Thai Airways International opens new Chiang Mai Branch

Gen. Narongsak Sankhapong,
Deputy Director of Special Program Department (Front row, with suit), Dr.
Chao Duang Duan Na Chiang Mai (Front row, 2nd from the left), Rangsimant
Mokhasamit, director of office in Thailand (Front row, 4th from the right),
Thongchai Wongrianthong, Chiang Mai deputy Governor (Front row, 2nd from the
right), and guests in the ribbon cutting for “Kom Loy Long Fah Kong Lar Karn
Bin Thai”
Nopniwat Krailerg
Thai Airways International (Public) Co., Ltd. opened a new branch in Chiang
Mai on Sunday April 9, hosted by Gen. Narongsak Sankhapong, Deputy Director
of Special Program Department and welcomed by Rangsimant Mokhasamit,
director of the office in Thailand, Thanawat Hiranyalekha, manager of sales
office in Thailand: Upper North. Chiang Mai VIP guests participated in this
even such as Dr. Chao Duang Duan Na Chiang Mai, Prinya Parnthong, Nan
Governor, Thongchai Wongrianthong, Chiang Mai deputy Governor, Boonlert
Buranupakorn, Chiang Mai Mayor, Junnapong Saranak, director of TAT: Northern
Office Region 1, and Narong Tananuwat, president of Chiang Mai Chamber of
Commerce.
Thai
Airways International new office building, Chiang Mai Branch
Thai Airways built a new building to replace the old one that was more than
30 years old and dilapidated. The number of staff is increasing to manage
the 72 flights per week via Chiang Mai–Bangkok, including employees
transferring from ticket selling offices of Thai Airways in other provinces
in the Northern Region such as Lampang, Phrae, and Nan. The building is
decorated in modern Lanna style with the interior reflecting the new
corporate identity. The branch built on 1,950 square meters, houses many
agencies such as general offices, main hall, ticket, reservation service,
ticket selling service and mileage members departments and “Royal
Orchid Plus”, Ueng Luang tourism service department, Royal Holiday, Puff and
Pie bakery, and Thai Shop selling souvenirs.
Chiang Mai office has operated since 1978. First, it was located at Saeng
Tawan intersection, then, when Thai Airlines merged with Thai Airways in
1988, the office was moved to the present location on Phra Pok Klao Road. In
the past, it was part of Khum Chao Lao Kaew Na Chaing Mai (the residence of
the only son of Chao Inthawaroros Suriyawong, the 8th Chiang Mai ruler). The
new office was commenced construction in January 7, 2005 and finished on the
end of March 2006. The telephone number for reservations is Tel.
0-5392-0999, and the office number, Tel. 0-5392- 0920.
Chiang Mai Municipality prepared for any eventuality during Songkran
Does that include body bags?

Municipal council, Chiang
Mai Municipality collecting trash along the city canal at Thapae Gate.
Saksit Meesubkwang
Chiang Mai Municipality led by Boonlert Buranupakorn, Chiang Mai Mayor
finalized last-minute plans to prepare for the forthcoming Songkran
celebrations. Teams of council workers have been busy collecting trash
along the city canal and great efforts have been made over the last few
weeks to clean up the water in the canal.
Simulation
of saving a drowning victim.
The City has prepared officers to swiftly bring aid to the victims of
accidents; such as drowning and traffic accidents, along with responding
to possible fires, despite the fact that everything is well drenched
during Songkran. In anticipation of this possibility, the Municipality
had also simulated the situation of a building catching fire; sending
fire fighters and medics as swiftly as possible to rescue people who
might be trapped in the burning building.
If there is an accident, the rescue-teams have rehearsed reaching the
victim in less than five minutes. This response time is probably the
best that can be expected considering the density of the crowds lining
both sides of the canal during Songkran. More than 2,000 rescuers have
been trained to help tourists and will be stationed at strategic
intervals around the city.

Practice at saving people
trapped in a burning building.
Advertorial: Second hand and computer kits offer economical alternative at Pantip Plaza

Customers are always
interested in the service of computer repair shops in Pantip Plaza.
Preeyanoot Jittawong
Pantip Plaza offers a choice for those who want to own a computer
but are fiscally restrained by providing self assembly computer kits and
second hand computers of good quality. Being located near central Chiang
Mai, Pantip Plaza is convenient placed to obtain IT supplies.
During summer vacations, students may find educational tools to prepare
for the new semester—but computer costs may be a burden to some parents.
Therefore Pantip Plaza Chiang Mai offers a low cost alternative with
self assembly kits and second hand computers that cut the costs.
There are around ten shops in Pantip Plaza serving customers with such
kits including accepting old computers for repair and with computer
tools selling at a low price.
On the first floor, you will see Win System Shop distributing second
hand Notebook Computers and K.P.N, Main Board Service, Good Speed and Pc
Pu shops plus the only IBM service center in Chiang Mai on the second
floor of Pantip Plaza. Besides, there are many other shops accepting
computers for repair on the third floor such as PW Shop, Chiang Mai
Cyber Care, Smart Tech Solution, Complete and Shonan and Godung and
Morgan Com on the fourth floor.
Furthermore, Pantip Plaza Chiang Mai is providing a special promotion
“Computer Repair without Charge” from April 17 to May 31, 2006. Those
interested can receive the promotion service at the shops joining the
promotion: K.P.N., Smart Tech Solution, Shonan, Complete and Godung.
Information is available at Pantip Plaza by phone number 053-288383 #
103, 104.
Chiang Mai Expats Club is Flowering

Lucy Coombs
Orchids were the topic for the ChiangMai Expats Club on 8 April
at the Chiang Mai Orchid Hotel! Folbert Bronsema, from East-West Seed
Company, showed some beautiful pictures and gave a fascinating talk
about these flowers. He told the group how to identify an orchid, how to
take care of them, how they are propagated, where to see many varieties
and where to buy them. He described the wonder and beauty of wild
orchids that can be found on the nature trails at Doi Inthanon National
Park. He had a few plants with him (one of which was given away in the
Lucky Draw, along with a poster about orchids) as well as some of the
books he has collected. People were invited to come up after the meeting
to examine the plants and books more closely and to ask him further
questions. The group had some good questions and were obviously quite
engaged with the subject.
In growing one’s own at home he gave some good tips: They generally like
shady spots with a bit of sun. Water with a mister, as most orchids get
their moisture and nutrients from the air. The water should ideally be
rainwater. If using a commercial fertilizer, use half of the recommended
amount. He described what the plant looks like in relationship to how
much water it would want. Oh, and did you know that vanilla is from a
fermented orchid seed pod?!
Tom Matty, the master of ceremonies for the day, asked a fellow CEC
Board Member to talk about his experience as a volunteer for the Tourist
Police. Phillip Johnson told that it was generally a lot of fun as well
as a wonderful learning experience. He gets to ride in police cars, meet
lots of people, some of whom are famous, and gets to know Chiang Mai
better.
The next CEC meeting will be on April 22, when Mike Parker from
Powerhouse Gym will share his extensive knowledge on nutrition, exercise
and health. If you are a health conscious person, you won’t want to miss
this one. See you at the Chiang Mai Orchid Hotel at 10:30 – come a
little early to meet and chat with some great people.
“One ticket to
visit five destinations”,
a campaign for Greater Lanna
Chiangmai Mail Reporters
Five travel alliances are promoting a Greater Lanna strategy and
offering “One ticket to visit five destinations”, costing 500 baht each,
with 40,000 tickets available for use anytime during the three months of
the International Horticultural Exposition in Chiang Mai. The purpose of
this scheme is to encourage tourists to plan their trip in advance
before the start of the high season; and to publicize Royal Flora
Ratchaphruek 2006, the International Horticultural Exposition.
Sookawat Chantharaporanik, deputy director-general of Department of
Agriculture, disclosed that the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006, the
International Horticultural Exposition that is to be held from November
1, 2006 to January 31, 2007, is expected to attract over 2 million
tourists, or around 20,000 to 50,000 visitors a day.
Because the Exposition would be held during the high season in Chiang
Mai province, travel alliances had come up with the Greater Lanna
strategy to encourage tourists who intended to visit Chiang Mai at that
time, to book ahead and reserve their accommodation as early as possible
to avoid being disappointed later.
The “One ticket to five destinations” covers a trip to Doi Tung
Development Center, Golden Triangle Opium Tower, Queen Sirikit Botanic
Garden and Chiang Mai Night Safari. The ticket can be used any time for
three months from November 1, 2006 to January 31, 2007. Tickets will be
available for sale from July 1 to September 30, 2006 and can be
purchased at all branches of Krung Thai Bank.
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