#Japan - Kyoto sets eyes on wealthy foreign tourists

The city of Kyoto, visited by over 50 million tourists a year, is boosting efforts to attract wealthy foreign travelers by offering cultural workshops to satisfy their appetite for a deeper engagement with their destinations.

With visitors already at record-high levels, the ancient Japanese capital is shifting focus from quantity to quality in its tourism promotion, targeting the higher spending associated with high-end tourism, especially by foreigners.

According to the city, Japanese travelers, excluding those who made day trips, in 2016 spent about 47,000 yen ($420) per person, about half the 100,000 yen spent by foreign tourists.

"We would like to revitalize our traditional industries and the local economy" by winning the hearts of wealthy foreign travelers, said a city official.

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As part of such efforts, the city, in partnership with the city of Kanazawa, another major Japanese tourist destination, organized a study tour for American travel agents selling trips to rich customers in November.

In Kyoto, two women were introduced to cultural programs such as putting on kimono at a kimono rental shop, visiting a sake brewery and experiencing a tea ceremony. The city hopes the pair will organize travel plans based on their experiences in Kyoto.

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 "Wealthy tourists have a strong intellectual appetite. They want to experience unique traditional culture in their destinations by directly communicating with local experts," said Takeshi Tanaka, an interpreter-guide authorized by the city. 

 Some Buddhist temples in the city have started offering meditation classes in English for a small number of people and more craft centers are giving workshops in which visitors can produce Japanese folding fans and pottery while talking with artisans. These places have proved popular among wealthy foreign travelers, Tanaka said.

The city also set up an organization with other Japanese localities including Sapporo, Nara and Ishikawa Prefecture in April 2016 to jointly attract wealthy foreign tourists.

"In the past, tourism promotion was done by each region in Japan and lacked an attitude to promote the whole of Japan. We will work together to bring more foreign travelers by combining the attractiveness of each destination," a Kyoto city official said.

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Source - TheJakartaPost

#Thailand - Phanom Rung Historical Park Festival 2018

Buri Ram province, in cooperation with the Fine Arts Department and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, is organising the annual Phanom Rung Historical Park Festival 2018, from March 30 to April 1 at the Phnom Rung Historical Park.

The opening ceremony is scheduled on March 31. 

The event is usually held every first weekend of April to celebrate the unusual phenomenon when the rays of the rising sun shine through all of the Khmer temple's 15 doorways at the same time.  

This awe-inspiring spectacle takes place four times a year at the Phanomrung Sanctuary and is believed to bring great blessings upon everyone who is there to witness it. For those who wish to see the magic happening in 2018, make sure to be present at the sanctuary on April 3-5.

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Several other activities will also take place as part of the event. Not to be missed include the ‘dimensional mapping light and sound show’ and the ‘special light show’ highlighting the legend of Phanomrung Sanctuary, a ritual to worship the gods and celestial beings, as well as a grand procession and Apsara dance performances.

Visitors can also enjoy shopping for local arts and crafts, as well as souvenirs, or try a wide range of local cuisine at the traditional-style flea market. 

Having visited the Phanom Rung Sanctuary, tourists can also explore other attractions in vicinity including Muang Tam Sanctuary in Prakhonchai district, Wat Khao Angkarn – the Buddhist temple on an extinct volcano, the silk and cotton weaving village of Tambon Charoensuk, and Lamnangrong dam of Non Dindaeng district. 

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Another awe-inspiring place of interest in Buri Ram is the i-Mobile Stadium (Thunder Castle), which is currently the largest football stadium in Thailand and becoming a new magnet attracting visitors to Buri Ram. This 32,600-seat football stadium is owned by the Thai Premier League club Buriram United – a rising-star football club in Thailand. Also not to be missed is the Chang International Circuit, which will host the MotoGP 2018 in October. 

This year’s event joins the action-packed Thailand Tourism Year 2018, which promotes the time-honoured cultural events and festivals, as well as helping to spread tourism income to local communities across the country.

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Source - TheNation

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Myanmar - Uncontrolled development threatens Ngapali Beach

Ngapali, the former top beach in Southeast Asia, plunged to number 25 in the 2017 ranking of the top beaches of the world by American travel and restaurant website Trip Advisor. 

Travel and tours executives warn against over development, as Ngapali attracted increasing numbers local and foreign tourists because of its crystal clear waters and beautiful natural scenery. 

According to the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism statistics, the numbers of tourists going to Ngapali rose to more than 50, 000 in 2017 from only over 4, 000 in 2016. Domestic travelers who visited the place increased to over 39, 000 from 27,000 within the same period.

“This rating is made by satisfied customers who came and visited to Ngapali. It is very important issue when the tourists are coming to visit the country,” U Ye Tun Oo, CEO of Vivo Myanamr travel and tourism management company told The Myanmar Times on Wednesday.

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 Ngapali is one of the most important tourist attractions in Myanmar after four major destinations such Yangon, Mandalay, Inle Lake and Bagan.  

The  increasing the number of domestic travelers to Ngapali also resulted in the mushrooming of shops along the beach. There is also increase in waste and garbage that found into the sea and impacted on, U Ye Tun Oo said.

“There shouldn’t be much shops along the beach site. Myanmar is high-end market so the trip expense is high when compared with other neighbouring countries. So the tourist wants the value for money they spent and doesn’t like such kind of situation and services because they pay for much,” he said. 

The growing number of tourists have led to more developments in Ngapali, including  increase in the number of fishing boats, increase of vendors in beach sites, and more restaurants, hotel and guests houses have mushroomed in recent years according to U Ye Moe Aung, an officer from department of hotel and tourism in Thandwe told The Myanmar Times.  

“This also means increase in garbage and waste,” he said. ”The place is getting noisy too.”

Presently, there have 35 hotel and guesthouses with 1, 300 rooms in Ngapali according to the Department of Hotel and tourism in Thandwe. 

“When local travelers increased, they drink the alcohol and ate the food at the beach at night then sing a song. The noise disturb the tourists,” U Ye Moe Aung said. “The increasing number of restaurants, hotel and guesthouses will also impact the beach because of most of these establishments dig the sand from the beach areas to build their properties.” 

The township municipal does not have the capability to collect the increase rubbish at the beach because of lack of personnel and equipment, he added. 

He also called on concerned authorities to take action against those who dig the sand in the beach as it is against existing laws. 

 “The drop in the rating did not only affect Ngapali beach but also impacted the image of country,” U Ye Moe Aung said. “We need to have strong management organization together with relevant department and stakeholders. Then we can keep watch of the developments in the beach.”

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#Indonesia - Lombok records increase in tourist visits ahead of Nyepi

The number of domestic and foreign tourists in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), has significantly increased ahead of Nyepi, the Day of Silence in Bali, which falls on Saturday.

“Since yesterday [Wednesday], we’ve seen an increase in the flow of foreign tourists to Lombok. 

They want to spend the holiday in a relaxed atmosphere, as Bali and Lombok have really different atmospheres during Nyepi,” said the chairman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association's (PHRI) NTB chapter, Lalu Abdul Hadi Faisal, in Mataram on Thursday.

He said the trend could be seen in the spike in occupancy rates of hotels in Lombok.

Currently, the average occupancy rate stands at 60 to 65 percent in Mataram and its surrounding areas and it can reach up to 75 percent in tourist resort areas such as Gili Trawangan in North Lombok and Senggigi, West Lombok.

Apart from Nyepi in Bali, Hadi said, the increase in visitors to Lombok also had to do with a string of conferences and research activities that would be conducted in the area over the weekend.

“Around 300 students of Muhammadiyah University from Sidoarjo, East Java, for example, will come to Lombok. Because of Nyepi in Bali, they have decided to stay in hotels in Lombok for their meeting,” he said.

Lombok International Airport (LIA) general manager I Gusti Ngurah Ardita said that on Nyepi, eight flights from Ngurah Rai International Airport to LIA and vice versa would be halted until Sunday.

 

Source - TheJakartaPost

Cheap Charlies

Did you know that Dutch and especially German people are ''Cheap Charlies'' 

The want all services but not want use any Affiliate link or Booking search block, for a Hotel, Resort or Flight.  

The think maybe become big commissions from them. 

The say the booking on one of our sites, but the lie.

We can see in the admin from all the booking affiliates where the come from. 

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Even when the not make a booking today, the system hold up the cookie into a full month, on PC, Tablet and there Smartphone. 

#Thailand - Shortage of migrant labour hits key sectors

CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS SLOW DOWN; FISHERIES, AGRICULTURE ALSO AFFECTED

MANY SECTORS, including construction in the capital, fisheries in the South and agriculture in border areas, are facing labour shortages due to the tough new labour law, sources said yesterday as migrant workers began returning to Thailand.

A construction site of the Red Line train (Bang Sue-Rangsit) needed to slow down after many Myanmar workers left their work to reprocess work permits, an official said. 

Workers at the construction site at Bang Sue central terminal also left work, even though they did not need to: they incorrectly believed that their “pink card” was no longer valid under the new law, the official added. He noted that those workers might take 10-20 days to check or reprocess the register before getting back to work.

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However, other construction sectors were less affected by the new law, since major construction firms usually hire legal workers, according to an official at the State Railway of Thailand who declined to be named. 

Millions of migrant workers in Thailand were in a chaotic situation over the past week after the government issued a new decree to manage migrant workers. The decree took effect on June 23, threatening fines for employers of at least Bt400,000 for every illegal worker they hire. 

Only a few days after the decision, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha last Tuesday invoked his special powers under Article 44 to suspend four key articles of the decree until the end of the year. The suspended articles prescribe much harsher penalties against offending migrants and their employers until the end of this year. 

The suspension came too late for many companies, as thousands of legal and illegal workers panicked over the tough punishment and rushed to go to their home countries to process or reprocess their work permits and to register. More than 50,000 migrant workers reportedly returned home since last month, mostly to Myanmar and Cambodia. 

In order to end the chaos, the Labour Ministry will allow all Thai employers to register their Lao, Cambodian and Myanmar workers at temporary centres throughout the country from July 24 to August 7. 

While Prime Minister Prayut said earlier that he believed the workers from neighbouring countries would return to work in Thailand as there are demands in the market, Nit Ouitengkor, former president of Ranong Chamber of Commerce, said they might not return due to complicated legal procedures. There are more jobs available in their countries, including Myanmar, since the economy there is now growing faster than Thailand’s, he said. 

Ranong is Thailand’s southern port province, sitting next to Myanmar. The province is home to some of the most important fishery piers in the country. 

Many piers in the province yesterday were seen almost empty, while some were working with only half of the normal workforce. While it is estimated that more than 5 million migrants from neighbouring countries are working in Thailand currently, it is estimated that only half of them are documented. 

In the eastern border province of Sa Kaew, where there is a shortage of farm workers, local authorities coordinated with their Cambodian counterparts to encourage workers to cross the border to work. Many Cambodian workers have fled due to the new labour law in the past month, leaving many farms in trouble during the growing season. 

Sa Kaew provincial immigration chief, Benjapon Rodsawad, said Cambodian people are allowed to cross the border to work temporarily in the area in order to ease the current labour shortage.

With border pass papers, Cambodians would be allowed to enter and stay in Sa Kaew and neighbouring Pachin Buri province for seven days, he said, “so we have to strictly check their document in order prevent them from going deeper to other provinces or the capital”. 

Source - TheNation 

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Travellers spending their holidays in Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East can save up to 30 per cent on their accommodation by booking online a stay of two nights or more with our Hotels and Resorts.

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 “We operate multiple hotels in many countries and with our Summer 2017 campaign offering value-for-money room rates, travellers have the perfect excuse to book more than one property or holiday to experience all that a destination – or even a region – has to offer.” 

The ‘It’s your Summer’ campaign is valid for stays from tomorrow (June 1) through August 31. This summer, guests can sample two new initiatives – the global family programme and an innovative sleep concept.

The 'Family’ programme is designed for guests travelling with youngsters. It offers a range of complimentary benefits including on-demand baby essentials such as strollers, change tables and bottle warmers, healthy children’s menus, family-friendly services, local activities, and special room discounts. 

Guests in Germany, The Netherlands and Switzerland can opt for a pioneering personalised sleep experience by booking a new “Sleep individually different” room.

Turning away from shark fin soup

Shark fin shop in China
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Manila - A former fan of shark fin soup shares why he has stopped patronizing the popular delicacy. 

I admit it, I used to enjoy shark fin soup. Not anymore.
My wife and I stopped consuming shark fin soup after learning what sharks had to go through before a bowl of shark fin soup is served to humans.
Reasons why we should say no to shark fin soup:

First, shark fins have low nutritional value.
Second, shark fins have no taste. They get their taste from the other ingredients.
Third, shark fins are expensive.
Fourth, shark fins have no proven medicinal value. In fact, they contain high levels of mercury (made more concentrated by the treating and drying process), plus hydrogen peroxide, which is used to make the color more appealing.
Fifth, many shark species are on the brink of extinction.
Sixth, humans do not need shark fin soup to live but sharks need their fins to survive.
Finally, shark fins are harvested through a barbaric process known as shark finning.
Barbaric process
How are shark fins gathered?
First, sharks are caught.
Second, the fins are removed while the sharks are still alive. And because sharks have as many as six big and small fins, they agonize six times over.
Third, they are dumped back into the ocean and are left to die an excruciating death. Without their fins, they cannot swim properly, they cannot catch prey for food, they cannot defend themselves, and they cannot get oxygen, as water needs to be forced through their gills as they swim.|
Why are sharks dumped back into the ocean after finning?
1. Space - The shark’s body is huge and takes a lot of space in the boat
2. Price - The fins are worth much more than the rest of the shark’s body.
3. Spoilage - Ammonia produced by a decomposing shark body may contaminate other catch.
Why people eat shark fin soup
In many countries, including China and Hong Kong, the consumption of shark fins has declined after government interference, like banning the dish in state banquets.
However, since there is no law (yet) banning shark fin soup/dishes in the Philippines, some people still have the appetite to order them because of one or all of the following reasons:
1. Culture or habit - Some people still believe shark fin is delicious, a delicacy, an aphrodisiac, has medicinal or nutritional value.
2. Show of affluence - A bowl of shark fin soup costs a lot of money and being seen ordering or serving shark fin soup in a wedding or banquet sends a signal that the host is successful and has money.
3. Ignorance - Most consumers do not realize the barbaric process involved in removing the fins.
4. Indifference - They do not care about marine conservation or the fate of the sharks.
Why restaurants still serve shark fin soup
In the Philippines, many big, multinational hotels like Shangri-La and Peninsula have stopped serving shark fin soup since 2011 because they understand the bigger picture.
Their business continued to be brisk without shark fin soup.
Others, unfortunately, are still serving them because of one or all of the reasons below:
1. Brand association - Dishes with shark fins are core products.
2. Marketing - Customers ordering them have money, which means they can cross sell other expensive items as well.
3. Fear of losing to competition - Some feel that if they stop, business will go to the competition.
4. Apathy - They have no idea about shark finning or do not care to know anything about it.
5. No social implication - They have not been pressured enough to stop.
6. Law of foolish fellowship - If others are serving it, why should they stop? They failed to look into the possibility that stopping and publicising their reason for doing so can reposition them as a caring restaurant and a leader in seafood sustainability.
Citizen action requests
Now that you have read up to this point, I have three requests.
1. Please share this information with others.
2. Stop consuming shark fin soup or shark fin dishes. When you are served shark fin soup during weddings, banquets or meals, do not consume it.
3. Write to restaurants serving shark fin soup to ask them to stop.
If there is no demand, then hopefully the cruel practice will stop. When restaurants know we are vigilant, they will likely stop serving shark fin soup.
Action requests
To restaurants - Please stop buying shark fins and phase out this dish. Do not wait for people to hold placards or boycott your restaurant before you remove this dish from your menu. Offer alternatives.
To party hosts - Please refrain from including dishes with shark fin in your banquet order.
To guests and consumers - Again, please stop ordering and consuming dishes with shark fin.
. Source - TheNation

PARIS, PHUKET, BANGKOK ORIGINAL MAGAZINE

PARIS, PHUKET, BANGKOK ORIGINAL MAGAZINE

We offer you the opportunity to advertise in our Magazine.
We just take over this already famous magazine, what also to see is in the online version. https://issuu.com/leparisphuket/
The real magazines we spread out all over Thailand, in the big cities / hotels and restaurants / events.
(After whole Asia)
The option to advertise is 3 months / halve year / or full year
Ask for more information’s about your options.
https://www.facebook.com/parisphuketbangkokmag/
Original website coming very soon. (also for banner advertisers)

These a a few pages from November Edition 57

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No more visa Runs

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No more visa runs as

The honeymoon seems to be over. Anyone relying on the Thailand’s easy boarder run policy to stay in the country for an extended period of time will not be able to from 13th August.
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The one day visa runs to the neighboring countries borders to gain an additional 15 – 30 days has been a very popular and cheap way for many long term residents in Thailand to extend their stay here without the need of long stay visas, but this is about to change.
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Anyone wishing to stay longer must now leave the country in order to apply for a visa at consulates and embassies in other countries, something many are complaining is very inconvenient.
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The Immigration Bureau have already told the officials to refuse entry to foreigners on visa runs as a measure to stop the exploitation of tourist visas and visa exemptions to live or work here.
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Tourists wishing to extend their stay in Thailand must now need to exit the country and apply for a proper tourist visa or they will need to fly out of the country every thirty days to obtain a new stamp. However, the ‘fly in – fly out’ option will not last for very long as visa runs by air will be prohibited from August 13th.
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Immigration Bureau website says: “Leniency will be granted until August 12, but only for passengers arriving by air. Foreigners who come to Thailand must seek a proper visa in line with the purpose of their intended stay here.”
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These moves have come about to prevent people from simply coming in and out of the country without having to apply, and pay for, the proper visa required to stay in the country. This means that tourists will now have to secure a visa from a consulate outside of Thailand whether that is in their own country before they travel or in nearby countries such as Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos or Singapore.
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The issuing of visas from nearby countries is down to the discretion of the consulate used and the rules regarding the issue of tourist visas change on a monthly basis. Those who have already had several tourist visas may find their application is refused or they may receive a single rather than a double entry visa.
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Pol Colonel Thirachai Dedkhad said: “We have made it clear that if they want to work in Thailand, they must seek a work permit and get the right type of visa.”

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Source: Love Pattaya Thailand

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Skywalk linking road outside CentralWorld to Platinum mall has opened, #Bangkok

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#Bangkok - The new skywalk, built over the crowded sidewalk of Ratchadamri Road outside Central World Shopping Mall, opened yesterday to facilitate pedestrians who just want to walk — not shop for sunglasses or buy fried chicken on the street.
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The new skywalk, called “Bangkok Skyline,” starts on Ratchadamri Road and stretches all the way to Novotel Bangkok Hotel and Platinum Shopping Mall. The skywalk was built because the roadside down below is currently overflowing with street vendors, causing heavy pedestrian congestion every night.
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The congestion only gets worse once you have to squeeze through the tiny bridge above Saen Saeb canal, which is also occupied by hawkers and beggars.
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The new skywalk also is directly linked with the second floor of Platinum — a famous stop for those who love affordable clothes.
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 Source & Photos: Pai Chanikarn/ Coconuts Media.

Bangkok - Boat explosion ‘was an accident, not sabotage’

60 passengers injured, four seriously, after commuter boat blast on Saen Saeb Canal in #Bangkok

 AN EXPLOSION on a Bangkok commuter boat on the Saen Saeb canal that injured 60 people yesterday was an accident and not sabotage, Government Spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said.

Although concerned officials have not confirmed what caused the explosion, Sansern said the initial investigation found that a gas cylinder installed on the boat exploded and no explosive items were found. The incident took place near a pier at Wat Thep Leela.

Science and Technology Ministry deputy spokesman Worawarong Rakreungdet said the boat was powered by diesel and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Officials suspected that the gas tank exploded. Witnesses saw smoke and smelled gas at the rear of the boat. However, the boat owner insisted the explosion occurred in the engine.

 Worawarong said the explosion may have been caused by the fact the gas tank could not withstand the pressure of the LNG. But Energy Ministry spokesman Thawarat Sutabutr said a post-explosion picture showed the gas tank was in good condition and he did not believe the LNG installation was the cause of the explosion. "Some parts in the boat may have been defective and that led to the accident.''

Deputy Transport Minister Omsin Chivapruek said he inspected the scene and found that the gas tank in the boat had leaked, causing a flame, but it did not explode.

The ministry has suspended all 30 gas-fuelled boats from operating on the Saen Saeb canal from a total of 72 boats until the cause of the incident is determined.

Chavalit Methayaprapat, the owner of Family Transport Co Ltd and operator of the boat, said the incident took place at about 6.45am while the boat was approaching Wat Thep Leela pier. 

 He said the explosion occurred in the engine while the boat was carrying 80 passengers, but the cause of the explosion was yet to be determined.

He said the explosion had nothing to do with the gas tank because the tank was still in a good condition. The boat did not capsize after the blast.

Chavalit said he had ordered that the company's 25 boats powered by LNG and diesel stop operating - leaving 47 diesel boats still running. He ordered the removal of gas systems from the 25 boats.

He said the gas systems were installed so the company did not have to increase fares. Eight years ago the price of petrol skyrocketed and the government promoted alternative energy

He said up to 40,000 commuters used the service each day on weekdays and 20,000 used it each day over the weekend.

Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra said of 60 injured people, 14 people needed to be hospitalised and four were in intensive care.

Winyu Angsunit, deputy managing director of Viriyah Insurance Plc, said the company initially estimated the damage bill at Bt1.1 million and would pay compensation to concerned parties with full coverage. Coverage was Bt100,000 for any person who died. The 60 injured would be paid Bt15,000 each, Winyu said.

The incident was unprecedented, he said, and the cause of the explosion initially found to be either an accident or the engine being too old. He said Viriyah Insurance would consider charging gas-powered boats higher premiums than for those that run on petrol.

An injured commuter, who declined to be named, said she was walking toward the rear of the boat near the engine when she saw smoke coming from the engine before the explosion. The engine is located in the middle of the boat.

 She said a flame burnt her hair and underwear. Her legs and right arm were also burnt. She saw commuters knocked into the canal due to force of the explosion.

Another commuter, who also declined to be named, said the boat was heading to Pratunam before it had mechanical problems. Before the explosion, the boat driver told commuters to get off at Wat Thep Leela and change to another boat, she said.

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High Security Alert in Thailand

Media reports indicate that the security forces are now on a higher alert following an advisory that Thailand is one of the many countries at risk from IS.

As in western nations, the security forces have raised security at airports and at major tourist cities, following an advisory  statement issued by the US Embassy in Bangkok based on US intelligence.

This is not the first time that security has been tightened recently.  a similar advisory from the Russian Embassy also saw an alert last month.

With Western and Asian nations all working  IS Awareness campaigns, Cities such as Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket can expect to see a visible security presence.

CARRYING DOCUMENT AT ALL TIMES

Carrying valid Thai ID and/or copies of passports along with copies of the visas inside them is a requirement in Thailand.  In fact it was required that the original passport be in your possession at all times.  a recent statement in Bangkok allows copies to be accepted as long as you have access to the original.  Thai people too are required to have their ID with them, this is not a discriminatory requeirement but a logical one, especially at times of heightened secuirty.

In Pattaya and Chiang Mai, Police have had cause to visit tourist establishments and take in all visitors without ID.  To date they have all been able to find their passports in hotels or room where they stay.  To date all have been treated well and freed without penalty HOWEVER there is provision within the Thai law to fine if required.

Carry your Documents at all times.  Thailand is a safe country, no more or less dangerous than any other tourist country, Assisting police and authorities by carrying documentation will free them up to deal with other problems and lessen the chance that you evening is interrupted

Source: Pattaya103.com

*****

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Bangkok - All-in-one BTS, MRT ‘Spider card’ to launch in August

The dream of zipping in and out of the BTS and MRT with one single travelcard will soon come true for Bangkokians as officials plan to launch a common ticketing system in August.

Introduced under the name "mangmoom” card or "spider” card in English, the universal ticket can be used as payment for several public transportation systems including the BTS, MRT, Airport Rail Link, buses and also for the expressways and motorway.

Why mangmoom? Just like spiders that spin webs to go everywhere, this ticket can be used to travel anywhere.

 

The THB338 million project will be submitted to the cabinet for approval this month, according to Padej Praditpetch, director of Thai Common Ticket Office.

“In the next six months, we will test the new common ticketing system,” Padej said. “The service will be launched in August.”

While the ticketing systems for the operating train stations and tollways will need to be replaced, the new batch of NGV buses and the future BTS Purple Line will be launched ready to use the mangmoom card.

Padej expects the ticketing system to be fully operational by the end of this year, Prachachart reported. 

The integrated ticketing system that will let you zip in and out of the BTS and MRT with ease will be called the Mangmoom (Spider) Card.

The Transport Ministry’s Thai Common Ticket Office revealed the winning design by Wanthicha Aneksittisan yesterday and to be he honest it looks like the calcified tentacles of a spider -- but whatever, as long as it’s convenient, we’ll use it.

Why Mangmoom, you ask? Just like spiders that spin webs to go everywhere, this uni-ticket can be used to go anywhere in Bangkok using the BTS and MRT by August and, soon, the Airport Link, buses, expressways, boats, vans and taxis.

The Spider Card also be used at shops and services.

Source: Coconuts 

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Thai police have broken up a major fake passport ring

Some of the counterfeit passports.

 Cops smash fake passport ring headed by Iranian master forger.

 Thai police have broken up a major fake passport ring led by an Iranian known as "The Doctor" which sent thousands of passports to Middle Eastern customers trying to enter Europe, officers said today.

The kingdom has long been a hub for a forged document industry serving human traffickers and other criminals.

Five years of investigation culminated in Monday's arrest of the alleged Iranian mastermind Hamid Reza Jafary, police said.

The 48-year-old had for many years been crafting sophisticated forgeries from his home in Chachoengsao province east of Bangkok, they said.

"He (Jafary) produced passports for people from countries including Iran, Syria and Afghanistan who were escaping wars and wanted to enter Europe," said immigration police commander Lieutenant General Nathathorn Prousoontorn.

Clients emailed "The Doctor" their photos and specified the country for which they wanted a passport, the commander said, adding he guaranteed customers they would not be detected by border officials.

The forged documents were then sent via private courier companies.

It was not immediately clear if "The Doctor" provided passports to people fleeing to Europe during the current migrant crisis.

"He himself used six different passports — three from Brazil, and one from each of Peru, Portugal and New Zealand. He was wanted by security agencies in many countries, especially the EU and Japan," Nathathorn added.

Jafary's fake passports were the "best quality in the market", an immigration officer who asked not to be named told AFP.

But he could not fake the latest microchipped travel documents, police added.

Five Pakistani middlemen were also arrested in raids in and around Bangkok for assisting the forgery ring, which allegedly shipped passports to overseas clients for up to THB 80,000.

Some of the nearly 200 travel documents found in a Monday raid on Jafary's home were completely forged, while others had been stolen from tourists and doctored, police said.

The raid also uncovered a laser engraving machine, rolls of thin leather for passport covers and metal stamps from various countries.

Thousands of passports are reported missing annually in Thailand, where forged documents of every variety can be purchased on the streets.

The flourishing market has helped establish Thailand as a hub for human traffickers and smugglers.

Two Uighur men awaiting trial for planting a deadly bomb in Bangkok last August have also been accused by police of running a crime group that helped illegal migrants obtain counterfeit documents.

The pair are currently being held in a military prison.

In 2014 the spotlight also swung onto the Thai-based trade when two mystery passengers boarded the doomed Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 using European passports stolen in Thailand.

In 2010 Thai authorities took part in an international police sting that saw two Pakistanis and a Thai woman arrested in Thailand for providing fake passports to groups behind global terror attacks.

Story: AFP

Source: Coconuts 

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Ticket to Paradise

A scene from the film “Ticket to Paradise”

 Global Alliance Against Traffic In Women (GAATW) will hold film screenings of two documentaries, Ticket to Paradise and Becky’s Journey, revolving around the concepts of human trafficking, the sex trade, and migration.

Ticket to Paradise, which will be screened first at 7pm, looks at the northeastern part of Thailand and identifies two types of families; one where daughters marry Western men, and one where they don’t. The first live in concrete buildings, the latter in small wooden cottages.

For the young girls in the village, tickets to paradise mean finding a Western husband. That’s why they all look up to Sommai, who previously worked in a factory in Denmark, hoping she can help fulfill their dreams of finding Western partners. 

Meanwhile, for the newlywed Kae, such a journey means forsaking her child. As for Saeng, her ticket to paradise lies in the sex bars of Pattaya.

Through several Thai women's stories, Ticket to Paradise shows how the mechanism of supply and demand works in a globalized world. To Thai women, Denmark and the Western world are a paradise, and vice versa.

Becky’s Journey, screening at 8:30pm, tells the story of a 26-year-old Nigerian woman who wishes to become a sex slave in Europe.

The first time she tried, she was stopped with fake documents in the airport in Nigeria. Becky then decides to embark on a journey to Italy through Africa’s deserts. Through interviews and narration, the film looks at human trafficking, sex work, and migration through the Becky’s perspective.

At the end of the screening, there will be a discussion with Sam Plambech, a Danish social anthropologist and filmmaker.

The screenings take place on Feb. 18, from 7pm onward, at Jam Bar, BTS Surasak Exit 2. Entry is free.

Source: Coconuts

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Bangkok gets set for Chinese New Year

Dig out your red clothes, hang up paper lanterns and pick up some firecrackers — Chinese New Year is returning to Bangkok.

The biggest celebrations will take place on Yaowarat Road in the heart of Chinatown, with cultural displays, dance and musical performances to usher in the Year of the Monkey.

Kicking off on Feb. 7, the Chinatown festivities will also feature lantern decorations, dragon parades and lion dances, street stalls selling Chinese cuisine and souvenirs, and entertainment from famous artists, including troupes and performers from China.

 Visanu Jaroensilp, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) deputy governor for Tourism Products and Business said: “Thailand’s celebrations to mark the 2016 Chinese New Year will be even more special, as this is a significant year for the country. 

“This year marks the 41st year of Sino-Thai diplomatic relations, and the 12th anniversary of cooperation between TAT and the Chinese Ministry of Culture in co-hosting the Chinese New Year celebrations in Thailand.”

TAT estimates a boost in tourism revenue from the celebrations,  with about 1.01 million international tourists are expected to visit from Feb. 6-14. 

Of those vistorss, an estimated 476,000 are expected to come from countries with Chinese communities including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia.

 

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