Archive for September, 2006
Those of you who wish to know how much you should spare for the taxi fare from the hotel in downtown to Suvarnabhumi Airport should read this!
We had tried taking a local taxi from the downtown in Bangkok (at around mid day) and end up paying around THB 200.00 plus the express way at THB 65.00 (THB 40.00 for the first and THB 25.00 for the second express way). So this total fare of around THB 265.00 is based on mid day when traffic is not so bad so be prepared to pay more in case you depart during the rush hours (7.00-9.30 a.m. and 3.30-6.00 p.m.).
Some of the taxis who insist not to use meters for this particular routing so avoid these ones!
September 28th, 2006
You probably have heard of news on the first day of full operation at the Suvarnabhumi Airport on the computer glitches causing delays in collecting the baggage and at the check-in counters.
Just like the opening of the new airports all over the world - we expect the teething problems should go on for at least 3 months of its first operation date. Therefore, our best advice to those of you arriving and departure at Suvarnabhumi Airport is to prepare for all the delays that can happen at any time. So it might be best to prepare early departure from the hotel (say at least 3 hours before scheduled departure time). Those of you who are on the business trip to Bangkok should also be prepared for late in arriving at the hotels you have booked.
September 28th, 2006
Vietnam Airlines has recently announced that they would be operating 4 flights a week on the routing Hanoi-Luang Prabang-Hanoi as of October 29 2006. Schedules are:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays
Depart Hanoi at 16.55 hrs.
Arriving Luang Prabang at 18.25 hrs.
Depart Luang Prabang at 19.05 hrs.
Arriving Hanoi at 2.025 hrs.
Aircraft used will be ATR-72 and the airfare is estimated around US$ 100-150.00 (one way).
Source: VNA
September 28th, 2006
According to Sai Gon Railway Transport Company, the second tourist train between Ho Chi Minh City and Phan Thiet, number sign of PT 4/3, has launched its operation on September 16 2006.
The train is well-equipped with air-conditioning, seats and bunk beds.
The trip takes 4 hours for 200-kms. routing and schdules are:
Depart Ho Chi Minh City at 5.30 p.m. and arrive at Phan Thiet at 11.20 p.m.
Source: SGGP - Vietnam
September 28th, 2006
In preparation for Vietnam joining the WTO and the ASEAN agreement for visa exemtion “ASEAN OPEN SKY” - many international airlines have opened new flights routes and extended flights to Vietnam. Up to now, 30 international airlines have been running into Vietnam.
Korean Airlines has increased from 4 to 7 flights a week on Ho Chi Minh City - Seoul - Ho Chi Minh City routing.
Air France also increased from 5 to 7 flights a week from France to Vietnam with the transit in Bangkok. There are currently 3 flights Paris-Hanoi-Paris and 4 flights Paris-Ho Chi Minh City-Paris on a weekly basis.
Areoflot continued to run flights Moscow-Hanoi-Moscow after 10 months of suspension due to lack of aircraft.
Royal Brunei has officially opened the new routings Banda Seri Begawan-Ho Chi Minh City-Banda Seri Begawan.
China Airlines has opened the first routing Beijing-Ho Chi Minh City-Beijing.
Vietnam Airlines will also increase flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Frankfurt (Germany) to 5 flights a week in October (3 flights for Hanoi-Frankfurt-Hanoi and 2 flights Ho Chi Minh City-Frankfurt-Ho Chi Minh City).
Pacific Airlines is also planning to launch flights Ho Chi Minh City-Bangkok by the end of 2006.
As for the low-cost carriers, after Tiger Airways (Singapore), Thai Air Asia (Thailand), Air Asia (Malaysia), Jet Star (Australia) will also start operating direct 3 flights Sydney-Ho Chi Minh City-Sydney per week.
September 28th, 2006
Only 2 more days to go for the new Suvarnabhumi Airport! Do you want to know which flight will be the first to land at this new airport?
Its Lufthansa cargo flight LH# 8442 from Frankfurt which is scheduled to land at 3.05 a.m. of September 28 2006. The first passenger flight will be VV# 171 from Kiev scheduled to arrive at 4.10 a.m.
Last flight that will depart from the old Don Muang Airport is Kuwait Air KU# 414 scheduled to depart at 2.50 a.m. and from then on Don Muang Airport will be closed for all commercial flights!
Source: manager.co.th
September 26th, 2006
Air Asia, the largest low-cost carrier in Asia, will launch its first non-stop 3-hours-and-25 minutes flight Kuala Lumpur/Hanoi/Kuala Lumpur on October 04 2006 with 2 flights a day. According to the press conference by the Group CEO of the airline, Tony Fernandes, the airline will charge US$ 29.00 per seat each way, excluding airport fee, air security and insurance by booking from 30-60 days in advance and the quantity of US$ 29.00/seat fare accounts only 30% out of 180 seats. The highest airfare of this routing is US$ 105.00
Source: Nhan Dan, Vietnam
September 25th, 2006
Another great news for the independent travelers to Vietnam!
Vietnam Airlines announced recently that booking tickets through the internet is set to be made available for Master/Visa card holders from October 2006.
Passengers can reserve tickets through the website:
http://www.vietnamair.com.vn
First routing made available for e-ticketing are those on the Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City-Hanoi.
Source: thanhnien online - September 18 2006
September 25th, 2006
This information might be useful for some of you who do not book the pirvate transfers with us. There is another option for you to take by using this non-stop private bus servides will run between popular tourist districts and the airport:
* Suvarnabhumi-Banglampoo
* Suvarnabhumi-Silom
* Suvarnabhumi-Vittayu Road (Wireless Road) - Sukhumvit
* Suvarnabhumi-Hua Lam Pong
Buses will pick up passengers at the outer kerb second floor of the terminal and drop off departing passengers at the outer keb of Level 4. The fare is THB 150.00 per person.
September 25th, 2006
Burma is booming again!
Thai Airways International is adding its Bangkok-Yangon-Bangkok flights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from October 30 2006. These additional flights increase the TG flights on this routing to 17 flights a week!
TG# 301 departing Bangkok at 12.30 hrs. and arriving Yangon at 13.15 hrs.
TG# 302 departing Bangkok at 14.15 hrs. and arriving Yangon at 15.55 hrs.
September 25th, 2006
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