Cambodia flexes manufacturing muscle | beyondbrics: News and views on emerging markets | FT.comIf Cambodia is known for investment at all, it is known for low-cost, low-margin industries such as textiles, but there are signs that the country could be starting its own journey up the value chain.
Minebea, the Japanese precision component manufacturer, has just announced that it is to build a Y5bn component factory near Phnom Penh, in a move to build up its Southeast Asian production network.
Under the new arrangement, the Cambodian facility - which will manufacture small and mid-sized motots for home electronics - will receive parts from Minebea’s plant in Thailand, Dow Jones reports.
The Japanese company has announced that production will start in April 2011 and that it will begin by leasing facilities within Phnom Penh’s Special Economic Zone. At a later date the company will build a new plant where production will start at the end of 2012 with 5,000 workers.
For investors, Cambodia offers a number of attractions: it is stable (even if its democratic credentials are somewhat tarnished), labour is cheap, and its largely dollarized economy makes it particularly attractive for Japanese investors, who have watched with dismay as the yen has appreciated more than 9 per cent against the dollar year to date.
But it lacks infrastructure and high quality human resources, and its buccaneering business environment has put off all but the hardiest investors.
Regional players, however, are showing increasing interest. China is the biggest investor, but Vietnamese and Korean companies are also coming in, particularly in primary industries such as rubber, mining and power generation.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Myanmar Revisited
Myanmar RevisitedLike many baby boomer travellers I'm fascinated by politically and socially backward countries and cultures. Age-old agrarian societies, seemingly untouched by industrialization, afford me a rare glimpse of how my forefathers would have lived off the land 100 years ago. So, when I heard that Nobel Prize winner, Aung San Suu Kyi was released Nov. 13 from more than 20 years of house arrest in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), I immediately pictured revisiting the beautiful country where time seems to have stood still.
The Burmese still farm with oxen and plows, spin lotus filaments into religious vestments, weave fabric on hand-looms, drive carts and bikes more often than cars, and row longboats with their bare feet.
"Giraffe" women continue to stretch their necks with golden hoops and everyone uses chalky bark paste from Thanakha trees in place of sunscreen, beauty products and acne creams.
Men wear traditional longhi skirts even with a jacket and tie -- and not as a fashion faux pas like David Beckham.
I visited Yangon (the former capital Rangoon) as well as Inle Lake with my family as part of a round-the-world cruise with the floating university, Semester At Sea about four years ago. At the time, Aung San Suu Kyi, known by democratic Burmese as "The Lady" had urged tourists to keep away while she and other political opponents of the repressive regime were still incarcerated.
However, our ship was docking there so we had little alternative than to break the tourism taboo. After much debate, we decided to position ourselves as citizen diplomats, reporting back home about the realities of everyday life in Myanmar.
Now the tourism boycott of Burma is over, I am hoping that more foreign currency will trickle down to some of the poorest people in the world with the worst health-care system (ranked bottom of the World Health Organization chart) and few opportunities for entrepreneurial or academic advancement.
Despite its societal shortcomings, the country is replete with history, remarkable religious icons, unspoiled people and scenery, and South Africastyle wildlife. Currently tourism grosses around $200 million US annually, a pittance compared to Myanmar's biggest money-spinner, natural gas which nets the regime more than $2 billion US per year.
Since her release, Aung San Suu Kyi has relaxed her opposition to tourism, supporting private companies while warning against government-run group tours contrived to show only the best of Burma.
In an interview with Der Speigel in November she said "it is essential that people see what is actually happening in this country."
Things are gradually changing, too, in the world's attitude to travel in Myanmar. Visitation was already on the upturn by 37 per cent in 2010 over 2009 -- if you believe the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism statistics.
The Myanmar Times reported in October that several new hotel projects in would be completed in 2011. Earlier this year, Myanmar launched a co-operative marketing partnership with neighbouring Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos in a publicity campaign entitled "Four Countries: One Destination" to encourage cross-border tours.
Cox and Kings, one of the world's oldest travel companies established in 1758, reintroduced the Golden Land of Burma to travel itineraries after Aung San Suu Kyi's release, with 98 people booking on the first tour.
The country has a long way to go in the tourism polls -- in 2009 only 227,400 visitors braved the warnings and sanctions. This is partly due to the lack of comfortable infrastructure. Internal airlines are very basic -- it's always a worry when the flight attendant disembarks after making sure everyone is strapped in for takeoff. But they whisk the time-pressed tourist to Inle Lake, where life slows to the pace of longboats gliding over the oasis of water lilies and ingenious floating gardens -- albeit surrounded by mist caused by the slash-and-burn farming.
Roughly 300,000 people are employed in the tourism industry.
Certainly on my trip to Yangon (formerly Rangoon) and Inle Lake, I saw many locals benefiting directly from tourism. My tour guide told me stories about his lavish wedding and relatively secure lifestyle, all facilitated by his job. The evening entertainer at Inle Lake's Golden Island Cottages was able to cash in on westerners' voyeurism by inviting groups to his humble home for green tea and tofu. These were surprisingly tasty, deep-fried snacks served in the communal living space which housed a primitive range created from earthenware pots over an open fire, a few hardbacked chairs, beds on the floor made from motley covers on the floor, all enclosed from the searing heat by windowless wooden walls. This was an uncommon sneak peek inside one of the traditional stilted homes shared by three or four generations plus livestock who all use the lake for bath, laundry, fishing and sewer. Not a lot of water sports here for tourists wary of water-borne diseases.
Religious tourism is big business for Burma's Buddhist monks who otherwise rely on locals' largesse for their livelihood. Juxtaposed to both the hovels of rural villages and tenements of inner city streets, their temples stand out like diamond-clad debutantes in Dickensian slums. Over the centuries, karma-seeking supplicants have financed religious adornments, the most impressive being Shwedagon in Yangon with its 100-metre gold, diamond and ruby encrusted spire.
Rural temples, although somewhat less endowed, attract both locals and tourists with their religious icons and fancy fixtures. One, Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery at Inle Lake, has got itself onto YouTube. The monks teach their cats to jump through hoops in a novel circus act to attract visitors and donations. I had a go and was the only one in our group to entice the cat to jump. I copied the monk's authoritative way of setting the cat down in front of the hoop, rubbed it under the chin against the pile of its fur as instructed and, after two attempts, it humoured me by soaring through the foot-wide metal ring.
As a self-appointed citizen diplomat, I hope I've honoured my commitment to spread the word about Myanmar through travel articles and book chapters. Only problem is now, as a journalist, I probably wouldn't get a visa to go again.
If You Go
-Check voyage.gc.ca and click on Burma (Myanmar) for the latest safety guidelines.
-Canadians need passports and visas to visit for tourism or business. However the visa on arrival program is currently suspended so potential visitors need to contact the nearest Embassy of the Union of Myanmar before travelling.
-Avoid border areas with Thailand, China and Laos where there are official travel warnings about uprisings and landmines.
-Register your visit with an embassy. As Canada does not have consular offices in Myanmar, Canadians must contact the Australian Embassy.
-The Canadian Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand is responsible for Myanmar: www.thailand.gc.ca
-Health risks include malaria, dengue fever and hepatitis A and B. Check the Public Health Agency of Canada for updates.
-Be aware that baggage may be searched upon arrival and it is illegal to enter/exit Burma with religious materials.
-Take cash in U.S. dollars or euros as there are no ATMs or credit card facilities. Foreign currency over $2,000 US must be declared upon arrival, failure to do so could result in imprisonment.
-Check the law -cultural and archeological artifacts and gems cannot be taken out of the country; homosexual activity is illegal; politically sensitive photography is prohibited.
The Burmese still farm with oxen and plows, spin lotus filaments into religious vestments, weave fabric on hand-looms, drive carts and bikes more often than cars, and row longboats with their bare feet.
"Giraffe" women continue to stretch their necks with golden hoops and everyone uses chalky bark paste from Thanakha trees in place of sunscreen, beauty products and acne creams.
Men wear traditional longhi skirts even with a jacket and tie -- and not as a fashion faux pas like David Beckham.
I visited Yangon (the former capital Rangoon) as well as Inle Lake with my family as part of a round-the-world cruise with the floating university, Semester At Sea about four years ago. At the time, Aung San Suu Kyi, known by democratic Burmese as "The Lady" had urged tourists to keep away while she and other political opponents of the repressive regime were still incarcerated.
However, our ship was docking there so we had little alternative than to break the tourism taboo. After much debate, we decided to position ourselves as citizen diplomats, reporting back home about the realities of everyday life in Myanmar.
Now the tourism boycott of Burma is over, I am hoping that more foreign currency will trickle down to some of the poorest people in the world with the worst health-care system (ranked bottom of the World Health Organization chart) and few opportunities for entrepreneurial or academic advancement.
Despite its societal shortcomings, the country is replete with history, remarkable religious icons, unspoiled people and scenery, and South Africastyle wildlife. Currently tourism grosses around $200 million US annually, a pittance compared to Myanmar's biggest money-spinner, natural gas which nets the regime more than $2 billion US per year.
Since her release, Aung San Suu Kyi has relaxed her opposition to tourism, supporting private companies while warning against government-run group tours contrived to show only the best of Burma.
In an interview with Der Speigel in November she said "it is essential that people see what is actually happening in this country."
Things are gradually changing, too, in the world's attitude to travel in Myanmar. Visitation was already on the upturn by 37 per cent in 2010 over 2009 -- if you believe the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism statistics.
The Myanmar Times reported in October that several new hotel projects in would be completed in 2011. Earlier this year, Myanmar launched a co-operative marketing partnership with neighbouring Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos in a publicity campaign entitled "Four Countries: One Destination" to encourage cross-border tours.
Cox and Kings, one of the world's oldest travel companies established in 1758, reintroduced the Golden Land of Burma to travel itineraries after Aung San Suu Kyi's release, with 98 people booking on the first tour.
The country has a long way to go in the tourism polls -- in 2009 only 227,400 visitors braved the warnings and sanctions. This is partly due to the lack of comfortable infrastructure. Internal airlines are very basic -- it's always a worry when the flight attendant disembarks after making sure everyone is strapped in for takeoff. But they whisk the time-pressed tourist to Inle Lake, where life slows to the pace of longboats gliding over the oasis of water lilies and ingenious floating gardens -- albeit surrounded by mist caused by the slash-and-burn farming.
Roughly 300,000 people are employed in the tourism industry.
Certainly on my trip to Yangon (formerly Rangoon) and Inle Lake, I saw many locals benefiting directly from tourism. My tour guide told me stories about his lavish wedding and relatively secure lifestyle, all facilitated by his job. The evening entertainer at Inle Lake's Golden Island Cottages was able to cash in on westerners' voyeurism by inviting groups to his humble home for green tea and tofu. These were surprisingly tasty, deep-fried snacks served in the communal living space which housed a primitive range created from earthenware pots over an open fire, a few hardbacked chairs, beds on the floor made from motley covers on the floor, all enclosed from the searing heat by windowless wooden walls. This was an uncommon sneak peek inside one of the traditional stilted homes shared by three or four generations plus livestock who all use the lake for bath, laundry, fishing and sewer. Not a lot of water sports here for tourists wary of water-borne diseases.
Religious tourism is big business for Burma's Buddhist monks who otherwise rely on locals' largesse for their livelihood. Juxtaposed to both the hovels of rural villages and tenements of inner city streets, their temples stand out like diamond-clad debutantes in Dickensian slums. Over the centuries, karma-seeking supplicants have financed religious adornments, the most impressive being Shwedagon in Yangon with its 100-metre gold, diamond and ruby encrusted spire.
Rural temples, although somewhat less endowed, attract both locals and tourists with their religious icons and fancy fixtures. One, Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery at Inle Lake, has got itself onto YouTube. The monks teach their cats to jump through hoops in a novel circus act to attract visitors and donations. I had a go and was the only one in our group to entice the cat to jump. I copied the monk's authoritative way of setting the cat down in front of the hoop, rubbed it under the chin against the pile of its fur as instructed and, after two attempts, it humoured me by soaring through the foot-wide metal ring.
As a self-appointed citizen diplomat, I hope I've honoured my commitment to spread the word about Myanmar through travel articles and book chapters. Only problem is now, as a journalist, I probably wouldn't get a visa to go again.
If You Go
-Check voyage.gc.ca and click on Burma (Myanmar) for the latest safety guidelines.
-Canadians need passports and visas to visit for tourism or business. However the visa on arrival program is currently suspended so potential visitors need to contact the nearest Embassy of the Union of Myanmar before travelling.
-Avoid border areas with Thailand, China and Laos where there are official travel warnings about uprisings and landmines.
-Register your visit with an embassy. As Canada does not have consular offices in Myanmar, Canadians must contact the Australian Embassy.
-The Canadian Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand is responsible for Myanmar: www.thailand.gc.ca
-Health risks include malaria, dengue fever and hepatitis A and B. Check the Public Health Agency of Canada for updates.
-Be aware that baggage may be searched upon arrival and it is illegal to enter/exit Burma with religious materials.
-Take cash in U.S. dollars or euros as there are no ATMs or credit card facilities. Foreign currency over $2,000 US must be declared upon arrival, failure to do so could result in imprisonment.
-Check the law -cultural and archeological artifacts and gems cannot be taken out of the country; homosexual activity is illegal; politically sensitive photography is prohibited.
USB Expected From 'Gaharu' Products Annually | Local News
USB Expected From 'Gaharu' Products Annually | Local NewsBandar Seri Begawan - Gaharu Berjaya Resources (GaharuBrunei) aims to earn US$6 billion per annum when it sets up a factory manufacturing green tea from gaharu (sandalwood) leaves by mid 2011, its managing director told The Brunei Times yesterday.
Other products that will be manufactured from the gaharu tree include perfume, soap and bath merchandise.
"The reason we want to set up a factory in Brunei is because we want Brunei to be the centre in the world for exporting gaharu products."
"We also want to make 60 per cent of the world's demand for exporting gaharu products, and achieve US$6 billion a year in income," Hj Mohamad Ali Hj Dollah said during a seminar on creating awareness about gaharu to about 50 civil servants at the Business School.
The managing director added that by setting up the factory, it will also create job opportunities for Bruneians.
Expecting its first harvest in two years, the manufacturer will also be producing green tea next year.
"It takes about seven years to harvest the tree, and we already started planting them in Tutong and Temburong in 2007," he said.
GaharuBrunei Managing Director Hj Mohamad Ali Hj Dollah (L), during a seminar on 'gaharu' products that can be delivered from the tree attended by civil servants at the Business School yesterday.
He cited Singapore as the current hub for exporting 15 per cent of the world's demand for gaharu, but said Brunei is aiming to be the "future hub".
"Singapore has been a hub over the past 50 years in exporting gaharu products, where their income from exporting is US$1.2 billion a year. But our target is to be the future hub for exporting gaharu," he said.
Hj Mohamad Ali added, "Our target is to plant one million gaharu trees by the end of seven years. In order to realise the goal, we have already established a joint venture with a Malaysian and Indonesian companies to help us plant the trees there, and once it is ready for harvesting, then they will bring the (end-products) here."
To help the company achieve its goal in placing Brunei on the map as gaharu's world exporter, the managing director encouraged the public to plant the tree wherever possible. "Our project is to commercialise the gaharu tree, and we want the public to plant it anywhere possible. We know that Brunei has land, and people can even plant it around their houses and around government buildings," he said, adding that their target is to also make gaharu the "product of Brunei".
He explained that the company will travel around the Sultanate to maintain the trees every three months.
In a previous report, he said the purchasing price of one tree costs about $500 to $800, whereas the seedlings are priced at $15 each.
He pointed out he was pleased to note that more than 10,000 gaharu trees have been planted around the four districts this year. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times
Other products that will be manufactured from the gaharu tree include perfume, soap and bath merchandise.
"The reason we want to set up a factory in Brunei is because we want Brunei to be the centre in the world for exporting gaharu products."
"We also want to make 60 per cent of the world's demand for exporting gaharu products, and achieve US$6 billion a year in income," Hj Mohamad Ali Hj Dollah said during a seminar on creating awareness about gaharu to about 50 civil servants at the Business School.
The managing director added that by setting up the factory, it will also create job opportunities for Bruneians.
Expecting its first harvest in two years, the manufacturer will also be producing green tea next year.
"It takes about seven years to harvest the tree, and we already started planting them in Tutong and Temburong in 2007," he said.
GaharuBrunei Managing Director Hj Mohamad Ali Hj Dollah (L), during a seminar on 'gaharu' products that can be delivered from the tree attended by civil servants at the Business School yesterday.
He cited Singapore as the current hub for exporting 15 per cent of the world's demand for gaharu, but said Brunei is aiming to be the "future hub".
"Singapore has been a hub over the past 50 years in exporting gaharu products, where their income from exporting is US$1.2 billion a year. But our target is to be the future hub for exporting gaharu," he said.
Hj Mohamad Ali added, "Our target is to plant one million gaharu trees by the end of seven years. In order to realise the goal, we have already established a joint venture with a Malaysian and Indonesian companies to help us plant the trees there, and once it is ready for harvesting, then they will bring the (end-products) here."
To help the company achieve its goal in placing Brunei on the map as gaharu's world exporter, the managing director encouraged the public to plant the tree wherever possible. "Our project is to commercialise the gaharu tree, and we want the public to plant it anywhere possible. We know that Brunei has land, and people can even plant it around their houses and around government buildings," he said, adding that their target is to also make gaharu the "product of Brunei".
He explained that the company will travel around the Sultanate to maintain the trees every three months.
In a previous report, he said the purchasing price of one tree costs about $500 to $800, whereas the seedlings are priced at $15 each.
He pointed out he was pleased to note that more than 10,000 gaharu trees have been planted around the four districts this year. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times
Vietnam Today Travel to promote Myanmar Tours
Vietnam Today Travel to promote Myanmar ToursThe first Vietnamese Travel company to open new office in Yangon
Online PR News – 20-December-2010 –Vietnam Today Travel, an international travel agency based in Hanoi has become the first Vietnamese travel firm to open the representative office in Yangon.
The company is the pioneer in offering online travel service, tour packages and customized holiday to Myanmar. With the lanching of http://www.myanmartravel.com , they also start promoting holidays connecting Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. Their very first target is to provide qualified services for inbound market included: English, French, Spanish and Itilian speaking customers.
Since 2008, Vietnam Today Travel has launched offices in Siem Riep ( Cambodia), Ho Chi Minh city ( Vietnam) , representative office in America. The 5th office in Yangon enables them to ensure their service quality in Indochina countries.
Online PR News – 20-December-2010 –Vietnam Today Travel, an international travel agency based in Hanoi has become the first Vietnamese travel firm to open the representative office in Yangon.
The company is the pioneer in offering online travel service, tour packages and customized holiday to Myanmar. With the lanching of http://www.myanmartravel.com , they also start promoting holidays connecting Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. Their very first target is to provide qualified services for inbound market included: English, French, Spanish and Itilian speaking customers.
Since 2008, Vietnam Today Travel has launched offices in Siem Riep ( Cambodia), Ho Chi Minh city ( Vietnam) , representative office in America. The 5th office in Yangon enables them to ensure their service quality in Indochina countries.
Rail Europe adds Japan Rail Pass to Portfolio
Rail Europe adds Japan Rail Pass to PortfolioThe Japan Rail Pass has joined Rail Europe’s fast-growing network of worldwide rail journeys.
Japan’s entire range of rail passes, starting from €19 for unlimited travel for a day, can now be booked through the international marketing network.
Options extend from various consecutive day choices to 7, 14 or 21 days and include trips aboard most of the famous Shinkansen bullet trains.
Rail Europe began as a partnership of Europe’s national railways as train travel becomes increasingly popular worldwide, eliminating airport inconveniences and providing direct destination transportation – from remote rural locations to the centre of cities.
The network has since become a leader in distributing rail products worldwide in more than 45 countries across Asia, Australia and New Zealand, North and South America and Africa/Middle East.
It simplifies the booking process, enabling booking through travel agents as well as localised websites, in local languages and currency.
Non-European partners include Via Rail and Rocky Mountaineer in Canada, America’s national rail operator Amtrak, the Ghan and Indian Pacific in Australia, Korean railways’ Korail and now Japan Rail’s state-of-the-art railway system.
Rail Europe CEO Pierre Stephane Austi said, “Japan is an exciting new addition to our portfolio of international train travel options. Rail Europe is fast becoming the gateway to booking value-added train journeys not only in Europe but worldwide.”
Underlining the growing popularity of train travel, Rail Europe recorded three consecutive quarters of 36% growth in 2010.
Japan’s entire range of rail passes, starting from €19 for unlimited travel for a day, can now be booked through the international marketing network.
Options extend from various consecutive day choices to 7, 14 or 21 days and include trips aboard most of the famous Shinkansen bullet trains.
Rail Europe began as a partnership of Europe’s national railways as train travel becomes increasingly popular worldwide, eliminating airport inconveniences and providing direct destination transportation – from remote rural locations to the centre of cities.
The network has since become a leader in distributing rail products worldwide in more than 45 countries across Asia, Australia and New Zealand, North and South America and Africa/Middle East.
It simplifies the booking process, enabling booking through travel agents as well as localised websites, in local languages and currency.
Non-European partners include Via Rail and Rocky Mountaineer in Canada, America’s national rail operator Amtrak, the Ghan and Indian Pacific in Australia, Korean railways’ Korail and now Japan Rail’s state-of-the-art railway system.
Rail Europe CEO Pierre Stephane Austi said, “Japan is an exciting new addition to our portfolio of international train travel options. Rail Europe is fast becoming the gateway to booking value-added train journeys not only in Europe but worldwide.”
Underlining the growing popularity of train travel, Rail Europe recorded three consecutive quarters of 36% growth in 2010.
Chinese tourist quota to be boosted by one-third - Taipei Times
Chinese tourist quota to be boosted by one-third - Taipei Times
Taiwan is expected to allow one-third more Chinese tourists visit the nation next year, local media reported yesterday, ahead of a fresh round of talks between the two sides.
Currently, up to 3,000 Chinese tourists are allowed to visit Taiwan each day, but that quota is expected to be increased to 4,000 from next month to meet strong demand, the Liberty Times reported, citing an unnamed tourism official.
Officials from the Mainland Affairs Council were not immediately available for comment.
Tourism operators welcomed the reported move and called on the government to further relax restrictions.
“The government should raise the daily quota to 5,000,” said Roger Hsu (許高慶), the chief secretary to the Travel Agent Association of Taiwan, which promotes tourism in the nation. Such a level was promised by President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) before the 2008 presidential election.
Hsu said Taiwan’s existing tourism facilities such as hotels and buses were more than able cope with a daily quota of that size.
Chinese tourists have made 1.13 million visits to Taiwan so far this year.
Authorities have said tourism grew faster than anywhere else in Asia last year, largely due to the influx of visitors from China.
The report came one day before China’s top negotiator, Chen Yunlin (陳雲林), flies to Taipei for the sixth round of talks since 2008.
Chen, the head of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait, is scheduled to hold talks with Straits Exchange Foundation Chairman Chiang Pin-kung (江丙坤) tomorrow, officials said.
Ties have improved markedly since Ma came to power in 2008, with the two sides resuming routine high-level direct unofficial talks and adopting various measures to boost trade and tourism.
Taiwan is expected to allow one-third more Chinese tourists visit the nation next year, local media reported yesterday, ahead of a fresh round of talks between the two sides.
Currently, up to 3,000 Chinese tourists are allowed to visit Taiwan each day, but that quota is expected to be increased to 4,000 from next month to meet strong demand, the Liberty Times reported, citing an unnamed tourism official.
Officials from the Mainland Affairs Council were not immediately available for comment.
Tourism operators welcomed the reported move and called on the government to further relax restrictions.
“The government should raise the daily quota to 5,000,” said Roger Hsu (許高慶), the chief secretary to the Travel Agent Association of Taiwan, which promotes tourism in the nation. Such a level was promised by President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) before the 2008 presidential election.
Hsu said Taiwan’s existing tourism facilities such as hotels and buses were more than able cope with a daily quota of that size.
Chinese tourists have made 1.13 million visits to Taiwan so far this year.
Authorities have said tourism grew faster than anywhere else in Asia last year, largely due to the influx of visitors from China.
The report came one day before China’s top negotiator, Chen Yunlin (陳雲林), flies to Taipei for the sixth round of talks since 2008.
Chen, the head of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait, is scheduled to hold talks with Straits Exchange Foundation Chairman Chiang Pin-kung (江丙坤) tomorrow, officials said.
Ties have improved markedly since Ma came to power in 2008, with the two sides resuming routine high-level direct unofficial talks and adopting various measures to boost trade and tourism.
MYREPUBLICA.com - News in Nepal: Fast, Full & Factual
MYREPUBLICA.com - News in Nepal: Fast, Full & FactualKATHMANDU, Dec 10: A 10-day travel and tour management training for Tibetan tour operators and officials of Tibet Tourism Administration concluded here Friday.
The training was designed to include both workshop-style and session on communication, marketing, team building and customer services.
President of Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO), Ashok Pokharel, gave away the certificates to the participants.
Speaking on the occasion, he urged the participants to implement the skills learnt in the training in practice. Drolma of Tibet China International Travel Service and Rupesh K Shrestha, CEO of Fifth Dimension addressed the concluding ceremony.
The program was supported by United Nations Development Program, China International Centre for Economic and Technical Exchanges and Tibet Tourism Administration.
The training was designed to include both workshop-style and session on communication, marketing, team building and customer services.
President of Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO), Ashok Pokharel, gave away the certificates to the participants.
Speaking on the occasion, he urged the participants to implement the skills learnt in the training in practice. Drolma of Tibet China International Travel Service and Rupesh K Shrestha, CEO of Fifth Dimension addressed the concluding ceremony.
The program was supported by United Nations Development Program, China International Centre for Economic and Technical Exchanges and Tibet Tourism Administration.
City Tours Increasing In Popularity | Local News
City Tours Increasing In Popularity | Local News
Bandar Seri Begawan - Brunei's city tour operators are seeing heightened interest among tourists in the Sultanate's capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan and other urban areas, with some saying that visitors are as interested in the urban areas as they are in the lush forests of the country.
This, as tour operators confirmed a marked increase in tourist arrivals in the country following the expansion of flights by flag carrier Royal Brunei Airlines Sdn Bhd as well as the quieting down of concerns over the H1N1 virus strain that caused a global flu pandemic last year.
The tour operators' observation lend support to the Brunei Tourism Board's expectations of a jump in tourist visits this year.
The Brunei Times had earlier reported that tourist arrivals to the country were expected to have risen by 20-30 per cent in 2010, exceeding the 14 per cent annual target set by the government. Sheikh Jamaluddin Sheikh Mohamed, chief executive of Brunei Tourism, had said Chinese tourists make up the majority of the tourist arrivals.
"There has been a definite increase of tourists," said Sugu Maran, in-bound tour manager of Freme Travel Services, who noted that the city tours are catching the attention of visitors.
Often, people chose city tours as a primary preference, he said. The tour includes visits to various mosques and religious centres, the ancient water village of Kampong Ayer, open markets, as well as other cultural sites such as museums and tombs of previous sultans.
"We do also try to promote visits to Temburong, and generally they are interested once they hear about our offers," said Sugu.
Temburong, the eastern-most district in Brunei, is an exclave, separated from the rest of the country by Malaysia and Brunei Bay. It is home to Brunei's first national park, the Ulu Temburong National Park, which covers 550 square kilometres of the Temburong forest.
Another tour operator who wished to remain anonymous said city tours were more popular among tourists than visits to the country's jungles because they feel that the rainforests were "too exotic".
She noted that many of these tourists opt for the most basic package, choosing to go around the city and perhaps to the Seria Oil Fields, where one can catch a glimpse of active oil wells.
"Often these tourists are also just transiting through Brunei," the tour operator said, as part of a longer journey.
While the maximum length a tourist can stay in Brunei on a transit visa is three days, the tour operator said that often, those who transit stay only for a few hours, and spend just enough time to get on a bus to see the city's mosques as well as to make a quick visit to some of the museums.
For three days and two nights of stay, it is possible for tourists to see quite a bit of the country's developed areas, she added.
Meanwhile, CP Foo, tour manager for Century Travel Services, said that a number of tourists who come to visit the country are not actually part of any tour package.
Noting that his tour company's office is based near the centre of Bandar, he said that 20 to 30 times a month, the company would have people coming in from other countries, asking how to best go around the Sultanate.
He said this was higher compared to the last few years, when the company only had one or two such visits. Most of the inquiries are from Europeans who often just walk around the city and are on a more limited budget, he said.
"Some even travel by road, asking what's the best way to get to Kuala Belait or Seria, or even Miri and Labuan." -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times
Bandar Seri Begawan - Brunei's city tour operators are seeing heightened interest among tourists in the Sultanate's capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan and other urban areas, with some saying that visitors are as interested in the urban areas as they are in the lush forests of the country.
This, as tour operators confirmed a marked increase in tourist arrivals in the country following the expansion of flights by flag carrier Royal Brunei Airlines Sdn Bhd as well as the quieting down of concerns over the H1N1 virus strain that caused a global flu pandemic last year.
The tour operators' observation lend support to the Brunei Tourism Board's expectations of a jump in tourist visits this year.
The Brunei Times had earlier reported that tourist arrivals to the country were expected to have risen by 20-30 per cent in 2010, exceeding the 14 per cent annual target set by the government. Sheikh Jamaluddin Sheikh Mohamed, chief executive of Brunei Tourism, had said Chinese tourists make up the majority of the tourist arrivals.
"There has been a definite increase of tourists," said Sugu Maran, in-bound tour manager of Freme Travel Services, who noted that the city tours are catching the attention of visitors.
Often, people chose city tours as a primary preference, he said. The tour includes visits to various mosques and religious centres, the ancient water village of Kampong Ayer, open markets, as well as other cultural sites such as museums and tombs of previous sultans.
"We do also try to promote visits to Temburong, and generally they are interested once they hear about our offers," said Sugu.
Temburong, the eastern-most district in Brunei, is an exclave, separated from the rest of the country by Malaysia and Brunei Bay. It is home to Brunei's first national park, the Ulu Temburong National Park, which covers 550 square kilometres of the Temburong forest.
Another tour operator who wished to remain anonymous said city tours were more popular among tourists than visits to the country's jungles because they feel that the rainforests were "too exotic".
She noted that many of these tourists opt for the most basic package, choosing to go around the city and perhaps to the Seria Oil Fields, where one can catch a glimpse of active oil wells.
"Often these tourists are also just transiting through Brunei," the tour operator said, as part of a longer journey.
While the maximum length a tourist can stay in Brunei on a transit visa is three days, the tour operator said that often, those who transit stay only for a few hours, and spend just enough time to get on a bus to see the city's mosques as well as to make a quick visit to some of the museums.
For three days and two nights of stay, it is possible for tourists to see quite a bit of the country's developed areas, she added.
Meanwhile, CP Foo, tour manager for Century Travel Services, said that a number of tourists who come to visit the country are not actually part of any tour package.
Noting that his tour company's office is based near the centre of Bandar, he said that 20 to 30 times a month, the company would have people coming in from other countries, asking how to best go around the Sultanate.
He said this was higher compared to the last few years, when the company only had one or two such visits. Most of the inquiries are from Europeans who often just walk around the city and are on a more limited budget, he said.
"Some even travel by road, asking what's the best way to get to Kuala Belait or Seria, or even Miri and Labuan." -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Tourism, airlines hardest hit
Tourism, airlines hardest hit
Damage to the business sector caused by floods affecting several areas of the country since early last month is now estimated to have topped 50 billion baht (S$2.16 billion), according to the Federation of Thai Industries.
The tourism and airline industries are among those hit hard by the natural disaster, especially in the southern city of Hat Yai and the Samui Island in Surat Thani. Bangkok Airways, Nok Air and Thai AirAsia have either suspended or reduced flights.
The food processing and rubber sectors have been affected by the flooding, while bank and stock brokerage offices as well as retail and other business outlets in flood-ravaged areas have had to temporarily shut down.
A total of 123 bank and brokerage branches, 121 of them in the south, have been affected, according to the Bank of Thailand.
Tourism Authority of Thailand deputy governor Prakit Piriyakiat said the agency would have to work with the private sector to quickly clean up the mess once the flood waters recede.
Floating markets and temples in central provinces are among the top priorities, while there will be promotional tour packages to help restart businesses, especially those in Hat Yai and Surat Thani. -- THE NATION/ANN
Damage to the business sector caused by floods affecting several areas of the country since early last month is now estimated to have topped 50 billion baht (S$2.16 billion), according to the Federation of Thai Industries.
The tourism and airline industries are among those hit hard by the natural disaster, especially in the southern city of Hat Yai and the Samui Island in Surat Thani. Bangkok Airways, Nok Air and Thai AirAsia have either suspended or reduced flights.
The food processing and rubber sectors have been affected by the flooding, while bank and stock brokerage offices as well as retail and other business outlets in flood-ravaged areas have had to temporarily shut down.
A total of 123 bank and brokerage branches, 121 of them in the south, have been affected, according to the Bank of Thailand.
Tourism Authority of Thailand deputy governor Prakit Piriyakiat said the agency would have to work with the private sector to quickly clean up the mess once the flood waters recede.
Floating markets and temples in central provinces are among the top priorities, while there will be promotional tour packages to help restart businesses, especially those in Hat Yai and Surat Thani. -- THE NATION/ANN
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
Recovery seen in Thailand property market as developers increase activity « kalaraco's Blog
Recovery seen in Thailand property market as developers increase activity « kalaraco's Blog
The overseas sector of the Thailand property market seems to finally be seeing recovery. Kuwait’s IFA Hotels and Resorts said it has started construction of a residential project in Thailand expected to generate sales worth more than $311 million, Kuwait-based Al Seyassah daily reports Wednesday.
The development, named 185 Rajadamri and located in the Thai capital Bangkok, is expected to be completed by the end of 2013, IFA said according to the paper, adding that the project is operated by Thai property developer Raimon Land in which IFA owns a 41.07% stake.
Raimon Land has been able to secure credit facilities of $91 million from a bank in Thailand to finance its works on the project, the daily reports citing IFA.
When overseas property sales began to recover in early-mid 2009, rising press coverage came to be a symbol of which markets and areas were recovering quickest.
This is for the simple reason that much of the overseas property press were left with egg on their face for having made predictions of massive price growth in markets that instead saw severe contractions at the hands of the financial crisis.
Throughout the downturn and 2009 we also had accessibility as a monitor. Just like rising tourism and flights were a driver and an indicator of overseas property growth or potential during the upturn; their falling was an indicator of hard hit markets during the downturn as well.
But since the recovery really gathered steam it is new development that has been the biggest indication of which markets are performing best. If this development does as is expected and achieves such huge sales, it will be a clear indication that the second birth of the Thailand property market is well under way.
The overseas sector of the Thailand property market seems to finally be seeing recovery. Kuwait’s IFA Hotels and Resorts said it has started construction of a residential project in Thailand expected to generate sales worth more than $311 million, Kuwait-based Al Seyassah daily reports Wednesday.
The development, named 185 Rajadamri and located in the Thai capital Bangkok, is expected to be completed by the end of 2013, IFA said according to the paper, adding that the project is operated by Thai property developer Raimon Land in which IFA owns a 41.07% stake.
Raimon Land has been able to secure credit facilities of $91 million from a bank in Thailand to finance its works on the project, the daily reports citing IFA.
When overseas property sales began to recover in early-mid 2009, rising press coverage came to be a symbol of which markets and areas were recovering quickest.
This is for the simple reason that much of the overseas property press were left with egg on their face for having made predictions of massive price growth in markets that instead saw severe contractions at the hands of the financial crisis.
Throughout the downturn and 2009 we also had accessibility as a monitor. Just like rising tourism and flights were a driver and an indicator of overseas property growth or potential during the upturn; their falling was an indicator of hard hit markets during the downturn as well.
But since the recovery really gathered steam it is new development that has been the biggest indication of which markets are performing best. If this development does as is expected and achieves such huge sales, it will be a clear indication that the second birth of the Thailand property market is well under way.
Friday, October 29, 2010
SE Asia Stocks-Moderately higher; Moody's lifts Thai sentiment | Reuters
SE Asia Stocks-Moderately higher; Moody's lifts Thai sentiment | Reuters
BANGKOK, Oct 28 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock
markets eked out slim gains on Thursday as investors
selectively built up positions for the reporting season, and
demand for resource shares picked up because of stronger
commodity prices.
But share markets were below the highs set early this month
and risk appetite was fairly low ahead of a U.S. Federal
Reserve meeting next week that is expected to provide clues on
the scale of asset purchases in the next round of quantitative
easing (QE).
Across Asia, financial markets have been volatile this week
as speculation intensifies over how much the Federal Reserve is
likely to spend to pump up a faltering recovery and whether the
new measures will be carried out swiftly or phased in over
time.
BANGKOK, Oct 28 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock
markets eked out slim gains on Thursday as investors
selectively built up positions for the reporting season, and
demand for resource shares picked up because of stronger
commodity prices.
But share markets were below the highs set early this month
and risk appetite was fairly low ahead of a U.S. Federal
Reserve meeting next week that is expected to provide clues on
the scale of asset purchases in the next round of quantitative
easing (QE).
Across Asia, financial markets have been volatile this week
as speculation intensifies over how much the Federal Reserve is
likely to spend to pump up a faltering recovery and whether the
new measures will be carried out swiftly or phased in over
time.
History of Thailand
Art of Southeast Asia: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand
Art history timelines, descriptions of archaeological sites and historical buildings, images. Website of Michael D. Gunther. [en]
Asian Historical Architecture
Photographic survey of Asia's architectural heritage with background information and virtual tours, published by Tim Ciccone, Abe Ahn, and team. [en]
Chaiya National Museum
The basis of the museum is the collection of artifacts from the ancient city-state of Chaiya, collected by Phrakhru Sophonjetasikaram, the abbot of Borommathat temple. Adresse: Raksanorakit Road, Tambon Wiang, Amphor Chaiya, Surat Thani 84110. [en]
Chiang Mai National Museum
Main regional museum of the north. Educational center and center for the preservation of the art and culture of Chiang Mai and northern Thailand, the former Lan Na Kingdom. Address: Chiang Mai-Lampang Super Highway, Muang District, Chiang Mai Province 50300. [en]
Chiang Saen National Museum
Established in 1957 for archaeological finds and art objects from the ancient city Chiang Saen (Lan Na Kingdom). Address: 702 Phahonyothin Road, Chiang Saen District, Chiang Rai 57150. [en, th, de]
The Cultures of Thailand
Introductory article by Phya Anuman Rajadhon, published by Mahidol University. [en]
Five Decades of Thai Art
Overview of Thai art between 1946 and 1996, displayed as a virtual exhibition. Introductory texts and numerous images. Presented by the Rama IX Art Museum. [en]
The History Arts and Literature of Thailand
Introductory article by Phya Anuman Rajadhon, published by Mahidol University. [en]
Modern Art in Thailand
Introductory article by Professor Silpa Birasri. Published by Mahidol University. [en]
Phimai Historical Park
Prasat Him Phimai is the largest sandstone sanctuary in Thailand. It was built by the Khmers in the 12th century. There are ancient routes from Prasat Hin Phimai to Angkor Wat in Cambodia. [en]
Phimai National Museum
Opened in 1964 as an open-air museum. Center of cultural heritage in northeastern Thailand, it is located close to the famous Khmer Sanctuary Prasat Hin Phimai (buildt in the 12th century). [en]
The Pinnacle of Chiang Mai: Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep
Article about the 14th century Buddhist temple 15 km west of Chiang Mai. By Kenneth Champeon, ThingsAsian, April 2001. [en]
Southeast Asian Monuments: a selection of 100 slides
Fotos of Hindu and Buddhist monuments from the 9th to 15th century in Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam. Selection from the collection of Marijke J. Klokke. [en]
Wat Arun
Website specifically for the temple in Bangkok (construction concluded in 1851), includes: history, architecture, Wat Arun Festival, map and accessibility, current and historical photos (also of life in Ratanakosin in the 19th century), religious holidays, Wat Arun Preservation Project. [th, en]
World Heritage Tour: Southeast Asia
360-degree images (Quicktime) and maps of sites registred on the World Heritage List by UNESCO. Section of Southeast Asia. [en]
Art history timelines, descriptions of archaeological sites and historical buildings, images. Website of Michael D. Gunther. [en]
Asian Historical Architecture
Photographic survey of Asia's architectural heritage with background information and virtual tours, published by Tim Ciccone, Abe Ahn, and team. [en]
Chaiya National Museum
The basis of the museum is the collection of artifacts from the ancient city-state of Chaiya, collected by Phrakhru Sophonjetasikaram, the abbot of Borommathat temple. Adresse: Raksanorakit Road, Tambon Wiang, Amphor Chaiya, Surat Thani 84110. [en]
Chiang Mai National Museum
Main regional museum of the north. Educational center and center for the preservation of the art and culture of Chiang Mai and northern Thailand, the former Lan Na Kingdom. Address: Chiang Mai-Lampang Super Highway, Muang District, Chiang Mai Province 50300. [en]
Chiang Saen National Museum
Established in 1957 for archaeological finds and art objects from the ancient city Chiang Saen (Lan Na Kingdom). Address: 702 Phahonyothin Road, Chiang Saen District, Chiang Rai 57150. [en, th, de]
The Cultures of Thailand
Introductory article by Phya Anuman Rajadhon, published by Mahidol University. [en]
Five Decades of Thai Art
Overview of Thai art between 1946 and 1996, displayed as a virtual exhibition. Introductory texts and numerous images. Presented by the Rama IX Art Museum. [en]
The History Arts and Literature of Thailand
Introductory article by Phya Anuman Rajadhon, published by Mahidol University. [en]
Modern Art in Thailand
Introductory article by Professor Silpa Birasri. Published by Mahidol University. [en]
Phimai Historical Park
Prasat Him Phimai is the largest sandstone sanctuary in Thailand. It was built by the Khmers in the 12th century. There are ancient routes from Prasat Hin Phimai to Angkor Wat in Cambodia. [en]
Phimai National Museum
Opened in 1964 as an open-air museum. Center of cultural heritage in northeastern Thailand, it is located close to the famous Khmer Sanctuary Prasat Hin Phimai (buildt in the 12th century). [en]
The Pinnacle of Chiang Mai: Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep
Article about the 14th century Buddhist temple 15 km west of Chiang Mai. By Kenneth Champeon, ThingsAsian, April 2001. [en]
Southeast Asian Monuments: a selection of 100 slides
Fotos of Hindu and Buddhist monuments from the 9th to 15th century in Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam. Selection from the collection of Marijke J. Klokke. [en]
Wat Arun
Website specifically for the temple in Bangkok (construction concluded in 1851), includes: history, architecture, Wat Arun Festival, map and accessibility, current and historical photos (also of life in Ratanakosin in the 19th century), religious holidays, Wat Arun Preservation Project. [th, en]
World Heritage Tour: Southeast Asia
360-degree images (Quicktime) and maps of sites registred on the World Heritage List by UNESCO. Section of Southeast Asia. [en]
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Buddhism In Numbers - Thailand is Shaped Like an Elephant
Buddhism In Numbers - Thailand is Shaped Like an Elephant
Thailand is one of the most accessible and well known countries in South East Asia.
Sun seekers lie on the beaches on one of Thailands many beautiful tropical islands, backpackers explore Thailands culture and Westerners who stay long term hang out in Bangkok or work in one of Thailands tourist resorts.
Tourism in Thailand has been heavily promoted by the Tourism Authority Thailand. Tourism in Thailand is well organized and the attractions are easily accessible. Increasing numbers of tourists from the West are visiting amazing.
It has varied attractions including interesting and cultured cities historical parks with stunning monuments and temples from ancient Siam national parks of outstanding natural beauty, wildlife sanctuaries, tropical islands, beaches, and tasty food and meditation retreats.
The Kingdom of Thailand, which used to be called Siam until 1939, has never been colonized by the West and therefore does not have the same resentment towards foreigners that is experienced in some other countries. Thailand is an interesting country to visit historically and culturally with impressive ruins from ancient empires in Thailand. It was invaded by the Burmese and was under Khmer control for some time.
People from other areas such as China, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia and Tibet have ended up in Thailand, leading to a diverse mixture of people and cultures. Buddhism came to Thailand from India in the second or third century BC and has become the predominant religion but there is also a strong Muslim community.
Thais are very proud of their King. The easy going attitude of the people in Thailand has led to Thailand being known as the Land of Smiles. Thais tend to be pleasant and friendly, and used to tourists. English is now taught in schools so many young Thais speak some English.
Thailand is part of South East Asia and borders Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Malaysia. Refugees from Myanmar live in settlements in Thailand. Thailands hill tribes in the north consist of different ethnic groups and sea gypsies live on the islands in the south.
There are border crossings between Thailand and her neighbouring countries, allowing travellers to cross by land. Thailand is a good place to start a trip to South East Asia as it is very easy going well set up for tourists and it is possible to get visas for other countries in Bangkok.
Thailand is shaped like an elephant, with the northern region being the ears and head, and the southern gulf being the trunk. The Siamese elephant is a national emblem and there are still some wild elephants left in Thailand.
Thailand is one of the most accessible and well known countries in South East Asia.
Sun seekers lie on the beaches on one of Thailands many beautiful tropical islands, backpackers explore Thailands culture and Westerners who stay long term hang out in Bangkok or work in one of Thailands tourist resorts.
Tourism in Thailand has been heavily promoted by the Tourism Authority Thailand. Tourism in Thailand is well organized and the attractions are easily accessible. Increasing numbers of tourists from the West are visiting amazing.
It has varied attractions including interesting and cultured cities historical parks with stunning monuments and temples from ancient Siam national parks of outstanding natural beauty, wildlife sanctuaries, tropical islands, beaches, and tasty food and meditation retreats.
The Kingdom of Thailand, which used to be called Siam until 1939, has never been colonized by the West and therefore does not have the same resentment towards foreigners that is experienced in some other countries. Thailand is an interesting country to visit historically and culturally with impressive ruins from ancient empires in Thailand. It was invaded by the Burmese and was under Khmer control for some time.
People from other areas such as China, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia and Tibet have ended up in Thailand, leading to a diverse mixture of people and cultures. Buddhism came to Thailand from India in the second or third century BC and has become the predominant religion but there is also a strong Muslim community.
Thais are very proud of their King. The easy going attitude of the people in Thailand has led to Thailand being known as the Land of Smiles. Thais tend to be pleasant and friendly, and used to tourists. English is now taught in schools so many young Thais speak some English.
Thailand is part of South East Asia and borders Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Malaysia. Refugees from Myanmar live in settlements in Thailand. Thailands hill tribes in the north consist of different ethnic groups and sea gypsies live on the islands in the south.
There are border crossings between Thailand and her neighbouring countries, allowing travellers to cross by land. Thailand is a good place to start a trip to South East Asia as it is very easy going well set up for tourists and it is possible to get visas for other countries in Bangkok.
Thailand is shaped like an elephant, with the northern region being the ears and head, and the southern gulf being the trunk. The Siamese elephant is a national emblem and there are still some wild elephants left in Thailand.
openPR.com - Press release - Siam Hotels & Resorts - Siam City Hotel Wins 2010 Thailand Tourism Award
openPR.com - Press release - Siam Hotels & Resorts - Siam City Hotel Wins 2010 Thailand Tourism Award
Siam Hotels & Resorts is proud to announce that in the ‘Awards for Tourist Accommodation, City Hotel, More Than 80 Rooms’ category of the 8th Thailand Tourism Awards (Kinnari Awards) the Siam City Hotel was given an Award of Outstanding Performance. The honour was conferred upon the hotel, and accepted by its Resident Manager, Vishnu Bangsomboon, at the Awards Presentation Ceremony on World Tourism Day, September 27, 2010.
The Thailand Tourism Awards were first introduced by the Thailand Tourism Authority (TAT) in 1996 with the recognition and endorsement of the World Tourism Organisation. The awards recognise and honour tourism-related organisations in the private and public sectors which have played a significant direct and indirect role in tourism development. The Thailand Tourism Award is Thailand's 'Hallmark of Excellence' – a symbol of assurance in the outstanding quality and reliability of tourism products and services offered by a particular organisation or operator.
Siam Hotels & Resorts is proud to announce that in the ‘Awards for Tourist Accommodation, City Hotel, More Than 80 Rooms’ category of the 8th Thailand Tourism Awards (Kinnari Awards) the Siam City Hotel was given an Award of Outstanding Performance. The honour was conferred upon the hotel, and accepted by its Resident Manager, Vishnu Bangsomboon, at the Awards Presentation Ceremony on World Tourism Day, September 27, 2010.
The Thailand Tourism Awards were first introduced by the Thailand Tourism Authority (TAT) in 1996 with the recognition and endorsement of the World Tourism Organisation. The awards recognise and honour tourism-related organisations in the private and public sectors which have played a significant direct and indirect role in tourism development. The Thailand Tourism Award is Thailand's 'Hallmark of Excellence' – a symbol of assurance in the outstanding quality and reliability of tourism products and services offered by a particular organisation or operator.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Thailand positions itself as medical tourism leader | News | Breaking Travel News
Thailand positions itself as medical tourism leader | News | Breaking Travel News
Thailand is looking to position itself as a global leader in medical tourism with the launch of a new portal offering visitors all they need to know on everything from traditional Thai medical practitioners to cosmetic surgery.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) site, www.thailandmedtourism.com, collects and provides information on medical tourism providers across the country, including hospitals, clinics and spas.
Authorities hope that the country can join the ranks of established medical tourism destinations such as Malaysia, Singapore and the US.
Traditional Thai medicine practitioners are also listed on the site with their level of accreditation and standard, said TAT.
Visitors can search by destination and also view associated travel options such as hotels and restaurants, with authorities hoping that additional choices will boost both interest and trip length to Thailand.
CONTINUES BELOW
The website is the first stage of a campaign which will see blogger reviews and a campaign to emphasize the credibility and safety of medical services in Thailand.
Boosting medical tourism was just one of the tactics outlined by TAT earlier this year when it unveiled its plan to rebuild Thailand’s popularity as a tourist destination after the civil unrest in the country in April.
Next month, a new wellness complex is opening on island of Phuket. The Phuket International Academy Sports and Leisure Club (PIASLC) is a leading-edge development that is poised to become Asia’s pre-eminent competition, training and event complex.
Combining an excellent location with world-class facilities, it is already attracting interest from respected global sporting institutions and international corporations.
The PIASLC marked its international launch at the World Sport Destination Expo (WSDE) in Johannesburg during the final week of the FIFA 2010 World Cup.
Thailand is looking to position itself as a global leader in medical tourism with the launch of a new portal offering visitors all they need to know on everything from traditional Thai medical practitioners to cosmetic surgery.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) site, www.thailandmedtourism.com, collects and provides information on medical tourism providers across the country, including hospitals, clinics and spas.
Authorities hope that the country can join the ranks of established medical tourism destinations such as Malaysia, Singapore and the US.
Traditional Thai medicine practitioners are also listed on the site with their level of accreditation and standard, said TAT.
Visitors can search by destination and also view associated travel options such as hotels and restaurants, with authorities hoping that additional choices will boost both interest and trip length to Thailand.
CONTINUES BELOW
The website is the first stage of a campaign which will see blogger reviews and a campaign to emphasize the credibility and safety of medical services in Thailand.
Boosting medical tourism was just one of the tactics outlined by TAT earlier this year when it unveiled its plan to rebuild Thailand’s popularity as a tourist destination after the civil unrest in the country in April.
Next month, a new wellness complex is opening on island of Phuket. The Phuket International Academy Sports and Leisure Club (PIASLC) is a leading-edge development that is poised to become Asia’s pre-eminent competition, training and event complex.
Combining an excellent location with world-class facilities, it is already attracting interest from respected global sporting institutions and international corporations.
The PIASLC marked its international launch at the World Sport Destination Expo (WSDE) in Johannesburg during the final week of the FIFA 2010 World Cup.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Bangkok Post : Thailand's silk road to global fame
Bangkok Post : Thailand's silk road to global fame
Sixty-five years ago, just two days after the end of the World War II, Jim Thompson, an architect from New York, arrived in Thailand as a part of his volunteer service to the US Army's Office of Strategic Service with nothing to suggest that his name would later become one of the world's most famous icons for Thai artistry.
With 10 restaurants in four international cities, Jim Thompson is also honouring the integrity of Siamese culinary art while celebrating the unique beauty of Thai weaving craft. PHOTO: ANUSORN SAKSEREE
Just like many westerners _ then and now _ who have been charmed by the beauty and friendliness of the Thai country, the Delaware-born Thompson decided to settle down and call Bangkok his home.
With his imaginative eyes and considerate mind, Thompson immediately became very interested in handwoven Thai silk.
He assembled a small collection of the fabric, and, with confidence that the quality of the Thai silk would have appeal outside Thailand, subsequently took it to show friends and potential buyers in New York. And that's when the Thai-silk road to the world fame began.
Jim Thompson's Thai Silk Company was registered in 1951 with the original purpose of reviving Thailand's craft weaving industry, which at that time was quickly fading due to competition from cheaper, machine-made fabrics. Nine years later, the Thai government awarded Thompson the Order of the White Elephant in recognition of his contribution to the country.
Today the company, with its 100 percent vertical operation _meaning all the products are manufactured here in Thailand under the care of the Thai Silk Co _ is the world's largest manufacturer of hand-woven fabrics, with more than 3,500 employees. That does not include some 1,000 silk artisans in northeastern villages whom the firm also works with.
Jim Thompson’s traditional Thai house in the middle of Bangkok is registered as a national museum.
The company's properties include Thompson's world-famous traditional Thai house in Bangkok's Pathumwan district, which has been registered as a national museum, two silk farms that cover more than 3,000 rai of land in Nakhon Ratchasima province, 38 retail shops in Asia, America and Europe, and 10 restaurants in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Japan.
''The restaurant business is a natural extension of Jim Thompson's passion in bringing the best of Thai culture to the world,'' said Eric Booth, the company's marketing director.
''Mr Thompson was famous not only for silk but also for his gracious hospitality. In the 50s and 60s, his Bangkok mansion often hosted dinner parties with musicians, writers, statesmen and Hollywood celebrities. Somerset Maugham, Anne Baxter and Robert Kennedy were also among his guests.''
The first Jim Thompson dining outlet, however, opened in 1996 on the second floor of its main retail shop on Surawong Road simply to offer a space where customers _ typically tourists _ could sit down, relax and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea together with a small variety of snacks and bakery items, which was made from the company's kitchen, before or after shopping or while waiting for the Bangkok traffic to ease.
The coffee and bakery corner had enjoyed a good feedback, so, later on, a number of Thai and western dishes were added to the menu.
Eric Booth, marketing director of Thai Silk Company.
"The menu was a good mix between authentic Thai food and classic western cuisine. We offered the two cuisines separately and never try to follow the fusion fashion," Booth noted.
The in-house cafe proved very popular, not only among tourist shoppers but also among people in the area who found the food and the design of the space enjoyable. With this success, the company decided to go for a standalone restaurant with the purpose of catering to local residents.
The Saladaeng Cafe restaurant, occupying an old house in Soi Sala Daeng, opened in 2000. This was followed by Thompson Bar & Restaurant in 2004 and Jim Thompson Cafe at Isetan department store in 2008.
After years of honing their skills at home, Jim Thompson's culinary and hospitality team was ready for the international challenge. In 2005, the company's first foreign restaurant, Mythai, opened in Kuala Lumpur.
"At that time, we had quite a lot of opportunities in several countries, but we decided to settle on a place near home," Booth explained.
"Running the restaurant business, you need to be close to what's happening. We felt more comfortable for our first overseas restaurant to be close by, so that we could travel easily and help them with the design, marketing, cooking and service."
Clusters of age-old northeastern-style and tribal-style houses, which can disappear overnight, are nicely displayed at the Jim Thompson Farm in Pak Thong Chai, Nakhon Ratchasima.
Three more dining outlets were opened in in Tokyo, and another in Singapore (see review on page 6).
"The Singapore branch, called Jim Thompson: A Thai Restaurant, is our flagship restaurant. We've spent so much time working with design and service. We've barely done any marketing or promotion but received great feedback from the locals. The business was built totally from word of mouth," the marketing director noted.
"Our company always looks for new, dynamic ways to promote Thai culture to the world. We've realised the worldwide sensation for Thai food. In the past, Thai food may have been regarded in the West as a budget meal on which people wouldn't spend more than 10 euros or $10 on.
"But now people would pay the same price as they do at a good French or Japanese restaurant to enjoy Thai food, perhaps with wine and champagne, on a special occasion. Thai restaurants are no longer seen as a place for cheap and good fast food but as gourmet dining destinations that offer a memorable experience."
The well-respected Jim Thompson style of Thai cuisine is in the devoted hands of - love it or hate it - an American chef-cum-Thai culinary enthusiast, Patrick Booth. Also the company's director of food and beverage department, Patrick Booth once trained under chef David Thompson of the Michelin-starred Nahm restaurant in London.
Some of Jim Thompson’s preserved farm products.
According to him, the cuisine offered at every Jim Thompson outlet is "absolute Thai, Thompson-style". This means that for each classic dish on offer, the experienced chefs have tested various recipes to refine what they believe to be the most delicious version.
Meanwhile, the menu and deco reflect an appealing mix of tradition and innovation inspired by Thompson's marvellous taste in art and design.
"Other than the cuisine itself, what we have tried to concentrate on in our restaurant business is the Thai lifestyle and design," Booth added. "When you enter a Jim Thompson restaurant, you'll see the place decorated with beautiful fabrics, in a dynamic fashion statement.
"Yes, it's a way to promote our products, but we are not trying to sell fabrics in our restaurants. The restaurant business completely stands on its own to celebrate mainly the integrity of Thai culinary art.
"Unlike our retail shops, which cater mainly to tourists, the restaurants make it easier for us to interact with locals, which we see as very interesting. Through that, we've seen there's still a lot of good opportunities for good Thai restaurants with honest Thai cuisine. We are now looking around the region to expand our restaurant, and we've set our eyes on Bali, Indonesia," Booth said.
Pumpkin is one of the most popular products at the Jim Thompson Farm.
Even though 90 percent of the Jim Thompson enterprise's approximately two-billion-baht yearly revenue comes from tourists, the company doesn't only help popularise Thai culture among foreigners. Undeniably, it also encourages Thais to understand more about our traditional ways of life that may be disappearing over night.
Thus, the Jim Thompson Farm in Nakhon Ratchasima's Pak Thong Chai district, which was originally a silk cultivation farm and weaving village, opened in 2000 to visitor interested in learning about the Thai silk production process as well as the regional culture of the northeast.
Other than the silk weaving quarter, the farm also features the 10-rai Isan Village and Korat Village comprised of eight clusters of age-old northeastern-style and tribal-style houses made from wood, bamboo and rattan. Some of the houses were built as long as 200 years ago. Within the villages, visitors will get to see the traditional Isan lifestyle and displays of handicrafts.
Hoping to give farm visitors a better understanding of art, environment, nature and ecological system, the farm has lately initiated the "Art Centre on Farm" project.
This pilot art project is where contemporary local artists are invited to work within the context of ecological agriculture and Isan architecture. With an aim to bridge art, life and nature, the participating artists work in close relation with nature and make use of local and recycled materials. Art pieces created under this project will be exhibited at various points in the farm.
All Jim Thompson’s silk fabrics are hand-woven by locals.
"The Jim Thompson Farm is not just a tourist destination, but a great educational hub," said Booth.
"You can learn about the silkworm cycle, local craftsmanship and Isan life. It's interesting that even Thais have less opportunity to see this cultures."
"In the past we had only foreign tourists. Today we are happy to say most of the farm's visitors are Thais. They are Thai students and families who come to to learn about Thai culture," said Booth.
For those who are interested in agricultural and gastronomic tourism, the farm is also a great place to visit. A spacious plot of land has been dedicated to organic fruit, vegetable and flower plantations.
Among the highlighted products are various types of pumpkins, cantaloupes and hydroponic salad greens, all of which are available at the farm's market.
This shop at the Raffles Hotel Singapore is among the company’s 38 outlets worldwide.
Ready-to-eat and preserved fruit products are also popular here. Expect to find a variety of jams, honey and tea. And if you're in for adventurous gastronomy, try Jim Thompson's best-selling crispy roasted silkworms.
"In the past, Thais looked at Jim Thompson as a brand of luxury goods and almost nothing else. With our farm and restaurants, we now have more connections and interactions with the local people, which we're glad of. Because, at the end of the day, Jim Thompson is a Thai company and our only home is Thailand."
Sixty-five years ago, just two days after the end of the World War II, Jim Thompson, an architect from New York, arrived in Thailand as a part of his volunteer service to the US Army's Office of Strategic Service with nothing to suggest that his name would later become one of the world's most famous icons for Thai artistry.
With 10 restaurants in four international cities, Jim Thompson is also honouring the integrity of Siamese culinary art while celebrating the unique beauty of Thai weaving craft. PHOTO: ANUSORN SAKSEREE
Just like many westerners _ then and now _ who have been charmed by the beauty and friendliness of the Thai country, the Delaware-born Thompson decided to settle down and call Bangkok his home.
With his imaginative eyes and considerate mind, Thompson immediately became very interested in handwoven Thai silk.
He assembled a small collection of the fabric, and, with confidence that the quality of the Thai silk would have appeal outside Thailand, subsequently took it to show friends and potential buyers in New York. And that's when the Thai-silk road to the world fame began.
Jim Thompson's Thai Silk Company was registered in 1951 with the original purpose of reviving Thailand's craft weaving industry, which at that time was quickly fading due to competition from cheaper, machine-made fabrics. Nine years later, the Thai government awarded Thompson the Order of the White Elephant in recognition of his contribution to the country.
Today the company, with its 100 percent vertical operation _meaning all the products are manufactured here in Thailand under the care of the Thai Silk Co _ is the world's largest manufacturer of hand-woven fabrics, with more than 3,500 employees. That does not include some 1,000 silk artisans in northeastern villages whom the firm also works with.
Jim Thompson’s traditional Thai house in the middle of Bangkok is registered as a national museum.
The company's properties include Thompson's world-famous traditional Thai house in Bangkok's Pathumwan district, which has been registered as a national museum, two silk farms that cover more than 3,000 rai of land in Nakhon Ratchasima province, 38 retail shops in Asia, America and Europe, and 10 restaurants in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Japan.
''The restaurant business is a natural extension of Jim Thompson's passion in bringing the best of Thai culture to the world,'' said Eric Booth, the company's marketing director.
''Mr Thompson was famous not only for silk but also for his gracious hospitality. In the 50s and 60s, his Bangkok mansion often hosted dinner parties with musicians, writers, statesmen and Hollywood celebrities. Somerset Maugham, Anne Baxter and Robert Kennedy were also among his guests.''
The first Jim Thompson dining outlet, however, opened in 1996 on the second floor of its main retail shop on Surawong Road simply to offer a space where customers _ typically tourists _ could sit down, relax and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea together with a small variety of snacks and bakery items, which was made from the company's kitchen, before or after shopping or while waiting for the Bangkok traffic to ease.
The coffee and bakery corner had enjoyed a good feedback, so, later on, a number of Thai and western dishes were added to the menu.
Eric Booth, marketing director of Thai Silk Company.
"The menu was a good mix between authentic Thai food and classic western cuisine. We offered the two cuisines separately and never try to follow the fusion fashion," Booth noted.
The in-house cafe proved very popular, not only among tourist shoppers but also among people in the area who found the food and the design of the space enjoyable. With this success, the company decided to go for a standalone restaurant with the purpose of catering to local residents.
The Saladaeng Cafe restaurant, occupying an old house in Soi Sala Daeng, opened in 2000. This was followed by Thompson Bar & Restaurant in 2004 and Jim Thompson Cafe at Isetan department store in 2008.
After years of honing their skills at home, Jim Thompson's culinary and hospitality team was ready for the international challenge. In 2005, the company's first foreign restaurant, Mythai, opened in Kuala Lumpur.
"At that time, we had quite a lot of opportunities in several countries, but we decided to settle on a place near home," Booth explained.
"Running the restaurant business, you need to be close to what's happening. We felt more comfortable for our first overseas restaurant to be close by, so that we could travel easily and help them with the design, marketing, cooking and service."
Clusters of age-old northeastern-style and tribal-style houses, which can disappear overnight, are nicely displayed at the Jim Thompson Farm in Pak Thong Chai, Nakhon Ratchasima.
Three more dining outlets were opened in in Tokyo, and another in Singapore (see review on page 6).
"The Singapore branch, called Jim Thompson: A Thai Restaurant, is our flagship restaurant. We've spent so much time working with design and service. We've barely done any marketing or promotion but received great feedback from the locals. The business was built totally from word of mouth," the marketing director noted.
"Our company always looks for new, dynamic ways to promote Thai culture to the world. We've realised the worldwide sensation for Thai food. In the past, Thai food may have been regarded in the West as a budget meal on which people wouldn't spend more than 10 euros or $10 on.
"But now people would pay the same price as they do at a good French or Japanese restaurant to enjoy Thai food, perhaps with wine and champagne, on a special occasion. Thai restaurants are no longer seen as a place for cheap and good fast food but as gourmet dining destinations that offer a memorable experience."
The well-respected Jim Thompson style of Thai cuisine is in the devoted hands of - love it or hate it - an American chef-cum-Thai culinary enthusiast, Patrick Booth. Also the company's director of food and beverage department, Patrick Booth once trained under chef David Thompson of the Michelin-starred Nahm restaurant in London.
Some of Jim Thompson’s preserved farm products.
According to him, the cuisine offered at every Jim Thompson outlet is "absolute Thai, Thompson-style". This means that for each classic dish on offer, the experienced chefs have tested various recipes to refine what they believe to be the most delicious version.
Meanwhile, the menu and deco reflect an appealing mix of tradition and innovation inspired by Thompson's marvellous taste in art and design.
"Other than the cuisine itself, what we have tried to concentrate on in our restaurant business is the Thai lifestyle and design," Booth added. "When you enter a Jim Thompson restaurant, you'll see the place decorated with beautiful fabrics, in a dynamic fashion statement.
"Yes, it's a way to promote our products, but we are not trying to sell fabrics in our restaurants. The restaurant business completely stands on its own to celebrate mainly the integrity of Thai culinary art.
"Unlike our retail shops, which cater mainly to tourists, the restaurants make it easier for us to interact with locals, which we see as very interesting. Through that, we've seen there's still a lot of good opportunities for good Thai restaurants with honest Thai cuisine. We are now looking around the region to expand our restaurant, and we've set our eyes on Bali, Indonesia," Booth said.
Pumpkin is one of the most popular products at the Jim Thompson Farm.
Even though 90 percent of the Jim Thompson enterprise's approximately two-billion-baht yearly revenue comes from tourists, the company doesn't only help popularise Thai culture among foreigners. Undeniably, it also encourages Thais to understand more about our traditional ways of life that may be disappearing over night.
Thus, the Jim Thompson Farm in Nakhon Ratchasima's Pak Thong Chai district, which was originally a silk cultivation farm and weaving village, opened in 2000 to visitor interested in learning about the Thai silk production process as well as the regional culture of the northeast.
Other than the silk weaving quarter, the farm also features the 10-rai Isan Village and Korat Village comprised of eight clusters of age-old northeastern-style and tribal-style houses made from wood, bamboo and rattan. Some of the houses were built as long as 200 years ago. Within the villages, visitors will get to see the traditional Isan lifestyle and displays of handicrafts.
Hoping to give farm visitors a better understanding of art, environment, nature and ecological system, the farm has lately initiated the "Art Centre on Farm" project.
This pilot art project is where contemporary local artists are invited to work within the context of ecological agriculture and Isan architecture. With an aim to bridge art, life and nature, the participating artists work in close relation with nature and make use of local and recycled materials. Art pieces created under this project will be exhibited at various points in the farm.
All Jim Thompson’s silk fabrics are hand-woven by locals.
"The Jim Thompson Farm is not just a tourist destination, but a great educational hub," said Booth.
"You can learn about the silkworm cycle, local craftsmanship and Isan life. It's interesting that even Thais have less opportunity to see this cultures."
"In the past we had only foreign tourists. Today we are happy to say most of the farm's visitors are Thais. They are Thai students and families who come to to learn about Thai culture," said Booth.
For those who are interested in agricultural and gastronomic tourism, the farm is also a great place to visit. A spacious plot of land has been dedicated to organic fruit, vegetable and flower plantations.
Among the highlighted products are various types of pumpkins, cantaloupes and hydroponic salad greens, all of which are available at the farm's market.
This shop at the Raffles Hotel Singapore is among the company’s 38 outlets worldwide.
Ready-to-eat and preserved fruit products are also popular here. Expect to find a variety of jams, honey and tea. And if you're in for adventurous gastronomy, try Jim Thompson's best-selling crispy roasted silkworms.
"In the past, Thais looked at Jim Thompson as a brand of luxury goods and almost nothing else. With our farm and restaurants, we now have more connections and interactions with the local people, which we're glad of. Because, at the end of the day, Jim Thompson is a Thai company and our only home is Thailand."
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
TAT launches "E-Marketing Campaign for Medical Tourism in Thailand"
TAT launches "E-Marketing Campaign for Medical Tourism in Thailand"
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) launches their “E-Marketing Campaign for Medical Tourism in Thailand" and its website www.ThailandMedTourism.com at the Emerald Hotel on Friday, October 15, 2010.
The event will kick off three marketing campaigns that will run through to April 2011 to enhance Thailand’s reputation as the “Global Centre of Excellence For Medical Tourism”.
The website collects and provides information of medical tourism providers in Thailand, including hospitals, clinics, spas, and Thai traditional medicine practitioners and their level of accreditation and standards. So far, more than 340 medical tourism providers are listed on the website.
TAT Governor Suraphon Svetasreni said, “The online campaign will boost the number of medical tourists as well as increase the average time they stay in Thailand. And this will help other tourism related businesses, such as hotels, spas, and restaurants. All in all, it will benefit all the tourism industry and follow the Thai government’s strategy of promoting Thailand as the ‘Medical Hub of Asia’.”
The three marketing campaigns will start this month. The first, the “Medical Tourism Blogger Contest” campaign, a competition for bloggers to promote Medical Tourism in Thailand with the best invited on medical visits to places including Bangkok, Hua Hin, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Ko Samui. Prizes are valued at more than USD 25,000 in cash and vouchers. Joining the competition is easy, for details visit: www.Medblogcontest.com
TAT will launch the “Healthy Beauty Holiday in Thailand” in November. This sales promotion will offer exclusive rates for dental treatments, Lasik corrective surgery, cosmetic surgery, holistic and anti-aging treatments, and medical check ups. For this campaign, TAT has joined hands with partners including Royal Orchid Plus (ROP), which will offer 1,000 mileage bonus points when booking medical services under the campaign. Well-known websites will also take part, including www.asiawebdirect.com , www.phuket.com , and www.bangkok.com .
Then, from December 2010, the “You are in Good Hands” campaign will debut and emphasize the credibility and safety of the medical services offered in Thailand.
Contact: Ms. Shineth Cunanan Email: support@thailandmedtourism.com
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) launches their “E-Marketing Campaign for Medical Tourism in Thailand" and its website www.ThailandMedTourism.com at the Emerald Hotel on Friday, October 15, 2010.
The event will kick off three marketing campaigns that will run through to April 2011 to enhance Thailand’s reputation as the “Global Centre of Excellence For Medical Tourism”.
The website collects and provides information of medical tourism providers in Thailand, including hospitals, clinics, spas, and Thai traditional medicine practitioners and their level of accreditation and standards. So far, more than 340 medical tourism providers are listed on the website.
TAT Governor Suraphon Svetasreni said, “The online campaign will boost the number of medical tourists as well as increase the average time they stay in Thailand. And this will help other tourism related businesses, such as hotels, spas, and restaurants. All in all, it will benefit all the tourism industry and follow the Thai government’s strategy of promoting Thailand as the ‘Medical Hub of Asia’.”
The three marketing campaigns will start this month. The first, the “Medical Tourism Blogger Contest” campaign, a competition for bloggers to promote Medical Tourism in Thailand with the best invited on medical visits to places including Bangkok, Hua Hin, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Ko Samui. Prizes are valued at more than USD 25,000 in cash and vouchers. Joining the competition is easy, for details visit: www.Medblogcontest.com
TAT will launch the “Healthy Beauty Holiday in Thailand” in November. This sales promotion will offer exclusive rates for dental treatments, Lasik corrective surgery, cosmetic surgery, holistic and anti-aging treatments, and medical check ups. For this campaign, TAT has joined hands with partners including Royal Orchid Plus (ROP), which will offer 1,000 mileage bonus points when booking medical services under the campaign. Well-known websites will also take part, including www.asiawebdirect.com , www.phuket.com , and www.bangkok.com .
Then, from December 2010, the “You are in Good Hands” campaign will debut and emphasize the credibility and safety of the medical services offered in Thailand.
Contact: Ms. Shineth Cunanan Email: support@thailandmedtourism.com
Thai mask maker keeps ancient tradition alive - Travel - Destination Travel - Asia Travel - msnbc.com
Thai mask maker keeps ancient tradition alive - Travel - Destination Travel - Asia Travel - msnbc.com
BANGKOK — Any taxi can take you to one of Bangkok's glitzy new shopping malls, but you'll have to poke around and trod carefully down a crumbling, fetid old alley in a working-class district to find a true artifact of genuine Thai culture.
The neighborhood used to be a thriving community of makers of Khon masks, the keystones of ornate glittering costumes used in the stylized classical Thai dance form known as Khon. A street sign for tourists boasts of its glorious past, but most workshops in the Saphan Mai ("Wooden Bridge") area were shuttered years ago.
Come to a small, tin-roofed house some weekend, however, and you'll find 56-year-old Prateep Rodpai, one of Thailand's last traditional Khon mask makers.
The Khon tradition was imported from India around the 10th century. It evolved from a Hindu religious ceremony into a morality play in Siamese royal courts, and has since enjoyed royal favor. The cultural equivalent of Japan's kabuki, Khon used to be performed in important social functions such as funerals.
A typical Khon performance recounts an episode from the Hindu epic Ramayana, called the Ramakien in Thailand. Dancers dressed in glittering costumes perform carefully modulated acrobatic moves to classical Thai music,
The exquisitely painted Khon masks are essential to conveying the characters and moods of a Khon performance. But in a case of trickle-down culture, the masks are also used as decorative objects — displayed in many homes and even Thai restaurants abroad — and as objects of worship.
'I am the last one'
Prateep can usually be found most weekends at his Bangkok abode working on his masks as he waits for customers to pick up their orders.
advertisement | ad info
"I am the last one to still be doing this here," said Prateep, noting that the food vendor whose stall is a few yards away had been a cutter of glass ornaments — a crucial element that gives Khon masks their sparkle — when he was a boy.
Though some years ago he followed most craftsmen to nearby provinces, moving his workshop to Ang Thong about 70 miles (110 kilometers) north of Bangkok, he still keeps a tiny space here, borrowing an old neighbor's room for storage.
"Some customers refuse to go all the way to Ang Thong to pick up the masks," he explains.
Apichart Weerawong / AP
Various Khon masks made by Prateep Rodpai are on display Aug. 8 on a table at his home in Bangkok, Thailand.
One recent rainy Saturday, Prateep sold three masks, all of them representing characters from the Ramakien. Two were for a Khon troupe and the other for a shaman to use in his ritual.
Some customers come from as far away as the United States. Prateep said that many Thai restaurants abroad display his masks. "Each culture has its distinct motif. And the Khon mask is probably most representative of Thai culture," said Prateep. "Masks do not have to be worn to retain their cultural significance."
In their Bangkok workspace, Prateep and wife Pinthip are putting the final touches to some masks, painting a spot here, gluing some ornaments there. The whole process is an intricate one, with the masks requiring three days to dry in the sun. He can work on two to three masks a day, if inclement weather doesn't back up the production line.
Prateep's uncle, the late Sakorn Yang-keawsot, a Khon performer more famous as a puppeteer, taught him the rudiments of Khon mask-making. Prateep still uses the formula passed down from his uncle for his clay — a mixture of rice powder, some paper starch, a pinch of calcium talc and plenty of cement; he keeps the proportions a closely guarded secret.
Chalermchai Chimchanvej, who rents Khon costumes to media productions and manages a troupe that performs at private functions, has been Prateep's customer for many years. "I come back for the quality. It much more difficult now to find masks with good value."
"We were lucky that factory-made Khon masks are impractical and not permeable," comments Prateep. "Only the handmade masks are breathable. So dancers prefer ours. That leaves us with some room to survive."
Sponsored by the queen
Fortunately for Khon, it can still count on Queen Sirikit, wife of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, as a major patron.
"Without Her Majesty's interest, Khon might have disappeared altogether," said Pramate, a Khon lecturer at Banditpatanasilpa Institute. "Gone are the days when you get Khon broadcast on TV in Saturday morning."
It was the 78-year-old Queen who footed most of the bills for this year's epic performance of Nang Loi, an episode from the Ramakien.
All seven performances of Nang Loi, sponsored by the Queen, were sold out in matters of days. It was so well-received that the organizer decided to put on nine additional performances this November.
Pramate said in days gone by, aristocratic families would sponsor their own Khon troupes as a status symbol.
"Since we're living in a capitalist society, art is (now) often seen in terms of profit and loss," Pramate said.
"While I was working on Her Majesty's Nang Loi production, the queen through her secretary thanked the performers for their sacrifice, knowing that these dancers could have been doing something more profitable, but chose to preserve this national art," he said.
The situation may be critical, but it's not hopeless.
If you go ...
KHON PERFORMANCES: For tickets, dates and other details on the November Khon performances, visit http://bit.ly/dbtdPE. Tickets range in price from $7 to $34 (200 to 1,000 Baht). The venue is accessible by subway (MRT); the stop is the Thailand Cultural Centre.
KHON MASK MAKER: You can reach Prateep Rodpai's workshop at Pracha Chuen Rd. 18 by taxi, but tourists should have their concierge arrange any visit in advance by phone (if calling from within Thailand) 081-318-2084.
Eight students between the age of 9 and 13 recently braved the morning rain to arrive at Bangpakok Primary School at 4 a.m. It was not so much the notorious Bangkok traffic jams that forced them to wake up so early dawn — the Mother's Day performance was scheduled at 11 — but the need for preparation.
Getting properly dressed for a Khon performance can take up to 45 minutes per student. There are 16 steps to fit a boy with his costume, and the clothes must be sewn on the spot, since there are no buttons or zippers.
BANGKOK — Any taxi can take you to one of Bangkok's glitzy new shopping malls, but you'll have to poke around and trod carefully down a crumbling, fetid old alley in a working-class district to find a true artifact of genuine Thai culture.
The neighborhood used to be a thriving community of makers of Khon masks, the keystones of ornate glittering costumes used in the stylized classical Thai dance form known as Khon. A street sign for tourists boasts of its glorious past, but most workshops in the Saphan Mai ("Wooden Bridge") area were shuttered years ago.
Come to a small, tin-roofed house some weekend, however, and you'll find 56-year-old Prateep Rodpai, one of Thailand's last traditional Khon mask makers.
The Khon tradition was imported from India around the 10th century. It evolved from a Hindu religious ceremony into a morality play in Siamese royal courts, and has since enjoyed royal favor. The cultural equivalent of Japan's kabuki, Khon used to be performed in important social functions such as funerals.
A typical Khon performance recounts an episode from the Hindu epic Ramayana, called the Ramakien in Thailand. Dancers dressed in glittering costumes perform carefully modulated acrobatic moves to classical Thai music,
The exquisitely painted Khon masks are essential to conveying the characters and moods of a Khon performance. But in a case of trickle-down culture, the masks are also used as decorative objects — displayed in many homes and even Thai restaurants abroad — and as objects of worship.
'I am the last one'
Prateep can usually be found most weekends at his Bangkok abode working on his masks as he waits for customers to pick up their orders.
advertisement | ad info
"I am the last one to still be doing this here," said Prateep, noting that the food vendor whose stall is a few yards away had been a cutter of glass ornaments — a crucial element that gives Khon masks their sparkle — when he was a boy.
Though some years ago he followed most craftsmen to nearby provinces, moving his workshop to Ang Thong about 70 miles (110 kilometers) north of Bangkok, he still keeps a tiny space here, borrowing an old neighbor's room for storage.
"Some customers refuse to go all the way to Ang Thong to pick up the masks," he explains.
Apichart Weerawong / AP
Various Khon masks made by Prateep Rodpai are on display Aug. 8 on a table at his home in Bangkok, Thailand.
One recent rainy Saturday, Prateep sold three masks, all of them representing characters from the Ramakien. Two were for a Khon troupe and the other for a shaman to use in his ritual.
Some customers come from as far away as the United States. Prateep said that many Thai restaurants abroad display his masks. "Each culture has its distinct motif. And the Khon mask is probably most representative of Thai culture," said Prateep. "Masks do not have to be worn to retain their cultural significance."
In their Bangkok workspace, Prateep and wife Pinthip are putting the final touches to some masks, painting a spot here, gluing some ornaments there. The whole process is an intricate one, with the masks requiring three days to dry in the sun. He can work on two to three masks a day, if inclement weather doesn't back up the production line.
Prateep's uncle, the late Sakorn Yang-keawsot, a Khon performer more famous as a puppeteer, taught him the rudiments of Khon mask-making. Prateep still uses the formula passed down from his uncle for his clay — a mixture of rice powder, some paper starch, a pinch of calcium talc and plenty of cement; he keeps the proportions a closely guarded secret.
Chalermchai Chimchanvej, who rents Khon costumes to media productions and manages a troupe that performs at private functions, has been Prateep's customer for many years. "I come back for the quality. It much more difficult now to find masks with good value."
"We were lucky that factory-made Khon masks are impractical and not permeable," comments Prateep. "Only the handmade masks are breathable. So dancers prefer ours. That leaves us with some room to survive."
Sponsored by the queen
Fortunately for Khon, it can still count on Queen Sirikit, wife of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, as a major patron.
"Without Her Majesty's interest, Khon might have disappeared altogether," said Pramate, a Khon lecturer at Banditpatanasilpa Institute. "Gone are the days when you get Khon broadcast on TV in Saturday morning."
It was the 78-year-old Queen who footed most of the bills for this year's epic performance of Nang Loi, an episode from the Ramakien.
All seven performances of Nang Loi, sponsored by the Queen, were sold out in matters of days. It was so well-received that the organizer decided to put on nine additional performances this November.
Pramate said in days gone by, aristocratic families would sponsor their own Khon troupes as a status symbol.
"Since we're living in a capitalist society, art is (now) often seen in terms of profit and loss," Pramate said.
"While I was working on Her Majesty's Nang Loi production, the queen through her secretary thanked the performers for their sacrifice, knowing that these dancers could have been doing something more profitable, but chose to preserve this national art," he said.
The situation may be critical, but it's not hopeless.
If you go ...
KHON PERFORMANCES: For tickets, dates and other details on the November Khon performances, visit http://bit.ly/dbtdPE. Tickets range in price from $7 to $34 (200 to 1,000 Baht). The venue is accessible by subway (MRT); the stop is the Thailand Cultural Centre.
KHON MASK MAKER: You can reach Prateep Rodpai's workshop at Pracha Chuen Rd. 18 by taxi, but tourists should have their concierge arrange any visit in advance by phone (if calling from within Thailand) 081-318-2084.
Eight students between the age of 9 and 13 recently braved the morning rain to arrive at Bangpakok Primary School at 4 a.m. It was not so much the notorious Bangkok traffic jams that forced them to wake up so early dawn — the Mother's Day performance was scheduled at 11 — but the need for preparation.
Getting properly dressed for a Khon performance can take up to 45 minutes per student. There are 16 steps to fit a boy with his costume, and the clothes must be sewn on the spot, since there are no buttons or zippers.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Thailand development issues provide tourism, economic growth - News
Thailand development issues provide tourism, economic growth - News
Researcher Chanasai Tiengtrakul from the Social and Cultural Science department at Rockhurst University discussed major changes in Thailand's tourism industry this Saturday when she presented her paper "Globalization and Development: Island Tourism and Phuket, Thailand." Her symposium explored how Thailand is in competition with other Asian countries to attract European and western travelers and the negative effects of tourism on the working conditions of native citizens.
Phuket is located on the western coast of Thailand and has many island-like features: beaches, consumer-friendly shopping and townhome-style suites. In 2004, five billion travelers visited, averaging four days per visit. This influx of tourism brings in a total of $3 billion in revenue for the international tourism industry.
One reason Phuket has become so popular is because it provides a "modernized and comfortable place for travelers to visit" and "superb" entertainment, said Tiengtrakul.
Some luxuries that are most enjoyed are the movies and restaurants like those found in the United States.
Also mirroring the U.S. are Phuket's poor living standards for those who work in the hospitality industry. Tiengtrakul said native residents employed in this industry typically don't live in conditions anywhere near the visitors' luxuries. The workers hold umbrellas over the heads of rich tourists on the beach by day but tread home to shack-like neighborhoods later that evening.
Thailand's identity has kept many observers awaiting the newest marketing platforms, recently enforced by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. "Amazing Thailand" is the tag line used to express the official uniqueness of the country.
On the official website, which appears as a typical hotel booking page, there are over ten links to click to plan a Thailand trip. Over a dozen links are available to simply book a hotel, mirroring the westernized marketing tactics which target consumers at all possible opportunities - so much that he or she may succumb to information overload.
Thailand's essence has yet to be fully explored because it remains hidden behind a veneer of western consumerist culture and tourist expectations. As a result, Thailand's tourism industry has made the country into an object of consumption rather than giving visitors a way of connecting with the true atmosphere of diverse religions and cultures.
Researcher Chanasai Tiengtrakul from the Social and Cultural Science department at Rockhurst University discussed major changes in Thailand's tourism industry this Saturday when she presented her paper "Globalization and Development: Island Tourism and Phuket, Thailand." Her symposium explored how Thailand is in competition with other Asian countries to attract European and western travelers and the negative effects of tourism on the working conditions of native citizens.
Phuket is located on the western coast of Thailand and has many island-like features: beaches, consumer-friendly shopping and townhome-style suites. In 2004, five billion travelers visited, averaging four days per visit. This influx of tourism brings in a total of $3 billion in revenue for the international tourism industry.
One reason Phuket has become so popular is because it provides a "modernized and comfortable place for travelers to visit" and "superb" entertainment, said Tiengtrakul.
Some luxuries that are most enjoyed are the movies and restaurants like those found in the United States.
Also mirroring the U.S. are Phuket's poor living standards for those who work in the hospitality industry. Tiengtrakul said native residents employed in this industry typically don't live in conditions anywhere near the visitors' luxuries. The workers hold umbrellas over the heads of rich tourists on the beach by day but tread home to shack-like neighborhoods later that evening.
Thailand's identity has kept many observers awaiting the newest marketing platforms, recently enforced by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. "Amazing Thailand" is the tag line used to express the official uniqueness of the country.
On the official website, which appears as a typical hotel booking page, there are over ten links to click to plan a Thailand trip. Over a dozen links are available to simply book a hotel, mirroring the westernized marketing tactics which target consumers at all possible opportunities - so much that he or she may succumb to information overload.
Thailand's essence has yet to be fully explored because it remains hidden behind a veneer of western consumerist culture and tourist expectations. As a result, Thailand's tourism industry has made the country into an object of consumption rather than giving visitors a way of connecting with the true atmosphere of diverse religions and cultures.
Jeff Morgan: As Global Heritage Sites Vanish, Developing Countries Lose Key Economic Assets
Jeff Morgan: As Global Heritage Sites Vanish, Developing Countries Lose Key Economic Assets
yutthaya in Thailand. Mirador in Guatemala. Most people outside of these countries have not heard of either, and future generations will never know of or experience these historical treasures if we do not work to save them.
Both are "global heritage" sites, meaning they are of great cultural value to their own countries and to civilization collectively. That value is more than just a link to the past -- heritage sites offer an overlooked key to revitalizing poorer nations. But explosive growth in tourism and unchecked development in developing countries is putting heritage sites under such severe stress that experts fear widespread, irreplaceable losses in the next 10-20 years. We learned this in the creation of a new report, Saving Our Vanishing Heritage, which reviewed over 500 heritage sites. We found that simultaneous and accelerating man-made threats are putting many fragile sites in imminent danger. National treasures are being lost and damaged by illegal encroachment, construction, poor management, unsustainable tourism, looting and conflict.
At the same time, natural disasters are washing away or leveling one-of-a-kind sites like Ayutthaya (once one of Southeast Asia's most advanced civilizations). While we cannot stop an earthquake, we can stop the tsunami of tourists swarming over easily damaged archaeological sites.
While seemingly benign, tens of thousands of tourists are climbing over fragile archaeological sites (from Angkor to Machu Picchu), gradually wearing them down. The unrelenting rush for hotel development is strangling once-sacred ancient cities and sites like Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Casinos and high-rise hotels are replacing ancient sanctuaries and towns.
Tim Williams, professor of archaeology at the University College of London - and member of the Editorial Committee for Vanishing - has said, "Our archaeological work is facing extreme pressures from encroaching development or uncontrolled tourism. Few developing countries have the capabilities or training to manage their major heritage treasures. We are seeing major losses at sites that would be highly protected in Europe or North America." In fact, only 76 of the world's most significant sites - all in poor countries - have international recognition by UNESCO, the same as Italy and Spain combined.
Until now, this has largely been a silent crisis, happening in far-flung corners of the world. What is unfolding in many places has not been seen since the World Wars.
Why does it matter? Aside from the permanent lost to historical treasures, these sites are also promising economic engines for poor countries which can bring jobs, income and feed tens of thousands. In fact, Vanishing estimates that, by 2025, heritage sites could garner more than $100 billion a year for poor countries. Much of the solution lies in having global funding and expertise focused on our most significant and endangered sites. Timely intervention is critical.
Global monitoring is a must. Unlike climate change, or loss of tropical rainforests or animal species - which each have thousands of scientific reports and satellite systems - baseline data is not being collected, and there is no "agency." Our report calls for the creation of a new early-warning and threats monitoring system, Global Heritage Network (GHN), to fill the gaping hole in knowledge about conservation in sites across the developing world. Legal boundaries for each site's protected areas are being mapped, and illegal encroachment and other threats are being geographically identified and communicated to the responsible governments.
Vanishing also recommends establishing a Global Fund for Heritage in developing countries, which can provide targeted emergency support for threats, international experts, and conservation planning and training. And by increasing private-sector funding and leadership in preservation, we can multiple critical financial and human resources. It is impossible to regenerate unique and timeless heritage sites once they are gone. And with them will disappear the opportunity for economic development in these poor countries.
I want future generations to know the names of Mirador and Ayutthaya, among others. Not just for their value to tourists but also as the sparks that ignited positive, sustainable development for their regions.
yutthaya in Thailand. Mirador in Guatemala. Most people outside of these countries have not heard of either, and future generations will never know of or experience these historical treasures if we do not work to save them.
Both are "global heritage" sites, meaning they are of great cultural value to their own countries and to civilization collectively. That value is more than just a link to the past -- heritage sites offer an overlooked key to revitalizing poorer nations. But explosive growth in tourism and unchecked development in developing countries is putting heritage sites under such severe stress that experts fear widespread, irreplaceable losses in the next 10-20 years. We learned this in the creation of a new report, Saving Our Vanishing Heritage, which reviewed over 500 heritage sites. We found that simultaneous and accelerating man-made threats are putting many fragile sites in imminent danger. National treasures are being lost and damaged by illegal encroachment, construction, poor management, unsustainable tourism, looting and conflict.
At the same time, natural disasters are washing away or leveling one-of-a-kind sites like Ayutthaya (once one of Southeast Asia's most advanced civilizations). While we cannot stop an earthquake, we can stop the tsunami of tourists swarming over easily damaged archaeological sites.
While seemingly benign, tens of thousands of tourists are climbing over fragile archaeological sites (from Angkor to Machu Picchu), gradually wearing them down. The unrelenting rush for hotel development is strangling once-sacred ancient cities and sites like Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Casinos and high-rise hotels are replacing ancient sanctuaries and towns.
Tim Williams, professor of archaeology at the University College of London - and member of the Editorial Committee for Vanishing - has said, "Our archaeological work is facing extreme pressures from encroaching development or uncontrolled tourism. Few developing countries have the capabilities or training to manage their major heritage treasures. We are seeing major losses at sites that would be highly protected in Europe or North America." In fact, only 76 of the world's most significant sites - all in poor countries - have international recognition by UNESCO, the same as Italy and Spain combined.
Until now, this has largely been a silent crisis, happening in far-flung corners of the world. What is unfolding in many places has not been seen since the World Wars.
Why does it matter? Aside from the permanent lost to historical treasures, these sites are also promising economic engines for poor countries which can bring jobs, income and feed tens of thousands. In fact, Vanishing estimates that, by 2025, heritage sites could garner more than $100 billion a year for poor countries. Much of the solution lies in having global funding and expertise focused on our most significant and endangered sites. Timely intervention is critical.
Global monitoring is a must. Unlike climate change, or loss of tropical rainforests or animal species - which each have thousands of scientific reports and satellite systems - baseline data is not being collected, and there is no "agency." Our report calls for the creation of a new early-warning and threats monitoring system, Global Heritage Network (GHN), to fill the gaping hole in knowledge about conservation in sites across the developing world. Legal boundaries for each site's protected areas are being mapped, and illegal encroachment and other threats are being geographically identified and communicated to the responsible governments.
Vanishing also recommends establishing a Global Fund for Heritage in developing countries, which can provide targeted emergency support for threats, international experts, and conservation planning and training. And by increasing private-sector funding and leadership in preservation, we can multiple critical financial and human resources. It is impossible to regenerate unique and timeless heritage sites once they are gone. And with them will disappear the opportunity for economic development in these poor countries.
I want future generations to know the names of Mirador and Ayutthaya, among others. Not just for their value to tourists but also as the sparks that ignited positive, sustainable development for their regions.
SE Asia Stocks-Mild rebound, Thai bank stocks in favour | Reuters
SE Asia Stocks-Mild rebound, Thai bank stocks in favour | Reuters
* Thai Kasikornbank ends higher ahead of strong Q3 results
* Indonesia sees biggest outflows of the year
By Viparat Jantraprap
BANGKOK, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock
markets rose on Tuesday as investors bought into growing
sectors but the region saw some foreign money flow out despite
the prospect of further U.S. monetary easing.
With the results season for Southeast Asian firms
beginning, Thailand .SETI clawed back from a one-week low on
Monday thanks to buying in banks, while the indexes of
Singapore .FTSTI, Malaysia .KLSE and Indonesia .JKSE eked
out small gains.
Despite the gain, Jakarta recorded $147.7 million in
outflows on the day, the biggest this year, according to
Thomson Reuters data.
Thailand's benchmark SET index finished up 0.53 percent at
989.27, still having trouble moving through the 1,000 level
that was within sight last week for the first time since the
1997-98 Asian financial crisis.
"Sentiment lifted up a bit because of the earnings season
for banks. I think the earnings plays will be more active in
coming weeks," said Chaiyaporn Nompitakcharoen, head of
research at Bualuang Securities.
The Thai bank subindex .SETB rose 0.9 percent, led by a
1.7 percent rise in the third-largest bank Kasikornbank Pcl
(KBAN.BK). After the close, the bank reported
better-than-expected third quarter earnings of 5.09 billion
baht.
Turnover in Bangkok fell to a one-week low of 27.8 billion
baht ($931.6 million).
Investors were cautious ahead of a review of interest rates
by the Bank of Thailand on Wednesday, with expectations growing
it would keep the policy rate at 1.75 percent in a bid to slow
inflows and take some of the upward pressure off the baht.
The U.S. dollar was steady in Asia on Tuesday, supported by
a pledge from Washington not to devalue its way to recovery,
but weakness in the technology sector held Asian stock markets
back.
The MSCI index of Asia Pacific stocks outside Japan
.MIAPJ0000PUS was down 0.05 percent by 0933 GMT.
Bucking the trend in Southeast Asia, the Philippines .PSI
extended its losses to a near-one-week low while Vietnam .VNI
hit its lowest in two weeks.
Sentiment across the region dropped after Morgan Stanley
(MS.N) reduced its overweight rating on equities to 4 percent
from 6 percent and raised the cash weight on its Asia/Global
Emerging Market strategy, according to Bualuang's Chaiyaporn.
Valuations in the region now look a bit stretched after the
strong rise in the second half. Southeast Asian stock indexes
are trading at relatively high forward price-to-earnings
ratios, led by Indonesia's 15.6, according to Thomson Reuters
StarMine.
In Singapore, medium-caps led gainers, with casino operator
Genting Singapore Plc (GENS.SI) rising 2.4 percent, while in
Malaysia financial firm RHB Capital Bhd (RHBC.KL) jumped 2.3
percent.
In Jakarta, PT Bank Central Asia (BBCA.JK), Indonesia's
biggest lender by market value, rose 2.3 percent after falling
to a three-week low the day before.
In the Philippines, Manila Electric Co (Meralco) (MER.PS),
the country's largest power retailer, dropped 3.2 percent to a
three-week low.
* Thai Kasikornbank ends higher ahead of strong Q3 results
* Indonesia sees biggest outflows of the year
By Viparat Jantraprap
BANGKOK, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock
markets rose on Tuesday as investors bought into growing
sectors but the region saw some foreign money flow out despite
the prospect of further U.S. monetary easing.
With the results season for Southeast Asian firms
beginning, Thailand .SETI clawed back from a one-week low on
Monday thanks to buying in banks, while the indexes of
Singapore .FTSTI, Malaysia .KLSE and Indonesia .JKSE eked
out small gains.
Despite the gain, Jakarta recorded $147.7 million in
outflows on the day, the biggest this year, according to
Thomson Reuters data.
Thailand's benchmark SET index finished up 0.53 percent at
989.27, still having trouble moving through the 1,000 level
that was within sight last week for the first time since the
1997-98 Asian financial crisis.
"Sentiment lifted up a bit because of the earnings season
for banks. I think the earnings plays will be more active in
coming weeks," said Chaiyaporn Nompitakcharoen, head of
research at Bualuang Securities.
The Thai bank subindex .SETB rose 0.9 percent, led by a
1.7 percent rise in the third-largest bank Kasikornbank Pcl
(KBAN.BK). After the close, the bank reported
better-than-expected third quarter earnings of 5.09 billion
baht.
Turnover in Bangkok fell to a one-week low of 27.8 billion
baht ($931.6 million).
Investors were cautious ahead of a review of interest rates
by the Bank of Thailand on Wednesday, with expectations growing
it would keep the policy rate at 1.75 percent in a bid to slow
inflows and take some of the upward pressure off the baht.
The U.S. dollar was steady in Asia on Tuesday, supported by
a pledge from Washington not to devalue its way to recovery,
but weakness in the technology sector held Asian stock markets
back.
The MSCI index of Asia Pacific stocks outside Japan
.MIAPJ0000PUS was down 0.05 percent by 0933 GMT.
Bucking the trend in Southeast Asia, the Philippines .PSI
extended its losses to a near-one-week low while Vietnam .VNI
hit its lowest in two weeks.
Sentiment across the region dropped after Morgan Stanley
(MS.N) reduced its overweight rating on equities to 4 percent
from 6 percent and raised the cash weight on its Asia/Global
Emerging Market strategy, according to Bualuang's Chaiyaporn.
Valuations in the region now look a bit stretched after the
strong rise in the second half. Southeast Asian stock indexes
are trading at relatively high forward price-to-earnings
ratios, led by Indonesia's 15.6, according to Thomson Reuters
StarMine.
In Singapore, medium-caps led gainers, with casino operator
Genting Singapore Plc (GENS.SI) rising 2.4 percent, while in
Malaysia financial firm RHB Capital Bhd (RHBC.KL) jumped 2.3
percent.
In Jakarta, PT Bank Central Asia (BBCA.JK), Indonesia's
biggest lender by market value, rose 2.3 percent after falling
to a three-week low the day before.
In the Philippines, Manila Electric Co (Meralco) (MER.PS),
the country's largest power retailer, dropped 3.2 percent to a
three-week low.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
TAT launches “e-marketing campaign for medical tourism in Thailand” - Tourist Bureau - etravelblackboard.com
TAT launches “e-marketing campaign for medical tourism in Thailand” - Tourist Bureau - etravelblackboard.com
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will launch its “E-Marketing Campaign for Medical Tourism in Thailand” and website www.ThailandMedTourism.com at the Emerald Hotel on Friday, October 15, 2010.
The event will kick off three marketing campaigns that will run through to April 2011 to enhance Thailand’s reputation as the “Global Centre of Excellence For Medical Tourism”.
The website collects and provides information on medical tourism providers in Thailand, including hospitals, clinics, spas, and Thai traditional medicine practitioners and their level of accreditation and standards. So far, more than 340 medical tourism providers are listed on the website.
TAT Governor Suraphon Svetasreni said, “The online campaign will boost the number of medical tourists as well as increase the average time they stay in Thailand. And this will help other tourism related businesses, such as hotels, spas, and restaurants. All in all, it will benefit all the tourism industry and follow the Thai government’s strategy of promoting Thailand as the ‘Medical Hub of Asia’.”
The three marketing campaigns will start this month. The first, the “Medical Tourism Blogger Contest” campaign, will be officially launched in October. It is a competition for bloggers to promote Medical Tourism in Thailand with the best invited on medical visits to places including Bangkok, Hua Hin, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Koh Samui. Prizes are valued at more than USD 25,000 in cash and vouchers. Joining the competition is easy, for details visit: www.Medblogcontest.com
TAT will launch the “Healthy Beauty Holiday in Thailand” in November. This sales promotion will offer exclusive rates for dental treatments, Lasik corrective surgery, cosmetic surgery, holistic and anti-aging treatments, and medical check ups. For this campaign, TAT has joined hands with partners including Royal Orchid Plus (ROP), which will offer 1,000 mileage bonus points when booking medical services under the campaign. Well-known websites will also take part, including www.asiawebdirect.com, www.phuket.com, and www.bangkok.com.
Then, from December 2010, the “You are in Good Hands” campaign will debut and emphasize the credibility and safety of the medical services offered in Thailand.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will launch its “E-Marketing Campaign for Medical Tourism in Thailand” and website www.ThailandMedTourism.com at the Emerald Hotel on Friday, October 15, 2010.
The event will kick off three marketing campaigns that will run through to April 2011 to enhance Thailand’s reputation as the “Global Centre of Excellence For Medical Tourism”.
The website collects and provides information on medical tourism providers in Thailand, including hospitals, clinics, spas, and Thai traditional medicine practitioners and their level of accreditation and standards. So far, more than 340 medical tourism providers are listed on the website.
TAT Governor Suraphon Svetasreni said, “The online campaign will boost the number of medical tourists as well as increase the average time they stay in Thailand. And this will help other tourism related businesses, such as hotels, spas, and restaurants. All in all, it will benefit all the tourism industry and follow the Thai government’s strategy of promoting Thailand as the ‘Medical Hub of Asia’.”
The three marketing campaigns will start this month. The first, the “Medical Tourism Blogger Contest” campaign, will be officially launched in October. It is a competition for bloggers to promote Medical Tourism in Thailand with the best invited on medical visits to places including Bangkok, Hua Hin, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Koh Samui. Prizes are valued at more than USD 25,000 in cash and vouchers. Joining the competition is easy, for details visit: www.Medblogcontest.com
TAT will launch the “Healthy Beauty Holiday in Thailand” in November. This sales promotion will offer exclusive rates for dental treatments, Lasik corrective surgery, cosmetic surgery, holistic and anti-aging treatments, and medical check ups. For this campaign, TAT has joined hands with partners including Royal Orchid Plus (ROP), which will offer 1,000 mileage bonus points when booking medical services under the campaign. Well-known websites will also take part, including www.asiawebdirect.com, www.phuket.com, and www.bangkok.com.
Then, from December 2010, the “You are in Good Hands” campaign will debut and emphasize the credibility and safety of the medical services offered in Thailand.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Thailand Remains a Popular Getaway - Just the Flight Travel News
Thailand Remains a Popular Getaway - Just the Flight Travel News
Well known as a popular destination among gap year students, Thailand remains one of the most visited places on the British traveller itinerary. With stunning scenery, a rich culture, and easy access to both Phuket and Bangkok, Thailand is the perfect destination in which to escape from the realities of life and truly relax.
Phuket is a particularly well-known stop among tourists - a place where luxurious beaches, tropical weather, and a rich culture can be enjoyed in a lavish setting. With a range of fantastic hotels, including the newly opened five-star Centara Grand Beach Resort which is located in Karon Bay, guests can choose to stay in more lavish accommodations, rather than the beach huts and rustic dwellings that many students tend to opt for. Guests can revel in beautiful and inspired décor, modern and high spec rooms, and facilities such as pools which will keep both adults and children alike entertained. With regular direct flights to Bangkok leaving from London, the country can be easily reached.
Outside their hotel of choice, tourists can enjoy golden sand beaches with crystal-clear waters. Elephant treks can be taken through the forests, whilst those looking for cuisine can find a range of traditional delicacies at both beach restaurants and hidden forest cafes. And for those who like to party, Thailand's Full Moon party event will certainly have people celebrating life like never before.
Well known as a popular destination among gap year students, Thailand remains one of the most visited places on the British traveller itinerary. With stunning scenery, a rich culture, and easy access to both Phuket and Bangkok, Thailand is the perfect destination in which to escape from the realities of life and truly relax.
Phuket is a particularly well-known stop among tourists - a place where luxurious beaches, tropical weather, and a rich culture can be enjoyed in a lavish setting. With a range of fantastic hotels, including the newly opened five-star Centara Grand Beach Resort which is located in Karon Bay, guests can choose to stay in more lavish accommodations, rather than the beach huts and rustic dwellings that many students tend to opt for. Guests can revel in beautiful and inspired décor, modern and high spec rooms, and facilities such as pools which will keep both adults and children alike entertained. With regular direct flights to Bangkok leaving from London, the country can be easily reached.
Outside their hotel of choice, tourists can enjoy golden sand beaches with crystal-clear waters. Elephant treks can be taken through the forests, whilst those looking for cuisine can find a range of traditional delicacies at both beach restaurants and hidden forest cafes. And for those who like to party, Thailand's Full Moon party event will certainly have people celebrating life like never before.
DirectRooms.com – Bangkok is the centre for Thailand’s foremost tourist trade event
DirectRooms.com – Bangkok is the centre for Thailand’s foremost tourist trade event
Members of Thailand’s tourism industry will be heading to Bangkok to exhibit in the country’s largest display of tourist products and services, DirectRooms.com can report.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / PRURGENT
Running for nine days from 20th to 28th November, Travelling Festival 2010 will comprise Thailand’s wide variety of tourist attractions which make it one of the world’s leading tourist destinations.
Exhibitors will include tourism authorities from each of the major regions in the south such as Koh Samui, Phuket and Koh Chang as well as popular northern destinations including Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.
Leading hotel groups will be promoting each of their premises to travel agencies and tour operators in attendance as well as boutique resorts offering exclusive get-a-ways. Executives can talk with travel operators to find out about the types of packages available to tourists from adventure tourism and elephant trekking to cruises and spa breaks.
Visitors can also speak with each of the airlines that service the country as well as car rental companies who provide transport for tourists. The show is being held within the Impact Exhibition and Convention Center and the popularity of the event with professionals is likely to result in rising demand for Bangkok hotels closest to the exhibition.
Lek Boonlert, marketing head at DirectRooms.com commented: “Executives from all over Thailand and overseas will be heading to the event to hear the latest news from the industry. Hotel availability will be in short supply so visitors should go online to book in advance.”
Members of Thailand’s tourism industry will be heading to Bangkok to exhibit in the country’s largest display of tourist products and services, DirectRooms.com can report.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / PRURGENT
Running for nine days from 20th to 28th November, Travelling Festival 2010 will comprise Thailand’s wide variety of tourist attractions which make it one of the world’s leading tourist destinations.
Exhibitors will include tourism authorities from each of the major regions in the south such as Koh Samui, Phuket and Koh Chang as well as popular northern destinations including Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.
Leading hotel groups will be promoting each of their premises to travel agencies and tour operators in attendance as well as boutique resorts offering exclusive get-a-ways. Executives can talk with travel operators to find out about the types of packages available to tourists from adventure tourism and elephant trekking to cruises and spa breaks.
Visitors can also speak with each of the airlines that service the country as well as car rental companies who provide transport for tourists. The show is being held within the Impact Exhibition and Convention Center and the popularity of the event with professionals is likely to result in rising demand for Bangkok hotels closest to the exhibition.
Lek Boonlert, marketing head at DirectRooms.com commented: “Executives from all over Thailand and overseas will be heading to the event to hear the latest news from the industry. Hotel availability will be in short supply so visitors should go online to book in advance.”
Monday, October 11, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Phuket NEWS: Phuket Opinion: Making a meal of a festival
PHUKET: Our front page headline this week says it all: the Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a serious commercial success. (See "Festival reels in millions" in the current issue of the Phuket Gazette. Digital subscribers can download their copy here.)
Not only is this year’s festival being touted as the creator of a much-welcomed 200-million-baht boost to the island’s economy, but it is doing so during one of Phuket’s lowest months for tourism.
The festival began with the arrival of the new moon on Friday and ends next Saturday (October 16).
Penang, just over our border with Malaysia, offers similar fare.
And the Brahman festivals in India, which predate the 185-year-old Phuket festival by centuries, stage proceedings of the same genre we witness here – complete with trances, seances, appeals to gods, extreme body piercings and other esoteric rituals conducted in an atmosphere at times suggestive of havoc.
Tourists in large numbers, particularly from Asia, are drawn to such happenings and seem to have earmarked Phuket as their venue of choice.
With broad support from the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the success of the Phuket festival has inspired similar events to be held elsewhere in Thailand this week, including Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Haad Yai, Phang Nga, Trang and Krabi.
What the island has learned from the Vegetarian Festival is how to market an event. The festival's success in marketing terms has been managed well. But not all aspects of the event enjoy unanimous public support.
Wherever they go this week, the processions will cause their usual major disruptions to traffic, and injuries to both participants and spectators, particularly from firecrackers thrown at random in the crowds, will keep the hospitals busy as always.
But some progress in the management of problem areas may be in evidence. Police say they will be making an extra effort to manage the traffic jams this year, and that they will also be paying particular attention to the crime which often rises with the swell in tourist numbers.
In recent years, the mah song (spirit mediums) have also been better managed to reduce the number, if not the severity, of self-inflicted wounds.
Each mah song joining the processions must register with one of the participating shrines. The organizers take no responsibility for “unregistered” mah song, one of whom was internally 'dealt with' a few years ago for repeatedly slicing open a pig’s tongue, instead of his own, during a procession.
With Phuket expected to reel in 200 million baht from tourists alone during this year's event, and given the importance attached to the island's unique cultural identity, the Vegetarian Festival is a landmark likely to be further developed as a national asset in the future.
Not only is this year’s festival being touted as the creator of a much-welcomed 200-million-baht boost to the island’s economy, but it is doing so during one of Phuket’s lowest months for tourism.
The festival began with the arrival of the new moon on Friday and ends next Saturday (October 16).
Penang, just over our border with Malaysia, offers similar fare.
And the Brahman festivals in India, which predate the 185-year-old Phuket festival by centuries, stage proceedings of the same genre we witness here – complete with trances, seances, appeals to gods, extreme body piercings and other esoteric rituals conducted in an atmosphere at times suggestive of havoc.
Tourists in large numbers, particularly from Asia, are drawn to such happenings and seem to have earmarked Phuket as their venue of choice.
With broad support from the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the success of the Phuket festival has inspired similar events to be held elsewhere in Thailand this week, including Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Haad Yai, Phang Nga, Trang and Krabi.
What the island has learned from the Vegetarian Festival is how to market an event. The festival's success in marketing terms has been managed well. But not all aspects of the event enjoy unanimous public support.
Wherever they go this week, the processions will cause their usual major disruptions to traffic, and injuries to both participants and spectators, particularly from firecrackers thrown at random in the crowds, will keep the hospitals busy as always.
But some progress in the management of problem areas may be in evidence. Police say they will be making an extra effort to manage the traffic jams this year, and that they will also be paying particular attention to the crime which often rises with the swell in tourist numbers.
In recent years, the mah song (spirit mediums) have also been better managed to reduce the number, if not the severity, of self-inflicted wounds.
Each mah song joining the processions must register with one of the participating shrines. The organizers take no responsibility for “unregistered” mah song, one of whom was internally 'dealt with' a few years ago for repeatedly slicing open a pig’s tongue, instead of his own, during a procession.
With Phuket expected to reel in 200 million baht from tourists alone during this year's event, and given the importance attached to the island's unique cultural identity, the Vegetarian Festival is a landmark likely to be further developed as a national asset in the future.
Indigo Pearl Phuket boutique luxury Resort « History of Thailand
Opened in 2007, Indigo Pearl sits on a former coconut plantation on the northwest shore of Phuket, Thailand. Located along the eminent Nai Yang Beach, a short drive from the airport and only 20 minutes away from the bustling city centre; Indigo Pearl provides an ideal retreat for the discerning traveler looking for a stylish and private destination away from the hectic crowd. Inspired by Phukets glorious tin mining history, the five-star boutique luxury resort was conceptualized by a visionary Phuket family the Na-Ranongs. The distinctive fusion designs of avant-garde architecture and Thai charm were envisioned by world-famed architect and landscapist, Bill Bensley. The distinctive design sets it apart from the other resorts while providing travelers a unique experience Useful Links: www.indigo-pearl.com http www.facebook.com
Saturday, October 9, 2010
TAT Makes “Balanced Strategy” Its Primary Blueprint for 2011 | e-Global Travel News
TAT Makes “Balanced Strategy” Its Primary Blueprint for 2011 | e-Global Travel News
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has embraced a five-point “balanced strategy” to ensure long-term, sustainable tourism marketing for the future of Thai tourism in 2011 and beyond.
According to TAT Governor Mr Suraphon Svetsreni, “These principles of balance take into consideration the fact that tourism does not operate in a vacuum but is interlinked with three key external factors – the economy, environment and society – which have to be taken into account.”
The “balanced strategy” covers the following five elements:
BALANCE 1 – Monetary Value and Emotional Value
The recent TAT campaign “Amazing Thailand, Amazing Value” emphasises Thailand’s high value-for-money factor. TAT will balance this value element by strengthening Thailand’s brand image associated with the emotional value under the concept of “Win Their Hearts, Win Their Mind” by changing the tagline to “Amazing Thailand Always Amazes You”. This will reinforce the positive emotions on the charm of “Thai-ness” with the hospitality and friendliness of the Thai people, including Thailand’s unique art and culture.
BALANCE 2 – Domestic Tourism and International Tourism
TAT will strive to encourage domestic tourism as a part of life for Thais. This will help reduce the Thai tourism sector’s dependence on international markets that can be easily affected by either internal or external factors; such as, a global economic downturn or natural disaster.
At the same time, TAT will place equal emphasis on maintaining the country’s share of the global leisure market by targeting repeat visitors which now account for 62 per cent of the total and pursuing first-time visitors in new markets; such as, East Europe. CIS and North Africa. More repeat visitors will be sought from long-standing traditional markets such as Europe, Customer Relations Management (CRM) schemes will be implemented through the Amazing Thailand Card and Thailand Fan Club Projects. TAT will also increase focus on Experiential Markets where visitors can enjoy activities like golfing, diving, rock climbing; and Lifestyle Markets including health and wellness, weddings, and luxury and high-end markets.
BALANCE 3 – Short-Term Market Recovery and Long-Term Market Expansion
Short-term market recovery initiatives are response plans that TAT has to quickly put into place to alleviate the impact of events that disrupt the flow of visitor arrivals to Thailand.
The TAT has ensured effective crisis response by setting up the Tourism Intelligence Unit and Crisis Communication Centre (TIC) to pool the cooperation of the public and private sectors in responding to the situation and executing rapid recovery plans. Tourists can get real-time updated information both through the normal media channels as well as online via www.tourismthailand.org and www.tatnews.org.
Depending on the circumstances, TAT may opt to use a ‘Quick Win’ strategy with targeted special offers for short-term market recovery; such as, Super Deals to quickly bring back the less sensitive tourists first. However, this strategy cannot be prolonged as it will destroy the price structure. For long-term market expansion, adding the emotional value to our quality tourism products will help sustain growth.
BALANCE 4 – Peak Season and Low Season
TAT aims to balance the low or rainy season by promoting “Green Tourism Products” to position Thailand as a year-round destination. Thailand offers tremendous ecological diversity and a wide variety of landscapes. Combined with the simple and natural lifestyle of Thais living in these areas, there is tremendous potential for green tourism in the Kingdom.
BALANCE 5 – Gaining Economic Revenue and Preserving Ecological Assets
If the first 50 years of tourism development focused largely on maximising the economic returns, the next 50 years will require an equivalent focus on minimising the ecological impact of tourism by promoting sustainable tourism marketing, such as, Community-Based Tourism (CBT) and, Sustainable Tourism Routes. TAT has signed an MOU with the concerned stakeholders in major tourist destinations in Thailand to create sustainable tourism awareness. Moreover, to appeal to the growing market of environmentally-conscious travellers, TAT will implement introduce a Corporate Social Responsibility Project by launching the “Go Green, Go Thailand” campaign.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has embraced a five-point “balanced strategy” to ensure long-term, sustainable tourism marketing for the future of Thai tourism in 2011 and beyond.
According to TAT Governor Mr Suraphon Svetsreni, “These principles of balance take into consideration the fact that tourism does not operate in a vacuum but is interlinked with three key external factors – the economy, environment and society – which have to be taken into account.”
The “balanced strategy” covers the following five elements:
BALANCE 1 – Monetary Value and Emotional Value
The recent TAT campaign “Amazing Thailand, Amazing Value” emphasises Thailand’s high value-for-money factor. TAT will balance this value element by strengthening Thailand’s brand image associated with the emotional value under the concept of “Win Their Hearts, Win Their Mind” by changing the tagline to “Amazing Thailand Always Amazes You”. This will reinforce the positive emotions on the charm of “Thai-ness” with the hospitality and friendliness of the Thai people, including Thailand’s unique art and culture.
BALANCE 2 – Domestic Tourism and International Tourism
TAT will strive to encourage domestic tourism as a part of life for Thais. This will help reduce the Thai tourism sector’s dependence on international markets that can be easily affected by either internal or external factors; such as, a global economic downturn or natural disaster.
At the same time, TAT will place equal emphasis on maintaining the country’s share of the global leisure market by targeting repeat visitors which now account for 62 per cent of the total and pursuing first-time visitors in new markets; such as, East Europe. CIS and North Africa. More repeat visitors will be sought from long-standing traditional markets such as Europe, Customer Relations Management (CRM) schemes will be implemented through the Amazing Thailand Card and Thailand Fan Club Projects. TAT will also increase focus on Experiential Markets where visitors can enjoy activities like golfing, diving, rock climbing; and Lifestyle Markets including health and wellness, weddings, and luxury and high-end markets.
BALANCE 3 – Short-Term Market Recovery and Long-Term Market Expansion
Short-term market recovery initiatives are response plans that TAT has to quickly put into place to alleviate the impact of events that disrupt the flow of visitor arrivals to Thailand.
The TAT has ensured effective crisis response by setting up the Tourism Intelligence Unit and Crisis Communication Centre (TIC) to pool the cooperation of the public and private sectors in responding to the situation and executing rapid recovery plans. Tourists can get real-time updated information both through the normal media channels as well as online via www.tourismthailand.org and www.tatnews.org.
Depending on the circumstances, TAT may opt to use a ‘Quick Win’ strategy with targeted special offers for short-term market recovery; such as, Super Deals to quickly bring back the less sensitive tourists first. However, this strategy cannot be prolonged as it will destroy the price structure. For long-term market expansion, adding the emotional value to our quality tourism products will help sustain growth.
BALANCE 4 – Peak Season and Low Season
TAT aims to balance the low or rainy season by promoting “Green Tourism Products” to position Thailand as a year-round destination. Thailand offers tremendous ecological diversity and a wide variety of landscapes. Combined with the simple and natural lifestyle of Thais living in these areas, there is tremendous potential for green tourism in the Kingdom.
BALANCE 5 – Gaining Economic Revenue and Preserving Ecological Assets
If the first 50 years of tourism development focused largely on maximising the economic returns, the next 50 years will require an equivalent focus on minimising the ecological impact of tourism by promoting sustainable tourism marketing, such as, Community-Based Tourism (CBT) and, Sustainable Tourism Routes. TAT has signed an MOU with the concerned stakeholders in major tourist destinations in Thailand to create sustainable tourism awareness. Moreover, to appeal to the growing market of environmentally-conscious travellers, TAT will implement introduce a Corporate Social Responsibility Project by launching the “Go Green, Go Thailand” campaign.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Rising consumer expectations set policy [Bangkok Post, Thailand]
(Bangkok Post (Thailand) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Oct. 07--More than 90% of Thai companies plan to increase spending on customer service next year amid intensified competition and rising consumer expectations across Asia, a regional survey released yesterday shows.
Thai companies' awareness of these greater expectations and measures taken to address them are higher than the regional average of 83% from 10 markets surveyed, says the Economist Intelligence Unit, which compiled the report.
"Thai firms are aware of rising expectations and have done their best to keep pace with greater customer demand. Still, there is room for improvement, as demand has risen so much," said Sudhir Vadaketh, senior editor at the EIU.
Most Thai companies said they placed greater priority on overall customer service than they did five years ago, with a focus on customer analytical systems and loyalty programmes, he said.
Commissioned by the global logistics leader DHL, the survey found that demand for service is rising across the board in Asia. Consumer spending on the continent is expected to surge from US$4.3 trillion annually in 2008 to $32 trillion by 2030, amounting to 43% of global consumer spending.
For Thailand, customer service is the most important factor for consumers in the sectors of financial services, travel and transport, and hospitality, said Mr Vadaketh.
The research, conducted between June and September, involved 764 consumers in 10 Asian countries, with at least 70 consumers in each country, along with 313 senior executives of companies from sectors such as manufacturing, telecommunications, services and retail.
Mr Vadaketh said customer satisfaction was low across Asia even in high-profile industries such as consumer electronics. Rising expectations are driven mainly by consumers' greater access to information, market competition and increasing online activities.
"Price is no longer the only factor in purchasing decisions. Many consumers are willing to pay for better services, but some Asian companies don't seem to understand customer needs," he said.
"The gap between what companies are providing and what consumers want is an opportunity. As competition in the region intensifies, those companies who put more emphasis on customer services should gain an edge." Chananyarak Phetcharat, the managing director of DHL Express Thailand and Indochina, said the subsidiary planned to excel at customer service and use this study as a guide to a better understanding of expectations and managing client needs.
Operating in 220 markets around the world, DHL handled 3.5 million shipments in Thailand last year for more than 20,000 customers.
This year, DHL has opened three new service points including one in Hat Yai for greater reach to tourists and the hospitality industry in the South, said Ms Chananyarak.
She said despite the impact of strong baht appreciation on Thai exports, import shipments have risen. The growth prospect is positive for DHL's allies, given the economic growth being seen in Asia.
To see more of the Bangkok Post, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.bangkokpost.com/.
Copyright (c) 2010, Bangkok Post, Thailand Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com, e-mail services@mctinfoservices.com, or call 866-280-5210 (outside the United States, call +1 312-222-454
Thai companies' awareness of these greater expectations and measures taken to address them are higher than the regional average of 83% from 10 markets surveyed, says the Economist Intelligence Unit, which compiled the report.
"Thai firms are aware of rising expectations and have done their best to keep pace with greater customer demand. Still, there is room for improvement, as demand has risen so much," said Sudhir Vadaketh, senior editor at the EIU.
Most Thai companies said they placed greater priority on overall customer service than they did five years ago, with a focus on customer analytical systems and loyalty programmes, he said.
Commissioned by the global logistics leader DHL, the survey found that demand for service is rising across the board in Asia. Consumer spending on the continent is expected to surge from US$4.3 trillion annually in 2008 to $32 trillion by 2030, amounting to 43% of global consumer spending.
For Thailand, customer service is the most important factor for consumers in the sectors of financial services, travel and transport, and hospitality, said Mr Vadaketh.
The research, conducted between June and September, involved 764 consumers in 10 Asian countries, with at least 70 consumers in each country, along with 313 senior executives of companies from sectors such as manufacturing, telecommunications, services and retail.
Mr Vadaketh said customer satisfaction was low across Asia even in high-profile industries such as consumer electronics. Rising expectations are driven mainly by consumers' greater access to information, market competition and increasing online activities.
"Price is no longer the only factor in purchasing decisions. Many consumers are willing to pay for better services, but some Asian companies don't seem to understand customer needs," he said.
"The gap between what companies are providing and what consumers want is an opportunity. As competition in the region intensifies, those companies who put more emphasis on customer services should gain an edge." Chananyarak Phetcharat, the managing director of DHL Express Thailand and Indochina, said the subsidiary planned to excel at customer service and use this study as a guide to a better understanding of expectations and managing client needs.
Operating in 220 markets around the world, DHL handled 3.5 million shipments in Thailand last year for more than 20,000 customers.
This year, DHL has opened three new service points including one in Hat Yai for greater reach to tourists and the hospitality industry in the South, said Ms Chananyarak.
She said despite the impact of strong baht appreciation on Thai exports, import shipments have risen. The growth prospect is positive for DHL's allies, given the economic growth being seen in Asia.
To see more of the Bangkok Post, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.bangkokpost.com/.
Copyright (c) 2010, Bangkok Post, Thailand Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com, e-mail services@mctinfoservices.com, or call 866-280-5210 (outside the United States, call +1 312-222-454
Bangkok Post : Thailand faces challenge from rivals
Bangkok Post : Thailand faces challenge from rivals
Political instability and sharp gains in the baht are having a profound effect on the medical tourism industry, turning regional competitors into a major challenge, say international experts.
They said the sector must develop a focused strategy and especially public-private partnerships, an area in which Thailand still lags neighbouring countries, especially Singapore.
Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and India have emerged as the four major medical tourism players in Asia. Even though Thailand has the highest number of foreign patient arrivals, Singapore has a very fast growth rate, said Paul Tiffany, a business consultant.
He said despite Thailand's competitive advantages over its rivals, political uncertainty is prompting foreign patients to have second thoughts about coming here for treatment.
Research also suggests this to be a market that is highly influenced by perceptions of political unrest. Once problems develop, demand declines very rapidly and takes a long time to recover.
"For example, medical tourism [in the US] collapsed after 9/11 and took a minimum of five years to recover to where it had been in 2000," said Dr Tiffany.
The strengthening baht has made Thailand's medical tourism industry less competitive in terms of costs, especially compared with India.
"With the baht now trading above 30 to the dollar, the cost of medical treatment in Thailand has risen substantially over the past couple of years," said Dr Tiffany, a visiting professor at Chulalongkorn University's Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration.
"As rival nations ratchet up programmes to participate in the expanding medical tourism market, Thailand cannot simply rely on current advantages, but rather you need to create a united national effort that leverages the strengths."
The Tourism Authority of Thailand and other agencies are being urged to play a more active role in promoting medical tourism, such as by advertising and easing regulatory constraints.
The Singapore Tourism Board is very proactive in helping private operators, helping to create a perception of high-quality standards and ease of access to services, said Dr Tiffany.
Private operators must find and develop their niches. Malaysia is a good example in that the sector's focused strategy on Muslim patients has attracted a high number of patients from Indonesia.
"You need to define your niche in the market you serve well, in terms of both quality and costs," said Dr Tiffany. "For example, this country is famous for elective surgery treatments."
He said public hospitals would be pressured to upgrade their services once the sector is liberalised under the Asean Economic Community in 2015, which will allow foreign investors to acquire up to 70% ownership of private hospitals.
Political instability and sharp gains in the baht are having a profound effect on the medical tourism industry, turning regional competitors into a major challenge, say international experts.
They said the sector must develop a focused strategy and especially public-private partnerships, an area in which Thailand still lags neighbouring countries, especially Singapore.
Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and India have emerged as the four major medical tourism players in Asia. Even though Thailand has the highest number of foreign patient arrivals, Singapore has a very fast growth rate, said Paul Tiffany, a business consultant.
He said despite Thailand's competitive advantages over its rivals, political uncertainty is prompting foreign patients to have second thoughts about coming here for treatment.
Research also suggests this to be a market that is highly influenced by perceptions of political unrest. Once problems develop, demand declines very rapidly and takes a long time to recover.
"For example, medical tourism [in the US] collapsed after 9/11 and took a minimum of five years to recover to where it had been in 2000," said Dr Tiffany.
The strengthening baht has made Thailand's medical tourism industry less competitive in terms of costs, especially compared with India.
"With the baht now trading above 30 to the dollar, the cost of medical treatment in Thailand has risen substantially over the past couple of years," said Dr Tiffany, a visiting professor at Chulalongkorn University's Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration.
"As rival nations ratchet up programmes to participate in the expanding medical tourism market, Thailand cannot simply rely on current advantages, but rather you need to create a united national effort that leverages the strengths."
The Tourism Authority of Thailand and other agencies are being urged to play a more active role in promoting medical tourism, such as by advertising and easing regulatory constraints.
The Singapore Tourism Board is very proactive in helping private operators, helping to create a perception of high-quality standards and ease of access to services, said Dr Tiffany.
Private operators must find and develop their niches. Malaysia is a good example in that the sector's focused strategy on Muslim patients has attracted a high number of patients from Indonesia.
"You need to define your niche in the market you serve well, in terms of both quality and costs," said Dr Tiffany. "For example, this country is famous for elective surgery treatments."
He said public hospitals would be pressured to upgrade their services once the sector is liberalised under the Asean Economic Community in 2015, which will allow foreign investors to acquire up to 70% ownership of private hospitals.
Press Release: Chartis Rolls out Aggressive Travel Insurance Market Strategy Introducing New Brand Ambassador and Travel Guard Campaign Aiming to Win the Mind of Thai Travelers
Press Release: Chartis Rolls out Aggressive Travel Insurance Market Strategy Introducing New Brand Ambassador and Travel Guard Campaign Aiming to Win the Mind of Thai Travelers
Chartis Thailand, an affiliate of Chartis Inc, a global leading insurance company, launches their latest campaign, alongside the brand ambassador “Nawat Issarakraisri” the travel guru, to stress its leading position in the travel insurance industry. The brand “Travel Guard” is being campaigned aggressively to become the number one brand in the mind of travelers.
Mr. Isorasak Thesratanavong, Vice President, New Hampshire Insurance says, “Chartis is preparing to carry out a plan to extend the size of travel insurance market by focusing on providing knowledge for the public to be aware of benefits from travel insurance. The true experience from our new brand ambassador will be told to the public to realize the benefits. Our studies showed that 85% of Thai travelers who went abroad last year did not have travel insurance, while only 15% purchased travel insurance and had got protection. In this number, 50% of purchase travelers bought travel insurance because it was a prerequisite for visa approval, and travelers didn’t realize the advantages of being insured. However, some studies showed results that almost 100% of the respondents admitted that they did not know before that travel insurance would have so many benefits when they were informed of the coverage conditions.
However, Mr. Isorasak shares his view, “the company doesn’t think that it is competing with other counterparts of the business, but with itself. Today, Chartis is already a leader of travel insurance in the global, regional and domestic markets. There are only market limitations that lie among the consumers in terms of understanding and behavior. In retrospect, as we are one of the companies that operates travel business, we have often heard anecdotes about travelers who encounter problems in a foreign country while having no insurance coverage, which leads to other difficulties. Therefore, the company’s strategy at this time is to answer all clients’ and companies’ needs.”
For domestic traveling, there are only some groups of people who have coverage from their life insurance or individual accident insurance, but travel insurance has specific benefits of coverage and is suitable for people who travel. Those who have no insurance at all can purchase the travel insurance to get coverage during their travels, which also covers accidents no matter where they are; shopping or falling down in a restaurant. This kind of insurance costs only a few tens of baht per week.
Mr. Isorasak adds that, “The Travel Guard brand is a global insurance service that confers beneficial coverage for travelers, especially those who are traveling aboard and for unexpected incidents that cause problems each time of the traveling. In some cases, these cases become big issues; including the whole treatment bills and high costs of moving the patients back to Thailand. And in many cases, these expenses can total up to several million baht. In addition, the travel insurance will also take care of the coverage on delays of the travel and delays of luggage.
For the speedy brand building of Travel Guard by Chartis to capture public’s instant recognition, the company has chosen Khun Nawat Issarakraisri, TV host and renowned travel expert, to be brand ambassador. For his extensive experience as a leading travel guru of the country, coupled with his personal experiences about the benefits of travel insurance, Khun Nawat is in the most suitable position to recommend the travel insurance to travelers, especially Travel Guard itself has always been the brand in his mind over the whole time. This can help build confidence on Travel Guard as well.
A big campaign is also launched for the upcoming high season. Interested participants can send an SMS to the sweepstakes award in a special "Travel Guard Travel Gang with Guru" program, which will take lucky winners on a special guided tour trip to Taipei by Khun Nawat. The trip includes visits to many beautiful attractions, delicious cuisine and guided information about the trip by the guru. The lucky participants will be divided into two groups; interested public who are not yet customers of Travel Guard insurance, and Travel Guard Insurance customers who purchase the coverage during the months of October through December. All names of insurance buyers will be drawn automatically. Also, for the customer group, a double-bill bonus of a free international phone card worth up to one hour call time will be distributed to all.
The company is preparing to roll out advertising through all means of media with an allocated budget of several 10 million baht. The online viral channel will also be carried out for interested prospects to have better access to the information through www.travelguard.in.th and www.dreamdestination.in.th, which are collaborative websites for the company’s tourism promotion activities that have organized many travel photo contests.
Khun Charnpol Ratanaporn, Travel Insurance Manager, Chartis Thailand, says, “The Company is expecting to make growth in the travel insurance business of at least a double digit within the next three years. This depends on whether the consumers’ perception and behavior will change through time because these are the elements that result in success of the market rather than competing for the market share among companies.” Mr. Isorasak also adds more information, “For the market of travel insurance to foreign countries, we are very confident that we have greater potential than our competitors. This is because Chartis has global operation network of in 160 countries worldwide and we have emergency service centers of Travel Guard all over America, Europe and Asia. More importantly, the Travel Guard centers are equipped with medical professionals; doctors, nurses, interpreters and specialists, who can assist our Thai clients especially on issues regarding travel insurance. We carry out international assistance for Thai travelers up to transferring patients back to Thailand in both normal and emergency cases. The centers are owned by the company so we do not share the facilities with other companies and can focus more on our mission and development of the system to connect with all major travel information. This enables more promptness in information searching services than our counterparts.”
"We are confident that the market strategy of Chartis and Travel Guard is truly beneficial for all sectors, from public, traveling business, travel insurance to Chartis itself. We believe that it will be successful. As Chartis is the leader with comprehensive potential, as well as the first travel insurance company to aggressively compete in the market to gain widespread awareness from the general public. We have conducted research and many preparations to fulfill our goal to provide information to our prospects effectively. This is to lead us in our initiative to be a part of support for the sustainability of the Thai travel industry, like the slogan of Travel Guard that goes ‘TRAVEL MORE. WORRY LESS’”
Media inquiry and further information please contact:
Khun Leenata Cheawvej, New Hampshire Insurances Tel. (02) 649-1594
Chartis Thailand, an affiliate of Chartis Inc, a global leading insurance company, launches their latest campaign, alongside the brand ambassador “Nawat Issarakraisri” the travel guru, to stress its leading position in the travel insurance industry. The brand “Travel Guard” is being campaigned aggressively to become the number one brand in the mind of travelers.
Mr. Isorasak Thesratanavong, Vice President, New Hampshire Insurance says, “Chartis is preparing to carry out a plan to extend the size of travel insurance market by focusing on providing knowledge for the public to be aware of benefits from travel insurance. The true experience from our new brand ambassador will be told to the public to realize the benefits. Our studies showed that 85% of Thai travelers who went abroad last year did not have travel insurance, while only 15% purchased travel insurance and had got protection. In this number, 50% of purchase travelers bought travel insurance because it was a prerequisite for visa approval, and travelers didn’t realize the advantages of being insured. However, some studies showed results that almost 100% of the respondents admitted that they did not know before that travel insurance would have so many benefits when they were informed of the coverage conditions.
However, Mr. Isorasak shares his view, “the company doesn’t think that it is competing with other counterparts of the business, but with itself. Today, Chartis is already a leader of travel insurance in the global, regional and domestic markets. There are only market limitations that lie among the consumers in terms of understanding and behavior. In retrospect, as we are one of the companies that operates travel business, we have often heard anecdotes about travelers who encounter problems in a foreign country while having no insurance coverage, which leads to other difficulties. Therefore, the company’s strategy at this time is to answer all clients’ and companies’ needs.”
For domestic traveling, there are only some groups of people who have coverage from their life insurance or individual accident insurance, but travel insurance has specific benefits of coverage and is suitable for people who travel. Those who have no insurance at all can purchase the travel insurance to get coverage during their travels, which also covers accidents no matter where they are; shopping or falling down in a restaurant. This kind of insurance costs only a few tens of baht per week.
Mr. Isorasak adds that, “The Travel Guard brand is a global insurance service that confers beneficial coverage for travelers, especially those who are traveling aboard and for unexpected incidents that cause problems each time of the traveling. In some cases, these cases become big issues; including the whole treatment bills and high costs of moving the patients back to Thailand. And in many cases, these expenses can total up to several million baht. In addition, the travel insurance will also take care of the coverage on delays of the travel and delays of luggage.
For the speedy brand building of Travel Guard by Chartis to capture public’s instant recognition, the company has chosen Khun Nawat Issarakraisri, TV host and renowned travel expert, to be brand ambassador. For his extensive experience as a leading travel guru of the country, coupled with his personal experiences about the benefits of travel insurance, Khun Nawat is in the most suitable position to recommend the travel insurance to travelers, especially Travel Guard itself has always been the brand in his mind over the whole time. This can help build confidence on Travel Guard as well.
A big campaign is also launched for the upcoming high season. Interested participants can send an SMS to the sweepstakes award in a special "Travel Guard Travel Gang with Guru" program, which will take lucky winners on a special guided tour trip to Taipei by Khun Nawat. The trip includes visits to many beautiful attractions, delicious cuisine and guided information about the trip by the guru. The lucky participants will be divided into two groups; interested public who are not yet customers of Travel Guard insurance, and Travel Guard Insurance customers who purchase the coverage during the months of October through December. All names of insurance buyers will be drawn automatically. Also, for the customer group, a double-bill bonus of a free international phone card worth up to one hour call time will be distributed to all.
The company is preparing to roll out advertising through all means of media with an allocated budget of several 10 million baht. The online viral channel will also be carried out for interested prospects to have better access to the information through www.travelguard.in.th and www.dreamdestination.in.th, which are collaborative websites for the company’s tourism promotion activities that have organized many travel photo contests.
Khun Charnpol Ratanaporn, Travel Insurance Manager, Chartis Thailand, says, “The Company is expecting to make growth in the travel insurance business of at least a double digit within the next three years. This depends on whether the consumers’ perception and behavior will change through time because these are the elements that result in success of the market rather than competing for the market share among companies.” Mr. Isorasak also adds more information, “For the market of travel insurance to foreign countries, we are very confident that we have greater potential than our competitors. This is because Chartis has global operation network of in 160 countries worldwide and we have emergency service centers of Travel Guard all over America, Europe and Asia. More importantly, the Travel Guard centers are equipped with medical professionals; doctors, nurses, interpreters and specialists, who can assist our Thai clients especially on issues regarding travel insurance. We carry out international assistance for Thai travelers up to transferring patients back to Thailand in both normal and emergency cases. The centers are owned by the company so we do not share the facilities with other companies and can focus more on our mission and development of the system to connect with all major travel information. This enables more promptness in information searching services than our counterparts.”
"We are confident that the market strategy of Chartis and Travel Guard is truly beneficial for all sectors, from public, traveling business, travel insurance to Chartis itself. We believe that it will be successful. As Chartis is the leader with comprehensive potential, as well as the first travel insurance company to aggressively compete in the market to gain widespread awareness from the general public. We have conducted research and many preparations to fulfill our goal to provide information to our prospects effectively. This is to lead us in our initiative to be a part of support for the sustainability of the Thai travel industry, like the slogan of Travel Guard that goes ‘TRAVEL MORE. WORRY LESS’”
Media inquiry and further information please contact:
Khun Leenata Cheawvej, New Hampshire Insurances Tel. (02) 649-1594
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