Showing posts with label Popular. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Popular. Show all posts

Tuesday 11 January 2022

Thailand Named #1 Destination in Asia for Global Retirees


BANGKOK (NNT) - Internationalliving.com has ranked Thailand the best destination in Asia and the 11th best in the world in its 2022 global retirement index.

According to the website, the rankings and indices are based on various factors including the cost of living, food, medical cost, visa convenience, weather, things to do, tradition, and culture.

The website said Thailand has always been popular among retirees from around the world because the country does not offer only beaches and other beautiful natural attractions but also convenient places as well as friendly locals.

Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Hua Hin of Prachuap Khirikhan are the top 3 cities among retirees. Foreigners can choose to live for different costs of living starting from 1,000 US dollars or around 33,000 baht per month.

Thailand is also well-known for its affordable and high-quality healthcare which is one of the first things retirees seek for healthy and secure living after retirement, while applying for and obtaining a long-stay visa is also easy and fast.

Meanwhile, this year’s top 10 countries for retirement are Panama, Costa Ri
ca, Mexico, Portugal, Ecuador, Colombia, France, Malta, Spain, and Uruguay.

Source - ASIAN NOW

VISA AGENT  /  How to register for: THAI PASS

Sunday 10 November 2019

#Bangkok governor: One krathong per family


With the annual Loy Krathong festival coming up tomorrow, Bangkok’s governor is urging residents and tourists to help reduce the number of discarded krathongs and floating lanterns, according to Thai-language Daily News.

This year’s motto from the governor is “One Krathong, One Family.”

Last year, the Bangkok authorities collected nearly a million discarded krathongs from local waterways. The vast majority were made from natural materials, with only a fraction made of styrofoam, which used to be popular but is now heavily discouraged.

The same message has been echoed around the country with provincial officials urging families to reduce the number of krathongs launched. They are also keen for people to make their own using natural materials and avoid styrene foam materials and steel pins to hold them together. 


You will find many pre-made krathongs on your way to, or at the entrance of, your favorite waterway. But ask them if they’ve been made from natural materials first.



Source - The Thaiger
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For launching locations in Bangkok, click HERE.

For launching locations in Phuket, click HERE.

For information about activities in Chiang Mai, click HERE.

Thursday 29 August 2019

#Vietnam - Major hotspots brace for National Day tourism surge


 As the 3-day National Day holiday nears, accommodations in tourism hotspots show varying occupancy levels, online reservation sites say.

The vacancy rate in the central Vietnam destinations of Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue, and Phan Thiet is hovering around 50 percent on average, according to Agoda, a global online accommodation reservations provider.

On Traveloka, one of the leading flight and hotel booking platforms in Southeast Asia, a number of places in the ancient imperial capital of Hue like Gold Hotel Hue, Hotel La Perle, Cherry Hotel, and Huong Giang Hotel still have rooms for VND600,000 ($26) to VND1.4 million ($60) per night.

In Da Nang, the occupancy rate is abnormally low due to the city's shortage of water. High salinity levels in the Cau Do (Red Bridge) River, the main source of freshwater for a million residents and tourists in Da Nang, mean the city can only meet 70 percent of its water needs.

Some hotels are refusing to accept bookings because they do not have enough water. At Melia Danang Beach Resort, the number of room bookings by Vietnamese between August 30 and September 2, the National Day, is only 10 percent.
Some hotel managers in Da Nang, a top tourist attraction, said tourists booking hotel rooms during the holiday weekend are mainly from South Korea, Japan and mainland China.
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 The average occupancy rate of hotels in Vung Tau, a popular vacation destination in southern Vietnam, is also 50 percent, while it is 85 percent at some high-end hotels and resorts like Pullman, Malibu and Green Hotel.

Tu Le, a teacher working in HCMC's District 1, said she booked two rooms facing the sea at Leman Cap Resort & Spa in the southern beach town, and the rates were not much higher than normal.

Bookings seem tougher at hotels in Da Lat. Most hotels and resorts in the Central Highlands resort town have been fully booked up ahead of the holiday.

Bao Lam, 32, a bank employee in Ho Chi Minh City, said he was unable to get a family room in a luxury hotel in Da Lat.

Nomad Home Dalat and Elegant Dalat Hotel, two of Da Lat's most popular hotels, only have one or two double rooms available and they cost around VND1.2 million ($52) each per night, according to Booking.com, a travel fare aggregator and travel metasearch engine for hotel reservations. 
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Pham Van Bay, Deputy Director of Vietravel Hanoi, said since the National Day holiday this year is not long, most people have opted for domestic tours, with northern mountainous destinations like Moc Chau, Sa Pa, Cao Bang, and Ha Giang being very popular.

Pham Cao Vy, chairman of the Sa Pa Tourism Association, said most hotels have kept their rates unchanged though it could be a bit difficult for travelers to find a place.

National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and low-cost carrier Jetstar Pacific have said they would add a total of 240,000 seats on domestic routes from August 30 to September 2 to meet the increased travel demand.

SOURCE - VN EXPRESS

Tuesday 23 July 2019

Beach hustle: Thousands pack popular #Vietnam shore


Thousands of daytrippers jostled for selfie space and elbowed their way to the sea at a popular north Vietnam beach over the weekend, with extra vigilant lifeguards watching worriedly over the summer surge.

There are few beaches in this part of the country, and Sam Son in Thanh Hoa province has long been a go-to destination with its white sand coastline and blue waters.

But its beauty has proven both a blessing and a curse, leading vacationers to pack out the 16 kilometer-long beach. 

"Today, there are too many tourists," said Le Huu Mui, an 80-year-old visiting with family.
He last came to Sam Son five years ago and was shocked at the difference. 

"We have to hustle on the beach and it is less comfortable than previous years." 
On Saturday couples snapped selfies in front of elaborate sandcastles and families played spirited games of tug of war. 
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Booking your Flight, Hotel or Resort now

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But not everyone was relaxing.

"We have to keep an eye on everything," said lifeguard Nguyen Huu Linh, 41. "There are cases of tourists not listening to us."

Visitor Dao Quyet Tien, who comes to the beach frequently, has also noticed murkier waters as more swimmers stir up sand and sediment.

"There have been a few times...when the beach water was dirty," he told AFP. "It's not comfortable to swim." 

But he admitted the crowds also brought a lively a
tmosphere to Sam Son.

Source - TheJakartaPost

Tuesday 1 January 2019

Top destinations to welcome 2019, according to Agoda


Big cities like Tokyo, Paris and New York have been named the top destinations for a New Year's vacation among travelers from all over the world, according to online travel agent Agoda

Japan's capital city of Tokyo is among to top 10 New Year's Eve celebration destinations for many market segments. For the Chinese and Singaporean market, Tokyo is the first choice to ring in the New Year, as reported by kompas.com

During New Year celebrations, Tokyo is enlivened with music concerts, parades and lights, making it the perfect destination to celebrate the start of 2019.

Meanwhile, Paris is often filled with numerous parties to welcome the New Year. There are many countdown celebrations in popular places across the city, which are also suitable for some family fun. 

The lively atmosphere among the classic French architecture makes Paris the most popular destination in Europe for New Year's Eve celebrations.

For tourists from Britain, Israel, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, Paris is ranked first in their choice to celebrate the New Year.
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http://www.agoda.com?cid=1739471
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The ball drop in New York’s Times Square in the United States is one of the most iconic celebrations in the world. So, it is no wonder that New York is included in the popular list as the top destination in North America for global tourists.

In a separate list of destinations in Asia, Indonesia's resort island of Bali ranked ninth for global tourists.

Meanwhile, in a separate list compiled by Indonesian travelers, Tokyo, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok are the most popular Asian choices for New Year's Eve celebrations. For travelers from Jakarta, Bali is the most popular destination to celebrate the changing year.

Notably, top global favorite Tokyo is also one of the most popular destinations among Indonesian tourists for celebrating New Year's. Tokyo rose to fifth place among Indonesian tourists, climbing three places from 2018.
 
Source - TheJakartaPost

Wednesday 12 December 2018

#Bangkok tops Agoda’s 2018 list of Asian destinations






Online travel agent Agoda has found Bangkok to be the most popular Asian destination of 2018, “not only a convenient transit point to explore the rest of Thailand, but also teeming with energy, quirks and fascinating culture”.

 According to the year’s booking data from Agoda, beachside city Pattaya has been the 10th most popular Asian destination.

Tokyo is No 2, followed in descending order by Hong Kong, Osaka, Taipei, Seoul, Singapore and Bali, and then Pattaya.

 Thailand ranked second-most-booked Asian country this year. “From historic temples and sparkling white sandy beaches to rich culture and world-famous cuisine, it’s no wonder why Thailand continues to draw in travelers from around the world,” Agoda says.

 Japan has claimed the crown for top Asian country overall, the credit going to “ephemeral sights like cherry blossoms to the endless quirky, wonderful experiences such as robot cafes”. Malaysia ranks third.

Thai travelers have mainly enjoyed domestic trips in 2018, with Japan and Singapore the most popular countries further afield. 
 
Agoda says Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin and Phuket have been the top five destinations in Thailand for Thais, followed by “laid-back destinations” Khao Yai, Chonburi, Krabi and Chiang Rai.

Tokyo appeals to Thais because it has no visa requirements, additional flight routes and diverse cultural highlights.

Source - TheNation

Saturday 22 July 2017

#Vietnam beats France to crack China's top 10 travel destinations

With 200 million Chinese tourists expected to make outbound trips in 2020, Vietnam is set to become even more popular.

Vietnam has become the 10th most popular destination among Chinese tourists, according to new statistics.

Figures from CLSA, a Hong Kong brokerage and investment firm formally known as Credit Lyonnais Securities Asia, showed Vietnam has overtaken France to enter the top 10, which is led by Hong Kong, Thailand and South Korea.

The survey polled more than 400 Chinese travelers across 25 cities with an average age of 35 and a monthly income of 20,000 yuan ($2,900).

Safety remains the prime concern for mainland travelers, followed by cost and sightseeing opportunities.

A series of terror attacks last year in Europe had deterred Chinese travelers, it said, as cited by the South China Morning Post.

 Last May, a MarketWatch report, citing data from American Express, also showed that summer bookings to Europe’s top destinations, notably France and Turkey, had been hurt by the attacks.

China has always been Vietnam's main source of tourists, and their numbers increased by 57 percent on-year in the first six months of 2017, reaching nearly 1.9 million and accounting for 30 percent of all foreign arrivals. Last year, Vietnam welcomed around 2.7 million Chinese tourists, a jump of 51 percent from the year before.


Vietnamese media said Chinese visitors have been encouraged by a new policy that allows groups of travelers to visit the border province of Quang Ninh, home to the popular Ha Long Bay, for up to three days without a visa.

CLSA reported that 135 million Chinese people traveled abroad last year, and with 200 million Chinese tourists expected to make outbound trips in 2020, Vietnam is set to become even more popular.

A Bloomberg report last December said Chinese tourists could have a big impact on Vietnam’s economy. It said a 30 percent increase in spending by Chinese tourists would boost Vietnam’s economic growth by nearly 1 percentage point. For Thailand, that would be around 1.6 points.

“Chinese tourism is pretty big for ASEAN now, and all the countries rely on Chinese visitors to keep coming and keep spending,” Edward Lee, an economist with Standard Chartered Plc in Singapore, was quoted as saying in the report.

Source - VN Express.net

Tuesday 18 July 2017

Thailand wants more tourists who act like Australians


Thailand is now so popular for holidays that almost 35 million foreign tourists -- equivalent to half the country’s population -- are expected this year.

As the influx gets harder to manage, the government is shifting strategy. It’s now targeting a minimum increase in tourism revenue of about 5 percent annually instead of a particular number of visitors, Tourism Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said. That means encouraging longer stays and higher daily spending, a mix the typical Australian holidaymaker exemplifies, she said.

“Maybe they’re the ones who are like: this is my time -- I eat, I shop, and I eat, and I shop," Kobkarn, 56, said in an interview.

Australian visitors were among the top 10 biggest spenders in terms of per capita daily expenditure last year, forking out 5,831 baht ($172), Tourism Ministry data shows. Their average length of stay of almost 14 days was the highest in that group. Some nationalities take even longer holidays but tend to be more parsimonious. British tourists, for instance, stayed for just over 18 days on average while spending 4,376 baht daily.


Tourism is a bright spot for Thailand’s economy, which faces challenges such as political uncertainty and sluggish consumer demand. The sector makes up about 18 percent of gross domestic product, Kobkarn said in the interview in Chiang Mai last month.
 
“We no longer have a target for number of tourists,” she said. “We shouldn’t go beyond the limit that we can cope. But there’s no statistic on that yet. When people say that Phuket may be too crowded, or Bangkok is too crowded, we have to make sure that we are introducing new destinations too.”

Arrivals from overseas more than doubled in the past decade, powered by a surge in Chinese holidaymakers who contributed 28 percent of 1.6 trillion baht in foreign tourism receipts in 2016. 

Affordability is one reason why Thailand has usurped Malaysia as Southeast Asia’s most popular destination, but Kobkarn said the nation must focus on quality as well as cost to tackle emerging competitive threats from the likes of Myanmar and Vietnam.

Quality doesn’t just mean targeting wealthy tourists as Thailand needs travelers on a variety of budgets, Kobkarn said. Instead, it refers to offering good value experiences that encourage return visits, increase the average length of stay and bolster daily spending per head, she said.


Visitors from the Middle East are the biggest per capita daily spenders, according to the Tourism Ministry data. Chinese tourists stood out for above-average expenditure and sheer number of arrivals -- 8.8 million, dwarfing other nationalities and making China the most important single country for tourism receipts.

Thailand’s years-long tourism boom slowed somewhat in recent months. That’s partly because of terrorist bombings in resort towns in August last year and a clampdownby the military government on some operators of large Chinese tour groups, which were judged to generate insufficient local spending.

Arrivals are likely to pick up in the second half of 2017 as security concerns fade and Chinese visitors embrace independent travel over package tours, according to Bloomberg Intelligence.
That signals more strain for the country’s airports, some of which are already stretched beyond capacity. State-run Airports of Thailand Pcl is planning to invest about $6 billion over a decade to try to ease the bottlenecks.


Even as Kobkarn tries to focus on revenue targets rather than visitor numbers, arrivals are projected to climb, whether drawn by the allure of white-sand beaches in resorts such as Krabi, the gastronomic delights of Bangkok or the perennially notorious sex capital Pattaya.

The Bank of Thailand forecasts 34.9 million tourist arrivals this year, a climb of about 7 percent from 2016, and 37.3 million in 2018. That’s projected to help Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy expand 3.5 percent in 2017 and 3.7 percent next year.

Thailand needs to be a quality tourism destination since a range of factors can prevent it being seen as the cheapest, such as rising wages or an appreciating exchange rate, Kobkarn said.
“We’re working very hard for people not to think only of the cost,” she said. “We’re not the best. We still have many negative things. But we’re very sincere in improving ourselves.”

Source - TheJakartaPost

Wednesday 12 July 2017

Three Thai water parks have been listed among the Top 10 in Asia in travel website TripAdvisor’s 2017 Travellers’ Choice awards.

Ramayana Water Park in Pattaya took third spot among the 10 and Black Mountain Water Park in Hua Hin sixth spot. Also in Pattaya, Cartoon Network Amazone is making a splash and was named the seventh-most popular water park in Asia.

“I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to these three parks in Thailand for winning positive reviews from travellers from around the world,” says Tourism Authority Governor Yuthasak Supasorn. “These awards certainly help to further strengthen the image of Thailand as a family-friendly destination.”

The award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of user reviews and ratings posted around the world in the past 12 months.
TripAdvisor users praised Ramayana Water Park for its “beautifully clean water” and “excellent rides” and called Black Mountain “safe”, “family-friendly” and “a great day out”. 

Cartoon Network Amazone was hailed as “state-of-the-art” with both “simple and daredevil” slides.


 Ramayana opened in May last year and covers 100 rai (160,000 square metres), making it one of the largest water parks in Southeast Asia. It boasts 21 rides and more than 50 other attractions, including two children’s zones, a “lazy river” and a floating market.

It’s 20 kilometres south of Pattaya, close to Khao Chi Chan, known for its giant Buddha etched into the side of a mountain, and next to Silverlake Vineyard.

Black Mountain, which opened in 2011, covers 40,000 square metres. It’s got a 17-metre-high tower from which nine different water slides radiate, plus a spectacular wave pool, a lazy river, a beach-infinity pool and children’s pool.

It’s about 15 minutes from Hua Hin town centre.

Cartoon Network Amazone is the world’s first Cartoon Network-theme water park. Opened in 2014, it features 10 entertainment zones and more than 150 water attractions. It’s in Bang Saray, about 20 minutes’ drive south of Pattaya.

Source - TheNation

Monday 10 July 2017

#Indonesia - Talaud Islands regency celebrates anniversary on uninhabited island.


Talaud Islands regency in North Sulawesi held a festival on Monday as part of its 15th anniversary celebration.

The Sara Island Festival reportedly attracted some 5,000 visitors, who participated in the event’s various activities, such as tug of war and ship decorating competitions.


 “The festival aimed to boost tourism in the region as Talaud has many potential tourist attractions that are unique and enchanting,” said Talaud Islands Regent Sri Wahyumi Maria Manalip.

To travel to the uninhabited Sara Island, a destination popular for its underwater paradise, white sand beaches and three-colored seawater, visitors need to take a 30-minute ride on a small boat that can be rented for between Rp 300,000 ($22.36) and Rp 400,000.

“Several cottages and clean water facilities have been built on the island, but we’re keeping it uninhabited because the atmosphere feels different if nobody permanently lives on it,” Sri added.
 
Source - TheJakartaPost

Tuesday 27 June 2017

Car rallies expected to rev up tourism with Thailand

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Tourism between Myanmar and Thailand is set to accelerate after the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Myanmar Tourism Marketing Committee (MTM) decided for the first time to cooperate on allowing rally cars to pass through their common border.
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 MTM secretary U Myo Thwin told The Myanmar Times that an agreement has been reached but it had not yet been decided when it will take effect.

“A few details have to be worked out before we decide the exact date when rally cars will pass through Myanmar’s border with Thailand, but we expect it to be in September or toward the end of the year,” he said.

The car rally will start at Myanmar’s Htee Khee border area in Tanintharyi Region and go through Thailand’s Kanchanaburi, Sukhothai and two other ancient cities before returning through the Myawaddy-Mae Sot border area.

“The Myanmar Tourism Marketing Committee is exploring possible destinations around the country as car rallies have the potential to increase tourism among both domestic and international travelers.

“The Myanmar Heritage Trail Tourism Rally has been in the planning since 2015,” he said.
“The rally-car market is getting more popular. Hotel occupancy rates are mostly up with more local rather than international visitors,” U Myo Thwin said, adding, “We should take care of domestic tourism development first, which is very important. The rallies are intended as a market promotion tool and will help regional tourism development. That’s why we are seeking the best potential destinations.”


Last year, only 2.9 million international tourists visited Myanmar, but there were more than six million domestic travelers, which exceeded expectations.

U Khin Aung Htun, deputy chairman of the Myanmar Tourism Federation, said that domestic tourists can explore various scenic routes and learn about the different cultures and traditions of local people, which will help boost domestic tourism.

“Domestic tourism will improve if there is a stable political climate. Tourism in Kayin State has doubled. Now more than 100 people visit the state each day, up from about 10 before,” he said.
“The first part of the Myanmar Heritage Trail Tourism Rally was to Pyay, Bagan and the Pyu ancient cities in 2015. The second and third trips took participants to the Golden Triangle and Rakhine, Mrauk-U and Arrawaddy regions in 2016.

“Currently, there are ongoing trips to the south, and a fourth trip to Mon State and Tanintharyi Region started June 3 and will end on Friday,” he said.

Daw May Myat Mon Win, chair of MTM, said, “Many people thought that the roads were very bad and unsafe for cars, but the roads are not as terrible as they thought they were. The route was pleasant when we went to Mrauk-U. Also the roads in Mon and Tanintharyi in the south are improving.”

Daw May Myat Mon Win said that relying on international tourists is not good because when foreign countries have economic downturns, it affects Myanmar’s tourism. So, pushing domestic tourism makes sense because it offers long-term sustainability, she said.
“Cities like Bagan and Mrauk-U depend heavily on domestic travelers,” U Khin Aung Htun said.

“We have been to the east, west and south of the country. If possible, we want to look at Myitkyina in Kachin State in the north as a potential destination for car rallies,” he said.
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Monday 3 April 2017

Visiting Lapopu, the highest waterfall in East Nusa Tenggara

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Lapopu, located in Wanokaka district, West Sumba regency, is the highest waterfall in East Nusa Tenggara. The attraction is 90 meters in height and, unlike most waterfalls, boasts a unique stair-shape.
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“[Lapopu] waterfall has become a [popular] destination for both local and foreign tourists who visit Sumba. Nihiwatu resort’s guests frequently visit the waterfall to swim, enjoy the cold surroundings and breathe the fresh air," said Maman Surahman, head of Manupeu Tanah Daru and Laiwangi Wanggameti National Parks (MaTaLaWa).
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The parks' staff member Hendro told The Jakarta Post that bathing, swimming and capturing photos of the scenic waterfall were among the most popular tourist activities.
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Lapopu is situated within MaTaLaWa. Maman said that the parks were integrated to allow the management to develop ecological and cultural tourism.
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At least three waterfalls can be found in the Manupeu Tanah Daru National Park, namely Lapopu, Laputi and Matayangu. 
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In addition to the aforementioned attractions, MaTaLaWa also feature Sumba traditional village, endemic birds and butterflies. Maman said that conservation group BirdLife International had recognized Sumba as an important bird and biodiversity area (IBA).
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“We need to promote this uniqueness to attract [more] foreign visitors,” he added.
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Tuesday 28 March 2017

Thailand - Beautiful Surat Thani watershed forest attracts thousands of tourists.

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After its beautiful and uplifting smartphone photos circulated on Thai social media, Ban Nam Rad watershed forest in Surat Thani's Khiri Rat Nikhom district has become a popular attraction in recent months, attracting at least 1,000 visitors a day. 

The clear-water pond, about the size of a standard swimming pool, is supplied by a natural spring that the locals also believe to be holy. 
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 On behalf of the local community volunteers who oversee and take care of the attraction, Tambon Ban Tamniab kamnan Sujin Nakbumrung said: “We don't collect any fee from tourists but require them to sign a daily registration book before entering, in order to assess the best way to improve the forest conservation. 
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“We also ask that tourists adhere to regulations which include the ban on food, soap, shampoo and alcohol drinks. Some areas of the forest are also restricted, so as to keep this 2,000-rai forestland fertile and its wildlife and plants protected.”
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He said they intended to make Ban Nam Rad watershed forest a model of conservation tourism.
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Wednesday 3 February 2016

Thai junta pressures Google, Facebook, Line to censor content


Thailand's junta is ramping up pressure on internet giants Google and Facebook — and the popular messaging app Line — to scrub the country's web of any content it dislikes, officials confirmed yesterday.

The military seized power in a 2014 coup and has launched the harshest rights crackdowns in decades, arresting critics, muzzling the media and banning political gatherings or protests.

The web, in particular social media, has remained one of the few avenues open to Thais to speak out — though not without risks. Prosecutions have soared with many arrested for online posts.

Junta officials are now seeking face-to-face meetings with major web companies to try and speed up how quickly they take down objectionable content.
 
Police Major-General Pisit Paoin, from the junta's committee on mass media reform, said officials would meet with Google, Facebook and Line over the next three months "to ask for their co-operation in dealing with illegal images or clips that affect security and the nation's core institution."

"There have been tens of thousand of the illegal posts over the past five years," he said.
Officials held the first of their meetings with Google recently. Minutes of that meeting were leaked last week by hackers and later published widely by local media showing Thai officials are pushing for big web companies to agree to takedowns without a court order.

Maj-Gen Pisit said large web companies have reacted with reluctance over the past five years to previous requests to censor content.

"We have received better response from Google in the US (since the meeting)," he said. "Now we plan on talking with Line and Facebook."

Globally, web firms must comply with local laws and routinely block content within that country if presented with a court order.

But the leaked minutes suggest the Thai junta want a far more lenient standard adopted.
In a statement Line said it "has yet to be contacted by an official entity requesting such censorship" but added that "the privacy of Line users is our top priority."

"Once we have been officially contacted, we will perform our due diligence towards the related parties and consider an appropriate solution that does not conflict with our company's global standards, nor the laws of Thailand," the statement added.

The Japanese company is by far the most popular social messaging app in Thailand and is even used by many government ministries and police stations to officially brief media.

Last week, a man was arrested for sharing a video allegedly mocking junta leader Prayuth Chan-o-cha with his friends on Line, suggesting the Thai authorities are already monitoring the messenger for content it disapproves of.

Facebook and Google have yet to respond to AFP's requests for comment.

Source: Coconuts.co

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Sunday 25 October 2015

Kep Province, #Cambodia


Kep City is a municipality in Cambodia with the status of a province. Kep is just a few kilometres from the border with Vietnam located and used to be Cambodia's most popular beach town but has fallen on hard times in recent years (especially due to the Khmer Rouge). Many of Kep's, mostly French villas are abandoned, but some of the town's former splendour is still apparent. 


 The see is lined with huge sidewalks and some large statues that now seem largely out of place. The king built a palace overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, but it was never furnished and now sits empty. A good, paved road connects the small town with the 15km far away Kampot. The slightly darker beaches than in Sihanoukville are mostly scattered with mangroves and black rocks, but Koh Thonsay (Rabbit Island) is just a short boat ride away (approx. 1/2h). 


 Kep appears to be experiencing something of a renaissance, with several mid-range and luxury guesthouses and bungalows recently opened or still under construction. The seafood is cheap, plentiful and delicious - particularly the quite famous crabs. Kep is also home to an extensive national park covering some mountains with deep green jungle.

The French established Kep City during the colonial time in 1908. Today Kep is mainly popular to the domestic tourists, who choose Kep as their holiday destination. What's more, Kep offers great seafood and magnificent views of the mountains and the beaches. 


 Taking a boat to the nearby islands is also a breathtaking experience. Another itinerary, which must not be missed, is an excursion to the serene waterfalls of 'Tuk Chhou" situated about 10 km from Kampot. Kep City is located in the Southwest of Phnom Penh. The city is accessible by the National Road No 3 from Phnom Penh via Kampot province (173 km) or by the National Road No 2 from Phnom Penh via Takeo province. 


Especially during the Sixties, during the time of Sang Kum Reas Ni Yum the city was developed as a beautiful seaside tourist resort for the rich and government. The story related to the name of Kep said that there was a king named Sa Kor Reach, who had a mighty spell. He put a sleeping spell on a commander at AngKor Thum, than stole the commander's white horse and fled together with his troop to the Southwestern seaside.

 When he took a rest at the seaside, he was overhauled by the commander's troops, who chased him from behind. Suddenly, he got on the horseback; the horse reared, and made him fall down on the ground together with the saddle. Then, he got on the horseback again and fled away without picking up the saddle, because the commander's troops almost approached him. So that's why this area was called ' Kep Seh ' meaning ' the saddle ', nowadays it's only called ' Kep '.


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