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Fine arts department succeeds in halting oil- drilling project to conserve ancient temple complex

THE FINE Arts Department plans to expand Phetchabun’s Si Thep Historical Park and create a buffer zone in order to protect the newly discovered archaeological site in the area. It will also make preparations to register the newly found ruins for World Heritage Site status. 

Anandha Chuchoti, director-general of the Fine Arts Department, said that he has told the regional fine arts office to draft a five-year roadmap to reform the park’s management and extend the conservation area to cover the new archaeological site.

He visited the historical park after learning about ECO Orient Resources (Thailand)’s plan to drill for petroleum just 100 metres from the ancient Khao Klangnok temple complex, which is situated outside the perimeter of the historical park. 

Though the drilling project has been suspended due to opposition from the Fine Arts Department and the public, Anandha said moves to protect the Si Thep Historical Park from heavy industries and mining projects must be stepped up. 

“The Fine Arts Department is totally against any plans to drill within archaeologically important areas, because such activity can have a negative impact on the ancient stupa and other historical sites that have not been discovered yet,” he added. 

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 “This year, the department will also push for the park to be granted a World Heritage Site status by Unesco [UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation], so the park’s conservation and management can be improved,” he said. 

The Khao Klangnok site was unearthed between 2014 and 2017, and archaeologists believe the ancient stupa – constructed with red laterite bricks – was built during the Dvaravati era in the 8th or 9th century. 

The 20-metre high and 4,096-square-metre wide stupa is believed to be the largest temple from the Dvaravati era to be found in Thailand. 

Buffer zone necessary

The archaeologists have also recently discovered that this stupa is part of a much larger temple complex. The 24 small hills around the site were found to be small pagodas and most are situated outside the historical park. 

In order to ensure better management and stricter conservation measures, Anandha insisted that the park’s perimeter be extended and a buffer zone created to protect the core archaeological sites from encroachment and harmful projects. 

“I want to ensure that locals living in the area are not affected by the extension and the buffer zone. 

“The department will conduct public hearings first to ensure public participation and ensure local communities benefit from the conservation efforts,” he said. 

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 “People will be allowed to live and conduct daily activities in the buffer zone and only activities that will have an adverse impact, such as heavy industries and mining, will be prohibited.” 

Meanwhile, ECO Orient Resources’ manager Navin Phantham said his company had complied with public opinion and agreed to stop drilling for petroleum. However, he called on the department to mark out the exclusion zone clearly, |so his company’s operations can carry |on. 
“We want the Fine Arts Department and Mineral Fuels Department to cooperate and clarify where our company can drill for oil. We have a business to run,” he said. 

Navin added that his firm has a valid concession to drill for oil in the area, but since crude oil is not below the surface everywhere, it has to explore first before it can open a new oil well. 

Source - TheNation

#Indonesia - Pangandaran Beach is one of West Java's most popular tourist destinations

Pangandaran Beach is one of West Java's most popular tourist destinations.

The puskesmas (community health center) in the popular tourist destination of Pangandaran regency, West Java, has introduced a new English-language service to cater to foreign tourists.

Puskesmas Pangandaran is the only community health center in town.

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Puskesmas Pangandaran head Aris Rismawan recently told tempo.co that the center had launched its new language service after receiving the highest Health Ministry accreditation in early February. 

“We want to be different than the rest,” Aris said of the service, which was called TBC Konci Inggris (able to converse in English). 

Aris said that although the center’s staff were not fully fluent in the language, they could converse well in English.

The English-language service is available on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, while it provides Sundanese and Javanese language services on Wednesdays.

Situated on West Java’s southern coast, Pangandaran is known for its beautiful beaches.

 

Source - TheJakartaPost

Vietnam Airlines to launch new routes to #Cambodian tourist hotspots

Ha Long Bay draws tourists with a magnificent scene of more than 1,500 limestone karst islands popping up from turquoise waters.

 National carrier Vietnam Airlines will launch new routes from Vietnamese tourist destinations to Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville in Cambodia.

The launch follows the recent signing of a three-year (2019-2021) agreement between the carrier and Cambodia's Ministry of Tourism on tourism development cooperation.

Present at the signing ceremony in Phnom Penh were Vietnam Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong, and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

The carrier said it will launch new routes from Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh Province and Da Nang City to Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville.

The route between Danang and Siem Reap with 4 flights per week is expected to open this April while the schedule for other routes is yet to be specified.
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 Currently Vietnam Airlines operates 56 flights a week on the Hanoi - Siem Reap, Ho Chi Minh City - Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City - Phnom Penh routes.

It will organize events, including conferences, to promote Cambodian tourism at fairs and other venues, the airlines said. Ways to improve the quality of human resources in tourism was also discussed by both parties.

Vietnam Airlines is currently offering free tickets to Cambodian officials and experts traveling for tourism promotion purposes. Outstanding Cambodian tourism students will also have the opportunity to work for the airline.

Other initiatives include marketing and demonstration programs to improve travel and accommodation services in Cambodia.

Duong Tri Thanh, general director of Vietnam Airlines, said: "We are delighted to be the 'air ambassador’ for Cambodia in aviation and tourism."

   Vietnam Airlines has been flying to Cambodia for more than 40 years. In 2018, it carried more than 700,000 passengers between the two countries.

Cambodia Angkor Air, a joint venture between Vietnam Airlines and the Cambodian government, currently operates 56 flights from Siem Reap to Da Nang and from Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville to Ho Chi Minh City.

Source - VN Express 
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#Cambodia - Tourism revenue up 20 percent

The tourism sector earned $4.3 billion in revenue last year, an increase of around 20 percent, according to the latest figures from the Ministry of Tourism.

Thong Khon, the Minister of Tourism, revealed the figure at this year’s National Clean City Day, an event held yesterday at Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel in which the winners of the ‘green tourism’ and ‘best hospitality’ awards were announced.

The minister also said that last year 6.2 million international travelers visited the Kingdom, a 10.7 percent year-on-year increase.

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 “The sector has been treated by the government as the ‘green gold’ that supports growth and the economy by creating jobs, and reducing poverty,” he added.

Prime Minister Hun Sen, who presided over the event yesterday, called on the private sector, the authorities and the general public to work together to promote the government’s Clean City campaign and ensure its success. He said cleaner and safer cities will lure even more foreign tourists into the country.

According to Minister Khon, Cambodia expects to welcome 6.7 million foreign tourists this year. By 2020, 7 million international travelers will visit the Kingdom every year, generating more than $5 billion in revenue and 1 million jobs, he said.

“To prepare for this increase in tourists, we must have a clear strategy in place for the development of the tourism sector. This strategy must address ways to transform the country into an attractive and comfortable destination through digital technologies and green initiatives,” he said.

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Source - Khmer Times

#Thailand - Music and sea breezes at the Krabi Naga Fest

The Krabi private and public sector in conjunction with the Tourism Authority of Thailand is holding the Krabi Naga Fest 2019 from March 1-3 on Khlong Muang Beach in Mueang District, Krabi.

Under the theme of ‘Breezing Beach & Music’, the event’s three-day programme offers festival goers a wide variety of activities to enjoy including performances by well-known pop-jazz musicians and singers, cultural shows, street shows and a local product fair. Fresh seafood and other local cuisine will be available throughout the event, produced by the area’s four- and five-star hotels and resorts.

The Krabi Naga Fest 2019 takes place from 17.00-24.00 hrs daily and entrance is free.

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Source - TheNation

 

#Cambodia - Kratie to become a priority tourist destination

A beach in the Mekong River in Kratie province

The province of Kratie, in the country’s east, is poised to become a priority tourist destination and a national heritage site.

Tourism Minister Thong Khon on Monday unveiled plans to turn the province’s capital into a “prime tourism destination” and a “heritage city”.

Prime destinations are important attractions but are not as crucial to the tourism sector as the country’s main tourist draws – the Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap and the coastal areas.

Minister Khon said the decision to turn Kratie into a priority destination and a heritage site was based on the city’s many tourist attractions, particularly the dolphins that can be spotted in the Mekong River.

“If there are dolphins in the Mekong River, there are tourists; however, no dolphins, no tourists,” Mr Khon said.

Other noteworthy products and sites in the province with great tourism potential include the Koh Trong pomelo, colonial buildings, stunning river beaches, and a slew of eco-tourism sites, the minister said.

He reminded the city’s authorities of their responsibility to boost the quality of these products and sites to meet and exceed tourists’ expectations.

“We must continue improving the quality of services and products in the province and create new tourism products,” he said. “We must work hard to develop Kratie province into a prime destination and a heritage site, organise new events on the beach and in the river, keep the city and the province clean, improve hygiene in public toilets, and protect the environment,” Mr Khon said.

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“Tourism officials must also strive to improve tourist boats so that they offer a quality service, and drivers must wear proper uniforms,” he added.

Mr Khon told Kratie’s provincial tourism department to focus on revamping infrastructure like tourist booths, parking areas, and public toilets while improving services and products at stores, tourist boats, restaurants, and food courts.

Chuk Chumnor, spokesperson for the Ministry of Tourism, told Khmer Times that the government also wants to turn Battambang and Kampot into heritage sites. He said the ministry is working with Unesco to register these cities as national heritage sites first, and world heritage sites at a later stage.

“We are also working with Unesco to register Kratie city as a heritage site, together with Battambang and Kampot. These three cities boast beautiful French buildings,” Mr Chumnor said.

“We are committed to strengthening the quality of tourism services and products, social order and security as well as improving eco-tourism sites in the province,” Mr Chumnor said.

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Thoun Sinan, chairman of the Cambodian chapter of the Pacific Asia Travel Association, said the priority destination scheme is a strategy that aims to increase opportunities for socioeconomic development through tourism investment and development.

“To develop these priority destinations, the Ministry of Tourism, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and Unesco, has studied and produced the necessary documentation to register these cities as national heritage cities and Unesco world heritage sites.

“Battambang, Kampot, and Kratie could become world heritage sites, which will draw public attention to them and help develop them in a sustainable manner while preserving their urban and natural heritage,” Mr Sinan said.

Last year, Kratie province welcomed about 349,000 visitors, a 15.2 percent year-on-year increase. 25,990 of them were foreigners, mostly French nationals, according to the Ministry of Tourism.

Source - Khmer Times