Swing Out Thailand Magazine : Online Edition.

Tagged: tourists RSS

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  Tom 9:28 pm on December 1, 2009 Permalink
  Tags: Bangkok (79), budget (8), Buri Ram (3), Chiang Mai (28), City of Angels, credit, credits (2), elephant (5), elephants (5), food (15), government (32), heritage (8), historic, money (6), panda (5), street, Surin (3), Thai (94), Thai people (2), Thailand (172), Thais (11), tourists, urbanites   

  ‘Happy Faces’ for jumbos: Move elephants from Bangkok’s mean streets to natural habitats 

  

  Thailand elephants: photo: Bohdan Szcześniak

  Scenes of hungry, unemployed elephants wandering the crowded streets of Bangkok begging for food and money from tourists and urbanites may soon be a memory after the Thai capital’s municipal government—the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, (the BMA or City Hall)—recently kicked off strict new measures to ban the elephants from the streets and enlist help from the Provincial Administrative Organisation in the northeastern province of Surin, home to large numbers of both pachyderms and their handlers, the mahouts, in an attempt to find a lasting and sustainable solution to the problem.

  Following City Hall’s Elephant Smile Project, the Returning Elephant to its Homeland project was launched to help shelter wandering elephants in the capital. Over 7,000 rai of land (some 2,800 acres) at the Elephant Studies Centre in Surin’s Tha Tum district, is now home to wandering elephants after the centre received a government budget of 22 million baht (US$660,000). (More …)

   

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  Tom 9:00 pm on December 1, 2009 Permalink
  Tags: Asia (23), benefit (7), benefits (4), Best In Travel 2010 (2), Condé Nast Traveler (2), country (20), economic (17), economy (15), European (4), European tourist, European tourists (3), holiday (8), holidays (4), Hong Kong (6), hotel (18), hotels (15), international (10), Lonely Planet (2), Malaysia (11), nation (18), Organization (3), political (4), rank (4), ranked, ranking (4), rankings (2), Singapore (10), surveys, Thailand (172), Thais (11), tourist (54), tourists, Vietnam (8), world’s best value destination   

  Expat Survey and Thailand on International Ranking Track 

  

  Thailand ko phi phi: Flickr.com

  Thailand thus far has been included in many surveys and rankings conducted by various international organizations. Some of the released results can indeed bring fame to the nation in different areas despite the ongoing political instability and persisting street protests. However, some rankings have tarnished the national image and have warned the responsible authorities to fix the problem to put the country back on track.

  In the beginning of June, the Political and Economic Risk Consultancy Co. Ltd (PERC) ranked Thailand third place in regards to efficiency of the public sector system in Asia, after Singapore and Hong Kong. Then, at the beginning of November, Thailand was ranked second for the world’s best value destination by the Lonely Planet in its ‘Best In Travel 2010’ guide as one of the cheapest long haul holidays for European tourists. At the end of November, Thailand won top honors in the November issue of Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2009 in several categories including the Top 100 list of hotels. (More …)

   
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  Tom 8:43 pm on December 1, 2009 Permalink
  Tags: Andaman coast (3), attraction (4), beach (5), dinosaurs, Gulf (3), Gulf of Thailand (3), Island (13), islands (5), leatherback turtle (2), natural (8), natural tourist attraction, Philippine, Royal Thai Navy (6), Sattahip, Sattahip bay, Sattahip Beach, sea (11), sea turtles, Thai (94), Thai turtles, Thailand (172), tour (27), tourism (46), tourist (54), tourist attraction (5), tourists, turtles (2)   

  Protected Thai turtles in Sattahip 

  

  Sattahip bay: Flickr.com

  Despite being hunted as food and medicine in some countries, turtles, the ancient symbols of longevity which outlived the dinosaurs, survive well in Sattahip under the care of the Royal Thai Navy.

  The Royal Thai Navy has a role in the protection of turtles in response to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s concern on the preservation of Thai turtles. A center has been established with an aim to nurture the sea turtles and return as much as possible to the sea.

  The Sea Turtle Conservation Center was set up on the coast of Sattahip bay in 1992 with the help of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to promote the place as a natural tourist attraction. The area is under the responsibility of the Air and Coastal Defense Command of the Royal Thai Navy. (More …)

   
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  Tom 8:01 pm on December 1, 2009 Permalink
  Tags: tourists, TAT (10), tourism (46), tourist (54), Airport (17), Phuket (26), region (8), Leonardo DiCaprio (2), France (6), Phuket Airport (3), Belgium (2), Miss Belgium, Benelux, Cape Panwa hotel, Belgium tourists   

  Interview re Miss Belgium contestants visit Phuket 

  

  Darlene Devos, Photo: missbelgie.be

  We turn now to our interview with Darlene Devos, National Director of the Miss Belgium beauty contestants visiting Phuket and Pataraporn Sithivanich, Director, in France-Benelux region for Tourism Authority of Thailand or TAT. (More …)

   
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  Tom 5:41 pm on November 30, 2009 Permalink
  Tags: accommodation (7), accommodation rates, backpacker, backpackers, Chiang Mai (28), fashion icon, investor (9), investors (8), luxury room, Mae Hong Son (2), Pai (2), Thailand (172), tour (27), tourism (46), tourist (54), tourists, Traveller (5), travellers (5)   

  Pai: The changing face of a northern charmer 

  

  Pai, Thailand: Flickr.com

  PaiPai, a small district in Thailand’s northernmost province of Mae Hong Son, has become a favourite destination for travellers in the last several years and, like it or not, the once idyllic town has changed almost upside down.

  The past two years have seen more than half a million tourists flock to the mountainous district following word of mouth recommendations, whether backpackers or more well-off travellers, who described it as a “must-visit” spot to get close to nature –the mountains, a lazy river, cool breeze, fresh air and stunning views.

  Vorathep Gantadee, chairman of the Pai Tourism Association, said the small town had less than 30 guesthouses and hotels some eight years ago but the number has currently increased to over 200 outlets, owned by locals and outside investors alike. (More …)

   
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  Tom 5:29 pm on November 30, 2009 Permalink
  Tags: Thailand (172), tourists, tourism (46), tour (27), tourist (54), Bangkok (79), Airport (17), Suvarnabhumi Airport (8), Suvarnabhumi (8), Business (23), Phuket (26), resort island (3), Andaman (11), Phuket International Airport (2), resort (7), economic (17), Travel (46), Hong Kong (6), Andaman coastal resort island (2), Island (13), Andaman coastal (3), Hat Yai (4), Phuket Airport (3), Airline (9), Malaysia (11), Singapore (10), flying (3), flights (6), Thai Airways (8), Coastal (3), tourist destination (2), low-cost airline (2), Suvarnabhumi Bangkok, airline business, Thai AirAsia, AirAsia, flights operate, Langkawi, one-day trip, Medan, Air Travellers, Air Traveller   

  Airline business booms in Phuket 

  

  Photo: skyscrapercity.com

  Following the plan by public and private agencies to enlarge Phuket International Airport, Thailand’s second largest airport after Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi, for passenger comfort and improved facilities, the airline business is showing every sign of going well, especially when a number of air carriers are moving forward with their proactive marketing strategies for the upcoming tourism season of the Andaman coastline.

  Thai AirAsia, the Thai subsidiary of Malaysia-based low-cost carrier AirAsia, has designated Phuket as its second hub linking the new routes flying from and to the province, while it has launched additional charter flights servicing Phuket-Hong Kong, Phuket-Singapore, and Phuket-Indonesia’s Medan routes. (More …)

   
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  Tom 9:14 pm on November 29, 2009 Permalink
  Tags: Chiang Mai (28), Chiang Mai Zoo (5), Lin Ping (4), Linping, panda (5), panda cub (2), Thai (94), Thailand (172), tour (27), tourist (54), tourist attractions (4), tourists, Zoo (5)   

  Panda cub on show in the open at Chiang Mai Zoo 

  

  Panda at ChiangMai zoo

  Tourists, Chiang Mai residents and family members of the Chamber of Commerce meeting attendees enjoyed the Panda cub display in the open at Chiang Mai Zoo today.

  The zoo staff took Lingping, the panda cub out for the second day and let her play at the showing area to celebrate her six months of age. The three-day show during November 27-29 has attracted over 500 eager visitors to the zoo. (More …)

   
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  Tom 8:32 pm on November 29, 2009 Permalink
  Tags: antique (2), Antique warship, attraction (4), battle, battle ship, HTMS Lanta, Korean (4), Korean Wars, museum (4), Navy (4), Royal Thai Navy (6), ship (3), Thais (11), tour (27), tourist (54), tourist attraction (5), tourists, Transport (5), United States (10), United States Navy, USS Stone County, vehicle (2), Vietnam (8), Vietnam Wars, voyages, Wars, warship, world (24)   

  Antique warship to be turned into museum 

  

  Royal Thai Navy Landing ship tank HMTS Lanta berthed on the Chao Praya River It was launched in 1945 as the USS Stone County (LST-1141): Flickr.com

  The HTMS Lanta, a famous battle ships belonging to the Royal Thai Navy, is soon to tell its proud history to visitors by becoming a learning center.

  Formerly known as the USS Stone County, the Lanta was built by the Chicago Bridge and Iron Company and was commissioned on 9 May 1945. The ship served the United States Navy until the year 1969 when it was sold to the Royal Thai Navy in 1973. It became the fourth ship in the Royal fleet.

  The ship participated in many missions including voyages to the second World War. It has received battle awards for service in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. (More …)

   
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  Tom 8:10 pm on November 29, 2009 Permalink
  Tags: accommodation (7), accommodations, book (4), booked, booking, dining (2), entertainment (5), festival (27), Hari Raya, Hari Raya Fair, Hari Raya Festival, Hat Yai (4), Hat Yai city (2), Malaysia (11), Muslim (3), Muslims (2), shopping (6), tourist (54), tourists   

  Accommodations in Hat Yai fully booked for Hari Raya 

  

  Hat Yai Thailand: Flickr.com

  Tourists from Malaysia have booked over 12,000 rooms for the Hari Raya in Hat Yai.

  Service providers in Hat Yai are ready to welcome tourists for the Hari Raya Fair this weekend, according to President of the Hat Yai Hotel Association, Mr Somchart Pimthanapoonporn. The accommodation was fully booked, with at least 60 million THB to be circulated during the festival. The Hari Raya Festival is being held from 27 to 29 November to celebrate the end of the fasting and abstinence by Muslims. (More …)

   
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  Tom 7:40 pm on November 29, 2009 Permalink
  Tags: tourists, tourist (54), Khao Yai (3), Travel (46), holiday (8), traveling (6), national parks (2), national park (3), holidays (4), high season (2), Doi Suthep (2), Doi Inthanon, Doi Suthep Pui National Park, Khao Yai National Park   

  National Parks will reduce entrance fees by 30-40% for travel on Mondays-Thursdays 

  

  Waterfall on the way to Doi Inthanon: picasaweb.google.com

  The Department of National Parks, will reduce 30%-40% of their service fees during Mondays to Thursdays in order to solve the problem of overcrowded national parks during weekends in the high season. (More …)