Phuket airport’s domestic terminal renovation was officially launched yesterday (June 25).

The opening ceremony was held at the Phuket International Airport and hosted by the Airport of Thailand (AOT) president Nitinai Sirismatthakarn.

Khun Nitinai says, “The Phuket International Domestic Terminal upgrade project is now complete with new facilities and world standard security services. The airport is now available to service up to 7,200 passengers at a time and includes 2,660 passenger seats.”

“The new domestic terminal covers 30,339 square metres, divided into three floors. The first floor is for arriving passengers and covers 12,100 square metres. The new baggage claim area covers 4,200 square metres and there are six more toilets areas.”

“The second floor covers 10,500 square metres with 66 check-in counters, seven x-ray machines, seven boarding gate and five toilet areas. The third floor covers 3,500 metres with shops and two toilets areas.”

“The airport is available to service 20 flights per hour and up to 12.5 million passengers per year. We have a new service slogan too…  ‘Safety is standard Service is heart’.”

The Phuket International Airport General Manager Petch Chancharoen took the Phuket media pack on a tour of the full service domestic terminal back on June 1.

Thai Smile will add an early morning flight from Bangkok to Phuket, four days a week, effective 2 July.

The early bird flight will depart Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport at 0635 and arrive in Phuket at 0755 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

The return flight will depart Phuket at 0855 and arrive in Bangkok at 1020.

At the same time, last year, the airline increased its Bangkok-Phuket services from five to seven daily giving it 49 flights weekly. Now it is adding four more weekly services raising the weekly count to 53.

The 0635 early bird flight will make it more convenient for passengers who need to connect with the first flight to Phuket. The earliest departure from Bangkok on a Thai Smile flight is currently 0920.

Thai Smile operates out of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport using Airbus A320s.

Owned by Thai Airways International, the airline acts as a feeder carrier on domestic routes that THAI no longer serves, but the two airlines offer parallel services to Phuket and Chiang Mai.

THAI’s first Phuket-bound flight departs at 0740 from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport.

THAI’s timetable information identifies 10 flights daily to Phuket using a three digit flight designator that distinguish services from codeshare flights that use Thai Smile (four digit designator).

The Tourism Authority of Thailand will place a stronger emphasis on the lucrative weddings and honeymoon travel segment to raise Thailand’s position in global rankings.

Commenting at a press conference during the opening of the Thailand Travel Mart, Wednesday, TAT deputy governor marketing communications, Tanes Petsuwan, said Thailand was now positioned to become a top global destination for “romance, weddings and honeymoons.”

Tanes said, “numerous marketing and promotional activities are planned to reinforce Thailand’s image as a global wedding and honeymoon destination.”

TAT has also identified potential romance travel destinations mostly beach destinations with the exception of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in North Thailand.

Tanes identified Pattaya, the host city of the TTM+2018, plus Phuket, Samui, Krabi, Chiang Mai, Trang, Trat, Hua Hin-Pran Buri, and Chiang Rai has having potential to attract romance travel.

TAT says the objective is to raise romance travel visits to be around 5% of the total visitor arrivals to the country. Last year Thailand counted 35 million arrivals.

In 2016,  3.37% if all visitors to Thailand were linked to a romantic travel themed holiday.

Firm statistics on the worth of the romantic travel market that includes weddings and honeymoons are sketchy.

The latest figures date back to 2016 when TAT claimed there were 1.1 million visitors to the country who could be classified in the romantic travel category.

Earnings were estimated at USD 1.65 billion or approximately USD1,500 per visitor per trip.

The wedding segment in 2016 generated 104,000 visits, while honeymoons were estimated at 990,000 trips.

India alone supplied around 400 weddings for destinations in Thailand, the largest single supply market for the country.

Tanes presented what he called his five “Ds to explain why Thailand was the “perfect destination for romance, weddings and honeymoons.”

Tanes on five Ds

Destinations Extraordinaire: A wide choice of breathtaking locations that are perfect as the setting of the couples’ most important day.

Diverse Choices: Tailor-made wedding themes for couples by professional planners with varied options; beach, luxury yacht and underwater.

Dream Hideaways: From homestays to a deluxe villa;

Delectable Tastes: Michelin star recommended restaurants, or street food.

Distinct Hospitality: “Thainess” demonstrated in and heart-warming hospitality that shape the couple’s experiences.

The main ‘pre-wedding market’ is China as Chinese couples are normally fond of shooting photos and prefer visiting Thailand.

Wedding markets are India, Hong Kong and Australia.

Honeymoons are sold in long-haul markets such as North America and Europe. Nearby markets are Indonesia, Malaysia and South Korea.

Milestones on Thailand’s journey to recognition in the romance travel market include the hosting of the 4th Destination Wedding Planners Congress 2017 in Phuket, an event held for the first time in Asia that attracted 450 delegates from 60 countries.

Last February Thailand hosted Amour Asia Pacific 2018 that welcomed 77 high-quality buyers including both romance travel buyers and destination wedding planners. It fielded 84 exhibitors, ranging from hotel and accommodation providers to destination management companies from across the Asia Pacific including 15 from Thailand.

Thailand’s annual shopping extravaganza is to get a complete innovative makeover this year with a special focus on the shopping and dining delights of three provinces that border Thailand’s neighbouring countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion.

From 1 June-31 August, 2018, the “Thailand Shopping & Dining Paradise 2018”, organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in cooperation with its long-standing partners among the credit card companies, department stores, airlines, shopping centres, hotels and tour operators will allow shoppers to receive numerous discounts.

In addition to Bangkok, this year, for the first time, there will be a special focus on Tak province (which borders Myanmar), Buri Ram (which borders Cambodia) and Udon Thani (which is close to the border with Lao PDR).

The focus on these provinces is in line with the Thailand 4.0 strategy of the Royal Thai Government to advance a more balanced social and economic development agenda, create more economic growth and job opportunities, and generate a more equitable distribution of income between the rural and urban areas.

The event aims to promote tourism during the Green Season and attract visitors by featuring various products and services in the fields of fashion, Thai designs, community-based products, travel and tourism services, and restaurants.

According to Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, “Each of these provinces has its own unique culture and character, but the shopping and dining activities will also include many of their surrounding provinces in the East, Northeast and Western regions of Thailand. We are targetting a turnout of 40% of foreign tourists (ASEAN countries, East Asia, South Asia and Oceania) and 60% of Thai tourists.”

The “Thailand Shopping and Dining Paradise 2018” is designed to motivate both Thai and foreign tourists to travel to and around Thailand and boost Thailand’s image as a diverse, innovative, creative and value-for-money shopping destination.

Although the entire project will cover a three-month period, specific activities will be held on specific dates.

Bangkok

The “Thailand Shopping and Dining Paradise 2018” will be held at MBK Avenue, MBK Centre during 15-17 June, 2018, with activities; such as; “Cook It Yourself”, “Do It Yourself” and “Food for Charity”. Special menus will be curated by celebrity chefs to raise funds for the Children’s Foundation.

As many new attractions, shopping and entertainment complexes are linked by the direct walkway to the mass transit system, the Skytrain, “The Most Fun Shopping Route” will be introduced to connect the participating shopping complexes and department stores along Rama I Road, Sukhumvit Road and Bangna-Trat Road.

These include the MBK Centre, Siam Discovery, Siam Centre, Siam Paragon, Siam Square One, Siam Square, Central Department Store, ZEN Central Group, CentralWorld, Gaysorn Village, Terminal 21, The Emporium, The Emquatier, Mega Bangna, Platinum Fashion Mall, Show DC, Tang Hua Seng (Thon Buri), Tang Hua Seng (Bang Lamphu), Asiatique, and River City Bangkok.

This will be ongoing throughout the campaign period from June to August 2018, in Bangkok.

Mae Sot District, Tak

Over 270 leading shops and restaurants; such as, Modern Trade, Robinson Department Store, Lifestyle, TK Garment Outlet, Hong Long Minimart, Ha Yaek Group (2559), Boonrot Mae Sot, and Rim Mei Market will participate under the theme “Travel, Shopping, Dining in the Land of Mae Sot” during June – August 2018.

A gala opening ceremony and exhibition of the “Thailand Shopping & Dining Paradise 2018” will be held at the Robinson Lifestyle Mae Sot during 8-10 June, 2018, featuring a lineup of the quality products and services, a food festival and cultural performances.

Buri Ram

A special event will be held during 29 June – 1 July, 2018, at Buri Ram Castle under the theme “#Blue City, Variety of Good Products”, featuring over 100 exhibitors of Thai design products, leading sports brands, local food and community products. Culinary promotion activities will include “Cook It Yourself” “Do It Yourself” and “Food for Charity” by celebrity chefs.

Buri Ram entrepreneurs, food shops, boutique hotels, and tour operators will participate in the “Thailand Shopping and Dining Paradise 2018” sales promotion during June-August 2018.

Udon Thani

A special event, “Udon Serves Happiness in All Menus”, will be held during 6-8 July, 2018, on Thong Yai Road, in front of the UD Town Department Store, Amphoe Mueang, Udon Thani. Visitors will enjoy cultural performances and “Do It Yourself” activities; such as, painting Ban Chiang pottery, indigo dyeing, as well as tasting local foods; such as, Duck Spicy Salad, Som Tam (Papaya Salad).

In Udon Thani, the “Thailand Shopping and Dining Paradise 2018” sales promotion will be organised during July – August 2018.

In all these events, TAT has received the kind cooperation of participating partners; such as, VISA card, Thai Hotels Association, Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association, airlines, etc., to offer special discounts and rewards; such as, lucky draws and gift vouchers.

Thailand is known as a shopper’s paradise. In 2016, the daily expenditure of international visitors was about 5,237.62 Baht per person, of which 1,278.20 Baht, or 24% was on shopping. Shopping by visitors alone generated about 397 billion Baht in foreign exchange for the Thai economy.

Shopping in Thailand is always an excellent opportunity to stack up on some really amazing Thai products. At dozens of department stores, shopping complexes and retailers in Bangkok and all the popular tourist cities, visitors will find an amazing range of high quality goods; e.g., clothing, jewellery, leatherwear, bags, shoes, etc. The best gift items are the unique locally-made products including those from the Royal Projects, handicrafts, Thai silk products, decorative and designer items and household products.

For more information, www.thailandshoppingdining.com
Facebook: thailandshoppingdining

Author: Bill Barnett of c9hotelworks.com

An announcement by the Airports of Thailand (AoT) about approval of a plan for a new second Greater Phuket airport has created quite a stir in the tourism sector in one of Southeast Asia’s leading resort markets.

Located just over the Sarasin Bridge in Phang Nga’s Khok Kloi area, work is reportedly set to start in 2019 and complete by 2025.

The move is a highly logical one, given last year Phuket International Airport hosted 8.4 million passenger arrival and we are forecasting a sharp rise this year to 9.7 million.

A broader trend of developing more regional airports versus mega projects is a global trend and one only has to look at the trio of Bangkok gateways – Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and U-Tapao which continue to post massive gains in airlift.

Looking at the big picture, a trio of Greater Phuket Airports – Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi will be able to accommodate tourism’s growing Andaman footprint and be able to move the Khao Lak market into the mainstream as airport access would drop to under an hour, door to door.

Krabi, which has quietly surpassed the over 2 million passenger arrival market and in 2017 hosted 4.3 million total passengers has a THB6.6 billion budget that includes a third terminal, upgrading of the existing two terminal and an additional car park. While Phuket falls under the AoT, Krabi is administered by Thailand’s Department of Airports (formerly DCA).

As to our prediction on what will be the biggest beneficiaries from the new airport, they’d include –

Mai Khao, which sits strategically between the current Phuket International Airport and Kho Kloi and will likely start to become a newly urbanized area given its large tracts of private and government controlled land banks.

Zoning on Phang Nga’s expansive west coast beach area from Natai to Thai Muang is expected to see changes soon with larger hotel development provisions. Expect the hotel to follow, given Phuket’s shrinking coastline opportunities.

Thirdly is the increased access of Phang Nga Bay, which is witnessing a renaissance in luxury hotel offerings, expect the area which is shared by Phuket Phang Nga and Krabi province to be a strong part of the tourism Golden Triangle of Greater Phuket.

Pracha Asawateera, manager of the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA), is calling for government investment in safety technology to make Phuket’s busy beaches safer.

Pracha said: “Phuket is now in the process of upgrading beach safety by using technology called the ‘smart beach’ project. CCTV cameras will be used as part of the safety efforts. More people are enjoying Phuket’s beaches but we don’t have enough lifeguards to look after them all the time.

“We have suggested the Phuket provincial office request a Bt140 million budget for the project to install about 40 CCTV cameras at 13 beaches. If the budget is approved, it will take not more than four months to install. So we will be ready for next year’s high season. If the budget is not been approved, we will suggest the idea to other offices.

“We are now testing a CCTV system which would help lifeguards with beach safety. This technology will help lifeguards to set up swimming zones. These zones are changing all the time. Now these zones are being identified with ropes. With the new system, lifeguards will be able to monitor beachgoers on their smartphones,” Pracha added.

“We have installed a CCTV camera at Patong beach to test the system.

“If any of them are outside the safety zone or if boats are entering safety zones, the system provides a warning. Pictures and videos will be recorded as evidence. These CCTV camera are also recording during night time with heat detectors. It will immediately report anything that needs urgent attention.”

Source: www.thethaiger.com/news/phuket-officials-urged-to-push-ahead-with-smart-beach-project

Michelin, the tire company that awards stars to dining institutions across the globe, is expanding its presence in Thailand. The second-ever Michelin guide to Thailand will include Phuket and Phang Nga in addition to Bangkok, which got its first Michelin-starred restaurants late last year.

According to Michelin, the expansion “contributes to the prestige of the local gastronomy,” with the goal of attracting international tourists. Michelin actually produces its guides to Thailand in partnership with the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said to Michelin: “In line with TAT’s policy, the Michelin Guide Bangkok, Phuket, and Phang-nga will help in sustaining the momentum of the debut edition of the Michelin Guide Bangkok in promoting Thailand as an international gastronomic destination.”

The 2018 guide to Bangkok included just 17 starred restaurants, a small number for a city of more than 8 million people. In the lead-up to the guide, many were concerned that the city’s world-famous street food would not be included, given Michelin’s clear preference for fine dining with French and Japanese roots. In the end, just vendor Jay Fai won a star, although she almost wished she hadn’t.

In the announcement, Michelin noted that the new guide would highlight Phuket’s “melting pot of cultural cuisine ” as well as the seaside city’s “super-fresh seafood.” The 2019 guide will also cover Bangkok’s inner zone and its vicinity provinces, including Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, and Samut Prakan.

This latest guide is part of a more general Michelin expansion into Asia. Michelin also launched the first-ever guide to Taipei this year and has existing guides to Shanghai, Singapore, Hong Kong and Macau, and Tokyo. The 2019 Michelin guide to Bangkok, Phuket, and Phang-nga will launch at the end of 2018.