Thailand to restore rail link with #Cambodia

Thailand is hoping to resurrect a rail link with Cambodia to improve transport in the Mekong sub-region, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Thursday.
The prime minister told visiting Cambodian Interior Minister Sar Kheng that Thailand was looking forward to seeing the tracks connecting the two countries restored to reopen the link through Cambodia to Vietnam.
The State Railway of Thailand was rehabilitating the six kilometres of track from Aranyaprathet station in Sa Kaeo province to the border at Ban Khlong Luek, opposite Poipet town. Work is expected to finish by the end of this year.
Cambodia, meanwhile, is rebuilding the line from Sisophon to Poipet.
The railway connection between Aranyaprathet and Sisophon stopped in the 1970s due to internal conflicts in Cambodia.
Gen Prayut said the train link will help plans to develop special economic zones between the two countries and benefit the Dawei deepsea port in the future.
Sar Kheng is in Bangkok to attend a meeting of Thai and Cambodian governors which runs through Friday to build up cooperation between their border provinces.

Source: BangkokPost

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New Thai-Cambodian border crossings upgrade.

Thailand and Cambodia confirmed on Friday they will open or upgrade a slew of new border crossings to facilitate commerce and travel between the two nations. 

The confirmation came at the 5th Meeting of the Governors of Thai-Cambodian Border Provinces in Bangkok. Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Kheng co-chaired the meeting Aug 26-28 session. 

 Both sides agreed to speed the opening of two new permanent border crossings bridging Ban Nong Ian village in Sa Kaeo province and the Stung Bot area of Cambodia; and Ban Pa Rai village in Sa Kaeo and Oneang town in Cambodia's Banteay Meanchey province. 

Thailand and Cambodia confirmed on Friday they will open or upgrade a slew of new border crossings to facilitate commerce and travel between the two nations. 

The confirmation came at the 5th Meeting of the Governors of Thai-Cambodian Border Provinces in Bangkok. Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Kheng co-chaired the meeting Aug 26-28 session. 

 Both sides agreed to speed the opening of two new permanent border crossings bridging Ban Nong Ian village in Sa Kaeo province and the Stung Bot area of Cambodia; and Ban Pa Rai village in Sa Kaeo and Oneang town in Cambodia's Banteay Meanchey province. 

 Source: BangkokPost 

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Beach chairs back on #Phuket sands

PHUKET: After months of indecision and false-steps in the creation of new beach rules for Phuket, the governor yesterday announced a final solution to the island’s beach chair drama.

“There will be slight modifications to the 10 per cent zone system that has been in place up to this point,” explained Governor Nisit Jansomwong. “Beachgoers will be allowed to bring their own chairs, umbrellas and mats, while rental operators will only be allowed to provide mats and umbrellas. However, everyone must keep their beach furniture within the marked 10 per cent zones.”

Rental operators cannot stake claims to any part of the beach with unoccupied mats and will not be allowed to rent out chairs to most visitors. Nonetheless, exceptions will be made, such as for the elderly and disabled, confirmed Governor Nisit.

However, such a loophole in the system is open for abuse, as the governor did not address in the meeting who would be available to rent out chairs to the disabled and elderly or who would be in charge of making the judgment call of who is qualified.

Policies for other beach vendors were also laid out during the meeting.

“There will be no food or cigarettes sold on the beach, while non-alcoholic drinks will be allowed,” said Gov Nisit. “Vendors supplying other goods, such as souvenirs, fireworks or Chinese lanterns will not be allowed.”

Masseuses will be allowed to work within a designated area and there will be no change in policy for operators running marine activities, such as jet-skiing and parasailing, confirmed Gov Nisit.

The announced plan was backed by months of research conducted by the Prince of Songkhla University’s Phuket Beach Management Research team.

“Our team, comprising professional, non-biased researchers, spoke with all stakeholders before putting forth our suggestion,” said Pun Thongchumnum, head of the research team.

The research identified six major stakeholders: tourists, 75 per cent of those spoken to were westerners; beach vendors of all types, as well as local tourism authorities; locals, both those inland and in beach communities; high-ranking members of the local governments; honorary consuls; and the online community.

“Based on the interviews we conducted with tourists arriving and departing Phuket, the number one priority was clean beaches. This was followed by ‘pure nature’ and facilities, with beach activities being the lowest priority,” said Dr Pun.

After speaking with interested parties, the research group was able to divide the facilities category into two groups: paid and unpaid.

“Most wanted to be able to use umbrellas and sunbeds, while having access to beverages – all as paid services. The most important unpaid service was security,”

It has yet to be seen if the recently launched Phuket Beach Police units will fulfill this need (story here).

The study also found that many local people and vendors still disagreed with the 10 per cent zoning system. However, researches suggested that they coordinate their efforts to work together under the provincial beach management committee. - See more at: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Beach-chairs-back-Phuket-sands/61832#ad-image-0

#PHUKET: After months of indecision and false-steps in the creation of new beach rules for Phuket, the governor yesterday announced a final solution to the island’s beach chair drama.

“There will be slight modifications to the 10 per cent zone system that has been in place up to this point,” explained Governor Nisit Jansomwong. “Beachgoers will be allowed to bring their own chairs, umbrellas and mats, while rental operators will only be allowed to provide mats and umbrellas. However, everyone must keep their beach furniture within the marked 10 per cent zones.”

Rental operators cannot stake claims to any part of the beach with unoccupied mats and will not be allowed to rent out chairs to most visitors. Nonetheless, exceptions will be made, such as for the elderly and disabled, confirmed Governor Nisit.

However, such a loophole in the system is open for abuse, as the governor did not address in the meeting who would be available to rent out chairs to the disabled and elderly or who would be in charge of making the judgment call of who is qualified.

Policies for other beach vendors were also laid out during the meeting.

“There will be no food or cigarettes sold on the beach, while non-alcoholic drinks will be allowed,” said Gov Nisit. “Vendors supplying other goods, such as souvenirs, fireworks or Chinese lanterns will not be allowed.”

Masseuses will be allowed to work within a designated area and there will be no change in policy for operators running marine activities, such as jet-skiing and parasailing, confirmed Gov Nisit.

The announced plan was backed by months of research conducted by the Prince of Songkhla University’s Phuket Beach Management Research team.

“Our team, comprising professional, non-biased researchers, spoke with all stakeholders before putting forth our suggestion,” said Pun Thongchumnum, head of the research team.

The research identified six major stakeholders: tourists, 75 per cent of those spoken to were westerners; beach vendors of all types, as well as local tourism authorities; locals, both those inland and in beach communities; high-ranking members of the local governments; honorary consuls; and the online community.

“Based on the interviews we conducted with tourists arriving and departing Phuket, the number one priority was clean beaches. This was followed by ‘pure nature’ and facilities, with beach activities being the lowest priority,” said Dr Pun.

After speaking with interested parties, the research group was able to divide the facilities category into two groups: paid and unpaid.

“Most wanted to be able to use umbrellas and sunbeds, while having access to beverages – all as paid services. The most important unpaid service was security,”

It has yet to be seen if the recently launched Phuket Beach Police units will fulfill this need (story here).

The study also found that many local people and vendors still disagreed with the 10 per cent zoning system. However, researches suggested that they coordinate their efforts to work together under the provincial beach management committee.

Source: PhuketGazette

 

 

 

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We help you with your ‪#‎Bookings >
BOOK NOW SIMPLE CLICK ON THIS LINK ON OR THE BANNER
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https://asiabesthotels.wordpress.com/
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PHUKET: After months of indecision and false-steps in the creation of new beach rules for Phuket, the governor yesterday announced a final solution to the island’s beach chair drama.

“There will be slight modifications to the 10 per cent zone system that has been in place up to this point,” explained Governor Nisit Jansomwong. “Beachgoers will be allowed to bring their own chairs, umbrellas and mats, while rental operators will only be allowed to provide mats and umbrellas. However, everyone must keep their beach furniture within the marked 10 per cent zones.”

Rental operators cannot stake claims to any part of the beach with unoccupied mats and will not be allowed to rent out chairs to most visitors. Nonetheless, exceptions will be made, such as for the elderly and disabled, confirmed Governor Nisit.

However, such a loophole in the system is open for abuse, as the governor did not address in the meeting who would be available to rent out chairs to the disabled and elderly or who would be in charge of making the judgment call of who is qualified.

Policies for other beach vendors were also laid out during the meeting.

“There will be no food or cigarettes sold on the beach, while non-alcoholic drinks will be allowed,” said Gov Nisit. “Vendors supplying other goods, such as souvenirs, fireworks or Chinese lanterns will not be allowed.”

Masseuses will be allowed to work within a designated area and there will be no change in policy for operators running marine activities, such as jet-skiing and parasailing, confirmed Gov Nisit.

The announced plan was backed by months of research conducted by the Prince of Songkhla University’s Phuket Beach Management Research team.

“Our team, comprising professional, non-biased researchers, spoke with all stakeholders before putting forth our suggestion,” said Pun Thongchumnum, head of the research team.

The research identified six major stakeholders: tourists, 75 per cent of those spoken to were westerners; beach vendors of all types, as well as local tourism authorities; locals, both those inland and in beach communities; high-ranking members of the local governments; honorary consuls; and the online community.

“Based on the interviews we conducted with tourists arriving and departing Phuket, the number one priority was clean beaches. This was followed by ‘pure nature’ and facilities, with beach activities being the lowest priority,” said Dr Pun.

After speaking with interested parties, the research group was able to divide the facilities category into two groups: paid and unpaid.

“Most wanted to be able to use umbrellas and sunbeds, while having access to beverages – all as paid services. The most important unpaid service was security,”

It has yet to be seen if the recently launched Phuket Beach Police units will fulfill this need (story here).

The study also found that many local people and vendors still disagreed with the 10 per cent zoning system. However, researches suggested that they coordinate their efforts to work together under the provincial beach management committee. - See more at: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Beach-chairs-back-Phuket-sands/61832#ad-image-0

Grand China Princess Hotel, #Bangkok

Situated in Bangkok, Grand China Hotel offers 4-star accommodation, as well as a Jacuzzi. Only a short stroll from China Town, it provides contemporary rooms equipped with slippers, a mini bar and a refrigerator.

There are a range of facilities at the hotel on offer to guests, such as coffee bar, ballroom and a spa and wellness centre. It offers babysitting services, a currency exchange and a reception that is available 24 hours a day.

Grand China Hotel provides spacious rooms equipped with a shower, cable/satellite channels and a hair dryer. All private bathrooms provide bathrobes and a bathtub.

A satisfying breakfast is prepared every morning at Grand China Hotel, and there are numerous cafés and eateries close by.

The hotel is within walking distance of the Golden Buddha Statue, Chao Phraya River and the Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre. The helpful staff at the tour desk are available to organise tours and activities in Bangkok. 

 

Chiang Mai, #Thailand

Chiang Mai is the largest and the best city in Northern Thailand if you’re up to traveling to extraordinary places, tasting delicious specialities and experiencing glamorous architecture all at once.
This cultural center features over 300 Buddhist temples (for example Wat Phra Singh from 14th century) and holds various traditional festivals such as Songkran, Loi-Kratong and so on.
There are also good news for those who are seeking natural sights. Chiang Mai is an amazing place for long and romatic walks over long green plains and rainforests.

Rites of five religions held for Bangkok blast victims

EARAWAN SHRINE

he PM's Office and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Ratchaprasong community held rites of five religions at the Erawan shrine to remember the victims of the Bangkok blast.

The ceremony was held at 7 am and was attended by several ministers and BMA Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra.

Attending the rites were Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Kreangam, Social Develoment and Human Security Minister Adul Saengsingkaew, and Science and Technology Minister Pichet Durongkaveroj.

The ceremony was conducted by Buddhist monks, Muslim imams, Christianand Hindu priests and Sikh teachers.

After the ceremony, the officials laid flowers in front of amakeshift plaque with the names of all the victims.

Source: The Nation 

#Bangkok bomb shrine reopens as police hunt suspect

 

BANGKOK (AFP) - Thai monks led prayers Wednesday for the reopening of a Bangkok shrine where a blast killed 20 people, as police hunted a man shown on security footage calmly planting what is believed to be the bomb.

The bomb struck early on Monday evening as worshippers and tourists crowded into the Erawan shrine in the Thai capital’s commercial heart, but no-one has yet claimed responsibility.

The unprecedented attack on the Thai capital left at least 11 foreigners dead, with Chinese, Hong Kong, Singaporean, Indonesian and a family from Malaysia among the victims.

More than 100 other people were wounded by a blast that shredded bodies and incinerated motorcycles at one of the city’s busiest intersections.

Police said a second explosion at a Bangkok pier on Tuesday that caused no injuries may be linked, deepening fears for Bangkok residents with police conceding they do not know who was responsible.

Around a dozen Buddhist monks led prayers at the Erawan shrine as it re-opened early Wednesday while devotees -- including tourists -- genuflected and held joss sticks, and AFP reporter said.

A relative of the dead Malaysians had laid bundles of clothes at the shrine to represent the lost loved ones, according to a monk.

The shrine -- a popular tourist attraction that typifies the kingdom’s unusual blend of Hindu and Buddhist traditions -- and its surrounding had already been largely restored.

Twisted iron railings were the only immediate sign of the carnage, which police believe was caused by a bomb made up of three kilogrammes of explosives and ball bearings.

One devotee had more reason than most to give thanks.

Tommy Goh, 56, a Thai-Malaysian from Penang, said only a delayed taxi from his hotel spared him from being at the shrine around the time of the blast.

"Every year I come down to this shrine, we were meant to be here around 6.50-7pm but the taxi didn’t arrive from the hotel... so we went somewhere else," he told AFP.

"Ten minutes later and it could have been so different"

Police released images Tuesday showing a man, apparently young, slightly built and wearing a yellow T-shirt and dark shorts, walking into the shrine with a backpack.

In the video he calmly places the backpack underneath a bench and then walks away clutching a blue plastic bag and what looks like a smartphone.

The bomb exploded several minutes later, leading Thailand police to make the man their prime suspect.

A small explosion on Tuesday by a bridge at the city’s Chaopraya river has been tied to Monday’s bomb.

Colonel Kamthorn Ouicharoen, of Thai bomb squad police confirmed the bridge bomb was the same type as the one detonated at the Erawan Shrine

"It’s exactly the same, the equipment used to make it, the bomb size," he said.

"Police will resume collecting evidence this afternoon," he added.

Thailand has experienced a near-decade long political crisis that has seen endless rounds of street violence.

But never anything on the scale of Monday’s bomb.

A festering insurgency by Muslim rebels in the Thai south has claimed 6,400 victims, but is a highly localised conflict.