Aerial photography to the rescue

BANGKOK, 15 May 2012: Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Kittiratt Na Ranong, says the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is conducting aerial photography of the central plains to establish the best sites for flood water retention  by the end of the month.

“JICA confirmed that aerial photography was nearing completion therefore the flood management zones should be identified and announced within this month.”

He added: “Once the aerial photographs are submitted, the government will be able to indicate the exact location where monkey cheeks will be set up.”

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Myanmar to rejoin UNWTO

YANGON, 15 May 2012: Head of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation said last week Myanmar was now seeking to rejoin the agency after an absence of 25 years.

According to Myanmar Times, UNWTO secretary-general Taleb Rifai confirmed last week at the close of a three-day visit to Myanmar that country’s President, U Thein Sein, officially notified the organisation it was ready to rejoin.

“He informed me that Myanmar is very keen to rejoin UNWTO … Myanmar was a member of UNWTO in the past and it’s very easy to rejoin,” Mr Rifai was quoted.

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Tour agents blast hotels

YANGON, 15 May 2012: Tour operators and foreign-owned hotels are in a standoff over soaring hotel rates that skyrocketed almost 300% and threaten the country’s long-term tourism prospects.

The initial report on the dispute was reported by the Myanmar Times, but there has been evidence for some time, since the country started to open to investors, that hotels were taking advantage and trebling rates.

Representatives of Yangon’s foreign-owned hotel attended  a meeting chaired by the Myanmar Hotels and Tourism deputy minister, U Htay Aung, but it ended with no conclusion.

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Thai Govt approves loan for Lao airport

BANGKOK, 14 May 2012: The Thai government has approved a loan to  Laos to pay for Pakse Airport’s second phase development.

Last week, the Thai Cabinet confirmed it would provide Bt184 million in a soft loan at 1.5% interest for 20 years with a five-year grace period.

Italian-Thai Development has been appointed the contractor. It will extend the length and width of the runway; improve parking bays, install approach light beacon and runway lights and renovate the control tower adding floors from three to six.

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Mobile AEC seminars start

BANGKOK, 14 May 2012: Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports partners with its six universities to host ASEAN Economic Community seminars nationwide to raise awareness in the lead up to the free trade era in 2015.

The six universities that signed Memorandum of Understandings were: Phayao University; Dusit Thani College; Prince of Songkhla University Phuket Campus; Mahasarakham University; Stamford International University; and Burapha University. They are participating in a Tourism Professional Certification Network focusing on tourism related staff.

The ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, Thanittha Savetsila Maneechote, said Phayao University hosted the first AEC mobile seminar 12 May at Phayao’s Gateway Hotel from 0830 to 1630.

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Thailand gains in UNWTO ranking

BANGKOK, 14 May 2012: Thailand’s tourism in 2011 moved up a single notch from 12th to 11th in the United Nations World Tourism Organisation’s world’s top destinations  based on just annual tourism receipts.

The latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer reports increases in receipts for a swath of destinations, worldwide, that make up the membership of the organisation. The data is sourced from  member countries and taken at face value.

Thailand was also among five destinations that saw international tourism receipts in 2011 grow by US$5 billion or more. It reported income rising by US$6.2 billion from US$20.1 billion in 2010 to a record US$26.3 billion last year.

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Phuket race changes sponsor

PHUKET, 14 May 2012: The Phuket Race Week regatta moves to a new home after its previous venue and sponsor, Evason Phuket & Six Senses Spa, announced it was closing later this month.

This year’s race will now be hosted at Cape Panwa Resort, 18 to 22 July, and will  adopt a new name, Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Race Week, to reflect the change.

The new owners of the former Evason Phuket sent messages to travel agents, earlier this month, advising them to find alternative accommodation as the property was closing later this month.

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Minister challenges GHF evaluation

AYUTTHAYA, 11 May 2012: Culture Minister Sukumol Khunplome insists Ayutthaya will continue as a UNESCO World Heritage Site although the historical ruins topped the Global Heritage Fund’s list of 10 most endangered heritage sites in Asia. The fund is neither related nor linked to UNESCO.

Thailand’s Ayutthaya Historical Park was first listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO in1991.

“Although Ayutthaya topped the warning list released by the Global Heritage Fund, we should note that the report was not prepared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation  (UNESCO).”

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Rock climbing in Laos

BANGKOK, 11 May 2012: A rock climbing facility has opened in Thakhek, Laos, with easy access from Nakhon Phnom via the 3rd Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge.

Green Climbers Home is located near the Xiengliab Cave, 12 km, outside of Thakhek town. Together with Laos’ ecotourism tour operator, Green Discovery, rock climbing enthusiasts, Uli and Tanja Weidner, developed the camp site and routes specifically suited for rock climbers.

“Green Discovery did most of the investment, deals with all the administrative issues including renting the land, tax, consulting and building the huts based on our drawings,” explains Ms Weidner.

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Paramotor fans gather in Danang

DANANG, 11 May 2012: Danang in central Vietnam is positioning itself as a city of festival by hosting its first paramotor race in the country, 23 to 27 May.

Hosted by the People’s Committee the event has specialised consultants such as the Japan Hang-gliding Federation and support from AIREA Japan Company. It will be hosted at the Bien Dong Park in Son Tra district, Danang City.

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