Travel Tips to South East Asia by TripHole » Thailand Travel Guide

Get deep discounts from more than 100 Thailand hotels

triphole — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 03:30:56 +0000

Travel tips to Southeast Asia – Thailand travel guide – more than 100 hotels in Thailand give special discounts for a month: The Thai Hotels Association (THA) and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) are teaming up with an aggressive buy-one-get-one-free scheme, seeking to restore tourist confidence after the massive floods.

Bangkok Hotel Le Meridien

The initiative will begin Dec 15 and last for a month. More than 100 hotels nationwide will participate, and 26 global TAT offices will promote the campaign.

“THA hopes that this will help restore tourist confidence in time for the high season,” said THA president Prakit Chinamourphong.

The country’s tourism industry has been wrestling with the floods since October. THA says the campaign will be especially welcome in short-haul markets like Hong Kong and Taiwan.

“We want tourists to know that the floods have already passed and Thailand is ready to welcome them,” Mr Prakit said. “We think the campaign will help increase average occupancy rate from 20-30% to 50-60%.”

The association estimates this year’s average occupancy rate nationwide at 65%, compared with 53% last year. The forecast is down from an earlier projection of 70%.

Mr Prakit said the occupancy rate in November should be lower than 50% on average nationwide, versus 80% under normal conditions.

Nonetheless, THA reported that average occupancy in October for Phuket was 70%, up from 65% a year earlier. In Phang Nga it was 50%, up from 18%; and in Krabi 45%, up from 26%. Chiang Mai’s rate was 47% and Bangkok’s 55-60%, both up mildly.

The floods cut international tourist arrivals to 18.3-18.6 million with revenue of 600 billion baht, lower than previous estimates for 19.5 million with revenue of 760 billion baht.

Hoteliers are calling on the government to help negotiate bank loan repayment extensions for the hotel business.

In addition, hotels that need repairs want low-interest loans with repayment periods of at least two years.

Hotel managers are also seeking a six-month income tax exemption for hotel workers whose homes were flooded. THA expects an improved tourism situation next year, with nationwide room rate rises of 5-10%.

Source: Hotels to offer deep discounts to restore traveller confidence

Helpful travel guide to Koh Samui, Thailand

triphole — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 09:59:16 +0000

Travel tips to Southeast Asia – Thailand travel guide – Koh Samui travel guides: Where to eat, where to sleep, what to do and where to party at Koh Samui Island.

Koh Samui is a schizophrenic version of paradise. Each of the island’s beaches, bays, tourist strips and local villages has a distinct personality that collectively caters to a riot of tastes and holiday pleasures.

Coast of Samui Island

Whether your idea of a beach break is playing lost in the tropics with your sweetheart, down-timing with the family, cleansing out your system on a five-day detox or getting hammered every night and sleeping it off on the beach, Samui delivers.

Some parts of the island are saturated and sleazy. But if you surf through the marketing spin you’ll find a cookie jar full of tempting vacation choices. Continue to read Full Story

Travel advise for Singaporeans in Thailand

triphole — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 07:18:04 +0000

Southeast Asia travel tips – Singapore travel guide: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has advised those planning to travel to Thailand to monitor local news on the flood situation there and to take precautions for their personal safety.

In a notice posted on its website, MFA asked that they get regular updates from local English news reports via Bangkok Post and The Nation.

It also suggested Thailand Tourism Update for information on the impact of flooding at popular tourist destinations.

Travellers have also been asked to consider purchasing comprehensive medical and travel insurance and to eRegister with MFA before travelling to Thailand.

Travellers to Thailand can get weather information via Thai Meteorological Department.

Stay up-to-date on flood situation via Thailand’s 24/7 Emergency Operations Centre.

Singaporeans who require consular assistance should contact the Singapore Embassy in Bangkok or the MFA Duty Office (24-hours) at:+65 6379 8800 +65 6379 8855. Email: mfa_duty_officer@mfa.gov.sg . (Source via)

Bangkok and Samui are listed in top 10 food destinations in Asia

triphole — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 05:20:58 +0000

Southeast Asia Travel Tips – Thailand travel guide – Bangkok and Samui are listed in top 10 food destinations in Asia, including Singapore and Hoi An – Vietnam in Southeast Asia by popular travel website TripAdvisor.

Bangkok, Thailand – is famous for its world-class restaurant and nightclub scene. From familiar favorites like pad thai to more exotic delicacies like fried insects, Bangkok offers up a variety of cuisines to tempt any palate. You can also taste world-class Thai beers, such as Singha and Chang.

Bangkok street food

Koh Samui, Thailand – Whether you’re a timid eater or a culinary adventurer, you won’t go hungry on this luscious Thai island. Samui has something for every taste and budget, most of it with a view and all of it delicious. Alongside traditional Thai fare like green curries and exotic specialties like crispy-fried worms, you’ll find pizza, pub grub and seafood.

Poor boy sandwich with egg salad – Angela’s, Koh Samui

Full list of Top 10 Food & Wine Destinations in Asia is available HERE.

Thailand attracts Chinese tourists via music video

triphole — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 09:08:51 +0000

Southeast Asia travel tips – Thailand travel guide – Thailand attracts Chinese tourists via music video: Thai superstar Thongchai “Bird” McIntyre will sing for the first time in Mandarin, rendering a soft, romantic melody in a music video set against the backdrop of some of Thailand’s most appealing and iconic tourism attractions.

The music video will be broadcast in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore, which are some of Thailand’s fastest growing visitor arrival markets.

Mr Suraphon Svetasreni, TAT Governor said, “Music is a universal language, understood by everyone. This new strategy helps us to use the power of both music as well as our popular celebrities to underscore the brand image of Thailand and the strength of our marketing slogan, “Amazing Thailand: Always Amazes You.

“This special music video will communicate a powerful and memorable message in a completely new way to our target group of Chinese visitors, which are important in terms of both numbers as well as spending power.”

In addition to the five source markets in the Asia-Pacific, the video will also be broadcast in the China town districts of cities in Europe and Australia.

The TAT will seek to convert interest into bookings by offering special prizes of 3 days 2 nights tour packages to potential travellers who sign up for the marketing promotional offers before December 2011.

The 3-minute music video “Rong Hai Tham Mai” (Why the tears?) will feature Mr Thongchai and Ms Sonia Sui, a well-known actress, singer and model in Taiwan and another well-known Thai performer Mr Nawat “Pong” Kulrattanarak, who now commands a large Chinese fan following.

The music video is directed by Mr Ekachai Uekrongtham, a rapidly-rising Thai film-maker.

The narrative tells the tale of a Thai tour guide who meets up with a Chinese girl on his tour around Thailand. Their journey takes them to famous tourist attractions in Thailand such as Hua Hin Beach, Kao Tao Beach, Bung Bua National Study Centre in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, Khao Wang in Phetchaburi province, the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Chatuchak Weekend Market, Giant Swing, Yaowarat (China Town), the Golden Mount in Wat Saket, and other popular sites around Bangkok.

Both of them share some memorable times with each other throughout the trip, until the tour comes to an end. How will this love story end? The climax to this love story is the draw card that is expected to keep viewers riveted until the end, and send the bookings to Thailand soaring.

Mr Suraphon said, “We think this video will pull at the heart-strings of potential visitors across all age groups. If it proves successful, we will replicate this strategy in other markets.”

Chiang Mai floods and travel warning, September 2011

triphole — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 08:59:19 +0000

Dear Travelers, floods in Chiang Mai is getting worse now on 28 September 2011 and you all are advised to be aware of moving around and get a safety place in the city. Here are some latest photos of Chiang Mai floods and updates will be available soon again.

Royal Flora festival 2011 – Chiang Mai, Thailand

triphole — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 03:33:32 +0000

Southeast Asia travel tips – Thailand travel guide – Chiangmai Royal Flora festival 2011: The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has planned to spend 500 million THB in the upcoming International Horticultural Exposition Royal Flora Ratchaphruek in Chiang Mai.

Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006

The fair, organized in commemoration of His Majesty the King’s 7th Cylcle Birthday Anniversary, will feature Thailand’s innovative horticultural technologies, horticultural exhibitions, and other theme activities.

Twenty eight countries will participate in the exposition. About two million visitors are expected to join in the event, generating at least 400 million THB in income.

The International Horticultural Exposition Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2011 is scheduled between November 9, 2011 and February 15, 2012 in Chiang Mai. (Source:)

Popular Scuba Diving in Thailand

triphole — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:12:30 +0000

Southeast Asia Travel Tips – Thailand travel guide: According to some reports, scuba diving industry is touching the great heights these days as compared to past. A number of nations are offering the facilities for diving, and the fad about this activity can be witnessed among adventure lovers, students, honeymooners, common tourists, expert divers, and all other extrovert people.

Cave Diving in Thailand

Diving Thailand trip is gaining popularity from some years and it is unquestionably one of the top-rated nations in the field of scuba diving. Biodiversity in marine life of Thailand is well-known to everyone. Manta rays, silver tip sharks, whale sharks, pelagic fishes, and there are many other species can be observed in the waters of this country. Carol gardens in the warm water can be other attractions here.

In the towns or islands situated in the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea, around 50 scuba diving centers are available where people can visit during their diving Thailand tour. Wonderful facilities of accommodation are also available in these towns and islands, and you can get the astonishing facilities of diving in the available diving resorts.

It is often observed that visiting in appropriate season of diving remains the problem of the scuba divers who visit from overseas. If the suitable season for diving is going on at the time of their visit, then their holidays become successful, otherwise they feel some dissatisfaction. In Thailand, you can go for diving all year round, but if you are able to spare the months from October to June for diving Thailand tour, then your tour will be ideally successful. This is the time when best season for diving goes on.

Thailand is undoubtedly giving a tough competition to the counties which are supposed to be giants in the area of diving, such as Australia and Malaysia. Some of the best diving spots in Thailand include Similand Islands, Koh Bon, Phuket, Phi Phi Islands, Koh Ha, Koh Rok, Koh Samui, Koh Tao, and many more. (Source:)

Malaysia warns travel to southern Thailand

triphole — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 15:42:51 +0000

Southeast Asia Travel Tips – travel warning – Malaysia warns traveling into southern Thailand: Malaysia warned against non-essential travel to southern Thailand on Sunday, after four of its nationals were killed in bomb attacks in the insurgency-plagued region.

Thai police have said militants may have deliberately targeted tourists in bombings near two hotels and a Chinese-Thai cultural centre in a coordinated attack in Narathiwat province on Friday night.

Malaysia’s foreign ministry issued a statement on Sunday advising travellers to avoid southern Thailand until the security situation improves.

Those killed in the attacks included a three-year-old boy, the ministry said. The bodies have been returned to Malaysia.

A seven-year rebellion in Thailand’s Muslim-majority south has left thousands dead.

Around 4,800 people have been killed in near-daily attacks since early 2004, according to Deep South Watch, an independent research group that monitors the conflict in three southern provinces near the Malaysian border. (Source:)

Thailand and Indonesia to promote tourism

triphole — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 07:40:44 +0000

Southeast Asia Travel tips – Thailand and Indonesia tourism promotion: Thailand will promote tourism cooperation with Indonesia after leaders of the two countries have agreed on the move.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said after her return from a day-long trip to Indonesia that President Susilo Bambang Yodhoyono welcomed positive developments of the situation in Thailand and expressed greater confidence as well as his wish to see wider cooperation on tourism between the two countries.

Photo via

Other aspects of cooperation discussed were on halal food, fisheries, and agriculture, particularly rice which Indonesia wanted to import more.

Ms Yingluck said the Indonesian President was also pleased to learn that the Thai leader was going to visit Cambodia and Laos because the move would improve and strengthen intra-regional relationship in ASEAN. Touching on Indonesia’s plan to send observers to the Preah Vihear Temple disputed zone, Ms Yingluck said the plan was likely to continue as planned, and she believed that her visit to Cambodia would help improve bilateral relations.

She also denied her knowledge about the plan of her exiled brother, ex-prime minister Pol Lt-Col Thaksin Shinawatra, to visit Cambodia at the end of this week. She asked the public not to make a presumption that Pol Lt Col Thaksin’s return would only bring chaos to Thailand as it would be too soon to analyse the situation in that way. The Prime Minister also reiterated she would work for the people as committed.

Source: Thailand to promote tourism cooperation with Indonesia