Le Meridien Expands in Thailand

Le Meridien has unveiled three new hotels and resorts in Thailand, Le Meridien Bangkok, Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort and Le Méridien Chiang Mai. These three new Le Méridien properties highlights the significant development of the brand in Asia Pacific, which  further expand the brand’s growing portfolio in northern Thailand. All three properties offer a culturally rich environment combined with superior service designed to inspire the creative guest.

“Le Méridien is proud to broaden its reach in Asia Pacific with the addition of these three stunning properties.  The core of the arrival experience centers around custom artwork created through LM100, a group of design experts who help determine unique amenities for the chain. Here guests can enjoy a unique experience that combines contemporary European refinement with distinct Asian influences. Going through the hotel entrances with the more than 40 different works of art provided by six very different emerging artists, installed in diverse locations across the globe, is a unique experience,” said Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader.

It is a project that takes permanent contemporary art pieces to various unexpected locations and makes guest discover a new perspective of the arts, architecture, design, and cuisine at each of its destinations around the world. All three new Le Meridien hotels will feature Le Meridien’s newly introduced Arrival Experience for guests. Le Méridien Bangkok features latest recipe, an all day dining concept, and Bamboo Chic, a contemporary Asian fusion concept, a spa by Le Méridien with seven circular treatment rooms, and a fully-equipped fitness center and outdoor pool.
Le Méridien Chiang Rai resort offers 159 spacious and contemporary guest-rooms and suites, featuring expansive private balconies, the resort offers an extensive Pavarti Spa, three world-class restaurants, a state-of-the-art gym and outdoor swimming pool. Last one that is Le Méridien Chiang Mai. This newly constructed hotel features two restaurants, a modern health club, a multi-sensory spa and an outdoor swimming pool with panoramic views of Chiang Mai.

Thailand remains the best value destination

Thailand’s biggest tourism market is still UK, more than any other country outside of Asia, with nearly about one million British nationals entering the country each year.

Thailand is  is back and offers business event opportunities that are un-rivaled in Asia.  Thailand Conventions and Exhibitions Bureau bring with its 15 stakeholders from Thailand’s Meetings industry for hotels and convention centers to tourism. This ensures that Thailand is both safe, functioning and remains one of the best value destinations in Asia.

TCEB Meetings and Incentives Director, Mrs. Malinee Kitaphanich, said that Thailand visits form a part of the government’s investment and tourism restoration policy, being known as Thailand Moving Forward policy. TCEB has formulated the latest promotion to encourage small size of meeting and incentives from Europe, for campaign that aims to boost up the number of small groups meetings by 2009. This is to maintain its role to entice international visitors back to the country with all benefits that make Thailand a fantastic value destination for Meetings and Incentives.

Other similar packages have been launched. “Bring More Enjoy More” visitor promotion is aimed to bring more delegates from the region to attend conventions held in Thailand. Further TCEB will participate in 11 trade shows and more than 10 road shows this year, to promote the country’s Meetings industry and to restore Thailand to its rightful place in the business event world.

Thailand’s stock market likely to come down

Chakkrit Charoenmethachai of Far East Securities said that Thai shares are likely to take a breather at the opening of shares, we might see the market coming down  a bit at the opening but after that they should climb further, which is expected. A day after hitting a 7-1/2-month high, but hopes of an official interest rate cut and inward fund flows will offset any profit-taking.

The expected resistance on the main index on Tuesday ended up 3.01 percent at 556.47, hitting its highest since Oct. 6, led by buying of energy blue chips and top banks. The catalyst for a rally here is foreign fund flows, which might continue to come in. Foreign investors picked up a net 2.16 billion baht of Thai shares, bringing total purchases to 4.64 billion so far this year.

The key factor is to watch the Bank of Thailand rate meeting, and the decision is due around 0730 GMT. It is expected to make its fifth straight interest rate cut since December to soften the impact of recession, but that will probably be its last easing this year, according to economists polled by Reuters.

Thailand facing a crisis – Mosquito virus outbreaks

In southern Thailand more than 15,000 people have fallen ill with a mosquito virus known as Chikungunya disease.  Somchai Chakrabhand, the head of control department estimated that about 15,240 people in 15 of Thailand’s southern provinces have been infected by this virus. However, the Public Health Ministry is confident the out break can still be controlled and restrained.

However the disease control official is aware and concerned about the fact that there is a current shortage of health staff in Thailand and that could pose problems when dealing with outbreaks of this disease.

In order to contain the mosquito virus, the Thai officials are using enhanced surveillance measures, as well as providing information to the public about the disease. Not only this but information will also be dispersed regarding how best to destroy suspected mosquito breeding grounds to limit any future spread of the disease.

Thailand Teams Up To Prepare For Energy Supply

Thailand is the first country where the IEA has conducted the emergency exercise outside of France. Thailand-IEA joint emergency response exercise was held in Bangkok. The International Energy Agency is helping Thailand’s Ministry of Energy strengthen its emergency response plan for any possible oil and gas disruption, as the Paris-based agency takes steps to reach out to Asian countries.

Didier Houssin, the director of the IEA’s Directorate of Energy Markets and Security, said that the cooperation on security is high on the agenda. We have to work closely with non-member countries to have effective responses to deal with supply disruption. It’s important to work more with Asian countries because of their increasing share in energy markets. Houssin said that there is a possibility IEA could conduct emergency exercises with China and India.

IEA conducts emergency response exercises every two years at its headquarters. And this workshop will later be developed as an action plan for the country to be ready when a crisis emerges, said Energy Minister Wannarat Channukul.

Tourist to Thailand halved

The Thai tourism association said that number of international tourists has plunged which is more than 50 per cent in the first quarter from a year ago, with the forward hotel bookings also sluggish due to the current H1N1 flu threat. More of Chinese, Japanese and South Korean tourists dropped in visitor between the month of January and April said by Surapol Sritrakul, association of Thai travel agents president.

The recent outbreak of A/H1N1 flu has become the obstacle to tourism, along with the prolonged worldwide economic crisis and internal political problems and if the disease reaches this country, the tourism sector will suffer an even greater impact. Not only this, it is also hitting the tourism business with local travel agencies. In fact the new bookings from abroad are reportedly very slow, particularly for the next two months added, by Thai Hotels Association president Prakit Chinamour-phong.

Tourism Council of Thailand chairman Kongkrit Hiranyakit estimates the tourism sector will decline 30 per cent in the first half of the year and possibly 20 per cent for the whole year, generating about 540 billion baht annually. This makes up more than 6 per cent of Thailand’s gross domestic product and 7 per cent of its work force.

Thailand’s tourism industry likely to suffer 35% revenue drop

The Thailand Abhisit government is making tourism a top priority for Thailand. The confidence level of the people has dropped down because of growing fears about influenza. The flu pandemic is all the more aggravating the situation. However, travel industry experts are confident that Asia is well prepared to handle a potential health crisis. In fact, Dale Lawrence, director of Corporate Communications, Pacific Asia Travel Association said that in the Asia Pacific region, we are very experienced in dealing with it, in the wake of the SARS crisis of 2003.

Thailand’s tourism industry could suffer a revenue drop of 35 per cent this year due to prolonged political instability and the global economic crisis, aside from the H1N1 issue, last year’s closure of Bangkok’s airports and continued protests at the Government House have dampened travelers confidence in Thailand as a safe tourist destination. About 200,000 jobs could be lost ant the government is hoping that incentives such as reducing visa fees and flight landing charges will entice visitors.

Deputy Prime Minister Kobsak Sabhavasu is trying to extend assistance to travel businesses with the aim of stopping redundancies. He talked to the business people especially in tourism, asking them not to lay the employees off and also that the Govt. would help shoulder some of the courses for them to retrain people at their workplace. But critics of this plan said it is not feasible in the long term as the government may have to borrow money to stay afloat.

Thailand signs a contract with Aria for Blimps

Aria International inc, has developed a new systems and services which will make impact on the capabilities of deployed forces in the South of Thailand. The company has announced a contract from the Royal Thai Army to provide in-country surveillance and communications solutions and services, for an aggregate purchase price of $9.7 million. Under the contract, within 120 days of contract award, the Company is supposed to configure equipment in the U.S. and integrate and deliver the hardware in Thailand. As such, Aria is responsible for integrating all system components and delivering a complete turn-key solution, conducting initial operations and continuing maintenance tasks as well as providing the training to the RTA personnel on the equipment. In fact Aria will also provide the RTA with certain ancillary services including installation, training and the construction of an airship hangar.

The RTA surveillance system consists of a manned airship with military-grade imaging and communications systems, a state-of-the-art Mobile Command and Control Vehicle, and upgrades to existing communications and facilities to receive real-time surveillance data. Thai government recently alter its approach, but to no avail, as they could not remove he need for military operations. So Major General Chawalit Srisilpanandana, Director General-Directorate of the Royal Thai Army’s Logistics Department, said that this development of new system by Aria will be capable for the deployment forces in Thailand.

Thailand – The City’s Most Popular Western Restaurant

The most popular restaurant for western food in Bangkok is, The Bourbon street. It is probably the most popular restaurant in Bangkok with expats and tourists. It lies on Sukhumvit in downtown Bangkok. Its best thing about the restaurant is the ambience and the atmosphere which gives a cozy and friendly feeling, with burnt orange walls, very comfy rattan and leather fabulous furniture and subdued lighting. They also have a pretty area outside stocked full of huge leafy plants, where you can wait if your table isn’t ready. This is a perfect place to have western food and mind relaxation with its atmosphere. Its bar area is comparatively nice, where you can really hang out.

Thailand’s Bourbon street is really unbelievable, and just not worth missing. Bourbon Street is American owned and operated (a rarity in Thailand) and serves authentic Cajun, Creole and Mexican food in a very cool atmosphere. Food arrives quite quickly, it’s still piping hot. Bourbon Street is also always packed full of people every time for its goodness and delicious food. Even the staffs are the most efficient staffs of any other restaurant. They are so friendly and sweet, which is actually a given in Thailand but that doesn’t usually come with efficiency too!

Thai water festival goes on, but tourists check out

Thailand tourism had barely started picking up from last year’s shutdown of Bangkok airports by protesters when violence returned to the capital as troops and demonstrators swapped gunfire and firebombs this week. Hundreds of local and foreign tourists still gathered on Monday to celebrate the water festival in Bangkok’s Khao San Road, a magnet for budget travelers, but some businessmen wondered how many foreigners would be back next year.” This could be the last time you see such joy and celebration here in Thailand,” said a less-than-festive Surat Wongcharnsilp, chairman of the Association of Khao San Business Operators.” Around 80 percent of tourists have checked out and more tourists are expected to leave after Songkran,” Surat said.

The Songkran water festival marks the start of the Thai New Year. A public holiday began on Monday, officially three days but for many Thais stretching into a week, a period to soak passers-by on the streets or spend time upcountry with family. With many Thais moving around the country, the festival is normally one of the year’s high points for tourism, which employs around 1.8 million people out of a population of about 65 million and accounts for around 6 percent of gross domestic product.

In all, the industry generates about 540 billion baht ($15.3 billion) annually, but maybe not this year. By Monday four countries — Singapore, Canada, Australia and Britain — had issued advice to their people to defer non-essential travel to Bangkok after the government declared a state of emergency there.

Thailand urged to lift state of emergency to boost tourism

The Thai government is requested to lift the current state of emergency and find measures to boost the tourism business shattered following Monday’s clashes between government forces and anti-government protesters in the capital, said a senior hotelier on Wednesday.

Prakit Chinamornpong, president of the Thai Hotels Association, said that the people should think first of the country’s interest, and that the government should lift the state of emergency immediately. It should also ask 19 foreign countries to lift the travel warnings they have issued advising their citizens to refrain from traveling to Thailand due to the political unrest.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Sunday declared the state of emergency in the capital and five neighboring provinces, one day after anti-government protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship stormed into the hotel in Pattaya where the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations was holding a summit with six dialogue partners.

It was determined that visiting government heads and other participants at risk, and the government acted decisively, canceling the summit on that day.

Mr. Prakit said that the Thai government must find ways to boost the tourism sector before the start of the high season in October. It should focus on encouraging Chinese, Japanese and South Korean travelers to visit Thailand.

As Mr. Abhisit plans to visit China, he should discuss with Chinese leaders on ways which could boost confidence for Chinese tourists to visit this country, Mr. Prakit. Advised. (TNA)

Philippines not discounting travel ban to Thailand

After issuing a travel advisory on Thailand, the Philippines indicated Tuesday it is not discounting a travel ban if the situation there grows worse. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman Eduardo Malaya said they are continuously monitoring and analyzing the situation in Thailand, where a state of emergency is in effect.

On Monday, the DFA issued a travel advisory to Filipinos in Thailand, urging them to stay indoors and cautioning against making unnecessary travel there.

Filipinos who are already in Thailand are told to take extra precautions and avoid public places where rallies could take place. Malaya cited reports from Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Antonio Rodriguez that no Filipino there has been injured or affected so far.

He said there are some 10,000 Filipinos in Thailand, most of them gaining Thai citizenship or becoming permanent residents. Many Filipinos there are professionals and factory workers.

A fresh blow for Thai tourism

Thailand’s battle-hardened tourism sector may have finally come unstuck with the violent scenes that ended a major Asian summit at a major beach resort, industry experts warned. It weathered the SARS epidemic in 2003, the 2004 Asian tsunami and a 2006 coup, but the latest turmoil, just months after Bangkok’s two airports were closed by separate protests, has left foreigners fearful.

Supporters of ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra breached police lines on Saturday to storm into a meeting of 16 Asian leaders in Pattaya, forcing an embarrass government to airlift them to safety.

The conference was originally due to be held in Bangkok in December but was rearranged at various points, with the northern city of Chiang Mai and the southern tourist isle of Phuket both mooted as possible destinations. Thailand’s tourism industry accounts for five percent of gross domestic product and employs some two million people, or up to seven percent of the country’s total workforce. It was hit badly last December when rival demonstrators seeking to oust Thaksin’s allies from government shuttered Bangkok’s airports for nine days.

The blockade left hundreds of thousands of visitors stranded and prevented 3.4 million tourists from visiting Thailand, costing the country 290 billion baht (8.3 billion dollars), according to a central bank study. Thai people they can go about their normal activities.” But reaction was swift among those countries whose nationals frequently visit Thailand.

Tourism operators were most fearful about fewer numbers from the Asian market during the long-haul low season, in particular from China. “We would expect more visitors from the Asian market (at this time of year), adding that he feared Monday would bring cancellations from China. The market is so important to Thailand that Abhisit dispatched a government minister to Beijing earlier this year to persuade China to remove its travel warning to Thailand.

AIG sells bank and credit card business in Thailand

American International Group (AIG) has announced that it has completed the asset sale of a retail bank and credit card operations in Thailand.

The two ventures, AIG Retail Bank Public Company Limited and AIG Card (Thailand) Company Limited, were sold in Thailand to Bank of Ayudhya Public Company Limited with proceeds of around $45m in addition to the repayment of $495m of intra-group indebtedness.

AIG has sold off a number of assets recently, with this being the third in the last week. On 2 April BMO Financial Group acquired AIG Life of Canada for $263m and Munich Re Group spent $739m purchasing Hartford Steam Boiler. Chairman and chief executive officer Edward Liddy has stated that the firm is continuing its drive to dispose of assets effectively in order to repay the US Government.

Ten businesses have been sold to date, with more at the discussion stage.

Protests to damage tourism heavily

The Federation of Thai Tourism Associations (FETTA) and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports joined together Thursday to urge the ‘Red Shirt’ anti-government protesters to demonstrate peacefully but expressed concern that a prolonged with violence must eventually heavily affect Thai tourism industry.

The protest will inevitably have a negative impact on foreigners’ confidence in Thai tourism, and be reflected in cancellations and redirected travel to other destinations.
“If the protest continues and turns violent, it will negatively impact on the number of tourists entering the country, particularly on the upcoming Songkran festival and on Labor Day, when a large number of Chinese tourists are expected,” he said.

As Thai tourism has not fully recovered since the closure of the Thai two main airports late last year, Mr. Prasit said the ongoing political turmoil could possibly affect the planned summits of the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and its international dialogue partners this weekend in Pattaya and other official meetings to be held at the end of this year might be cancelled or postponed.