Passenger Service Charge Increase in Ho Chi Minh City

Those of you who are planning for a vacation to Vietnam soon might find this information useful!

Effective as of April 15 2006 - the service charge for passengers departing from Ho Chi Minh City’s Than Son Nhut Airport has been increased to US$ 14.00 (from US$ 12.00) per person. Children under 12 years old pay 50% of the adult rate while infants under 2 years old are exempted from paying this charge.

 

Add comment May 8th, 2006

Air Asia Launches Second Daily Flight from Bangkok to Hanoi!

Planning for a holiday in Vietnam now and looking for a “good deal” flight to Hanoi? Air Asia is now operating 2 daily flights from Bangkok to Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital city. Flight schedules are:

Bangkok/Hanoi : FD3702 (departing at 11.45 a.m. and arriving at 1.40 p.m.) and FD3706 (departing at 7.00 p.m. and arriving at 8.50 p.m.)

Hanoi/Bangkok: FD3703 (departing at 2.20 p.m. and arriving at 4.00 p.m.) and FD3707 (departing at 9.30 p.m. and arriving at 11.15 p.m.)

Check out for exact schedules (in case of changes) from their website:

http://www.airasia.com

Bon Voyage and we all wish you the most enjoyable time in Vietnam! 

Add comment May 8th, 2006

Siam Ocean World, Bangkok

Siam Ocean World, the 10,000-square-metre world-class aquarium occupying two levels of Siam Paragon, Bangkok’s newest upscale shopping destination, is billed as the largest aquarium in Southeast Asia.

The project, which includes a 2.8 million litre Oceanarium, represents a significant investment of US$30 million (approximately 1.26 billion baht) by Oceanis Australia Group, the world’s largest aquarium owner and operator (ranked by number of customers and volume of displays) with more than 15 years experience in the aquarium business.

The aquarium has the capacity to hold more than 4 million litres of water (equivalent to 3 Olympic swimming pools) and is described as “Thailand’s first and Southeast Asia’s biggest aquatic education and entertainment centre�. It showcases more than 30,000 marine animals and as many as 400 aquatic species. These include Seals, Blue Ringed Octopus, Ragged-tooth sharks, Stingrays, Leafy Sea Dragons, Giant Spider Crabs and others.

The journey through Siam Ocean World will take you through seven different zones: Weird and Wonderful, Open Ocean, Deep Reef, Rainforest, Rocky Shore, Living Ocean and Sea Jellies,

If you have enough time (as you might have to wait 20-30 minutes!) - take a behind the scenes tour and glass bottom boat ride over the 2.8 million litre Oceanarium. Glass Bottom Boats depart from the Glass Bottom Boat loading dock on level B1 every 10 minutes, commencing from 9.30 hrs. Each trip lasts approximately 25 minutes. A maximum of 10 persons per tour. A minimum of two people must be registered for the tour to operate (note: for safety reasons, children under 80 cm height are not permitted in the Glass Bottom Boat).

For us - the the highlights of the visit to this place that you should definitely NOT miss are the shark feeding times which are schduled at 1.30 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. at the Ocean Theatre (Open Ocean Zone). We would suggest you should arrive to arrive 1 hour (depends on how long you need time to walk around those different zones - but it should not be less than 45 minutes) and then finish up at the Shark Feeding Time as listed above. Thats the best end! Meanwhile - we strongly suggest you check the exact schedules from its website (http://www.siamoceanworld.co.th) in case of any changes are made from now.

Siam Ocean World is located on B1 and B2 of the Siam Paragon Shopping Center. Take the BTS Sky Train and get off at Siam Square Station.

Well - this place is certainly well worth visiting especially if you are on a family holiday to Bangkok and looking for something fun for the young ones!

 

Add comment May 8th, 2006

Joe Louis Traditional Thai Puppet Theatre, Suan Lum Night Bazaar

Just to keep you all updated that a new play “The Myth of Rahu and The Luna Eclipse” at Joe Louis Puppet Theatre has been launched recently.

The subject of lunar and solar eclipses never ceases to fascinate the young and old alike! The Myth of Rahu and The Luna Eclipse, the new theatrical production by the Joe Louis Hun Lakhon Lek traditional Thai puppet troupe, explores the mystique associated with this awe-inspiring phenomenon. Thai theatrical puppetry is unique among the various forms of puppetry in that it is derived from the traditional Thai Khon theatre - a highly sophisticated and stylish form of staged entertainment with dancing, singing and music.

The Joe Louis puppet play is performed by three puppeteers jointly controlling one puppet and all of whom appear on stage with the puppet, thereby creating highly animated, life-like movements. This enables the puppet to move and dance gracefully.

The Joe Louis Traditional Thai Puppet Theatre is located at Suan Lum Night Bazaar and opens from 1.00 p.m. - 9.30 p.m. everyday, with a daily performance at 7.30 p.m.

To check out their website, click on to:

http://www.joelouis-theater.com/eng/

Enjoy the show! 

 

 

Add comment May 8th, 2006

The Royal Barge Procession in June 2006, Bangkok, Thailand

If you happen to be staying in any hotel in Bangkok in June - do not miss to witness one of Thailand’s most spectacular royal events - The Royal Barge Procession - to commemorate the 60th anniversary of His Majesty The King’s accession to the throne.

His Majesty is already the world’s longest reigning monarch, and the Royal Barge Procession along the Chao Phraya River will be one of the series of dazzling events and celebrations to be held this year to honour the life and times of His Majesty The King.

The Royal Barge Procession will take place on June 12 2006 at 7.30 p.m. The procession will sail from Wasukri Royal Pier to the Temple of Dawn. His Majesty The King will preside over the performance along the Head of States from 29 nations.

The procession will comprise of 52 barges; 4 royal barges: Suphannahongse, Anantanagaraj, Narai Songsuban and Anekchatbhuchongse. Crew of all barges were drawn from various departments of the Royal Thai Navy. The barges Suphannahongse, Anantanagaraj and Anekchatbhuchong are each manned by 50 oarsmen, 2 helmsmen, 2 officers and 1 flagman. The silver and gold paddles are raised high in unison at the end of each stroke, regulated by a rhythm keeper who taps the butt of his silver spear on the deck in time with the chanting of boat songs.

Tourism Authority of Thailand has provided viewpoints for interested visitors as follows:

1). Bank of Thailand riverside lawn. Before the main event on June 12, there will be 3 rehearsal on June 02, 06 and 09. All are available for public viewing. This is the only good place to clearly view the starting point of the procession in natural light without light and sound. Refreshments will be served. Entrance fee is THB 1,000 per person.

2). Riverside III Cruise. The rehearsals will be held on June 02, 06 and 09 2006. Visitors on board the cruise ship will dock alongside the Chao Phraya River to enjoy the light and sound show of the procession. Cocktails and drinks will be served. Ticket price is THB 3,000 per person.

For more details, check out from:

http://www.60thcelebrations.com/en and http://www.tatnews.org/

Add comment May 8th, 2006