The upside to this is that wherever you are in the Kingdom, a place of interest is never faraway. Indeed Suvarnabhumi International Airport is within easy reach of some spectacular tourist attractions. And thanks to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, seeing them has never been easier.

For transfer passengers, there are now fiifteen special tour programmes that take in temples, shopping malls, canals and cultural shows. In short, they offer something for everyone. Better still, they only need to take up a little of your time. With officials on hand to help you navigate immigration procedures and tour guides to lead you back to the airport, the programmes promise to be one of the most rewarding, enjoyable experiences you ever sign up to do.

Privileges for International Transfer Passenger : Click here
Programme Tours For International Transfer Passenger : Click here

Interested passengers can inquire for more information at Tel. 1672, visit http://www.tourismthailand.org, or call Tel. 0 2134 4262 and 08 1400 4588 and to join the campaign, they can contact the Transfer Passenger Tour Counter in the departure area on 2nd Floor Concourse F and Concourse C in the Transit Passenger Lounge at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

26
July

72 Hours Amazing Thailand

News, 07.26.09

TAT_news

The Tourism Authority of Thailand together with MasterCard has launched “72 Hours Amazing Thailand” – a dedicated campaign presenting a host of exciting activities and special privileges exclusively for MasterCard cardholders visiting Thailand.

Mrs. Juthaporn Rerngronasa, Deputy Governor for International Marketing, Tourism Authority of Thailand, said, “72 Hours Amazing Thailand offers a new way for tourists to explore the beauty of Thailand within 72 hours. The campaign introduces customized travel routes and activities for MasterCard cardholders, as well as showcases a collection of Thailand’s newest and most stylish resorts and hotels, hip shopping destinations, luxurious pampering hideaways, chic dining outlets and top golf courses.”

“We are targeting the 72 Hours Amazing Thailand campaign at the mass affluent consumer, aged over 25 years old, who enjoys traveling and experiencing new places which are in vogue in Bangkok and its surrounding areas,” Mrs. Rerngronasa added. As part of the campaign, an English language guidebook – “72 Hours Amazing Thailand” – will be produced for tourists.

According to the latest MasterIndex of Travel (H2 2007) by MasterCard Worldwide, Thailand is among the most preferred personal travel destination for Singaporeans. Ms. Eileen Wee, Vice President and Country Manager for Thailand, MasterCard Worldwide said, “The 72 Hours Amazing Thailand campaign launched by Tourism Authority of Thailand enables visitors to fully enjoy and experience the natural beauty of Thailand, as well as the many attractive offerings and exceptional service that this tourism paradise has to offer to the sophisticated, style-conscious traveler of today. The campaign is an example of how Thailand constantly refreshes itself as a travel destination.”

Until the end of August 2008, customers making transactions with their MasterCard cards will receive up to 50% off their purchases at over 200 leading hotels and resorts, shopping centers, beauty and nail spas, fine dining restaurants, golf courses and retail outlets in Thailand, in addition to a range of other privileges. 
MasterCard cardholders can also indulge in the best spa destinations such as S Medical Spa – one of only two medical spa retreats in the world with the Hydrotherapy 7 in 1 with Shirodhara – an integrated treatment that cares for the mind, body and soul. Services include purification programs, holistic massage and body work, hydrotherapy and full-day wellness programs. MasterCard cardholders also receive VIP treatment at the Banyan Tree Spa at the Banyan Tree Hotel Bangkok – an ideal sanctuary for physical and spiritual well-being.

More Information:
Website: http://www.thailand72hrsamazing.com

26
July

Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2009

News, 07.26.09

thailandgrandsale

Date : 1 June to 31 August 2009
Venue : Department stores, hotels, restaurants, and tourist attraction nationwide

Thailand’s annual “Amazing Thailand Grand Sale” got underway this month and continues to offer visitors great bargains right through to 31 August.
This year, as fuel prices escalate, both visitors and residents are looking for more value and bigger discounts when they are shopping. Thailand never disappoints.

Most mega stores and shopping malls are offering discounts of between 10 to 70%, so there are bargains galore for the shopper prepared to browse around the stores.

Fortunately, most of Bangkok’s major shopping malls and stores are located close to the city’s skytrain or metro transport systems, making it very convenient to hop from one store to the next.
Both the Skytrain and the Metro, offer day use stored-value cards for visitors to make it even more convenient to use the two systems. 
Bangkok’s main shopping districts and streets are to be found along Ploenchit and Sukhumvit roads.

Many of the department stores have direct bridge linking them to Skytrain stations. Just a short walk from the Skytrain stations and visitors discover some pretty impressive department stores and shopping plazas namely Siam Discovery Centre, Siam Centre, Central World Plaza, Erawan Bangkok, Amarin Plaza, Gaysorn, Central Chidlom, Home Pro Plus, Robinson Department Store, The Emporium and The Mall Department Store.

Discounts are also available in King Power duty free shops, both at Suvarnabhumi Airport and downtown locations. There are even discount deals on luxury treatments at spas, a round of golf at a selection of courses at all major tourist destinations, travel packages and even medical check-ups at world-class hospitals.

The three-month campaign also embraces a variety of destinations beyond Bangkok such as Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hua Hin, Cha-am, Pattaya, Nakhon Ratchasima, Udorn Thani, Phuket, Krabi, Hat Yai and Samui Island.
Grand Sale prizes are offered in conjunction with the campaign sponsor, Visa Card, and include bargain holiday packages to premier destinations such as Phuket and Samui.

Contact : Tourism Investment Department, Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel : 66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 2951

25
July

Loy Krathong Culture

Let’s Have Fun, 07.25.09

One Thai festival that I cannot miss each year is Loy Krathong. This is the tradition where people give thanks to the goddess of water for the sustenance and support she has given over the year, and is held on a full moon night in November. In Bangkok, the best place you can float your kratong, a hand-made decorative rafts, is of course at the Chao Praya river, but any body of water will do. For me, I like going to the parks, especially Suan Lumpini, for a more intimate experience.

If you get a chance to visit Chiangmai, there is a northern lantern festival during this period, where the sky is filled with candlelit paper lanterns. This is an amazing experience everyone should see at least once.

–Download Loy Krathong Song here–

24
July

Songkran Culture

Let’s Have Fun, 07.24.09

When it comes summertime, Thailand can get very hot. Our ancestors were clever to come up with a festival that is not only fun but also helps cool you down as you play. I’m talking about Songkran of course. This tradition used to be a gentle pouring of scented water into your loved ones hands to bless them with good luck but nowadays it has turned into full-blown water fights.

That’s why I like spending my Songkran holiday in Chiangmai, as they still keep the old traditions alive. You still see people visiting temples making merit but at the same time you also get to splash around in town.

But if I am in Bangkok, there is nowhere else better to enjoy the water war than at Khaosarn Road. Be careful though, the festival can get quite hardcore here so keep an eye out for your belongings and prepare to be covered in white paste.

24
July

Kongju at Pathumwan Princess

Let’s Taste, 07.24.09

If someone asks me where the best Korean restaurant is in Bangkok I will have to recommend Kongju (2nd floor, Pathumwan Princess Hotel, +66 (0) 2216-3700). I like eating my favorite Korean dishes here in a relaxed atmosphere. Since it is part of one of the top hotels in Bangkok, the service and select ingredients have to be the best. This restaurant is great when I want to enjoy a meal with a big group of friends, as they have private dining rooms where you can interact freely without attracting too much attention.

24
July

Khaosarn Road

Let’s Go Shopping, 07.24.09

People always think Khaosan road is just a place for backpackers, but I don’t agree. Khaosan is a place with character, and I love coming here for cheap food stalls and the awesome evening market. There are some regular vendors but what makes the market interesting is the creative Thai students who design clothes and gifts and sell them here. You can find some original items here, especially the t-shirts. After shopping there are a number of pubs where you can chill with friends and watch the world walking by.

24
July

Vanilla Garden

Let’s Taste, 07.24.09

I have always been a fan of Vanilla restaurants. They serve excellent food within a cool looking place, making it one of my favorite restaurants to chill. Their newest branch in Ekkamai,Vanilla Garden (Ekamai Soi 12 Tel +66 (0) 2381 6120) serves Asian cuisine instead of theusual pastas. There are two zones here. You can go for sushi at Vanilla Cafe at the back or dim sum at Royal Vanilla in the front. What I like also is their art bookstore. I like to visit the store to browse for some cool art and fashion ideas to add to my style.

24
July

Red Mango Bangkok and iBerry Chiangmai

Let’s Taste, 07.24.09

It can get very hot in Bangkok, and the best way to cool down is with a frozen refreshment. I know there are a lot of ice cream shops in Bangkok but the best and one of the healthiest is Red Mango (G floor, Gourmet Market, Siam Paragon) frozen yogurt. You get to add fresh fruit toppings or syrup to make your very own cup. As for the best ice cream store in the countryside I will have to go with iBerry in Chiang-Mai (+66 (0)53 895 181 www.iberryhomemade.com). Not only are their flavors unique (cookies to durian to horlicks) their café is also charming, a great place to relax with friends and enjoy the easy Chiang-Mai vibe.