TRAVELTITBITS
Trang has opened a new trail to promote eco-tourism in the province. It is located in Palian district to the south of the town centre.
According to provincial chief Kit Leekpai, the route features whitewater rafting, elephant rides and a tribal community in the Banthat mountains, the Sakai, which is accessible via Khwan Mai Dam village in Palian district.
About 16 brand new kayaks manned by local officers are at the disposal of tourists, to take them on hour-long jaunts on a local stream, also named Pailin, over a 5km stretch which is also good for rafting. Visitors can also ride elephants to visit tribal people.
"Trang has been known for its beautiful beach and diving. We also want people to know that our nature on land is also spectacular," he noted.
To promote tourism in the province, the Provincial Administrative Office has joined hands with the local chamber of commerce and the Tourism Authority of Thailand to host the 17th Trang Underwater Wedding Ceremony 2013 from Feb 13-15. About 32 couples including two from Malaysia have confirmed to join the event. However, only four couples who are accomplished divers will sign their marriage registration and kiss their partners underwater. The wedding ceremony will take place around Koh Kradan, about an hour's boat ride from Trang's coast.
Trang has organised the underwater wedding during Valentine's Day every year since 1996. In 2000, the event was listed by the Guinness Book Of World Records as the "Largest Underwater Wedding Ceremony".
For those keen to join the underwater wedding ceremony, the last day for submitting their application is today. The fee is 35,000 baht per couple and includes accommodation, food, wedding dress, diving gear and a three-day tour of Trang, however it excludes transportation to the province.
Visit www.underwaterwedding.com or call Trang Chamber of Commerce at 075-225-353, or the event's organiser at 02-863-3288 ext 491, 463 and 422 for more details.
PATA travel academy
Pacific Asia Travel Association (Pata) plans to open an academy in Bangkok and bring in experts to devise intensive programmes to train manpower in the hospitality business. The targets are middle and senior managers, said Martin Craigs, its CEO. They will be kept abreast of not only things happening in the travel industry, but also global trends and given hands-on experience.
"Thailand has many successful entrepreneurs. It is our jobs to share those experiences and bring around 30 managers [at a time] for training in this place," he said.
The course would run six days: three days of lectures and rest for onsite visits.
The aim is to boost human resource capability in the travel business and related fields. Pata plans to host a training programme every quarter starting later this year.
MBK expansion
MBK will invest 300 million baht to build a 600m-long skywalk linking Siam Shopping Arcade with the mall to facilitate buyers and attract more visitors, which MBK estimates is about 90,000 daily.
Construction will start in the middle of this year and completed within two years.
MBK also plans to invest another 700 million baht to renovate the whole facility and image of the building.
High-speed wireless internet service will also be available throughout the mall in future.
Heart to heart
Like it or not, you will be seeing hearts or Valentine's Day decorations almost everywhere you go, even on board Thai Airways.
The airline will celebrate Feb 14 with specially designed desserts, which will either come in the shape of a heart or at least topped with sweets with a little red heart. The choices include chocolate fudge cake, mixed berry mousse, raspberry creme brulee and red velvet cupcake, and the airline will serve them only for lunch and dinner on domestic flights from and to Bangkok.
In addition, the airline has also introduced gift cards valued at 500, 1,000 and 5,000 baht.
The card can be used for paying for tickets, excess baggage fees and Royal Orchid Holiday hotel packages, said the airline's executive vice-president Danuj Bunnag. Those who use the card can also acquire its mileage. The card can be purchased at all ticket offices of the airline. Visit www.thaiairways.com for more details.
Hotels update
- The Minor Hotel Group will open the Anantara Dubai Palm Jumeirah Resort Spa in September.
The hotel comprises 293 guest rooms and suites, including 18 wonderful Over Water villas and three exclusive Royal Beach villas.
Facilities include meeting rooms, a ballroom for up to 300 guests, six restaurants and bars, three natural lagoons, an infinity pool, spa service with 12 treatment rooms, a fitness room and two tennis courts.
- Hansar Samui has launched a "Share Your Love" photo contest and giving away two-night stay at the resort.
To participate, email your favourite photo with your loved one, family or friends to mark@hansarhotels.com.
The pictures will be posted on the hotel's Facebook fan page and the one with the most "Like" will win. The last date for submission is Feb 11.
The winner will be announced on Valentine's Day.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/HansarSamui.
If you have news or comments to share, send them to karnjanak@bangkokpost.co.th.
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Writer: Karnjana KarnjanatawePosition: Reporter
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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2013/01/31/trang-opens-a-new-eco-tourism-route/
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