Thailand celebrates a record breaking 29 million visitors in 2015

The Thai tourism industry hit a new record with the arrival of the 29 millionth visitor today (16 December 2015), surpassing the projected target of 28.8 million and still counting. 

Ms. Elena Slobodian, from Russia Federation, the 29 millionth tourist, also dubbed ‘Thailand’s Luckiest Visitor’, was greeted at Suvarnabhumi Airport with a warm welcoming ceremony by senior executives of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Airports of Thailand (AOT), the Immigration Bureau, Thai Airways International and True Corporation.

Ms. Elena Slobodian was pleasantly surprised to receive two economy-class return tickets on Thai Airways from her original destination to Thailand, valid for one year; a voucher for a five-night stay at luxury accommodation; a mobile phone with a 4G sim-card and seven-day Internet usage for use during the trip; as well as the “Thailand’s Luckiest Visitor” certificate from TAT.

Mrs. Juthaporn Rerngronasa, Deputy Governor for International Marketing (Europe, Africa, Middle East and Americas), Tourism Authority of Thailand said, “This historic achievement is a tribute to all those who work in travel and tourism, all the way from the rank and file employees at the grassroots level up to the senior executives. Our visitors and guests visit Thailand because of their confidence in our ability to deliver quality services with impressive total experiences. And it is the hospitality of the Thai people who make this possible.”

She added, “We would like to thank each and every visitor who came to Thailand. This year, travel and tourism has truly proven to be an economic mainstay for the entire kingdom. With the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) set to be launched, there is every reason to believe that Thai travel and tourism will retain its importance as a source of jobs, economic livelihood and income distribution.”

According to the preliminary figures released by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Thailand welcomed a total of 28.3 million visitors during 1 January – 16 December 2015. This generates 1.357 trillion baht tourism revenue.

Source: Thai travel blogs and news

Thai Pillow Making Village

Baan Sritan is known as a Thai triangle pillow making village in Yasothon province, Northeast of Thailand. It is exactly a village where I was born.

These types of pillows have been used for centuries in Thailand. You also often see in the traditional Thai movies or at a special traditional Thai restaurant in many touristic cities, in hotel and so on. It represents in many forms whereas the triangular shape is the most popular among others, that’s why somehow people call it Triangle Pillow.

Here is a special custom made for a friend of mine who would like to turn the secondhand Japanese Kimono fabric to a beautiful pillow representing a mix of Thai and Japanese culture.

Wrote by: Mr. Kie

New domestic terminal opens at Don Mueang International Airport

New domestic terminal opens at Don Mueang International Airport

Airports of Thailand (AOT) recently announced the opening of Terminal 2 at Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport for domestic flights.  The facility has a capacity to handle 11.5 million passengers per year, and is equipped with six rows of check-in counters, totalling 70 counters, including 10 counters for passengers with disabilities.

The 24-December soft launch date followed the successful implementation of a three-day thorough trial operation which simulated real check-in conditions, luggage loading, immigration, and boarding of passengers.  Public transport, including taxis and airport express buses, are available.

In order to ensure smooth experience for passengers, AOT is currently fine-tuning the final details of some other areas; such as, washrooms, restaurants, and shops.

The new domestic terminal is set for a full opening in February 2016.

AOT has ensured that the new terminal as well as current facilities on operations are renovated, maintained and operated in line with the international airport safety and security standards.

Don Mueang International Airport currently serves domestic and international flights by low-cost carriers, including Thai Smile, Nok Air, Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, Orient Thai Airlines etc.  It also has a handling capacity of 28 million passengers per year while the full operation of the second passenger terminal at the airport will bring the capacity to handle up to 40 million passengers per year

Source: Pattayamail

Traveling in Bangkok by Taxi

I was asked by many tourists about the taxi rate in Bangkok. Here i like to give you guys an idea of how much Thai taxi will cost based on meter, this price is updated in 2015. first start with 35 Baht then will increase 5.5 baht/km up to first 12 km. then price will rise up again 6 Baht/km for a certain distance and if you take more than 80 km it will cost you 10.5 Baht/km (this is the maximum rate/km). If you got in a very bad traffic, the car moving slower than 6 km/h then the meter will count per minute which is now 2 Bath/minute. If it’s moving faster than 6 km/h, the meter will count based on kilometer.

Normally the taxi rate chart will be available and usually hanged on the backside of the front seat. If you guys sit on the back seat will definitely see the taxi rate hanging in front of you.

You can simply check whether the meter is right or not by checking how far you have been or the distance from where you stay and the place you wanted to go. For example if your hotel is about 10 km from the airport and you wanted to go to the airport. Then you can predict that the taxi will cost you based on meter = 35 + (9x5.5) = 85 Baht (if there is no traffic). However if you are in a bad traffic and the car is moving slower than 6 km/h for about 10 minutes then you will be charged an extra of = 2 x 10 = 20 Baht so with such a distance plus bad traffic, the total rate will be around 105 Baht.

Be noted about the taxi rate in Bangkok or elsewhere in Thailand, there is no night time rate or day time rate, it are all the same rate. The only thing that you will be charged extra is when you access to the highway or expressway. Normally the taxi driver will ask you to pay directly to the highway officer, and you will get the receipt right after.

Hope this info will be useful for you guys, and if you got more questions just let me know. I'm happy to get back to all of your questions or concerns

Wrote by: Mr. Kie

Wat Pha Nam Tip

Wat Pha Nam Tip, is one of the most attractive place in Roi-Et City, located in Nong Phok District. This temple has a huge Chedi of 101 meters long, 101 meters wide and 101 meters high and was built on a plot of 101 Rai, which is around 40 acres. The number 101 was actually come from the name of the city of Roi-Et, which means 101 in Thai.

The Chedi is also known as Phra Maha Chedi Chai Mongkhon, highly respected in Roi-Et, since the relics of the Buddha was first kept on top of the pagoda. The new Chedi was designed by the Department of Fine Arts; it is built to serve as a Learning Center for Buddhist monks. 

The very elegantly shaped Chedi is painted in white color and very elaborately decorated in golden colored artwork in modern style. Surrounding the Chedi consist of eight smaller pagodas. The finial on top of the Chedi is made of 60 kilos pure gold.

Wrote by: Mr. Kie

Wat Phra That Phanom

Wat Phra That Phanom is the sacred precinct of the Phra That Phanom Chedi, located in the district of the same name, in the southern part of Nakhon Phanom City, Northeastern Thailand. 

According to the legend, this structure contains the Buddha's breast bone, and as such, it is one of the most important Theravada Buddhist structures in the region.

It was originally built in the 16th century by the Laotian King Setthathirath of Lanxang. Each year, a festival is held in That Phanom to honor the temple. This festival lasts for one week, during which thousands of people make pilgrimages to honor the shrine.

Most of tourist visiting this temple are from Thailand and Loas, not many from Western except those who married to Thai lady. Since this is not yet booming like other places in the middle part of Thailand, it is recommended because you will be seeing a lot of traditional and cultural things there.

Every year, I visit this temple with my parent and relatives, making merit and touring around the city. This city is located right next to the Mae Klong liver, connected with Laos. Right now the Thai government has announced to develop part of this city to become one of the largest industrial areas of the Northeastern part of Thailand connected to Loas - Vietnam and China. 

wrote by: Mr. Kie 

The Highest Point of Thailand

The Highest point of Thailand is called Doi Inthanon, located in Chiangmai province, around 2,565 meters above sea level.  Doi Inthanon National Park covers an area of 1,005 square kilometers. On top of it, found a lot of plants grown similarly to those in the temperate zone. The temperature in winter time is ranging between 0-5 C, and the rest of the year is around 10-15 C.

I have been here together with friends 2 times with my owned car.  Generally it is very nice place for camping, bird watching. Most people are traveling to this mountain with owned car and stay overnight there, you can either stay at the guest house or with your owned camping stuffs. Early morning get up and see the sunrise, midday touring around and late afternoon see the sunset which is absolutely beautiful.  

Along the way up to the highest point, you also see a lot of strawberry farms and also can buy it right at the farm; you will get fresh and good price than when you buy at the local market or open-air market in the city of Chiang Mai.

Wrote by: Mr. Kie