Pandaw launches second Mekong boat

BANGKOK, 18 September 2017: A new double-deck river boat, RV Sabei Pandaw, will set sail shortly on the Mekong River offering trips through Laos to Yunnan province in China.

The 45-metre vessel has been specially designed to navigate the shallow waters of the Mekong River and the navigational challenges of narrow gorges strewn with massive boulders.

Its owner, Pandaw River Expeditions claims the shallow draft will enable it to offer year-round cruises to and from Yunnan China passing through Laos. Read more

Cruise beyond money matters

BANGKOK: Heritage Line a river cruise operator in Myanmar is a mite shy about sharing its prices online so discovering just how amazing the latest offers are becomes problematic for the online booker.

But there is definitely demand for river cruises in Myanmar from travellers who want to explore rural scenes beyond the popular urban destinations; Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan.

Just this week a Singaporean traveller asked me what I thought about cruising between Mandalay and Bagan? Read more

Clock winds back to river life

BANGKOK, 26 July 2017: The upcoming Bangkok River Fair: From Strangers to Neighbours, hosted 5 August, at Pipit Banglamphu, Phra Sumen Road, Bangkok, gains the promotional spotlight in the latest Tourism Authority of Thailand events update.

The fair takes visitors and residents back in time to the era when Bangkok’s city life was lived out on the Chao Phraya River and nearby canals rather than on the congested highways and streets we see today.

Just a few pockets of canal life and communities have survived and the TAT promotion encourages visitors to catch the nostalgic mood for the day-long fair. Read more

Ministry to improve river safety

BANGKOK, 21 June 2017: Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports says it will focus on safety measures along waterways to prevent accidents particularly along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok.

The ministry’s permanent secretary, Pongpanu Svetarundra, said he would improve safety for boat users to prevent accidents, especially in rainy season, and to raise confidence that travel in Bangkok is safe.

He noted that dining cruises topped the list of favourite activities along the Chao Phraya River particularly for European and American travellers. The dinner cruises generate an estimated THB3,067 million in revenue last year. Read more

HCMC: Ferries to ease traffic woes

HO CHI MINH CITY, 27 February 2017: Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Transport will launch two commuter ferry services on canals and rivers this June and in September to ease traffic pressure on city highways.

Local media reported the commuter ferry from Bach Dang wharf in District 1 to Linh Dong ward in Thu Duc will start services this June.

The second route from Bach Dang to District 8 will start in September. Read more

Strand sets sail January

HONG KONG, 17 December 2015: The newly-launched Strand Cruise that reflects the legacy of the Strand Hotel through a contemporary river cruise experience is offering a 20% discount for a Chinese New Year voyage exploring the fabled Ayeyarwaddy River.

The river cruiser will begin its sailings in early January.

The promotion also includes a celebration to welcome the Chinese ‘Year of the Monkey’ on a four-night voyage aboard the five-star colonial-style cruiser. The trip departs Bagan Monday, 8 February 2016. Read more

Globus offers 15% discounts

BANGKOK, 29 September 2015: Globus Family of Brands officially launched its 2016 Europe packages earlier this month.

Headquartered in Lugano Switzerland, GFOB has two coach touring brands available in the Thai outbound travel market. Positioned as first-class touring Globus packages include stays at hotels such as ​ Hilton and Sofitel​. Tour buses are WIFI-enabled.

In the second tier, Cosmos, is positioned more as a budget brand and is known for its reliable year-round departures and the use of good quality but lower-priced hotels.

Read more

HCMC sets its 2015 target

HO CHI MINH CITY, 26 January 2015: HCMC’s Department of Tourism expects international tourist arrivals will reach 4.7 million this year.

According to the tourism department, the city must press ahead with plans to improve the quality of tourism products and services in hotels this year. There are plans to introduce more river tourism products and improve jetties to make it easier for tourists to tour the river and its adjacent communities.

Training guides and improving human resources, while promoting the city overseas as a friendly and safe environment for tourist,s are also priorities set out by the tourism department. Read more