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The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) recently laid the foundations for its new weekend market in Bang Bon, on the west side of Bangkok.
According to MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra, Bangkok's governor, the agency aimed to promote the market as an alternative venue to Chatuchak Weekend Market.
Located on Phetkasem Soi 69, the market will cover an area of 122 rai which also includes a 70 rai public park.
The concept of the market will be a "green clean park", he said. The BMA will spend about 95 million baht developing the first phase of the project, which will allocate 22 rai of land to house up to 1,200 stalls selling various local products including Otop items of each district in Bangkok, home decoration, a shop selling produce from royal projects, a food court and a zone selling flowers as well as decorative and aquatic plants.
The BMA expects to finish the development of the first phase by the third quarter of next year and will officially open the market in December 2013. The second phase is expected to begin the following year.
Promoting Macau's budget hotels
The Macau Hoteliers and Innkeepers Association has launched Macau-Budgethotels.org to help promote local budget hotels.
Supported by Macau Government Tourist Office, the website is a non-profit site with room booking service. Currently, eight budget hotels out of 46 have joined the project. They offer over 500 rooms out of a total at 1,500 budget rooms in Macau.
The website is available in traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese and English. It will soon launch an online payment service.
Online boost for 'Amazing Thailand' The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched an "Amazing Thailand" account on LINE, Japan's popular chat platform for smartphones and PCs, to offer real-time information about the country.
According to TAT governor, Suraphon Svetasreni, the effort is part of a strategy to increase the use of social media. The Amazing Thailand account will also provide tourism activities, promotions and a set of 16 Amazing Thailand stickers of cute cartoon characters of Sukjai and friends to add to the fun while chatting.
Visit www.tourismthailand.org and www.facebook.com/AmazingThailand for more details.
Airlines update
- Japan Airlines will serve a KFC menu on board selected international flights from December to February.
The aim is to offer a festive cheer menu because KFC is widely popular in Japan, especially during the Christmas season. JAL will serve KFC's Original Recipe two-piece chicken meal together with a cup of coleslaw and lettuce for people travelling in Premium Economy and Economy Class from Narita to New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego, London, Paris and Frankfurt.
- AirAsia Indonesia has increased the frequency of flights between Medan and Bangkok from four to seven a week.
The additional service is a response to the steady growth. Medan is the gateway to North Sumatra where visitors can visit the cool highlands of Lake Toba and the wild Sumatran jungle which has yet to be tamed.
In addition, AirAsia recently joined hands with the Silent Teddies Bakery at the Community Service Centre for the Deaf (CSCD) in Malaysia to provide free cookies on selected flights.
The collaboration is part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative. The airline plans to order 10,000 cookies a month. Passengers can also buy the cookies on board. The proceeds will go to CSCD programmes and its school for deaf children.
Hotels update
- Regent Phuket Cape Panwa opened last week. Located about 45 minutes from Phuket airport, the resort features 105 rooms including 48 suites, 35 pool villas and 22 pavilions. It also offers two restaurants, a lounge, a bar, a spa, a children's club, an infinity pool, a yoga pavilion, tennis courts and two board rooms.
- Accor has renamed all seasons Chiang Mai as ibis Styles Chiang Mai.
According to Accor senior vice-president Patrick Basset, the property is the first ibis Styles hotel in Thailand that comes with unique decoration. Under the process of rebranding, the hotel will also increase the number of rooms from 70 to 100 and will add a restaurant, a swimming pool and a meeting room by next May. ibis Styles Chiang Mai is located about a 20-minute drive from Chiang Mai International Airport and Chiang Mai railway station.
If you have any comments or news to share, send them to karnjanak@bangkokpost.co.th.
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About the author
Writer: Karnjana KarnjanatawePosition: Reporter
Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2012/12/06/green-alternative-to-chatuchak/
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