Tourism Authority of Thailand Announces 'Watch & Win' Winners -- BANGKOK, June 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Tourism Authority of Thailand Announces 'Watch & Win' Winners -- BANGKOK, June 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --:

 "Creative tourists were invited to watch the campaign video, "Discover the Other You." After feeling inspired, they were asked to choose one of their favorite experiential holidays and complete the participation form. The top activities were classes in: 1: Thai Massage 2: Thai Cooking and 3: Thai boxing respectively."

ED: Chiang Mai offers a unique Northern Thailand  Cookery Experience for every budget, packages with Chaing Mai pick-up, return travel from Bangkok, accommodation and 2-3 days expert tuition start from less than 12,000 THB ($ 400)

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Miracle of Thai Food - Chiang Mai - 3 Days
Opening ceremony Central Plaza Friday 15th June 2012
11.00  Register and event introduction
12.00   Acoustic live on stage
13.00   On stage activity: Lucky draw (part 1)
16.00   Opening event
16.30   Cooking show contest
       (Rome Patchata VS Miss Universe 2006; Charm Osathanond)
17.00   Acoustic live on stage
20.00   On stage activity: Lucky draw (part 2)
21.00   End of Day 1 activity; see you tomorrow"

The Future of Thai rice and Thai farmers - Crisis looming

The Future of Thai rice and Thai farmers - Business, Top Stories - Thailand Business News:

 "90 per cent of farmer’s children—the future of Thai agriculture—said they would not carry on their forebear’s work in rice paddies."

Bangkok Airways brings back gourmet | Bangkok Post: business

Bangkok Airways brings back gourmet | Bangkok Post: business:

 "the dishes from The Chedi, a blend of Western, Thai and Indian cooking styles, are scheduled for October to December.

The dishes will be prepared by BAC, a leading air catering firm controlled by Bangkok Airways, based on recipes from the two chefs and to be available on seven routes to Male and Dhaka."

Lanna…Land of Prosperity Miracles of Natural Heaven Grace of Ancient Civilization

Lanna…Land of Prosperity Miracles of Natural Heaven Grace of Ancient Civilization:

New Website launched
"Origin of the Prosperous Raming City
From King Mangrai to the Globalization Age
Diversity of Arts and Culture
Impressive and Exotic Identity and Uniqueness
Assimilation of Forest Ecosystem
And Historical and Cultural Roots along with Modernity
An Ancient Capital with Continuous Historical Development "

Suu Kyi Woos Thousands in Mahachai | The Irrawaddy Magazine

Suu Kyi Woos Thousands in Mahachai | The Irrawaddy Magazine:

"Thousands of Burmese migrants in Mahachai, near Bangkok, came to hear pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi speak on Wednesday morning during her first trip abroad for 24 years."

New Robotic Surgery Centre in Chiang Mai

New Robotic Surgery Centre in Chiang Mai:

"The centre is the first of its kind in the northern region and is the fourth robot of its kind in Thailand. The robot was already used to operate on 30 prostate and intestinal cancer patients before the grand opening of the centre, and all of these operations are said to have gone successfully. Patients lost less blood than in a regular operation and there were no complications, the centre reported. All patients were able to recover within one week. Each operation costs around 300,000 baht."

Chiang Mai Convention Centre Nears Completion | TSNN Trade Show News

Chiang Mai Convention Centre Nears Completion | TSNN Trade Show News: "The MoTS has appointed Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) as interim management of the convention centre until a long-term management solution is found, with the involvement of Thai or foreign partners reportedly being considered."

Network Norwich and Norfolk : Norwich couple's bid to help Thailand orphans

Network Norwich and Norfolk : Norwich couple's bid to help Thailand orphans:

 "Rachel and I are moving to Chiang Mai in order to lead this project on the ground. We are humbled with the responsibility to facilitate this work, and will do so sensitively and with utmost respect for our government partners – but nonetheless driven by a long-term and exciting vision to see tens of thousands of vulnerable children in Thailand placed into the care of good, local, committed families"











ED: WARNING!!  so many so called "charities" have been set-up to exploit the gullible  in their home town/country, this has all the hallmarks of those that have gone before, here is the real "pitch"
"The couple are appealing for funds to help Care for Children get the project off the ground initially and if you are able to help you can visit:"  LINK REMOVED
Keep any eye out for this pair and be ready to report them, we have already sent this photo to the appropriate authorities. Of course, if they ARE genuine they have nothing to fear if not we are ready for you,  good riddance!!

PTT & TOT launches free Wifi in 200 gas stations : National News Bureau of Thailand

PTT & TOT launches free Wifi in 200 gas stations : National News Bureau of Thailand:

"PTT Executive Vice President for the Oil Business Unit Saran Rangkasiri has announced that PTT and TOT have collaborated to launch a free wireless internet service under the name “PTT Free Wi-Fi by TOT” to provide patrons of PTT gas stations with access to the online world. Initially, the free Wi-Fi project is available at 200 gas stations in Bangkok and other provinces. It is expected that the free service will be available at 1,000 PTT gas stations within the next 5-6 months."

Transport Ministry: BKK-Chiang Mai high speed rail ready by 2018 : National News Bureau of Thailand

Transport Ministry: BKK-Chiang Mai high speed rail ready by 2018 : National News Bureau of Thailand:

"Transport Minister Jarupong Ruangsuwan has disclosed that Thailand and China have agreed to conduct a feasibility study on the country’s first high-speed rail project. With Chinese experts surveying the planned route of the Bangkok-Chiang Mai high speed rail construction, which spans over 745 km, it has been suggested that the railway should be constructed to support a velocity of 250-300 km/hour while focusing on passenger transportation. "


ED: Sounds OK but the air services from Chiang Mai are already very good and as for 2018, that might be more than a little optimisitc!

Chatting with Cat Cora About Wonderful Hotels & A Perfect Glass of Wine - Forbes

Chatting with Cat Cora About Wonderful Hotels & A Perfect Glass of Wine - Forbes:

 "After visiting 10 countries during the show, what is a favorite spot you visited during filming?

Chiang Mai, Thailand. I already loved Thailand but the people, food and culture of Chiang Mai was lovely and exceeded my expectations. I would go back again in a heartbeat."

Ministry drops centre in TAT’s lap : TTR Weekly

Ministry drops centre in TAT’s lap : TTR Weekly:

 "The latest update in April showed 99.40% of construction was finished representing a 0.31% delay that should have seen the project reach the 99.71% point.
It calculates into a two-day delay, which will cost the contractor Bt186,715 per day in fines.
Meanwhile, the tourism ministry permanent secretary, Suwat Sidthilaw, has assigned Tourism Authority of Thailand to take a responsible for the centre management’s to give more time to consider a long-term management solution possibly involving either Thai or foreign partners."

Partner sought for centre management - The Nation

Partner sought for centre management - The Nation: "The Tourism Authority of Thailand next year will start looking for either a Thai or foreign partner to help operate the Bt1.8-billion Chiang Mai Convention Centre.

However, local firms are preferable, as they are deemed more professional and qualified.

The details are unclear, especially how much each party will hold in the joint venture, TAT governor Suraphon Svetasreni said yesterday.

TAT will play a key role in operating the centre, not the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB). The law allows TAT to get involved with doing business, not the TCEB. However, the pair can work together to increase their efficiency in this field.

The project is being developed by the Tourism Ministry, while TAT, which is part of the ministry, is responsible for its management. TAT will use Bt200 million from its marketing budget to promote it via communication campaigns.

Recently, the ministry sent an official letter to TAT's board assigning the agency to operate the centre. TAT will maximise its office network both locally and internationally to raise its profile in the meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE) market."

'via Blog this'

QSNCC operator eyes Chiang Mai Convention Centre - The Nation

QSNCC operator eyes Chiang Mai Convention Centre - The Nation:

"The Chiang Mai centre, costing Bt1.8 billion, will be completed in September, but will be open on a trial basis until next year. The Tourism Authority of Thailand will be in charge of operating the centre via a joint venture with a strong partner. The agency, which is part of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, will look for a qualified candidate next year, with the introduction of the terms of reference to invite bidding.

He said Chiang Mai showed high

potential. The reason is not only that the Northern city is rich in cultural and natural attractions, but also the economic integration with neighbouring nations under the Economic Quadrangle scheme that comprises Thailand, southern China, Laos and Myanmar. That means economic prosperity will come to Chiang Mai, especially for the MICE business via events to promote the region"

'via Blog this'

Around Thailand -- Chiang Mai to Host UNWTO Green Tourism Meeting in May

Around Thailand -- Chiang Mai to Host UNWTO Green Tourism Meeting in May:

"The UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has chosen Chiang Mai as the host of a Regional Conference on Green Tourism on 3-5 May 2012, which is being billed as a “warm-up” event in preparation for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro in June.

Delegates attending the conference will also get their first opportunity to visit one of His Majesty the King’s Royal Projects, Huai Hong Khrai Royal Development Study Center, in Chiang Mai and Thai Elephants Conservation Center in Lampang."

30 cafes to visit in Chiang Mai - Lonely Planet

30 cafes to visit in Chiang Mai - Lonely Planet:

 "On my last visit to Chiang Mai I was there for a whole month, and it occurred to me that I could go to a different cafe every day and still not see them all. So that is what I did. Here is a list of 30 cafes in Chiang Mai that I visited over the space of a month. All of them, apart from the two dishonourable mentions, have free wifi. It’s not a best of list, or ranked in any order."







ED: You should also visit one of the Doi Chaang Coffee Shops for a taster of the best Arabica you can imagine. The story behind this coffee and its Akha Hill Tribe owners is fascinating in its own right.

UPDATE: Asean+3 To Agree To Double Chiang Mai Initiative To $240B - WSJ.com

UPDATE: Asean+3 To Agree To Double Chiang Mai Initiative To $240B - WSJ.com:

 "Asean+3 members will agree on doubling Chiang Mai Initiative currency fund to $240 billion, according to draft joint statement."

World Win For Thai Finance Students - Thailand News - Thailand Forum

World Win For Thai Finance Students - Thailand News - Thailand Forum:

 "With well-prepared teamwork and sheer effort, a group of Thai undergraduate students has astounded their supporters to emerge as winners in one of the world's top finance competitions.
We worked more than 300 hours to prepare ourselves," Panus Hongprapipat, head of the winning team from Thammasat University's Business School said, when they met the press last week.
The team of Jackrit Bumrungtrakul, Sorawit Patumraj, Wimolnat Tanganurakpongsa and Kittikiat Tantivuttikiti won the sixth CFA Institute Research Challenge global final, held in New York on April 11.
"The competition is the most famous and acceptable among students studying finance," Wimolnat, the only female in the Thai team, said.
The Thammasat undergraduate team represented the Asia Pacific region. It beat three other finalists who were postgraduates with more work experience. They came from Stockholm School of Economics, representing Europe, the Middle East and Africa; from Rutgers University, which represented the New York region; and Illinois Institute of Technology, which represented the Americas.
Kittikiat said they were afraid Rutgers University would win the contest. Its team included a lawyer to answer judges' questions, and a member on an Bt800,000 salary who is studying an executive MBA programme.
However, with an easy-to-understand presentation, it was not too difficult for the Thai undergraduates to win the judges' hearts.

Flight of the Gibbon Zipline Tours in Thailand Opens Hill Tribe Museum outside Chiang Mai at Maekompong Location - seattlepi.com

Flight of the Gibbon Zipline Tours in Thailand Opens Hill Tribe Museum outside Chiang Mai at Maekompong Location - seattlepi.com:

"Flight of the Gibbon, Thailand’s most visited zipline canopy tour, announces the opening of a new hill tribe museum at their Maekompong village location, just 55 minutes outside of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand."