Showing 1 - 10 of 15
A plea for peace
Life, Karnjana Karnjanatawe, Published on 04/03/2019
» The travel advisory has been issued for years to warn visitors to avoid travelling to the Deep South where periodic violence occurs in Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and sometimes Hat Yai in Songkhla province.
Empty promises, shallow projects
Life, Karnjana Karnjanatawe, Published on 17/12/2018
» Since tourism is the rising economic star of the country, it is no surprise to see the Community Development Department of the Interior Ministry jump on the tourism bandwagon. It officially launched the Otop Nawatwithi project nationwide in June to promote tourism in 3,273 Otop communities or villages that have products certified as One Tambon One Product (Otop) by the department.
An accident waiting to happen
Life, Karnjana Karnjanatawe, Published on 16/07/2018
» It is sad to know that tourist safety would be treated as a national issue only when there is a fatal accident.
Expect a smaller golden egg this year
Life, Karnjana Karnjanatawe, Published on 11/01/2016
» Thailand has always been regarded by tourists as the destination for "exotic, fun and friendly people". About 32 million visitors are expected to visit the Kingdom this year, an increase of 7% from an estimated 29.8 million tourists in 2015. Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul expects the tourism revenue to grow from 2.2 trillion to the targeted 2.3 trillion baht in 2016.
Myanmar speeding along the road to democracy
Life, Karnjana Karnjanatawe, Published on 01/12/2015
» Yangon International Airport is being expanded. The current facility has exceeded its passenger handling capacity of 2.7 million and is expected to reach 5 million by the end of the year. The number of international visitors has also skyrocketed after Myanmar opened up its country a couple of years ago. A new four-lane motorway will soon be constructed in Yangon, alongside two new ring-roads around the city to ease traffic.
Courting the halal market
Life, Karnjana Karnjanatawe, Published on 27/08/2015
» Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul recently marketed Thailand as a quality destination for 2016 -- her focus being on niche and rich visitors like golfers, honeymooners and health and wellness visitors. The minister also added a new target group -- wealthy Muslim travellers. The Muslim population accounts for almost one-fifth of the global population or about 1.8 billion people. It's growing rapidly and is expected to become 26.5% of the world's population by 2030, according to the Global Muslim Travel Index 2015 of MasterCard and CrescentRating, which is a globally recognised rating standard for Halal-friendly travel services.
Public toilet hygiene down the pan
Life, Karnjana Karnjanatawe, Published on 23/06/2015
» Public restrooms were put on the agenda when the three ministers of Public Health, Transport and Tourism and Sports joined forces to launch the "Happy Tourist Toilet" campaign last Wednesday at Hua Lamphong railway station.
Message in a plastic bottle
Life, Karnjana Karnjanatawe, Published on 19/12/2014
» Hotels that provide single-serve plastic bottles for drinking water and small plastic containers for toiletries always get minus points when it comes to environmental and social concern ratings in Life's hotel review column "Been There/Done That". The bottles are not environmentally friendly.
Think before you travel
Life, Karnjana Karnjanatawe, Published on 06/05/2014
» The tourism industry has not yet returned to happy mode. To stimulate a market rocked by political uncertainty, several travel fairs have been organised to offer special discounts or packages for tours, hotels, spa and golf courses. The next travel fair will kick off on Thursday at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.
Within reach of a better tomorrow?
Life, Karnjana Karnjanatawe, Published on 14/01/2014
» Every crisis always has an opportunity. Since the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) shutdown Bangkok began yesterday, many worry that tourists will no longer come to Thailand.