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.

Gear up for the upcoming festivals and events around Thailand

This annual event, Butterfly Watching will take place at Impact Exhibition and Convention Center, Muang Thong Thani from June 3 to 7 which will bring together wealth of sales and marketing. The showcase is divided into different zones, among them are Gourmet Tourism, Rustic Thailand, Health & Spa, Adventure and Eco Tourism.

The annual “Amari Watergate Hotel & BMW Thailand Charity Midnight Run” will kick off at midnight at Amari Watergate Hotel on Phetchaburi Road and continue through the city’s streets. Southeast Asia’s unofficial nightlife capital, will host the Charity Midnight Run on October 10, and the good news is that you don’t have to be the fastest to have fun.

The rainy season is here, and it’s about time to swap your summer sandals for hiking shoes. The butterfly watching season in Sa Kaew coincides with the fruit picking season in the eastern provinces, so don’t forget to stop off on your way back and stock up with your favorites. Pangsida National Park in Sa Kaew, beckons the butterfly-watchers to pitch up their tents in the park, more than 400 butterfly species can easily be captured for posterity even with the camera.

Thai spa is the latest craze in global spa trend

We all know that today’s consumers are savvy. They are well-educated, know the benefits of total-body wellness and are buying into the spa experience. The new trend touched on consumer behavior and found that people wanted “pampering” in order to stay healthy and look good, and that they generally were knowledgeable and demanding about spa services. “Thai spa” does not mean only traditional Thai massage to relieve symptoms or restore health; it means holistic health care too. The country prides itself in countless spas offering the highest world-class services. Herbs also play an important role in the Thai spa industry today and Thai massage, that helps relax tense muscles and stimulate blood circulation.

Thailand’s Department of Export Promotion under the Ministry of Commerce is organizing the Thailand health and beauty show 2009 at the Royal Paragon Hall Exhibition & Convention Centers, Siam Paragon shopping complex from June 5-7 and it will coincide with the launch of Thai Spa Day 2009 as a parallel main event. It will give rise to many related businesses such as spas, weight-reduction, Thai traditional massage, private hospitals, dentistry, herbal medicine, food supplements and cosmetics.

Thai spas are not only quantity, but also quality. The success of Thai spas lies in the beauty of Thai culture which cannot be copied anywhere else. Growth in the spa business also depends on the creative services, new opportunities in new markets, and the ability to create new trends to answer lifestyle needs with value-for-money services. The highlight of Thailand HBS 2009 will be Thai Spa Day 2009, will be a one-stop service center for sourcing, services, products, and franchises in the health and beauty business.

Despite the global economic downturn, there is a growth with the spa business outlook in Thailand. Apart from serving tourists and foreign visitors, it focuses more on Thai customers. That’s why the association has been organizing more spa promotion activities to create new markets, while at the same time working with travel agents to increase our customer base.

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.

Best choice of self catering holiday villas - Thailand

Thailand’s climate is mostly tropical that is a mix of both temperature and humidity. Most people find this kind of climate pleasant and nice. So move on to Thailand to explore its beautiful villas and beaches at Koh Samui and the great option is Samui Luxury villas. It is the best idea if you are looking for luxury villa rentals where the price is charged in British Euros. They provide a stress-free booking experience and offer an easily navigable site for contacting them.

If you can afford the best, why not use it to the hilt. Choose from innumerable villas at Koh Samui. A holiday villa is preferable over a hotel or lodge, because staying at a villa, along with independence, you can have loads of privacy away from the hustle bustle of hotels. Meanwhile, you will gain a genuine incite to the Thai hospitality when you interact with the localities learning the local culture of there. They provide a stress-free booking experience and offer an easily navigable site for contacting them.

Similarly another such holiday villa in Thailand is Hua Hin villa. There are a number of activities offered by this holiday villa- some of them are golf at Lake View, Milford, Palm Hills, Banyan, and many other golf courses, Thai boxing lessons at Grand Sports Center, elephant camping at Elephant Garden, fishing, eco-cruising, kite-boarding, fitness, Thai rub, health spa, cookery courses, trekking, walking, cycling, plunging, imaginative arts, water games, pony-riding and many others. The list is indeed very long. So these luxury holiday villas are good as they provide a peaceful and calm environment away from the hustle bustle of the hotels.

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.

Bhundari - The luxurious Spa Resort in Thailand

Bhundhari Spa Resort & Villas Samui hotel Koh Samui is the ultimate tropical island getaway, that you must have dreamed of, a luxurious resort with privacy and without the distractions of being surrounded by families, where you could live right on the beach and simply wallow in the attractions of your natural surroundings and the fine service that the resort offered. Bhundhari means Lotus or Water Lily which is the religious flower of Buddhism which can be found around our resort. The four star hotel is actually a spa inspired by traditional southern Thai house in architecture.

The location of the hotel is quite favorable for peace and relaxation that demands of luxuries spa provided foe couples, families and children. With its 124 deluxe rooms and villas is built on a scale that allows privacy. There is lots of space in the rooms, the deluxe rooms start at 42 sq m, while the villas start at 48 sq m. Each room and villa has its own private terrace or patio, while the larger villas offer the choice of a private pool or a Jacuzzi on the sun-deck. Therefore been developed for this concept, and now that the resort is fully open it is being marketed to the adult sector, to honeymooners and to couples and individuals who want to get away for a quiet celebration and vacation, says Mr Chris Bailey, Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing at Central Hotels and Resorts.

The hotel amenities at this luxury hotel also feature number of recreational facilities for the leisure of the guests. There are some other hotel amenities too like baby sitting service, car rental service, children pool, doctor on call, Internet access, tour desk, etc.

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!

Coronation Day - a special event in Thailand

In Bangkok, the Coronation day is celebrated every year for his Majesty king Bhumibol Adulyadej. He was crowned as Rama, the ninth King of Chakri dynasty on 5th may 1950. This event includes commemorative sport, dance, gun salutes and other cultural events across Bangkok. On this event, there are religious rites that last for three days.

On the very first day (3 may) there is a Buddhist ceremony at Amarindra Vinichai Hall, in which scriptures are chanted and a sermon is delivered by a high monk. On the second day, the ceremony includes two pars-  a Brahmanic one and a Buddhist one.

The last third day is Coronation day, in which the king is dressed in full regalia, and a feast is given to Buddhist monks. They hear their Royal Thai Army and Navy each fire a salute of 21 guns. This day is very special and is enjoyed by the Civilians.

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)

NOE takes another step with big tourism events this year

Thailand Travel & Dive Expo 2009’ is in line with the government’s policy to promote Thai tourism industry. The company is quite confident about the great potential of the fair, which is expected to attract a huge number of local tourists as Thai people still need traveling despite the economic difficulty. It is well-recognized that Thailand has been in downturn economy this year and local tourism industry has got a serious impact from the situation. N.C.C. on behalf of the organizer for tourism events has still raised its confidence to a rebound of local tourism sector, which will be gradually improved. The government itself has launched various campaigns to stimulate Thai people to travel and spend more locally as well as to invite foreign tourists to visit Thailand. The company has also received great supports from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Photo Business Association, Wahoo Diving Center, and NAUI Asia Pacific. The event has always received great feedback from business entrepreneurs as well as visitors. For this year, TDEX will be held between May 14 and 17 at Plenary 1-3, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. The event will be organized under the theme ‘Enjoy Exploring’ designed to encourage Thai people to enjoy traveling, diving and exciting the beautiful sight of under water natural world. They can explore themselves to new experiences and views.

TDEX is the ASEAN’s biggest diving fair and attracting the largest number of visitors both Thais and foreigners. This year N.C.C. will also organize “Wonderful Thailand 2009” at the same time, which will utilize the full exhibition space at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. This one-stop-shopping event will serve travel-lovers at all requirements, whether they love diving, trekking, climbing, rowing, golfing, or having leisure. Various tourism-related products and services will be on offer at the fair, including diving instruments, diving trips, diving courses, boat charter rental & leasing services, trekking and climbing equipments, photo accessories, resorts and accommodations, traveling and diving destinations, etc. The fair will not just encourage domestic tourism, but also promote Thailand as the tourism diving centre in Asia.

Explore the island of Koh Lanta in Thailand

Koh Lanta consists of 52 islands including the largest, Koh Lanta Yai. It’s located approximately 70 kilometres from Krabi town. It is yet a comparatively unexplored island and offers complete peace and quiet away from the bustling tourist areas. Its unique scenic beauty which is mountainous and rugged in some areas, especially near the southern tip, its green forested hills, gravel and sand beaches, pretty coral reefs, clear emerald water and traditional lifestyle, provide a charming retreat from modern life.

Only 20,000 people live on Lanta including a clan of Chao Ley, or Sea Gypsies. This distinct ethnic group still follows its traditional customs and culture earning their living from rubber, prawn farming and fishing. Traditional houses and friendly faces still remain.

There is reasonably good snorkeling all along the west coast of Koh Lanta where coral and reef fish can be found, usually the best spots are around the rocks at either end of each beach.

Koh Lanta Dive operators have close access to the dive sites at Koh Phi Phi, Ko Ha, Ko Rok, Hin Daeng and Hin Muang. Dive sites tend to reflect the scenery and marine life of the area with names like Shark Point, Anemone Reef and the King Cruiser Wreck, all within easy reach of dive operators based in Ko Lanta. Pinnacles Hin Deang and Hin Muang often play host to manta rays and whale sharks and are considered to be two of the best dive sites in Thailand.

If you want to explore the island, hire a car, rent a bike, or better still go with a local guide. Tours are available giving you an insight into the local area, stopping at rubber plantations, taking a short kayaking tour through the mangroves and visiting local sea gypsy villages.

Thailand exempts tourist visa fees for Qatari nationals and residents

Qatari nationals and residents desirous of spending their summer vacation in Thailand will be exempted from tourist visa fees effective from 5th March until June 4, as announced by the Thai Embassy. Eligible foreigners who apply for visa on arrival at designated checkpoints will also get the exemption.

Suvat Chiparant, Thai Ambassador to Qatar, said the exemption, available only on the tourist visa, is being offered by Thai embassies and consulates worldwide. He also said that Thailand is one of the favorite destinations of tourists from Qatar, especially during the summer. Some 15,000 of them visited the country last year, marking a 20 percent increase in numbers from the previous year.

Due to an increase in the number of tourists to Thailand from Qatar, the airlines were forced to operate two flights daily, increasing to three daily flights during summer.

Apart from shopping and vacationing on world-class beaches, visitors from Qatar also go to the Thai capital Bangkok to avail of cheaper medical treatment offered by state-of-the-art clinics and hospitals and specialist physicians.

“Most of the tourists who visited Thailand for medication stayed there for more than a month, since they have no worries because facilities and commodities are cheap,” Chiparant said.

Wat Chalong - The largest temple in Phuket

Situated approximately eight kms southeast of Phuket town, Wat Chalong is the largest as well as the most ornate among the 29 Buddhist temples of Phuket today. Also known as Chaitararam Temple, this one is dedicated to two highly venerable monks, Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang who were for famous their work in herbal medicine and tending to the injured. Statues honoring them stand in the sermon hall (viharn).

The intricate ornamentation of the exterior contains a collection of huge Buddha images and beautiful wall mural paintings which depict legends concerning the Lord Buddha inside the building.

Several Thais come here to blessed by the monks and receive a good luck charm in the form of a string tied around the wrist. The holy thread is charmed by the monks which they believe protects them from injury and illness. There is no admission fee for entering into the temple, but donation contributing to maintenance and restoration cost is highly appreciated.

To reach the place, one can take Vichit Songkram Road to the Bypass Road and turn left, then drive for about 10 minutes. Wat Chalong is on the left. The best transport to reach Wat Chalong is a taxi.

Koh Samui has seen a recent development in tourism

Koh Samui along with 40 other unpopulated islands makes up the Ang-Thong Archipelago, a chain of islands north-east of Surat Thani. Since the construction of the airport on Koh Samui, this island has seen a steep rise in the number of tourists. One can also take a bus from Surat Thani to Dan Sak and from here boat to Koh Samui. The best time to visit Koh Samui is between February and April, as in the following months the Gulf of Thailand is subject to heavy monsoon storms.

The chief town of the island is Nathon where there are fine beaches and some hotel and villa complexes. Other beaches with reasonable accommodation are Ao Maenam, Ao Bo Phut (with an enormous statue of Buddha), Ao Cherngmon, Chaweng Noi Beach and Chaweng Yai Beach (the two longest beaches on Koh Samui). Motorcycles and bicycles can be rented and are a good way of exploring the island.

The fishing villages in Koh Samui together with coconut and durian plantations and waterfalls hidden in the dense jungle among the 600-m (1968-ft) high mountains are the main attractions of this island. Besides, Koh Samui offers every kind of water sport: diving, snorkeling, windsurfing. It is advisable to check that the diving school belongs to one of the two international associations that regulate the safety standards of the equipment and quality of instruction.