Showing posts with label Island. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Island. Show all posts

Friday 10 November 2023

Phuket tourism operators push for international convention centre


In a bid to elevate Phuket’s status as an exhibition hub, local tourism operators are urging for the rapid implementation of a long-stalled project for an international convention centre and a freeport city initiative. The urgency has arisen due to the impending enforcement of new environmental laws which may necessitate a redesign of the project.

The Health Ministry recently abandoned its plans for a traveller health centre on a 140-rai seaside plot in the Mai Khao subdistrict. This location was initially earmarked for Phuket’s first international convention and exhibition centre.

Thanet Tantipiriyakit, the president of the Phuket Tourist Association, disclosed that following objections to the traveller health centre, both public and private sectors prefer the land to be utilised for generating an economic impact for the entire province.

The tourism sector in Phuket has already tabled a proposal for the exhibition centre to the provincial Joint Public and Private Consultative Committee (JPPCC) and plans to present it to the Andaman JPPCC meeting in December.

Three alternatives are suggested in the proposal for the government’s consideration. These include a public-private partnership model enabling investment from a professional exhibition management company, delegating related authorities to oversee the project’s construction and management, or allowing the government to invest independently and granting operating rights to the private sector.

Imminent environmental laws, expected to restrict the construction of structures larger than 30,000 square metres in the area, could potentially influence the current exhibition hall’s conceptual design, which requires around 32,000 sq m of space. To adhere to the original plan, the project needs to be fast-tracked.

Freeport concept

Thanet lamented that despite Phuket being declared as one of Thailand’s 10 meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) cities, it remains the only province lacking an exhibition hall. He voiced support for the previous Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn’s suggestion to establish Phuket as a duty-free island to attract tourism expenditure.

Thanet proposed a slight modification to the idea, advocating for Phuket to become a free port province to bolster the island’s status as a marina hub. He reasoned that the concept of a duty-free town might not resonate with tourists as it did in the past. However, designating Phuket as a free port city could attract specific groups, especially the marina market, with four marinas already in existence and a fifth one slated to open soon, reported Bangkok Post.

The free port concept would encourage yacht manufacturers and owners to consider using the province as a hub. They can import vessels or machine parts to the province without the burden of taxes or complex customs procedures. This plan could be seamlessly integrated with the exhibition centre project, as Phuket could host large cruise and yacht trade shows.
The local industry stands to benefit from technology transfers from experts, and more job opportunities would be created if the province serves as a hub for yacht maintenance. Thanet asserted that the exhibition centre and free port policy could mutually enhance each other.

Event organisers and international vendors would choose Phuket if they could import products to showcase at trade shows without the hassle of taxes and complicated procedures.

Source: The Thaiger


 

Friday 16 December 2022

Russians still biggest tourist group in Phuket, peak expected during holidays


Russians remain Phuket’s biggest tourist group, and the island resort’s tourism is expected to peak during the holidays, according to the president of the Southern Thai Hotels Association, Sueksit Suwannadissakun, who believes the peak of tourism High Season will be between December 24 to January 5.

About 57% of hotels in the island province reopened in October, jumping to 70% in November, according to Sueksit. He said the association expects that during Christmas and New Year, 80% of Phuket hotels will be opened. Sueksit told The Phuket Express…

“The top tourists are now Russians which is about 25% of total visitors, secondly followed by Indians at 12%, and finally Singaporeans and Australians at 6%. These four groups of tourists are almost half of the overall tourism market in Phuket.” 

Sueksit added that most other tourists in Phuket are Europeans coming to Thailand for the warm winter here.

In November, Phuket saw 55,097 Russian tourists arriving on its shores. The second largest tourist group in Phuket that month came from India, with 26,525 travellers, according to Phuket Immigration.

The recent swarm of Russian tourists in Thailand has taken the country’s tourism forces completely by surprise. Despite the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the Russian tourism market has returned much quicker than expected, according to the president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) last month.

Chartered flights to Phuket and Pattaya are being filled by Russian tourists. Less than two weeks after Russian airlines made their triumphant return to Phuket, Aeroflot announced an increase in direct flights to the island. The flagship airline of Russia made known on November 12 that it would be adding 14 new flights a week from Russia to Phuket.

As of October 26, Thailand witnessed 7,349,843 international tourists arrive at its airports. According to the governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Thailand is on course to attract around 11 million tourists this year.

Source - The Thaiger

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Monday 8 June 2020

Phu Quoc will be #Vietnam’s ‘test’ island as it re-opens to foreign tourists


Vietnam’s Phu Quoc, the tourist island off the coast of Cambodia in the eastern Gulf of Thailand, is going to start allowing foreign arrivals on a trial basis as part of Vietnam’s roadmap to re-opening to international tourism. As an island the trial will be a more controlled rehearsal for wider re-openings to tourists around Vietnam in the future.

Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Trinh Thi Thuy says his ministry has been working on a pilot plan to attract international tourists to select islands, Phu Quoc among those considered.

“Tougher measures should be taken to prevent another outbreak of Covid-19.”

Vietnam mostly dodged the Covid-19 bullet with only 26 cases patients still undergoing treatment and has managed to avoid deaths. In total the country has had only 329 reported cases of Covid-19 in a country of 97 million. There has been no community transmission in the last 49 days.

The ministry has assigned the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism and Vietnam Tourism Association to start promoting the island, off southern Vietnam’s Mekong delta, to international tourists.

“There are people living there and domestic tourists visit them, and so the risks of community transmission must be taken into account while allowing international visitors back.”

“We are working with the Health Ministry to develop a set of criteria to ensure safety for international visitors. The tourism industry only wants to receive visitors from countries where the disease has been controlled.”

The tourism ministry is consulting with other ministries on air routes, visa issuance and lifting of travel restrictions for tourists from several countries and regions that have managed to control the pandemic, including Thailand.

The ministry looks to kick-start international tourism by reopening its doors to visitors from some select markets where the Covid-19 pandemic has been controlled – Japan, South Korea and China, Thailand, Australia and New Zealander are some of the countries under consideration for early re-entry back onto Vietnam islands.

Phu Quoc, dubbed ‘pearl island’, has become a popular tourist destination after it built an international airport in 2012 and the government instigated a 30 day visa-free policy for foreigners 6 years ago. Over the past year there were flights from Thailand with Bangkok Airways (out of Bangkok) and via Kuala Lumpur on Air Asia.

The island received over five million visitors last year, up 30% from 2018, including 541,600 foreigners. The country, like most of south east Asia, currently has a ban on scheduled international commercial aviation.

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Source - The Thaiger

Saturday 16 May 2020

Phuket airport to remain closed following CAAT U-Turn


UPDATE:

In a surprise reversal, The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand has announced the postponement of the reopening of Phuket International Airport, indefinitely. Just yesterday they announced that the provincial airport was to re-open from tomorrow morning.

Although Phuket has gone 13 days with no new Covid 19 infections, it was still considered a risk area that needs to be monitored to stop the spread of the disease to other provinces.

“At the recommendation of the CCSA, the airport is to remain closed until further notice.”

“Although Phuket is able to effectively control and stop the spread of the Covid-19, the situation is still considered a risk that must be monitored to ensure that measures stop the spread of the disease to other areas and prevent the disease from spreading again in the Phuket area.”

Phuket International Airport was closed on April 3, with a ban on all flights except government and military aircraft, and emergency landings.Scheduled international flights into and out of Thailand remained banned until at least May 31.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority has signed an order which will allow the Phuket International Airport to re-open from the morning of Saturday, May 16, less than two days away. Two days ago officials from the local provincial hall participated in an inspection of all the changes and preparations made to cater for passenger travel in the Covid era.

The Phuket International Airport is one of the last major airports to re-open to passenger traffic and commercial flights. The CAAT ordered the airport closed on April 3 to restrict air travel as health authorities nationwide battled to contain the spread of the virus at the time.

The order says that people arriving in Phuket from other provinces will be required to fill in an a form describing their travel history, particularly recently and information about where they are staying whilst on the island. At this stage the opening of the airport is only to limited domestic flights.

“All people leaving the island must register their health condition on the AOT Airports app.”

A ban remains in force for international flights at least until May 31 and a possibility that it could be extended another 15 days.

For land departures there has been a requirement for Phuket people, arriving in some provinces, to adhere to a 14 day quarantine. This order from the CAAT does not mention that requirement. We will post more information when it becomes available.

Currently land departures are required to have a fit-to-travel document saying that they have been in self-quarantine for 14 days before their date of travel. That has not been specified for air travel at this stage.

3 airlines have already notified the PIA of their plans to resume limited domestic passenger services in and out of Phuket, at one flight a day, according to the governor. Other domestic airports have been opened up around the country for limited services.

Provincial authorities also agreed yesterday to ask the Interior Ministry to allow reopening of all sea and road links from Saturday. No approval has been given at this stage.

Aircraft are also requiring specific seating to avoid people sitting next to each other and an insistence that passengers must wear masks. There is also no food and beverage services allowed on domestic services at this stage and travellers are urged to arrive at the airport 3 hours before their flight for additional check in procedures.

Source - The Thaiger


Friday 24 January 2020

#Indonesia - Bali named eighth 'most Instagrammable place' in world


Travel publication Big 7 Travel released its 2020 list of the "most Instagrammable places in the world", with Bali ranking eighth.

The destinations are ranked in order of their visual allure and popularity on social media.

To compile the list, Big 7 Travel selected the winners by analyzing the amount of hashtags per destination, surveying the publication's 1.5 million readers and conducting a vote among a panel of travel experts.

“These are the places where you'll find sweeping stretches of coastline, historical monuments, kitsch cocktail bars and more street art than you can possibly imagine,” said Sarah Clayton-Lea, Big 7 Travel’s head of content, in a statement.

Bali was ranked at number eight, being described as "paradise" with white sandy beaches, waterfalls, cute swings and floating breakfast.

The Edge villa resort in Uluwatu was mentioned by the publication for its famous infinity pools.

This year’s most Instagrammable destination is Australia's Sydney, which received the honor thanks to the city’s vibrant and beautiful scenery.

Cities that also made it into the top 20 include Croatia's Dubrovnik and Paris. These cities received high scores due to their pastel-colored streets, lively markets and photo spots.

“Other Instagrammable places in the Top 50 to add to your ‘must-visit’ include Istanbul in Turkey and Cusco in Peru,” Sarah added.

Source - TheJakartaPost

 Below is the top 10 list of most Instragrammable places in 2020 according to Big 7 Travel:

1. Sydney, Australia

2. Hong Kong

3. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

4. New York City, United States

5. Singapore

6. Tokyo, Japan

7. Lisbon, Portugal

8. Bali, Indonesia

9. London, England

10. Jaipur, India


Monday 29 October 2018

#Thailand - Ko Samui goes green to protect island ecosystem


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The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is working together with local stakeholders and tourists on Ko Samui to eliminate the use of single-use plastics and encourage all to reduce waste, reuse and recycle to help protect the island’s ecosystem.


The local authorities on Ko Samui are proactively campaigning for recycling and waste management, urging residents and business operators to separate their waste for recycling to reduce the amount of garbage produce on the island.


Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said, “Education and awareness are the keys to success for this initiative. TAT proactively encourages both tourists and tourism businesses to help reduce tourism waste on the paradise island of Samui.




“Changing behaviour doesn’t happen overnight. We are seeing an increase in reusable cloth bags when shopping, and both visitors and residents are pitching in to do their part and help keep the island clean.”


Waste reduction thinking is quickly gaining traction amongst environmentally concerned Thai businesses and globetrotters on Ko Samui.


With some of the most stunning landscapes in Thailand, it is little wonder that visitors to Ko Samui continue to increase at an astonishing pace. With this influx comes a need to find a balance between high levels of service and environmental impacts. Fortunately, as attention has turned to exploring ways to preserve the island’s delicate ecosystem, travellers can give back to the local Thai community by creating less waste and leaving a minimal holiday footprint.
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https://www.hotelscombined.com/?a_aid=145054
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 Local stores and shops on the island are campaigning against single-use plastics. Hotels and resorts as well as tourism-related businesses on Ko Samui are also helping to lead the way on responsible waste management by following the three ‘R’ principle: reduction, reuse and recycle. Luxury resorts on Ko Samui were among the first to introduce the plant-based straw revolution that is sweeping across Thailand and are endeavoring to make their tourism operations more sustainable.

One spearhead organisation is the ‘Trash Hero Ko Samui’ initiative, whose volunteers meet every Saturday at 10 a.m. to clean Samui’s beaches.
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Under the TAT’s on-going responsible tourism strategy, a new ‘Travel Thailand in Style, Reduce Plastic Waste’ collaboration initiative with various stakeholders was launched in August this year. It has an ambitious target to cut tourism-related waste by up to 50 percent by 2020.

Targeting both tourists and businesses to address waste problems in key travel destinations, the TAT also encourages use of reusable or sustainable items; such as, plant-based drinking straws instead of plastic straws, cotton bags instead of plastic bags, water tumblers instead of plastic bottles, and reusable food utensils instead of single-use plastic or foam items.

Back in March 2017, TAT partnered with PTT Global Chemical and the Ecoalf Foundation to launch an ‘Upcycling the Oceans, Thailand’ initiative. It made Thailand the first country in Asia to join the global ocean clean-up effort to reduce debris along the country’s coastal regions, especially in popular tourist areas on the east coast, in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea.

Source - TheNation
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https://12go.asia/?z=581915
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Monday 27 August 2018

#Thailand - Pha-Ngan Full Moon party still popular


More than 10,000 foreign tourists joined the popular Full Moon Party on Koh Pha-Ngan late Sunday night and the early hours of Monday under the watchful eye of security officials, the Pha-Ngan district chief said.

Pha-Ngan district chief Krirkkrai Songthani dispatched 120 troops, police and Interior Ministry officials to the designated area on the island’s Haad Rin Beach to maintain security during the party.

Krirkkrai said the beach was crowed with partygoers and he had deployed the officials to prevent crime and drug abuse.

Haad Rin has been famed for its Full Moon Party celebrations for decades but the parties had become notorious for drug and alcohol abuse. Tourists reportedly liked to eat “magic mushrooms”, a kind of fungus with hallucinatory effects, and regularly drank all night before passing out on the beach. Clinics and hospitals were often full of exhausted and hung-over tourists the following day.
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Tourists danced to the blaring music as security officers patrolled the beach.

Krirkkrai said the large turnout showed that foreign tourists had regained confidence and were returning to both Koh Pha-Ngan and Koh Tao. He said officials have measures in place to ensure the safety of visitors and hoped they would return to visit the two islands.

Source - TheNation

https://12go.asia/?z=581915
 

Tuesday 7 August 2018

Thailand - #Phuket named second best beach in the world


Phuket is celebrating its most recent award after being named the ‘Second Best Beach in the World’ by business publication US News & World Report.

It continues to win accolades from major international media for its white sands, aquamarine waters and limestone cliffs that attract millions of travelers every year. This island was hailed as “a little piece of paradise” according to the magazine.

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor, Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, said everyone in Phuket, both public and private stakeholders should take pride in this achievement as it demonstrates the island’s appeal as one of the world’s most desirable beach destinations.

“Obviously we are delighted to win this important award. The fact the honour comes from the US News & World Report is even more gratifying given its target audience and readership.


 “In the past, Phuket has won several other prestigious awards for its beaches as well, so we are very grateful for the continued recognition.” Mr. Yuthasak added.

Phuket continues to expand its appeal as it tries to shift upmarket. It is also quickly established itself as one of the super-yacht hubs of Southeast Asia, a tropical playground for various groups of tourists who enjoy the island’s charms.

Along with its tropical appeal, Phuket beckons travellers wanting to experience its world-famous cuisine. Phuket was listed by UNESCO as a Gastronomic City in 2015 and will be included in the Michelin Guide Bangkok, Phuket and Phang Nga 2019.

https://12go.asia/?z=581915

Monday 23 July 2018

Bali remains top destination among Indonesian travelers


Bali has once again nabbed the top spot as the favorite mid-year destination among Indonesian travelers, according to the latest data compiled by Agoda

The online booking platform said in a statement recently that Bali's lineup of mid-year festivals was among the reasons tourists were attracted to the area.

"From the 40th annual Bali Arts Festival (June to July), which celebrates local culture and art, to the Bali Kites Festival (July to October), which dots the sky with hundreds of colorful kite creations, the Makepung Buffalo Races (July to November) featuring a series of buffalo racing competitions and the Ubud Writers Festival, travelers have plenty of reasons to keep returning to Bali," the statement said. 
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 West Java's provincial capital of Bandung came in second place, according to the list, which featured the top 10 mid-year destinations for Indonesian travelers. In addition to being a sought-after weekend getaway for those in neighboring cities like Jakarta, Bandung is also famous as a shopping and culinary destination. 

Other top spots domestically include Yogyakarta, sixth, Jakarta, eighth, and Malang, 10th.
Indonesian travelers also evidently favor Japan, as two cities in the East Asian country made the list, with the country's capital Tokyo placing third and Osaka ninth.
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 Tokyo's Ueno Summer Festival, which runs through July and August, is expected to draw huge crowds with its charming toro nagashi (flowing lantern) ceremonies, outdoor ice sculpture exhibitions and live performances at the Suijo Ongakudo open-air theater.

Meanwhile, tourists can enjoy Osaka's summertime festivals such as Tenjin and Gion Matsuri, as well as enjoying the local beaches and water parks. 

Neighboring Southeast Asian cities also made the list, such as Singapore, sitting in fourth spot, Kuala Lumpur, fifth, and Bangkok, seventh.
 
 

Wednesday 4 July 2018

Indonesia - Sail Moyo Tambora ceremony on September 9


President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo is scheduled to attend the 2018 Sail Moyo Tambora ceremony in Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), on Sept. 9.

"Other than the President, diplomats from several countries will also attend the international event to witness the ongoing development across Indonesia, including Sumbawa," Agus Purwoto, secretary for the Office of the Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister, said in the provincial capital Mataram on Tuesday.

Sail Moyo Tambora is expected to help promote Sumbawa’s potential for tourism, as well as serve as a coordination event between ministries and agencies with similar programs.
The event is part of Indonesia's participation in World Sail 2018 in September, during which the archipelago will serve as a cruise destination for yachts.

This year, Rally Sail Indonesia is highlighting the 2018 Sail Moyo Tambora as a national brand, after previously promoting Sail Sabang, Karimata and Bunaken.
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 Agus said the Sail Moyo Tambora brand is an opportunity for NTB to promote its tourist destinations in Sumbawa, as it will host various activities throughout the Sail period.

He added that preparations for the event were solid, including surveys to related ministries and agencies "to ensure the event can be focused in one location and the government can concentrate more on what to highlight.”

The event was first proposed by the NTB administration in 2015.

“It is time for Sumbawa to shine,” said Agus. "The late Princess Diana had vacationed in Moyo Island, as well as legendary singer Mick Jagger. Moyo is well-known in the global community."
Mount Tambora, which erupted in 1815 and triggered climate change in in half of the world, is said to also serve as the icon of Sumbawa.

Several activities have been planned for Sail Moyo Tambora, such as cultural dialogues, the Asia Pacific Geopark Network international seminar and an international paragliding event.
 
Source - TheJakartaPost

Monday 4 December 2017

#Thailand, Phuket - Join Asia’s top marathon festival.

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An international running event with a carnival atmosphere

The Phukethon is being billed as Asia’s major international marathon festival, being held for the first time ever in Thailand and welcoming runners from around the world. The event will have a range of international marathon running distances - 42.195 km, 21.1 km, 10 km, with courses certified by the Athletic Association of Thailand (AAT), Asian Athletics Association (AAA), and International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). The event is being held at Phuket’s Saphan Hin.


On top of the main running events, there will also be the Runtainment program; such as Jelly Beach Run 5 km, and Fun Run – Colour Fun Run and Running Expo with more than 80 international sports brands, music concerts and food festivals in the concept of a Fishermen’s Village, all gathered together in Phuket. The event will run for three consecutive days from December 8-10 at the Saphan Hin Park, a seaside park with a long history and a symbol of Phuket Island.

For further information and registration, contact 
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Sunday 6 August 2017

#Indonesia - Ubud listed among 'world's top 15 cities'


American travel publication Travel+Leisure recently made a list of the "World’s Top 15 Cities".

“Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—to share their opinions on the top cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines and more. Readers rated cities on their sights and landmarks, culture, cuisine, friendliness, shopping and overall value,” as quoted from the article.

Taking the 9th spot with the score of 90.13 is Ubud in Bali, right after Cape Town in South Africa that has the score of 90.24. Meanwhile, topping the list is San Miguel de Allende in Mexico that scores 92.12.

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 In a separate article from Travel+Leisure titled "The Top 10 Cities in Asia", Ubud takes the 4th spot with the same score, coming after Hoi An in Vietnam that takes the 3rd spot with the score of 90.31. The 1st winner is awarded to Chiang Mai, Thailand, with the score of 91.40.
 
“High up in the interior of the island of Bali, Ubud continues to draw those who favor the arts and reflection—rather than beaches and parties. ‘I loved everything about Ubud,’ said one reader. ‘I was spoiled by the kind and thoughtful people I met everywhere I went,’” the article wrote.

Ubud has arguably become more famous after being shown in the popular movie Eat Pray Love that featured Julia Roberts, where it showcases the beauty of Ubud Monkey Forest. These days however, Ubud is known as the best place for yoga.


Other attractions that you can visit while going to Ubud include Campuhan Hill, Nyuh Kuning Village, Tegalalang, Ubud Temple, Sarawati Temple and Apung river where you can do rafting.

Just like other Balinese, Ubud residents adopt the traditional philosophy of tri hita karana that epitomizes the balance and harmony between the three sources of life: humans, nature and God


Below is the list of the World’s Top 15 Cities according to Travel+Leisure:

1. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
2. Charleston, United States
3. Chiang Mai, Thailand
4. Kyoto, Japan
5. Florence, Italy
6. Oaxaca, Mexico
7. Hoi An, Vietnam
8. Cape Town, South Africa
9. Ubud, Indonesia
10. Luang Prabang, Laos
11. Santa Fe, United States
12. Roma, Italy
13. Siem Reap, Cambodia
14. Udaipur, India
15. Barcelona, Spain




Top 10 Cities in Asia according to Travel+Leisure:

1. Chiang Mai, Thailand
2. Kyoto, Japan
3. Hoi An, Vietnam
4. Ubud, Indonesia
5. Luang Prabang, Laos
6. Siem Reap, Cambodia
7. Udaipur, India
8. Bangkok, Thailand
9. Tokyo, Japan
10. Thimphu, Bhutan
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Thursday 15 June 2017

#Bali boasts creativity, culture as economy backbone

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President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said during a limited evaluation meeting on national strategic projects (PSN) and priority programs in Bali on Wednesday that he wanted to maintain the growth of foreign tourists coming to the famous resort island.

Jokowi described Bali as unique in that its economy is not based on natural resources, but rather the tourism sector and creative industry, which rely on creativity and culture.

 
“With culture and creativity, Bali province has presented a positive image for Indonesia to the entire world, which is why foreign tourists know more about Bali than Indonesia,” Jokowi said.
Tourism Minister Arief Yahya called Bali the tourism icon of Indonesia, just like Thailand is the tourism icon of Southeast Asia.
“It’s true what President Jokowi said, Bali is not affected by natural resource commodities such as oil and gas, coal and CPO [Crude Palm Oil]; Bali’s economy is purely driven by tourism and the creative economy,” Arief said.
 
Source - TheJakartaPost

Monday 20 March 2017

Troops of monkeys go swimming during heatwave.

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At least a hundred monkeys climbed down a hill to cool off in a pool of water at Wat Tham Sue in Krabi on Sunday.

Krabi has not seen rain for about two months and this particular area has experienced a severe rise in temperature.
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“The monkeys climbed down into the pool, close to where tourists had come down for refreshments. Everyone was delighted to be able to enjoy a surprise appearance by the ‘guests’,” Jamras Sornsuvann, the temple keeper, told the Phuket Gazette.
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The monkeys playfully splashed around in the water and smiled at tourists as they took pictures.
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Jamras warned people to be careful, adding that monkeys become aggressive in hot weather and could end up biting someone.
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“Do not feed them, as they are naturally able to procure food for themselves,” he warned.
He also noted that tourists should only take photos, and not touch, play with or provoke the monkeys in any way.
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Source - TheNation 

Hong Kong has been a much-loved tourist destination

In search of good fortune

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Hong Kong has been a much-loved tourist destination for decades and this year it is celebrates the 20th anniversary of the handover to China by introducing a new list of fortune spots matched with Chinese Zodiac signs by Feng Shui experts.

The Peak is symbolic of the Rooster and will ease the sense of dominance by rising to Hong Kong Island’s highest vantage point and broadening horizons with the view of the Kowloon and Hong Kong Island skyline to help you overcome any challenges in the new year.
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 Those born in the Year of the Dog should head Northeast to alleviate the negative energy at the Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail, Fanling. This scenic journey takes you to the history of the Tang Clan, one of the five largest clans in the New Territories, where a dragon could once be seen leaping in the mountains. The wisdom of Hong Kong’s ancestors is discovered in the stunning architecture that demonstrates how they unwound in these serene surroundings. 
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Those born in the Year of the Pig would do well to head to the Big Buddha and Wisdom Path and appreciate the zen of the large woodcut Heart Sutra scriptures. A trip will help you change the speed and maximise the energy of movement in the year to come.
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Find out more at DiscoverHongKong.com

 

Thursday 2 March 2017

Death penalty upheld in British backpacker case.


‘solid’ evidence two myanmar men killed britons on Koh Tao, rules Court of Appeal

The Court of Appeal has upheld the death penalty against two Myanmar migrant workers for one of the most shocking crimes in Thailand’s history – the violent murders of two British backpackers on the resort island of Koh Tao.
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David Miller, 24, and Hannah Witheridge, 23, were fatally beaten on the beach on September 15, 2014. Witheridge was also raped.
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The gruesome crime made headlines in Thailand and across the world.
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Police arrested defendant Zaw Lin on Koh Tao – a part of Surat Thani province – about two weeks after the crime took place. Wai Phyo (Win Zaw Tun), the second defendant, was later arrested at a pier in Surat Thani town.
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The two defendants pled innocent and insisted that their initial confessions had been made under duress. Their legal team also tried to rebut evidence submitted by the plaintiff.
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The Criminal Court, however, ruled in December 2015 that there was sufficient evidence against the two migrant workers, convicting and sentencing them to death.
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After reviewing the evidence, the Court of Appeal concluded the defendants were guilty beyond doubt.
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“All items of evidence offered by the plaintiffs are reasonably linked and solid. The ruling is not made on any single piece of evidence but as a whole,” the court said.
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The court dismissed as unreasonable the defendants’ complaint that investigators had failed to record every step of the process in gathering evidence. The defendants argued that police did not have pictures of collecting samples from the female victim. “It’s not possible to take pictures of every step taken in a long process,” the court ruled.
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Nakhon Chomphuchat, a lawyer for the defendants, said they would now file a petition the Supreme Court.
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Both defendants are being held at the Bang Kwang Central Prison in Nonthaburi province.
They were informed of the Appeal Court’s ruling on February 23 at Nonthaburi Provincial Court, while the verdict was read out officially for the plaintiffs to hear at Samui Provincial Court yesterday, Nakhon said.
Source: TheNation


Thursday 7 April 2016

Help to save Naga Noi forest, Phuket

Naga Noi Island

THE DEPARTMENT of Special Investigation (DSI) is seeking a junta order in the hope that forestland on Naga Noi Island can be saved from bulldozers.

The island, which is part of Phuket province, is largely covered by large trees and is home to hornbills - a protected species.

The only local family on the island, the Hiranpruecks, reported this week to authorities and online communities that armed men were preparing to clear trees from a sizeable portion of the forest zone

The case has won much attention from the public, partly because Puri Hiranprueck is a well-known actor. His family owns 53 rai on the island and the rest has been described as forestland.

Pol Lt-Colonel Prawut Wongseenin, who heads the DSI Bureau of Consumer Protection and Environment Crime, disclosed yesterday that the department would ask Justice Minister General Paiboon Koomchaya for help in seeking an order from the junta to block any bulldozing operations pending further investigation.
"We expect a response in the next couple of days," he said. 
 
 Hornbills
 
He added that initial investigation by the DSI showed that the firm preparing to clear trees on Naga Noi held illegal land-rights documents.

The justice minister is expected to ask Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to exercise his absolute power under the interim charter's Article 44 to stop the felling of trees.

"We will seek temporary protection for this zone," Prawut promised, adding that the DSI was working on having the DSI board declare this as a special case.

"Since we are still at this stage, we have not yet asked the Land Department to revoke the [alleged] illegitimately-issued land-rights documents," he added.

Prawut went on to explain that this case was not a dispute between Six Mountains Co Ltd, which says it has bought 24 rai on the island from previous owners, and the Hiranprueck family. "The land that the firm claims to own actually belongs to the state. It's a lush forest zone," he said.

Deputy Phuket Governor Chokdee Amornwat said provincial authorities had already looked into Hiranprueck family's claim, but found that the firm had valid land-rights documents.

"If these documents were issued illegitimately, then the authorities will have to launch an investigation and take the case to court. For as long as these documents are not revoked, their holders can still use the land," he said.
 
 Hornbills
 
Source: The Nation

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Monday 12 October 2015

#Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2015 October 15 – 23

October 15 – 23, 2015 at Kathu & Cherng Talay Shrines
The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a colourful event held over a nine-day period in October, celebrating the Chinese community’s belief that abstinence from meat and various stimulants during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar will help them obtain good health and peace of mind.

Though the origins of the festival are unclear, it is commonly thought that the festival was bought to Phuket by a wandering Chinese opera group who fell ill with malaria while performing on the island.

They decided to adhere to a strict vegetarian diet and pray to the Nine Emperor Gods to ensure purification of the mind and body. To everyone’s amazement the opera group made a complete recovery. The people celebrated by holding a festival that was meant to honour the gods as well as express the people’s happiness at surviving what was, in the 19th century, a fatal illness. Subsequently the festival has grown and developed into a spectacular yearly event that is attended by thousands with participants flying in from China and other Asian destinations.


Source: Inspire Phuket 

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