Phuket Aquarium Releases Endangered Shark Species

THAILAND TRAVEL NEWS: Sharks and swimmers are two topics that ordinarily don’t meld well together, however, holiday makers have nothing to fear from 39 sharks recently released into the sea off Phuket.

Bred by Phuket Aquarium, the sharks, known as Indonesian bamboo sharks or Indonesian speckled carpetsharks Hemiscyllium freycineti, are sluggish, nocturnal fish, that feed off bottom dwelling invertebrates and smaller fish.

Aged between three months and two years, the sharks, along with 199 clown fish, were released off Mai Ton Island on August 12 to celebrate the birthday of Her Royal Highness Queen Sirikit.

Dr Wannakiat Thubthimsang, director of the Phuket Marine Biological Centre (PMBC), said the sharks provided no danger to swimmers as they are a non-migratory species, but instead provide an indication of the seas fertility due to their diet.

He said the number of shark species in Thai waters has gradually declined, with only 30 shark species now being found in the Andaman sea, compared to nearly a hundred species previously.

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This article is written by John Le Ferve

Phuket Gets a Boost with New Pacific Blue Flights

THAILAND TRAVEL NEWS: Pacific Blue Airlines, the Christchurch New Zealand based subsidiary of low-cost Australian airline Virgin Blue, will commence twice weekly direct flights from Perth to Phuket commencing November 14, 2009.

The flights will be operated by one of the airlines nine Boeing 737-800 aircraft and cater to an increasing demand by Australian holiday-makers for destinations closer to home.

To kick-start the new service the airline is offering a “Tuk Tuk Off To Phuket” launch fare of just $A299 (about$US248) each-way until midnight August 26, 2009, for travel between November 14 and December 12, 2009. After this normal fares will start at $A399 (about $US331) net.

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This article is written by John Le Ferve

Capella Bangkok to Raise Luxury Level

THAILAND TRAVEL NEWS: Thailand’s tourism industry might be somewhat depressed at the moment but it won’t stay that way forever and when it does visitors to Bangkok will need new, high quality hotels to stay in.

To meet the demand of quality conscious travelers West Paces Hotel Group Asia, developer of the Capella Hotels and Resorts brand, and Bangkok-based Country Group Company have announced plans for a new 64-floor mixed-use development along the Chao Phraya River.

To be named Capella Bangkok, the development will comprise two hotels and a residential tower housing two gourmet restaurants, a bar, a 900sqm (about 9.687sqft) Auriga spa, and a ballroom opening out to magnificent views of the river surrounded by lush tropical landscaping.

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This article is written by John Le Ferve

Thailand Panda Named Linping - Forest of Ice

THAILAND TRAVEL NEWS: Thailand’s latest (and possibly greatest) tourist attraction, the tiny panda cub born at Chiang Mai Zoo in May, finally has a name - Linping.

Chosen as the result of a national competition to select a name for the baby mammal, more than 22 million postcards were received with over 60 percent of those voting for Linping - a name that means “ice forest” in Chinese.

The name was one of four selected from an initial list of more than 300 names originally submitted. The other three names and their meanings were:

Kwan Thai – a Thai expression meaning, “darling of the Thai people".

Tai Jin – meaning "Thai gold" but can also refer to the Thai-Chinese relationship as “jin” is the Thai way of saying China.

Ying Ying – Chinese for "prosperity", while in Thai “ying” means girl.

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This article is written by John Le Ferve

Panda’s Snow House to be Opened as Chiang Mai Zoos Newest Attraction

Thailand Travel News: Chiang Mai Zoo launched a new snow house for panda family and will be officially opened to public on July 17.

Tanapat Pongpamorn, Chiang Mai Zoo director, said the Panda Snow Dome or Chiang Mai Zoo Snow Dome is now ready for the panda family and Xuang Xuang the male panda, will be able to try the new accommodations this coming winter.

Visitors will be able to observe the panda family on their snowy playground while viewing from an area designed to replicate the Great Wall. Visitors will be invited to experience the snow dome when it is out of season for the panda inhabitants.

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This article is written by Suttira Kaewthep

Special Deals for THAI Frequent Travelers

THAILAND TRAVEL NEWS: Members of Thai Airways International’s (THAI) frequent flyer club, Royal Orchid Plus (ROP), now have two great offers on which they can use their mileage points.

The Buy One, Redeem One at 50 percent promotion enables ROP members to purchase a ticket to any destination on the THAI international network and redeem a THAI award ticket for an accompanying passenger at half the mileage points ordinarily required for the journey.

Tickets must be issued in Thailand and flights must originate in Bangkok prior to September 30.


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This article is written by John Le Fevre