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KT Property One, a Chiang Rai-based company, will next month open Khong View Station as a new tourism landmark in Chiang Saen district, the northernmost border town between Thailand and Laos.
The project is located on a five-rai plot of land on the banks of the Mekong next to the company's new property project Khong View Plaza, an 8.22-rai residential and commercial area to be opened next month as a trading zone with 116 booths for selling goods from China and neighbouring countries, as well as Otop products of Chiang Rai.
According to the company's managing director Wachira Rasameejun, Khong View Station will complement the Khong View Plaza project where visitors can stop for shopping and then have a rest at Khong View Station.
"We have seen the growth of Chinese visitors who drive through R3A highway from China to Laos and to Chiang Saen. They like to drive along the Mekong river from Chiang Saen to Mae Sai before heading to Chiang Rai," he said, adding that sometimes the Chinese caravan comprises up to 40 cars and they need a place to take a break.
"The Kong View Station will be the [place] where those visitors, as well as locals, can stop and enjoy a view of the Mekong. We prepare a restaurant with all-day meals and brew coffee to ease their fatigue," he added.
Apart from the restaurant, the project also adapts old train wagons into shopping outlets. There will also be a sheep farm, a garden and other areas for visitors to enjoy photo opportunities.
"We will also prepare horse carraiges from the famous Lampang town to take visitors around the old town of Chiang Saen," he said, adding that riding would add more activities and would encourage visitors to explore hundreds of historical ruins and old temples in the town.
Khong View Station is located about 7km from the Golden Triangle and will open at the beginning of April.
First Bangkok Bike Expo
The first Bangkok Bike Expo will kick off in May at Impact Muang Thong Thani to serve the growing numbers of cyclists.
The event is hosted by NCC Exhibition Organizer, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Thai Cycling for Health Association. The highlights will be a 228m2 indoor bike park to challenge those who love adventure riding and a lane allowing visitors to roam around the expo site by bike, according to NCC Group Project Manager Bussaya Prakobthong.
There will also be an indoor space for 500 bikes to park, she added.
In addition, around 200 booths will join to offer products and services related to biking, such as new and fancy bicycles, biking gadgets, cameras, fashion and accessories, as well as packages from hotels and special discounts from restaurants and resorts. There will also be biking routes recommended by TAT.
The organisers expect to attract about 100,000 visitors during the four-day event to be hosted on May 2-5 from 10am to 8pm at Hall 3-4 of Impact Muang Thong Thani.
Visit www.facebook.com/bangkokbikeexpo
VIP buses to be upgraded
The Transport Company plans to hupgrade its VIP buses with personal video screens for every seat.
The idea will be similar to aeroplane seats where passengers can enjoy their travel time watching movies, listening to music or playing games, according to Prasert Chanruangthong, the deputy minister of the Transport Ministry, which gives policies to the Transport Company.
The budget will be 50 million baht to initially invest in 100 VIP coaches with 24 and 32 seats, he said, adding that the project is expected to start in July. The ministry also outlined a policy for the Transport Company to offer onboard internet services in the future, he said.
Airlines update
- Taiwan-based TransAsia Airways has launched a direct daily flight between Bangkok and Taipei.
Founded in 1951 as the first privately owned airline company serving domestic routes, the airline today flies to more than 25 destinations including direct flights to Singapore, Macau, Korea, China and Japan.
For the Bangkok route, the airline uses its new Airbus A330-300 featuring 32 business seats and 268 economy seats.
TransAsia Airways also plans to open another direct route from Taipei to Chiang Mai in July and wants to expand its service to Phuket in the future, according to company chairman Vincent M. Lin.
Visit www.tna.com.tw
- Scandinavian Airlines has partnered with Thai International Airways to expand their code-share agreement to cover more destinations in Europe.
The agreement will allow SAS to offer direct routes between Bangkok and European cities including Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen via the service of THAI.
"Bangkok is a very important destination both for Scandinavian business and leisure travellers. We now look forward to offer our customers more and better options to reach Bangkok from all of Scandinavia," said SAS president and CEO Rickard Gustafson.
Hotels update
- Accor has opened Mercure Bangkok Siam and Ibis Bangkok Siam, two newly built hotels situated within the same building on Rama 1 Road.
"Although they share one building, Mercure Bangkok Siam and Ibis Bangkok Siam are two different hotels, each of which has been uniquely designed with modern facilities," said Simone Hansen, general manager of Mercure Bangkok Siam and Ibis Bangkok Siam. Mercure Bangkok Siam is a midscale hotel while Ibis Bangkok Siam is targeted at those travelling on a budget, she said.
Each hotel offers 189 rooms with Wi-Fi access. Mercure Bangkok Siam also offers three meeting rooms for up to 126 delegates, a swimming pool, fitness centre, and the Sky Bar.
Privilege rooms are also available with a coffee machine, amenities, an iPod dock and benefits of the Executive Club.
Ibis Bangkok Siam, on the other hand, offers upgraded beds, basic in-room facilities, a Quick Bite restaurant, access to the swimming pool and fitness centre facilities at an extra charge.
Visit www.mercure.com and www.ibishotel.com/thailand
- Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation and JW Marriott Phuket Resort Spa will host the 4th Mai Khao Turtle Release on March 29.
Supported by the Phuket Marine Biological Centre and the Royal Thai Navy, the annual event is organised to raise funds to support the Injured Turtle Rehabilitation Programme operated under the Phuket Marine Biological Centre and the Turtle Hatchery Programme of the Royal Thai Navy. The fee for releasing one turtle is 2,500 baht and that must be booked in advance at the concierge of JW Marriott Phuket.
The releasing event will kick off on Mai Khao Beach in front of the hotel between 3pm-5pm on March 29. Donations are welcome.
Visit www.maikhaoturtlefoundation-.com
If you have any comments or news 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/2013/03/22/new-northern-border-attraction/
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