Archive for July, 2006
I just had a chance to dine at this restaurant and think it is one of the BEST Thai restaurants in Bangkok! The restaurant is located at the lower ground floor of the Erawan Sogo Bangkok and the easiest way to get there is to take the BTS Skytrain and get off at Chidlom Station. From here there is a connecting bridge directly go into the shopping plaza). The decoration of the restaurant is simple and contemporary Thai style in the cozy atmosphere but the food is really great! My recommendations for its specialities are:
Recommended choices for a simple and quick lunch menu:
* Phad Thai Kai Krob (Stir-fried rice noodles with prawns in sweet tamarind sauce with
crispy fried plain omlette)
* Kuay Tiew Rua (Famous Ayuthaya boat noodle served dried or with soup with pork
or beef)
If you have more time - we would recommend the following dishes:
* Mee Krob (Crispy fried thin rice noodles with sweet tamarind sauce)
* Yam Som O (Thai-style Pomelo Salad)
* Koong Tord Makam (Fried river prawns with sweet tamarind sauce)
* Poo Nim Phad Pong Curry (Stir-fried soft shell crab with yellow curry)
Prices are ranging from around THB 80.00-THB 350.00 each depending what you order but all in all we think they are very reasonable. The restaurant is opened for lunch and dinner daily from 11.00 a.m. 10.00 p.m.
Well - if you are looking for an authentic Thai restaurant at reasonable prices in the city center of Bangkok - here is your choice!
By the way - its very casual restaurant so no proper attire needed even for dinner.
July 11th, 2006
A classical benefit concert will take place under the stars on Cua Dai Beach in Hoi An on July 14 2006.
The event is to raise awareness for the “Hoi An Center for Protection of Street Children”. This is a boarding school which offers housing, education, food and, most importantly, love and support for 19 street children from 5-14 years old.
Performing is the Long Island Youth Orchestra, comprising 85 musicians, conducted by Mr. Martin Dreiwti. It will present predominantly the worls of the Strauss and Stravinksky.
The concert will start at 7.00 p.m. and admission is free.
Will you be in Hoi An during that time?? If so - all of you are welcomed!
July 10th, 2006
Mr. John and Ms. Isari Ashworth including their 2 sons (Luke and Max) who recently booked the trip to Vietnam with us last month just sent us the following e-mail and pictures:
Hello Too,
We are heading back to America, at the moment in the Narita Airport in Japan. I just wanted to thank you once again for organizing our trip to Vietnam, we had a fantastic time! Everything went smoothly, our guides were very informative and fun to communicate with about the culture, history and other interesting facts about the country. The boys especially liked Ha Long Bay as you can see from the photos attached. I enjoyed the people, the food and the culture. I would highly reccomend a trip to Vietnam with orientalcompass.com.
All the best,
John Ashworth
Nothing is more important to us than seeing our guests enjoying our the trip arranged by us and going home with their happy faces!
On behalf of the orientalcompass.com team - we would like to thank you Mr. John Ashworth and his family for taking his valuable time to write to us and of course, for traveling with orientalcompass.com!
July 8th, 2006
Laos Airlines will have 2 new 56-seater MA60 aircrafts with deilvery target for July 30 and September this year. Currently, the airline’s fleet consists of 2 ATR-72 and 2 Y-12 so with the arrivals of the 2 new aircrafts - the airline will commence service on new and previously run routes for the coming high season. This is what they plan to do:
New Destinations
Luang Prabang-Pakse-Siem Reap
: 3 flights a week (using MA6 aircraft)
Luang Prabang-Hanoi
: 2 flights a week (using MA6 or ATR72)
Resumed Flights
Luang Prabang-Bangkok
: 3 flights a week (using MA6)
Vientiane-Pakse-Phnom Penh
: 2 flights a week (using MA6)
Flight Frequencies Increase
Vientiane-Bangkok
: from 1 to 2 flights a day (using MA6, ATR72)
Vientiane-Luang Prabang-Chiang Mai
: from 3 to 5 fights a week (using ATR72)
Vientiane-Pakse-Seim Reap
: from 3 to 5 flights a week (using ATR72)
Vientiane-Luang Prabang
: from 3 to 3 flights a day (using MA6, ATR72)
Pakse-Siem Reap
: from 3 flights a week to 1 flight a day (using MA6 and ATR72)
With these new flights listed above - it would a good itinerary to do Indochina Trip with Laos + Vietnam + Cambodia by starting the trip in Vientiane, then fly to Luang Prabang and then enter Vietnam from Hanoi and work your way down to Ho Chi Minh City with the final end in Siem Reap before flying out to Bangkok at the end. There are many ways of routing a perfect itinerary using these new flights depending on where you would like to go. It is best to check out exact flight details and days of operation once again before planning your trip. If you need any help or idea from us - we will be more than happy to assist!
July 8th, 2006
Laos has launched a new bi-weekly magazine that will be distributed free of charge to visitors arriving at Wattay International Airport in the capital city of Vientiane. The magazine is called “M+” which is short for “Mahason”, the full-colour magazine offers information on restaurants, culture, tourist destinations, home and living, health and fitness, technology and sports.
Source: Bangkok Post - July 2006.
Anyone has seen and read the magazines are very much welcomed to share your thoughts about this complimentary magazines here please!
July 8th, 2006
Bangkok Post today (July 08 2006) reporting that Thailand’s 3 budget airlines; Thai Air Asia, Nok Air and One-Two-Go have urged the government to reschedule the opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport beyond September 28 as they dont believe it will be ready! All 3 airlines have asked the Transport Ministry in a letter to be realistic about setting a new deadline “The opening date (Sep 28) is too rushed. It will be beset with a lot of problems if the government insists on opening the airport prematurely on that day.” said Nok Air’s executive VP of marketing. “The government would only open itself to criticism from the public and could face further embarassment if glitches accompany the airport’s opening. The general public still do not have a clue as to whether there will be public transport to the site. Worse still, many simply dont know how to get there.” he said.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents almost all of the world’s airlines, warned recently that Suvarnabhumi Airport should begin commercial operations only when it is operationally ready.
International carriers are also on record of being equally sceptical about the Sep 28 opening date.
Despite serious doubts expressed by the industry, the Transport Ministry and Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) remain committed to the Sep 28 opening.
Well - we will keep posting on further news of the new Suvarnabhumi Airport once it becomes available. Keep your eyes opened!
July 8th, 2006
For those of you who would like to skip Bangkok (as have already visted Bangkok many times!) and fly direct into Chiang Mai should be happy with this new flight schedules from Hong Kong Express Airline:
Starting this week, Hong Kong Express Airways will be flying twice a week to the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai from Hong Kong.
Flight departs Hong Kong every Thursdays and Sundays at 1.45 p.m. and arrive at Chiang Mai at 3.55 p.m. On the return leg, they leave Chiang Mai at 4.35 p.m. and arrive in Hong Kong at 9.10 p.m.
For more information, check out its website:
http://www.hongkongexpress.com
news from Bangkok Post, July 06 2006.
July 6th, 2006
On July 01 2006 - we have posted the news about Siem Reap International Airport as follows:
“Siem Reap International Airport has moved into a new stage of its continued development program with a new international terminal and additional runway. These 2 new facilities has been completed and officially inaugurated on June 27 2006 by His Excellency Samdech Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia. The floor space of the new terminal is 12,000 sqm and there are 18 check-in counters and 6 boarding gates which will significantly enhance the comfort level for all passengers.”
Despite that the official inauguration was scheduled for June 27 2006 but His Excellency Samdech Hun Sen, the Prime Minister has cancelled it last minute without notice and there was no official reason given. As a result, the opening of the new terminal has been delayed for 10 days but at the end, the new terminal has been completed and is now in operation as of July 05 2006. All international arrivals and departures are now being handled at the new terminal as of July 05 2006 onwards.
We very much regret any misunderstanding or inconvenience caused to all travelers entering and departure during those dates.
July 6th, 2006
Here is the list of restaurant in Yangon recommended by our travel specialists on Myanmar (Burma):
Burmese Cuisine
- Green Elephant Restaurant
- Padonmar Restaurant
- Royal Thazin Restaurant
Thai Cuisine
- Sabei Sabei
- Padonmar Restaurant
Chinese Cuisine
- Summer Palace Restaurant
- Royal Garden Restaurant
- Adorn’s Kitchen
Idian Restaurant
- Ashoka Restaurant
Western Cuisine
- Le Planteur
- Le Moliere
- J’s Bistro
- Tokyo Restaurant & Bar
- L’Opera Italian Restaurant
Indochina Cuisine
- Monsoon Restaurant
These restaurants serve excellent food in a nice atmosphere. Advanced reservations are recommended!
July 3rd, 2006
Further to our post on June 26 and 29 regarding the 6 airlines operating test flights for the new Suvarnabhumi Airport on July 29 2006 - here are more updated news:
All 6 airlines have started selling reervations on the historic commercial flights to and from Suvarnabhumi Airport on July 29 2006. From the 10 sourtings to and from the new Suvarnabhumi Airport - all 6 airlines are offering 4862 seats on these test flights;
Nok Air
- 300 seats with the average airfares of THB 1,500-2,000 per person. Since Nok Air’s flight DD 6700 is the first one to land at the new Suvarnabhumi Airport from Chiang Mai at 9.00 a.m. - tickets for this particular flight is almost sold out!
Orient Thai’s One Two Go
- 2398 seats with the average airfares of THB 1,700-THB 1,999 per person.
Thai Air Asia
- 296 seats with the average airfares of THB 1,999 per person with free snacks on board, group pictures as well as flight certificates for all passengers.
PB Air
- 100 seats at the airfares of THB 5,320.00 per person for routing Bangkok-Lampang-Bangkok and THB 5,810 per person for Bangkok-Nakorn Panom-Bangkok together with double points on passengers’ mileges on both flights.
Bangkok Airways
- 464 seats at the airfare of THB 1,350 on all of its test flights.
Thai Airways
- 1304 seats with the airfares from THB 999 per person to THB 5,999 on both economy class and business class.
If you would like to be one of the passengers on these test flights - we strongly suggest you contact all 6 airlines for reservations as early as you can as tickets are selling like hot cakes!
July 3rd, 2006
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