July 28, 2008
by Bupha Ravirot

The nation's largest private toll - road operator Bangkok Expressway Pcl expected to rise expressway fee to B 55 but only 12.5 per cent rise can be approved by the government.

Deputy permanent secretary of the Transport Ministry, Surachai Thansitpong announced that expressway toll fee going to be risen to 45 baht from before 40 baht for passenger cars.

While Bangkok Expressway Pcl was expecting to charge 55 baht fee.

This new fee schedule is said to take effect starts from September 1, 2008 and the cabinet will have to decide if a government tax of Bt3 per toll will also be imposed, Surachai said.
 

July 25, 2008
by Juhan Samuel/ANI

Jet Airways has announced a special promotional package for Indian students flying to the United States , Canada , United Kingdom , Europe or Asia .

The package is valid for outbound travel on or before October 31, 2008.

Existing as well as new students would receive a whole host of benefits including excess baggage allowance, special fares and a chance to earn 1000 Bonus JPMiles.

Students availing of this offer will be allowed to carry an extra piece of baggage, with each piece not exceeding 23 kilos, on flights to the US, Canada, UK and Europe, and an additional 10 kilos on flights to Asia (Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok), on Jet Airways” online destinations.

With Jet Airways special promotional package, students will also receive exclusively designed ”Student Kits”, in association with our partners. These may be collected after the purchase of a ticket at any of Jet Airways” city sales offices around India .

Each kit contains a Matrix mobile connection with free talk-time worth Rs.4000 in the US ,UK ,Singapore and Australia, ICICI Bank Travel Cards for hassle free transactions across the world, a free Tata Indicom Wi-Fi Roam Card enabling internet connectivity from over 50,000 hotspots in the US ,UK, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, France and Japan; Bajaj Allianz Travel Insurance with special privileges and low premiums and VIP vouchers worth Rs.500 on purchase of VIP travel accessories.

July 24, 2008
by Bupha Ravirot

India Fair 2008 organized by India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO) with the Embassy of India in Thailand and Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) has started today at IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Centre.
 
The exhibition filled with guests from many organizations. The fair was inaugurated by H.E Ms.Latha Reddy (ambassador), H.E Mr. Korn Dabaransi, Dr.Sheela Bhide, president and chairman of India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO), Mr. Patrapee Chinachoti (TCEB), MR.Rajive Kau, Past  President, CII and Chairman, NICCO Corporation Ltd. 
 
H.E. Mr Suwit Khunkitti, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry joined in later for a press conference. Both Suwit Khunkitti  and Korn Dabaransi are very enthusiastic about increasing bilateral ties between India and Thailand.
 
The opening ceremony went well and the tour of exhibition gathered by numbers of Thais  and Indians visitors. The exhibitors were among the biggest Indian and Thai companies such as Tata, Indorama and Aditya Birla Group etc.
 
Amazing lunch from Indus Restaurant was provided to all participants by India-Thai Business Association (ITBA)
 
However the exhibition will be held IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Centre until July 27. On July 26 and 27 the exhibition is open to the public. Everyone should visit the exhibition to encourage the Indian exhibitors.  

July 24, 2008
by Amrit Rashmisrisethi

Accor is the world's largest hotel group. Novotel Suvarnabumi Airport Hotel had been voted the Best Airport Hotel, recently in TravelWeekly (Asia) Industry Awards 2008 by TravelWeekly. The awards ceremony , was held in The Marriott Hotel in Singapore, on Thursday 17 July and  is recognized in the Asian travel industry, this year the winners were chosen from a totel of 2.2 million votes registered for all categories.

Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel was opened on 28 September 2006,  4 star hotel located 10 min walk from Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok.

Novotel has long been committed to promoting sustainable development through its active involvement in the Accor Group's Earth Guest program. Today, it reaffirms this position by pledging to achieve Green Globe environmental certification for its entire network by 2010.

In 2008, the Novotel network includes 382 hotels and resorts, representing a total of more than 66,000 rooms, in 59 countries. By 2010 it will have an additional 20,000 rooms and be present in 70 countries. Said Accor Asia Pacific Chairman and COO, Michael Issenberg, "I am very proud of the team. Under Tristan's capable leadership, they have worked very hard within a short time to enhance service standards and heighten customer satisfaction. The award epitomizes the team's commitment to service excellence. They have proven that they understand what 'Esprit Accor' is all about".

July 23, 2008
by Amrit Rashmisrisethi

Sukhumvit district is not only a commercialized place , it is Bangkok expat's home. Sukhumvit area is a hectic downtown and with luxouries hotels and condominiums. A large expat community and many tourists, means foreigners of all descriptions are especially well catered for when it comes to things to see and do here, day or night. And yet the bustle of the streets - especially the abundant pavement vendors and snarled traffic - still offers the relentless sensory bombardment that is so typically Bangkok.

Today, Sukhumvit is heart of the city , plenty of entertainment for all ages. Most of the embassies is located at the downtown. 

July 23, 2008
by Amrit Rashmisrisethi

Congratulations to TANYA NAHETA, a student of IWICA Chess Academy, ranking on the 4th position in Thailand Women Chess Championship 2008. Including with Tanya, 15 other children from IWICA Chess Academy had participated in 'Thailand Open Chess Championship Tournament'2008" which was held from 17/7/08 to 20/7/08 at Assumption Alumni.


IWICA CHESS ACADEMY is the 1st Chess Academy opened in Thailand conducting classes in English & Thai language with the centers opened in Silom, Sukhumvit & Narathiwat founded by Binita Shah associated with Mr. Praful Zaveri, the 1st FIDE certified trainer & running chess school in India for last 12yrs. He is also one of the coach appointed by All India Chess Federation to train upcoming chess players representing India on International level & the author of some best selling Chess books. The advisory panel of this academy are experienced coach & strong chess players like Mr.Praful Zaveri, FIDE Trainer, Mr. Kai Tuorilla, President of Bangkok Chess Club; Mr.Patchrawee Brahmawong, member of TCS, Dr. Phanupol Rodloytuk , Mr.Jirapak Pitirotjirathon, National Chess Champion'2008. The Academy trains children from 5yrs to adults following the most beneficial style of teaching done in almost all famous academies around the world with systematic planned curriculum & is divided into different levels. According to many Grand masters, the best way of learning chess is in a group where they come across many other players with individual having their own skill & strategy. A child can get better opportunities to understand and visualize the opponents thinking & strategy also develop skills faster in group studying where each lesson is planned systematically step by step, which is important in the beginning to develop the strong foundation rather than learning on computer or by private tutoring on 1 to 1 basis which is more beneficial to an advance player where they have to develop and enhance their skills, discover and invent their own new moves day by day and may also be the reason for many chess schools which have opened and more of them coming up in many different countries. Apart from having chess clubs in schools where they just play chess and not learn when, why, how & what to play at what time. When a child knows how to play with basic moves of chessmen we think they know the chess but its not only that. Chess is just not Capturing & Checkmating the king but a lot more-; a person can learn chess for years without repeating any lessons.

July 23, 2008
by Bupha Ravirot

Growing awareness of global warming and the need to conserve the environment leads The Nai Lert Park hotel to create wonderful orchid garden in busy city, Bangkok, "The Flower Carnival". Press Conference organized yesterday.

The 22nd Flower Show organized mainly by The Owners, Khun Bilaibhan Sampatisiri, Khun Sanhapit Bodiratnangkura and Khun Naphaporn  Bodiratnangkura along with The Management of The Hotel headed by Mr Aurelio Giraudo. To commemorate the 25th Anniversary on September 30, this year the hotel deciding to make "World's Largest Orchid Garden", another landmark in tourism attractions in Thailand, by converting almost 2 acres of its private gardens into a permanent orchid garden which will be containing more than 250 species of orchids including both local and foreign species.

Esstimated cost will be around 40 million baht including the initial procurement of the plants, the maintenance of the garden, marketing cum promotions and the setting-up of Thailand's First Orchid Academy. The project supervised by the leading authority on Orchids Dr Rapee Sagarik.

Guests of honor H.E. Weerasak Kowsurat, Minister of Tourism and Sports, Thailand and Phornsiri Manoharn, The Governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand have also been supported and have given impressive speeches in event yesterday.

Throughout the past twenty one years of flower show have been organized, originally started by Thanpuying Lursakdi Sampatisiri. It has involved into public an social affair, raising more than 38 million baht for various charity foundations.

July 23, 2008
by Shilpa Raina/IANS

Heavy bangles, chokers, chains, elaborated pendants and chandelier earrings in gold that were once a sign of prosperity were sidelined by sparkling diamonds. But after more than a decade, the yellow metal has made a comeback in the new avatar of lightweight jewellery. From the mid 1990s when Tanishq launched its diamond collection, the precious stone came within the reach of the Indian middle class. It truly became every woman’s best friend, thanks to its affordable price.

Later, other brands like Nakshatra, Asmi and Sangini popularised the use of diamonds. But, now lightweight gold jewellery is once again in demand and new age women are increasingly going for it because it suits their pockets and caters to their daily-wear needs.

Chanat Sorakraikitikul, director of a Thailand-based jewellery brand Pranda Jewelry, told IANS: “Yellow metal is surely coming back. It is in the limelight and despite hiked prices, sales have increased.”

Comparing the yellow metal with diamond, Sorakraikitikul added: “Every woman loves diamonds. But white can get monotonous and boring, so for a change women are now looking at gold with great interest.”

Gold has always been closely associated with Indian tradition and culture. At marriages, engagements or festivals, exchange of gold jewellery has always been considered auspicious.

“Earlier, gold only meant heavy jewellery, so the teenagers and youngsters had to seek alternatives like diamonds and silver that were chunky, light and attractive at the same time,” said Michelle King, marketing head, Gili that was launched in 1994.

July 23, 2008
by Sajal Kayan

On 22nd July, 2008, The Bank of Baroda's Bangkok Office celebrated 100 years of its presence in India.

At the moment, it is only a representative office. Thaindian.com congratulates Bank of Baroda on completing its centenary and wishes them all the best in opening a full fleged branch here in Bangkok.

Some Photos of the function :-

July 22, 2008
by Bupha Ravirot

Oberoi Rajvilas, India ranked 2nd best hotel of the year 2008, while The Oriental, Bangkok Thailand stands at 14 th ranked by Travel + Leisure magazine's 13th annual poll.

Travel + Leisure's 13th Annual World's Best Awards Readers' Survey Results Announced recently:

Five star hotel 'Oberoi Rajvilas Jaipur, India gets the 2nd of top 100 hotels with the score of 95.71, claimed up from the 11th last year. Impressive feature of Rajasthani-style fortress and luxury tents and villas, on the edge of the fabled pink city of Jaipur. The hotel also awarded 4th in the 75 Top Hotels in Asia (2007) and Best Hotels in the World for Service by Condé Nast Traveler, USA, Gold List 2006.

While 'The Oriental', Bangkok, Thailand ranked 14 th with the score of 91.94, fall down from the 3th ranked last year. Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world's most prestigious hotels and resorts. Mandarin Oriental now operates over 10,000 rooms in 23 countries with 16 hotels in Asia, 14 in The Americas and 9 in Europe and North Africa.

Singita Sabi Sand & Kruger National Park of South Africa is outstand with the 1 st award in all hotels round the world with a score of 97.50, up one more step ranking as 2nd last year. while Fairmont Mara Safari Club Masai Mara of Kenya grabs the 3rd stage.

India get more credits from Oberoi Udaivilas Udaipur ranked 4th and Oberoi Amarvilas in Agra which had been ranked 10 th last year, now gets to 6th.