You Meet Nice Sportbikes in the 250cc Neighborhood - NYTimes.com

You Meet Nice Sportbikes in the 250cc Neighborhood - NYTimes.com:

 "NOBODY should be surprised to learn that Honda has the know-how to build a smooth, light, easy-to-manage motorcycle that is ideal for novice riders.

Or that the company can make a practical commuter bike that combines hybrid-beating fuel economy with a comfortable riding position and a flexible, well-mannered engine. Or that it has the ability to create a sportbike that can make even jaded ex-racers consider becoming racers again.

What does raise eyebrows, though, is that Honda can do all this with a single motorcycle — and do it at the entry-level price of"

Interview with Dr Atchaka Sibunruang, Secretary General of the Board of Investment (BOI) | Business Report Thailand

Interview with Dr Atchaka Sibunruang, Secretary General of the Board of Investment (BOI) | Business Report Thailand:

 "Adjacent to the gleaming PTT tower, one of the great state industries flying the flag for Thailand around the globe, the front of the Board of Investment (BOI) building is under renovation. It is rather apt. Once synonymous with drawing investors to Thailand, the BOI is undergoing a change in policy and direction. No longer fixed on inbound Foreign Direct Investment (IFDI), it is assuming a new role, encouraging Thai companies to invest abroad – not that it has done badly in its original mission. The BOI attracted THB447.4bn (USD14.7bn) worth of investment through 1,591 projects in 2010 alone"

Foreign applications for investment up 53% in first quarter

Foreign applications for investment up 53% in first quarter:

"Mrs Atchaka said that foreign direct investment continued an increase as well with the number of projects surging by 37 per cent to 336 and investment value by 103 per cent to Bt108 billion."

China City complex Bangkok - will a Chiang Mai version follow?

Bangkokpost.com:

"Mr Chanin, 32, believes the 6,000 local small and medium-sized footwear manufacturers that comprise 90% of the local footwear market will be the main industry drivers.
As well, the 45-billion-baht China City Complex planned for Bang Na district to serve the wholesale trade will push Thai makers to focus more on high-end, premium products and turn away from the mass market, he said.
Mr Chanin, who is also the president of the Thai Business District Federation, believes that rather than posing a threat, the China City Complex will serve to highlight the differences between Thai and Chinese products.
'The premium segment is where we will be able to compete, and it's the only path for industry survival. We will not, for instance, see genuine leather shoes from China that are cheap,' he said.
Mr Chanin said by maintaining relationships with other Asean countries including through projects and fairs, Thailand will be able to portray itself as a country of high-quality labour and goods, thereby building up brand awareness and loyalty."

Asia Pacific Surpasses the U.S. to Become Second Largest Regional Travel Market

Asia Pacific Surpasses the U.S. to Become Second Largest Regional Travel Market:

"The Asia Pacific (APAC) travel market surged 17% in 2010, surpassing the U.S. to become the second largest regional travel market worldwide, according to a new report by travel industry research authority PhoCusWright. Fueled by a recovering economic climate and strong growth in key emerging markets, APAC grew faster than all other regions to reach US$255.8 billion in 2010."

PROMENADA - A True Shopping Delight -Mai 2011

PROMENADA - A True Shopping Delight -Mai 2011:

What we can expect from the new Promenda Chiang Mai when it is completed - I can't wait! [ED]

China's passion for luxury goods fuels their rapidly escalating cost of operation and diminished competitiveness vs. Chiang Mai

China major target for luxury brands:

"Chinese consumers are now eyeing high-end luxury goods with ever more money in their once flat pockets.


China’s rapid evolution from a basic emerging market to a sophisticated economic powerhouse is ready to see the country become the world’s largest luxury goods market over the next decade.


CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets, majority owned by France’s Credit Agricole SA, expects China to account for as much as 44 percent of global luxury sales by 2020, up from the current 15 percent."

IBM selected Chiangmai to be a Smarter City

IBM selected Chiangmai to be a Smarter City - Pattaya Mail - Pattaya News, Communities, Opinions and much more...:

 "CHIANGMAI, 18 April 2011 -IBM has chosen Chiangmai province among 22 other cities around the world to become “Smarter City” with the information technology system to promote agriculture, industries and public health.
Chiangmai Governor Momluang Panadda Dissakul said after meeting with U.S. Consul General in Chiang Mai Susan Stevenson and IBM representatives that the province would be the center of all standardized services in the Northern region."

Promenada Presents!

Pleas view the new video here that gives further insight into this exciting development for Chiang Mai;
Promenada Video

Promenada breaks ground!

Promenada breaks ground!:

"Recently Promenada Resort Mall Chiang Mai commenced a stone placing ceremony on Monday February 21, 2011. Thailand’s first open-air resort style shopping experience combined with a contemporary multiple level air-conditioned mall, a 2,800-million-baht investment and located on 58-rai land. Its design is to blend in nature with vibrant city lifestyle; some can sit back and relax in close-to-nature outdoor area, while some enjoy shopping and entertainment in the stunningly beautiful design in the indoor area. Additionally to Mr. Tjeert Kwant, President and CEO IP Holding & ECC Invest, Mr. Dion L.J. Heijmans, Chairman and Founder of ECC, Dr. Wachara Tantranont of V-Group Chiang Mai, Mr. M.L. Panadda Diskul, Chiang Mai Governor and Mr. Tjaco T. van den Hout, Ambassador for the Kingdom of The Netherlands in Thailand, were present"

Cinema City romania invests EUR 5 million in Braila multiplex

Could thisd be something to expect for Promenada Chiang Mai? [ED]

Cinema City invests EUR 5 million in Braila multiplex - News - Business Review:

 "Cinema City is inaugurating its first multiplex in Braila, which represents its tenth national investment, since 2007. The 5 million investment, located in Promenada Mall, consists in a 10-cinema multiplex, with a capacity of 1724 seats"

Elephant Nature Foundation: April 2011 Newsletter

Elephant Nature Foundation: April 2011 Newsletter:

"There's a New Girl in Town! In the early evening on March 6th a female elephant in her mid-thirties walked from a nearby trekking camp to Elephant Nature Park, escorted by two of our mahouts and some of our volunteers. Her name will be Tilly and she was rescued with funds donated by Bob Barker from the USA"

The Tourism and Sport Ministry have sought extra Bt2 billion budget for Chiang Mai's Convention Centre - The Nation

The Tourism and Sport Ministry have sought extra Bt2 billion budget for Chiang Mai's Convention Centre - The Nation:

"The Tourism and Sports Ministry will ask the Cabinet for an extra budget of Bt2 billion to develop facilities related to the Chiang Mai Convention Centre, which is scheduled to be completed in September.
Minister Chumpol Silapaacha said the additional budget would be spent mostly on construction.
Essential infrastructure includes a water treatment system, a power generator, and three main roads linking with the centre, a communication system, and wireless Internet."

Amari Rincome Chiang Mai Closure for Redevelopment

Amari Rincome Chiang Mai Closure for Redevelopment - Hospitality News - etravelblackboard.com:

"Effective 30 April 2011 Amari Rincome in Chiang Mai will close down its operations in readiness for a full redevelopment of its existing site.

The current hotel will be completely re-profiled and will be part of an integrated development with a community mall containing a landscaped plaza, retail areas, cinemas and restaurants."

End of an era. The 40 year old Amari Rincome is one of Chiang Mai's oldest, having established in that location when there was little more than rice fields in that area.

This will probably be a nice addition to the facilities in the Nimmanheimen area and continues its transformation into a self contained destination. It already gets many Thai visitors who don't go into the Old City area at all. Chiang Mai's own little version of Bangkok's upscale Thong Lor district is growing up fast.

On the downside, traffic at that intersection is already one of the worst bottlenecks in Chiang Mai and this development at that very corner surely won't help that.

Thailand’s exports grew 31% in Feb.

Thailand’s exports grew 31% in Feb.:

"Thailand’s exports in February surged by 31 per cent year-on-year, amounting to nearly US$19 billion, hitting a record high, Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai said on Friday."

BOI to Help Japanese businesses to relocate to Thailand

BOI to Help Japanese businesses to relocate to Thailand:

"Industry Vice Minister Puttipong Punnakan said the BoI has been monitoring the impacts of the tsunami and quake. The meeting will aim to come up with a plan to provide privileges and support in special cases to Japanese businesses that want to relocate their production bases to Thailand, which is one of Japan’s main production bases."

Want to really impress that cute bargirl? Buy her one of these - Catch That Cap! Bottle Cap Catcher by Stefano...

Catch That Cap! Bottle Cap Catcher by Stefano Di Lollo for Trudeau Corporation � Yanko Design: "

This clever device opens the bottles and catches the caps until you decide to release the prisoners by removing the flexible base to make room for more victims."

Starts off with Stone Placing Ceremony, Expect to Unveil Thailand’s first Resort Mall First Half of 2012

ECC International Real Estate Company Limited Chief Executive Officer and shareholder Mr. Tjeert Kwant –developer of Thailand’s first resort mall “Promenada Resort Mall Chiang Mai”- has recently signed a business contract with its strategic partner and Chiang Mai’s one of the most notable businessmen and real estate developers Dr. Wachara Tantranont, Chairman of VGroup Chiang Mai More >>.

Thailand’s vehicle sales up 44% in Feb.

Thailand’s vehicle sales up 44% in Feb.:

"Supported by a hard-work ethic, steady investment and generous government incentives, Thailand’s automotive industry is poised for accelerated growth. Currently employing more than 300,000 people and generating 12% of the national GDP, the auto industry is respected as one of the biggest manufacturing sectors in the country.
Thailand’s industry has attracted virtually all of the world’s major automakers, assemblers, and parts and component manufacturers, and many are planning further investment. Ford, General Motors, BMW,"

Promenada Resort Mall Chiang Mai to Feature Rimping Superstore in Thailand’s First Resort Mall

 Promenada Resort Mall Chiang Mai to Feature Rimping Superstore in Thailand’s First Resort Mall :

Perhaps nothing illustrates better the wonderful diversity of Chiang Mai than the bustling mayhem of Wororot traditional Thai Market compared  to the orderly, air-con "chicness" of Rimping Supermarkets.

Both styles coexisting and offering wonderful choices to all the people of Chiang Mai.

 or of "Mr. Tjeert Kwant , The CEO & shareholder of ECC Group, recently signed an MOU with Mr. Phairoj Phatsorpinyosakul , President of Tantraphan Supermarket (1994) Co., Ltd. to secure ‘Rimping Superstore,’ Chiang Mai’s upscale, reputable supermarket well known for vast variety of sophisticated products, which will add distinguished points to the 2.8-billion-baht Thailand’s first resort mall ‘Promenada Resort Mall Chiang Mai’"