Friday, June 27, 2008

THAI Airways focusing on neighbouring markets


Good news for anybody traveling to Indochina region...

THAI pledges to maintain the same frequency for the Mekong region that also includes Myanmar, despite lower demand and rising fuel costs.

Looking at the future potential of the Mekong region, rather than the present hardships resulting from high oil prices, Thai Airways International will maintain the same frequency throughout in the region believing neighbouring countries are strategic to the airline’s long-term business plan.

THAI director Area Thailand, Indo-China and Myanmar, Krittaphon Chantalitanon, said that the growth rate for the Mekong region and Myanmar would average around 10% this year.

Since this region is a leisure-led market, he said the performance is easily affected. The cost of oil is the top concern as it affects the overall economy. People are more cautious in spending. The airline cannot compensate for the overall cost of fuel with just a fuel surcharge.

“Although we constantly review our fuel surcharges and fares, we cannot catch up because it (oil price) goes up on weekly basis, even daily, but we cannot adjust the fares and surcharges that often,” he said.

Political instability in this region as well as unpredictable natural disasters also plays a role.

“We realise negative factors are surrounding us, but we have to go forward, though we are not able to jump like in the past. We will keep monitoring and maintaining business relationships with our neighbours.”

Over the past three years, THAI’s focus was on long-haul services, but it has now shifted to regional routes.

“We have to realise the significance of our neighbours. This region has high potential to grow, so we have to lay the foundation and develop relationships and grow with them into the future.”

As THAI positions itself as a hub airline for the region, it is affected by competition from home-base carriers as well as long-haul carriers that fly direct or use Bangkok as a turnaround base.

Mr Krittaphon said: “We offer the best connections in this region. Suvarnabhumi is a hub and that is our home base so we are confident we can deliver products, frequencies and capacity from the hub to cover the region and also offer connecting services to worldwide destinations daily or even twice a day.”

THAI currently uses wide-bodied A300-600s on twice-daily services to Yangon, Myanmar, that started at the beginning of the year with 17 flights a week.

There have been some cuts on this route in the wake of the cyclone disaster.

Mr Krittaphon said demand for Myanmar has decreased by around 10% since late September 200, although demand is picking up again mainly from relief agencies that are assisting the recovery in Myanmar.

Two weeks before Nargis hit the delta region southwest of Yangon, THAI was preparing to launch a holiday package to Myanmar. “We were about to unveil a package to visit Buddhist sites like we do for India’s Varanasi and Gaya. Now we have to wait and see,” said Mr Krittaphon.

As for Laos, he said services to Vientiane were fine because few airlines serve the destination and the economic growth was still positive.

Regarding the expansion of operations into Cambodia, THAI is waiting for the Asean open sky policy to take effect at the end of this year or in early 2009 so it can start a service to Siem Riep. Bangkok Airways currently holds an exclusive concession on the route.

Mr Krittaphon said in Vietnam, the airline would continue to fly to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and keep its code-share agreement with PB Air for Danang. “We will not operate Danang service ourselves. It is not practical for a full operation.”

The airline operates 18 flights a week to Ho Chi Minh City and 14 flights a week to Hanoi using A300-600s

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Exclusive new resort on Koh Chang



Fancy something new and stylish?

Koh Chang is going upmarket, there is no doubt about that, luring more and more wealthy travelers to this Island paradise staying at new luxury resort like "The Chill", which is for up-market guests who want to chill out at daily rates starting at Bt8,500.

The resort claims that wealthy clients are its only target, The Chill Resort on Chang Island is preparing to open this October beside Kai Bae beach.

The resort is owned by Anuthat Chinawonges, one of the investors of Chang Park Resort located on the same beach. The investment exceeds Bt400 million while the construction is now 60% complete.

The resort does not accept walk-in guests , requiring advance bookings. It expects to lure clients who seek privacy and elegant services during their holiday. The target markets are hi-end tourists from Europe, Scandinavia and Russia.

It will have 38 rooms, with 14 described as standard Chill rooms, 14 pool access rooms known as ‘Splash’, 17 suite rooms ‘The Sky’, and three villas. The rack rates are set at Bt8,500, Bt9,500, Bt11,000, and Bt18,000, respectively.

Visit www.thechillkohchang.com.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Wanted: Globe Trotters for Asian Travel Adventure Competition


GreatEscape2008: The Asian Scavenger Hunt, is looking for forty globetrotting adventurers to compete in the first of its kind Asian-centered scavenger hunt travel adventure competition. The adventure is not just about fun and games, the winners will win a A$15,000 trip.

Built on the same successful idea as its big brother around the world travel adventure competition -The Global Scavenger Hunt, this slightly shorter two-week regional version is scheduled to take place beginning and ending in Australia between November 8th and the 22nd this year.

Outside magazine calls The Global Scavenger Hunt, “…one of the most amazing trips in the world.” A former participant said, “It is like Survivor, The Amazing Race and the Eco-Challenge all rolled into one except with much more cultural interaction!"

“GreatEscape is all about allowing real travelers to compete in a real travel adventure competition, for all the right reasons - the love of travel, trusting strangers in strange lands and giving something back to the planet,” said Event Director William Chalmers, “Some have called our annual event the ‘Olympics of Travel’, some refer to it as A Blind Date with the World because our travelers won’t have any foreknowledge as to what countries they’re going to until the event is underway, and some have even called it a ‘Magical Mystery Tour’. I like that one!”

For two weeks, 20 teams of two will travel through at least 6 Asian nations. Teams earn points by completing a series of cultural-oriented scavenges (finding Buddha’s tooth in Sri Lanka; explaining Thai cooking flavours; visiting lost cities) and challenges (take a photo of a wild orangutan in Borneo; enter a camel race in India; learn to belly dance in Turkey) in exotic destinations.

A cultural immersion at its best, the event is designed to be a rally rather than a flat out race. The object is to test each team’s ability to combat not only the inevitable fatigue, but language difficulties, cultural differences, their appetite for strange foods, logistical snafus and team dynamics in the milieu of a well organized competition.

Teams and single travelers alike, looking to participate should visit The Asian Scavenger Hunt’s official website GlobalScavengerHunt.com and enter online or call the Australian contact Greg Clayton at 0433 118454.

The A$7,495 per person entry fee includes: all international airfare, 15-nights of hotel accommodations (based on double occupancy), some airport transfers, about 30% of meals, and other event-related goodies and hospitality events. The rate is 10% commissionable to travel agents.

www.asiatraveltips.com

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Vietnam goes Miss Universe crazy


No blogging during last couple days as ongoing Euro Two thousand and Great(!!) has kept me up for a few nights plus ongoing political Soap Opera here in Thailand, which is leaving anyone guessing about what happens next.

Vietnam however has cought Miss Universe fever as contestants from around world traveled to Ho Chi Minh City last week for first Miss Universe show being held in sea side resort of Nha Trang next month. Below is story and couple of pics from Misses.


From VietNamNet Bridge - A press conference held on June 20 at the Caravelle Hotel in HCM City saw Le Tien Tho, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism open Miss Universe 2008 pageant in Vietnam.

Eighty contestants from around the world and Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori are present in Vietnam.


The organization board announced that many activities will take place in HCMC and Nha Trang from the 20 June to 14 July 2008.

VietNamNet captured international beauties at a night party at Sheraton Hotel, HCM City.















Security staffs

Miss Guatemala and Miss Uruguay

Miss Kazakhstan

Miss Germany

Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori

Miss Turkey and Miss Vietnam 1998 Ngoc Khanh

Vo Tien

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Sukothai presents mini light and sound show


More news from TAT:

Sukhothai will stage a mini-light and sound show available in a package deal that previews the highlights of a Loy Krathong show scheduled for November.

Sukhothai’s newest mini-light and sound show aims to boost overnight stays in Sukhothai

In a move to extend length of stay and increase overnight stays at hotels, the Tourism Authority of Thailand Phitsanulok Office is investing in a mini-light and sound performance at Sasri Temple inside the Sukhothai Historical Park, 28 June, 5 July, 2 August and 6 September.

The event cost Bt90,000 to arrange and is a preview of a much larger show that will be held in November to celebrate Loy Krathong.

A promotional package sold through travel agents costs Bt400 for the first show, 28 June and Bt500 for those in the following months. The price includes a tram tour, cocktails and show. The venue can accommodate up to 200 persons at one time.

Visitors can listen to the commentary in English, Japanese, French and German. Spanish and Italian.

Tram tours with a local guide pass through the historical park 1700. From 1730 to 1830. A sunset dinner can be arranged on request for groups at Bt200 per person. This is followed by soft drinks and cocktails.

The light and sound show, firework demonstration and classical performances run from 1930 to 2030. The show ends with a Loy Krathong scene, and visitors can participate in the event by floating a krathong, launching hot-air balloons or taking photographs with the performers.

The full light and sound show is organised annually at Mahathat Temple during the Loy Krathong festival in November.

For reservations, contact the Sukhothai Tourism Business Association at 055 647 225-6 or 086 208 6425. Reservations are made upon availability, but cancellation should be one week prior to the show day.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Plane abandoned at Hanoi Airport


Funny story from BBC about this airplane which was abandoned at Hanoi Airport last year....

Vietnamese authorities say they are mystified as to who owns a Boeing 727 which has been abandoned at Hanoi's Noi Bai airport. The plane was flown in from Siem Reap in neighbouring Cambodia in late 2007 and has been unclaimed ever since. Officials say the plane could belong to a Cambodian airline.

An airport official told the BBC that they believe the owners could be an airline based in Cambodia. The official said that if it remains unclaimed, the plane will have to be sent for scrap.
The plane has a Cambodian flag on its fuselage and is emblazoned with the name Air Dream, but the authorities say they have no information about the airline.

Earlier, one security official at Noi Bai airport told the BBC's Vietnamese Service that the plane belongs to bankrupt budget Cambodian airline Royal Khmer, but this is not certain. Permission was originally given for the plane to remain at the airport while essential maintenance was carried out but these repairs have not been done.

Online newspaper VietnamNet reported that the owners could be unable or unwilling to pay the required airport parking fees.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

"Her Own Way: Thailand - The Woman's Paradise"


Thailand a woman's paradise? - who would have thought, but read on as Tourism Authority of Thailand is targeting in a new online marketing campaign women travelers.

Her Own Way: Thailand — The Woman's Paradise captures all the specific women's products and requirements in Thailand, including golf, shopping, spa and beauty, accommodation with special facilities for women, and more. These travel products are brought together with the best exclusive deals customized only for the project. The exclusive deals are ensured to be the least expensive in comparison to any other promotions in the country. According to TAT, the targets are women travelers from Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Middle East.

In addition, the mini site contains insightful information for women on selecting accommodation, where to shop, personal safety, and many other issues pertinent to helping female travelers to enjoy safe and cost effective stays in Thailand. Apart from that, there is an E-Game for female users with an exciting prize worth US$1,000.

Beyond the above, several e-marketing activities are carried out to emphasize and promote the campaign. The activities include banner advertisement and e-mail sponsorship with female community websites. An even more splendid activity is the database partnership with Thai Airways to launch exclusive deals through the airlines' Royal Orchid Plus female members' database.

TAT will be targeting one million impressions through the Her Own Way focused group marketing campaign, with the aim of attracting more women travelers to the Kingdom as well as designating Thailand as a top-of-mind destination for women travelers.

The micro-site specializes in specific grouped female products with the intention of influencing more women travelers to choose Thailand as their holiday destination.

http://HerOwnWay.TourismThailand.org

Monday, June 16, 2008

Cambodia: a feast for every sense

There’s no better way to discover the real Cambodia than by mixing a river safari with a culinary odyssey, says Richard Strange.

Stéphane Delourme, still in his chef’s whites, is smoking a cigarette on the terrace of Pacharan, Phnom Penh’s elegant riverside restaurant. The lightning from an electric storm illuminates his face. He is exhausted but content. He raises a glass of white wine and toasts no one in particular. “We did it! We did it!” he repeats, in his irresistible French accent.

As the culmination of a two-week long Cambodian adventure, part-river safari, part-culinary odyssey, Delourme has just cooked a five-course dinner for 60 guests at one of the city’s hottest restaurants, and the evening has been a triumph.

For nine years, Brittany-born Delourme has been head chef at Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant in Padstow, Cornwall. Wishing to broaden his culinary horizons, Delourme persuaded Stein to let him take a two-week sabbatical and join a Culinary Tour of Cambodia, organised by the Wild Frontiers, a tour company that specialises in edgy, off-the-beaten-track destinations and themes.

The plan was to start in Siem Reap, the nearest town to the temples of Angkor Wat. It was here, at the elegant but funky FCC hotel, a fine colonial-style establishment whose cool contemporary-ethnic rooms are the perfect retreat, and whose bar is lively but not raucous, that I first met Delourme.

Our party of nine included Andrew Ridgeley, formerly George Michael’s partner in the Eighties group Wham! and his ebullient girlfriend Keren Woodward, of Bananarama.

An unashamed gourmet, Ridgeley is both venerable and serious, a surfer in his adopted Cornwall who has become a prominent local environmentalist in the cause of water quality. Keren, still singing, still laughing, is the girl whom time left alone – gorgeous, voluptuous and enormous fun.

Our happy band was completed by Peter O’Sullivan, the tour leader from Wild Frontiers. A former musician, O’Sullivan first went out to Cambodia in the early Nineties to clear landmines. He has been going back ever since, as a journalist, tour guide and researcher for Wild Frontiers, and has an encyclopedic knowledge of Khmer culture and politics.

The temple visits done, our time in Siem Reap was spent trawling the vast fruit, vegetable and fish markets for local produce with our Cambodian guide and translator Vudthy (pronounced “Watti”).

The fertile Cambodian land produces mountains of fresh food, and more than 300 species of freshwater fish are hauled daily from the Tonle Sap lake and river.

As part of our tour we enjoyed a virtuoso four-hour cookery lesson from Sour Vong, head chef at the Shinta Mani hotel. The following day we tried our newly learnt skills at an orphanage on the edge of town run by Vudthy and his brother.

We set about chopping, grinding and mixing, and cooked a simple lunch version of Sour Vong’s Fish Amok. The meal was devoured in a fraction of the time that it took to prepare, and the boys then challenged the “White Giants” (us) to a kickabout in the school yard.

We ended our stay in Siem Reap with a celebratory dinner at the Meric restaurant in the swanky Hotel de la Paix, an exotic degustation menu which featured dried snake with green mango, and grilled stuffed frog, among other Khmer specialities.

At first light we boarded the minibus for the lakeside port of Chong Khneas, a picture-book floating village inhabited mainly by Vietnamese fishing families. Even at 7am the place was seething with activity, and eager porters swarmed to our bus to manhandle our luggage to our waiting boat.

La Cougoule (it means “pretty girl” in Marseillaise slang), a 90ft wooden former river freighter, was bought by its owner, Pierre Legros, five years ago. Now fully renovated, it elegantly plies its trade between Chong Khneas on the north-western end of Tonle Sap lake to Kompong Chhnang at the south-eastern extremity. That’s the idea, anyway; this was Legros’s maiden voyage.

As we pushed off from the jetty, gliding past mangrove and the floating timber houses where the early-morning fishing catch was being brought in, the expanse of water ranged ahead of us to the horizon.

Tonle Sap lake, in effect a vast floodplain, is more than 100 miles long and provides 75 per cent of Cambodia’s annual fish catch; downstream it feeds the mighty Mekong river.

The skipper explained that the water level was up 30ft at this time of year. What looked like floating vegetation were actually treetops. We were floating through the canopy of the submerged forest – a surreal but exhilarating experience.

Sometimes a fisherman would drift noiselessly into view, checking his nets, or fixing a trap, his coolie hat protecting his head and shoulders from the fierce midday sun. A shouted greeting would confirm that he was Vietnamese, not Khmer. The two tribes have been uneasy neighbours for centuries. A wave, then onward.

We slid ever farther through the soupy brown water. Occasionally the surface was broken by the head of a river snake. “The more of the body you see on the surface, the more poisonous it is,” Vudthy told us helpfully.

On board, a miraculous lunch appeared, prepared on the rudimentary gas burner. Fish cakes, green tomatoes with shrimp and glass noodles, fish amok and rice. We sat on the deck, round a low wooden table, and feasted like royalty. Life does not get much better than time spent on a boat with good company, good food and good weather.

As this was the first outing for Legros, the estimated duration of the trip was rather speculative. He imagined that we would reach our destination in seven hours. In fact we did not make landfall for 16 hours, and in that time, lounging with drinks on the deck, we saw the most wonderful sunset and, later, shooting stars in a sky free of artificial light.

At one point we strayed into a floating village, unearthly and bizarre in the total darkness, the sounds of dogs and children and a television set carrying through the still of the night.

The layout of the village was so complex and tight that, once in, it was impossible for Legros to manoeuvre the boat out again unaided.

With a combination of Khmer, French and Vietnamese phrases he summoned help in the form of a motor skiff with a tie line. Its owner towed us back out to open water and pointed us on our way through the velvet darkness. In all my years of travelling I have rarely felt so far from home as during that exchange.

When we finally made Kompong Chhnang and slung our hammocks, an operatic electric storm picked up, which tossed and pitched the boat for the next two hours. We spent a fitful night buffeted at our mooring, but morning was a revelation.

Kompong Chhnang is a teeming fishing town, and as we peered out into the sunshine we found that our boat was the centre of amused attention. An animated group had gathered on the quayside, hoping to catch a glimpse of the new arrivals having breakfast.

That afternoon we took a fishing boat to see the floating nets and the fish traps. Strung between stilted houses, the traps are designed so the fish can swim in, but not out. When the level of the lake drops in February or March, the haul can be picked by hand from the traps and transported to quayside market, where all types of spanking fresh fish lie stacked like silver bullion.

Less appetising, at least to a Western palate, are the 21-day-old duck eggs. The unsuspecting snacker finds that as well as what remains of the hard-boiled yolk – cooking time is three hours – the shell contains a partly developed duckling – beak, feathers and all. In the name of research Delourme tried a little, while the rest of us looked on aghast. The local children encouraged him to finish it, telling him in exaggerated mime that it would make him strong and energetic, but even the intrepid Frenchman was beaten by this offering.

From Kompong Chhnang we drove overland past rice fields, sugar palm and cashew plantations, to Phnom Penh, where we met Ant Alderson, the British co-owner of the FCC hotels in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.

The FCC, formerly known as the Foreign Correspondents Club, enjoys a prime riverfront location with enviable views up and downstream. The elegant, pillared dining room, in cream and dark wood, cooled by ceiling fans, is straight out of Graham Greene or Somerset Maugham – both two former patrons.

Peter O’Sullivan suggested that a gala evening at one of the FCC’s restaurants, featuring Delourme as guest chef, might be a good way to round off the trip. Alderson agreed, hammered out a few details, and a date was set.

The final leg of our expedition took us west, to the coastal towns of Kampot and Kep, near the Vietnamese border. Kampot was once a thriving market town, the main port of entry for imported goods, and a stronghold of the Chinese mercantile class.

The town also boasts some fine art deco and modernist architecture, though much was destroyed by shelling and mortar fire from the Khmer Rouge in the Seventies.

The great Cambodian modernist architect, Vann Molyvann, built many fine buildings in Cambodia. Born in Kampot, he studied with Le Corbusier in Paris. In nearby Kep he built the king’s summer residence, high on a hill with multilevel terraces, gardens and a breathtaking view of the bay and Vietnam beyond.

Equally splendid and available to mere mortals, is the Knai Bang Chatt hotel in Kep. Three fabulous stucco modernist villas, lovingly restored, look out over an infinity pool to the sea. We dined on barracuda carpaccio and clams with tamarind, in an outdoor dining-room overlooking the ocean, as another electric storm wrought havoc on the water; an unforgettable experience.

Delourme was inspired by the local seafood, and the next day we went shopping for crabs to take back to Phnom Penh for the dinner at Pacharan.

Back in Phnom Penh, a stiff, hot northerly wind blew the flags along the promenade ragged. Ant Alderson casually announced that every one of the 60 places at the Pacharan had been booked by the great and the good of Phnom Penh. Stéphane Delourme gave a gallic whistle through his teeth and began dressing the crabs…

Essentials

Getting there

Wild Frontiers (020 7736 3968; www.wildfrontiers.co.uk) offers the 15-day Cambodia Culinary Tour from £2,200 all-inclusive, excluding flights. The next departure is October 11 2008.

Staying there

FCC Hotels (00855 1291 6366; www.fcccambodia.com) has doubles from £75 in Siem Reap and from £27 Phnom Penh. Knai Bang Chatt Hotel, Kep (00855 1287 9486; www.knaibangchatt.com) has doubles from £72.

Send me your questions and find pictures and complete details http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/asia/cambodia/2064787/Cambodia-a-feast-for-every-sense.html?pageNum=3

Friday, June 13, 2008

Accor expands luxurious hotel system in Vietnam


More hotel news from Vietnam:

From mid-2008 to 2010, the Accor group will open 10 high-class hotels in Vietnam.

These are four and five star hotels in Hanoi, in Lao Cai, hotels in Vung Tau, hotels in Phu Quoc and in Halong Bay and also in Nha Trang, bearing Pullman, Mercure and Novotel brands.

This year Accor will inaugurate two Novotel hotels in Halong city, Quang Ninh province and Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa province.

On June 6, Accor, the Hanoi Tourism Corporation and SIH Ltd. kicked off the construction of Novotel Hanoi on the Park hotel, near Thong Nhat Park in Hanoi.

This hotel belongs to the Hanoi Tourism Corporation and SIH, a joint venture between VinaCapital, Accor and River Nile, and will have 376 rooms. It is considered a resort in the city’s hub and an ideal place for conferences in Hanoi.

Novotel Hanoi on the Park is the fifth hotel of Accor in Hanoi. This group is managing Sofitel Metropole Hanoi, Sofitel Plaza Hanoi, Mercure Hanoi la Gare (which will open in 2009) and Mercure Hanoi Hado (2010).

Accor is a world-famous hotel managing group present in nearly 100 countries, employs over 150,000 staffs with over 40 years of experience.

(Source: TBKTVN, URL: http://english.vietnamnet.vn/travel/2008/06/787519/)

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Vietnam tourism is booming!


Came across this piece of news below which is once again confirming that people are visiting Vietnam further, even tough inflation rate is now at staggering 25%. It will be interesting to see if this trend will continue also next year once hotels have increased their room rates by this margin, which will make Vietnam compared to their neighbouring countries a pretty expensive place to visit.

Tourists to Vietnam, international arrivals in Vietnam rose 16.6 percent to 2.1 million in the first five months of the year, the General Statistics Office (GSO) said.

Chinese visitors continue to take the lead with 352,000 arrivals, rising by 54 percent, followed by 114,000 Filipinos, up by 42 percent. Thailand ranks third with 87,600 visitors, up by 32 percent. Swiss, Finnish and Hong Kong tourists came in small groups but were big spenders during their travels throughout the country, the GSO reported. GSO said world-heritage site Halong Bay remains the most popular destination for international tourists and cited visits by cruises bringing more than 4,000 foreign holidaymakers on April 29 alone. Currently hotels in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and central Nha Trang city have 80 percent of their rooms occupied.

(Source: VNA, URL: http://english.vietnamnet.vn/travel/2008/05/785754/)

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Cambodia to boost tourism with direct flights


Here are some good news for travelers going to Cambodia:


Cambodia will seek to increase direct flights from China and the EU nations in its efforts to boost its booming tourism industry, which is a mainstay of Cambodia’s economy.


The country announced a 17 percent increase in tourist arrivals to about 400,000 during the first two months of this year. The EU, one of Cambodia’s target markets, is under tapped due to a lack of direct flights. Currently there are direct charter flights from Finland and Italy. However Cambodia would like to see growth from these markets to reach 60 percent of its tourist arrivals by air and to do that the Kingdom has to put itself on the map.




Tuesday, June 10, 2008

All Season's Hotel Sathorn Bangkok




Walking down Sathorn road from Lumpini Station towards South Sathorn recently, I noticed this new hotel which has a top location with just a few minutes walk from MRT Lumpini, Suan Lum Night Bazaar, Lumpini Boxing Stadium and of course amazing Lumphini Park.

ALL SEASONS SATHORN BANGKOK, is a new modern three star hotel and features 108 comfortable and affordable rooms, each equipped with complimentary Internet connection and also has one restaurant.



As hotel is still new rooms are going for great value with prices between 1700baht for a superior to 1990baht for a deluxe room.

For details:

All Seasons Sathorn Bangkok
31 South Sathorn Road Thungmahamek,
Sathorn, Bangkok, Thailand, 10120

Telephone: +66 2 3436333Fax: +66 2 3436335
E-mail: contact@allseasons-sathorn.com

Monday, June 9, 2008

Thailand, Koh Samet trip report



Tub Tim Beach - Koh Samet June 2008

Koh Samet with its white powdery beaches is pure bliss and just over 3hours drive from Bangkok. "Samet" as locals call it, offers convenience of quick getaway from big city for many Thais and has some of best food, white sandy beaches and romantic bungalows for rent at very low cost, where beach is just foot step away.

Lots of friends overseas always ask me for cheapest and best way to reach this island, where to stay and how to go about this by public transport without using a travel agent. I have below summarised cost for my trip beginning of June 08 traveling from Bangkok:

Take BTS Skytrain to Ekkamai station and you will find southern bus terminal and buy yourself a ticket at booth where it says: Ban Pe-Samet

One way ticket: 169 Baht (3hrs 15min)

Proceed to Terminal 23. Busses are leaving as early as 5am on top of hour, every hour till late in evening.

Upon arrival in Ban Phe cross street and buy a ferry ticket to Hat Sai Khao (White Beach), which is first and closest beach to pier.

One way Ferry ticket: 50 baht

Upon arrival depending on how much luggage you carry, you could either walk to White Sand Beach and continue from there to Tubtim beach or you can take a taxi to Ao Phai and continue from there to Tubtim beach.

  1. Pudsa Resort Ocean Front Bungalow: 700 Baht/night (without TV, Aircon, Fridge)

  2. English Breakfast: 120 Baht/person

  3. Lunch: 60 - 150 Baht/person

  4. Dinner 80 - 200 Baht/person


Pudsa Bungalow



Breakfast table



Visitor waiting for breakfast



View from Bungalow - Low tide in morning

Only minus is missing sun set which happens on opposite side of island. I also recommend to visit during week in order to avoid big crowds on weekends coming down from Bangkok.

Upon return cost for ferry is again 50 Baht and buses are leaving Baan Phe on top of every hour to Bangkok for 169Baht.

Koh Samet is a great getaway and offers some of best beaches in Asia.

If you need any further information please don't hesitate contact me and leave your comment.

Happy traveling!

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Testing times in Asia - but travel never stops!



Hello and Welcome to.....

my blog, virtual news room, picture gallery and regular updates on some of Asia's best and still hidden secrets in and around Indochina.

I am ready to reveal them and share best of best after years of traveling through this part of world and living and breathing travel on a daily basis it will be my great pleasure to provide most up to date details and information possible on how to, what to and where to travel to within Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand, my home and where my heart lies.

Whether it's a great restaurant, a hidden bungalow on an unspoilt island or a new boutique resort Indochina has so much to offer that time has come to share knowledge.

I am looking forward receiving your questions and comments on everything travel related to this part of world..... Keep traveling!!!

Your Indochina Travel Reporter