|
Thailand-South Korea to increase flights
Thailand and South Korea have agreed to increase the
number of flights for passengers and cargoes from 39 to 46 flights a week,
and remove tonnage capacity and flights frequency limits for cargo
aircrafts, the Deputy Transport Minister said. Vichet Kasemthongsri
indicated that the aviation accord between Thailand and South Korea should
strengthen trade, investment and tourism between the two countries
The number of South Koreans tourists visiting Thailand
has been growing. In the first month of 2003, South Koreans, the fourth
largest foreign tourist group, accounted for 6.80 percent of foreign tourist
arrivals. Thailand is a popular recreation destination for Koreans who spend
most on shopping, followed by hotel accommodations, food and beverages.
On the other hand, the number of outbound Thai tourists
to South Korea in the first nine months of 2003 grew at a lower rate of
17.12 percent. South Korea is ranked eighth on the popular tourist
destination list of Thai travelers, an equivalent of 2.24 percent of the
outbound travel market share.
According to Vichet, total trade value between
Thailand-South Korea in 1999-2002 averaged at US$3.34 billion per year, up
17.46%. In 2003, total trade reached US$4.47 billion, an increase over 2002
of 14.51%, or 2.88% of Thailand’s total trade value. South Korea ranks
eighth among Thailand’s major trading partners.
South Korea is ranked 14th on Thailand’s export list.
Some of the major exports are integrated circuits boards, rubber, computers
(including accessories / components), sugar, threads, artificial fibers and
yarns, frozen chicken, frozen shrimps, crude oil.
South Korea is 7th on Thailand’s import list; some of
the major imports are electrical appliances, chemical products, industrial
equipment, television tubes, iron and steel, integrated circuits boards,
consumer electronics and computers. (TNA)
Chiang Mai rushes to become
regional tourist hub
The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy
and Planning (OTTPP) is racing to produce a transportation blueprint for
this northern city of Chiang Mai in order to accelerate its transformation
into a regional transportation hub by the year 2006.
Presiding over a seminar to hear public views on the
plan, OTTPP Director-General Kamrobluk Suraswadi spoke of the need to
develop the city’s transportation system, not only in terms of
transporting people, but also through the transportation of goods. Noting
that Thailand had often neglected goods transportation, he said that as a
result transportation costs had soared.
The OTTPP has recently hired Chiang Mai University’s
Information Technology Service Institute to draw up 5-year, 10-year and
15-year plans for the city’s transportation program.
The 5-year plan will particularly seek to address
transportation issues surrounding some of the city’s major tourist
attractions, including the night safari, the international convention, and
exhibition center, and the center for the development and distribution of
SME products. The plans will also focus on the transportation needs of the
city when it hosts a global crop festival in 2006, which is expected to
attract 3 million visitors over a space of six months.
The plans are expected to include the construction of a
light rail system linking government offices and tambon Mae Hia, the
location of the Night Safari to the city center and will cover not only
local transportation, but also transportation across the northern region and
in the Mekong sub-region. (TNA)
Mae Hong Son and Myanmar
looking for mutual tourism
Tourist road route suggested
Saksit
Meesubkwang
Mae Hong Son province and Myanmar are promoting a new
tourist route linking Mae Hong Son-Taunggy-Mandalay to increase mutual tourism
and trade.
Mae Hong Son Governor Supoj Laowansiri said that the
province negotiated with the Burmese Permanent Secretary of Tourism and Hotels
to promote the tourist route.
Many heads of administration organizations and
representatives from tourism related business in Mae Hong Son were taken to
Myanmar. They suggested to the Burmese Permanent Secretary that the new route
would receive much attention from both Thai and foreign tourists. He approved
the idea in principle and pledged to fully support it, however, approval from
the Burmese central authorities is still needed.
“An important matter that Myanmar has to settle, in
helping promote the new tourist route is to get the agreement of the land
owners along the border areas. If they agree, then it will not be difficult to
proceed,” the governor said. “Myanmar will also benefit from the project,
while tourism in Mae Hong Son will improve.”
Tourism slumped when the long-necked Karens, who were the
province’s main tourist selling point, were removed from their controlled
areas. “The bulk of the provincial earnings come from border trade and
tourism,” Supoj said. Therefore, it is important to seek new tourist sites to
attract foreign tourists.”
SilkAir Chiang Mai celebrates 10th Anniversary
Marion Vogt
Photos Michael Vogt
SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, has just
celebrated 10 years in Chiang Mai. Atwill Yeo addressed friends and business
partners saying, “When I first came here 10 years ago, I received superb
cooperation, friendship and support from Chiang Mai residents which is second
to none. Northern people, I found out, are in a class of their own and it makes
me so proud to stand here today and look back on a decade of good
relationships.”
Chiang Mai Deputy Governor Thongchai Wongrianthongm spoke on the beginnings
of SilkAir and the progress since their first launch and the 24 destinations in
Asia which it now services. Destinations in nine Asian countries, mostly not in
the capital cities, but in the heartland, where history, tradition and
authenticity still form the key character of the more unspoiled soul of Asia.
He wished SilkAir, its management and board many more years to come, more
success and more unique ideas to provide travelers and business people with
easy connections to all parts of Asia. A toast was called, the room exploded in
fireworks, and the lion dancers arrived, the sign of good luck and prosperity
for Singaporean people.
Atwill Yeo,
manager Northern Thailand with beautiful women, all dressed in the National
costumes of the SilkAir destinations.
The Fancy
Fashion Show (from left) Sports Girl, Black Magic Bag Woman, Palm Girl, Miss
‘make the good news come true’, Miss SilkAir, the plastic girl, Queen of
alcohol and Mrs. Bird flu (flew?).
Fireworks
following Deputy Governor Thongchai Wongrianthongm’s speech.
|
