Located in the old market area (Phasar Chas) in the heart of Siem Reap, the newly opened Angkor Night Market is another interesting venue to stop by during your time in Siem Reap. Browse through the local products such as souvenirs, handicrafts, clothes, food, books, DVDs and paintings etc.
The market is run from 4.00 p.m. until midnight the night everyday.
Add comment March 8th, 2007
Myanmar will celebrate the traditional New Year from the April 12-21 2007. During this period - the Water Festival will take place from the April 13-16 2007. Its the period when everyone cannot avoid getting very wet because everyone throws water at everybody. People drive through the city in open cars and there are stages along the street where people throw water. During this time, everything in Burma is closed: restaurants, shops, markets, Museum, etc.
Here is some useful information on the Water Festival:
Around the middle of April, the 3-day Thingyan (Water Festival) starts the Burmese New Year. Thingyan, from theh Sanskrit samranta (fully passed over), celebrates the passage of the sun from the sign of Pisces into the sign of Aries in the zodiac. This is the height of the dry and hot season and, as in Thailand’s Songkran, it is celebrated in a most raucous manner - by throwing buckets of cold water at anyone who dares to venture into the streets. Foreigners are not excempted!
In cities, temporary stages called “pandal” are erected along the main throug-fares. Each pandal is sponsored by civic groups, neighourhood associations, student societies or government departments, the members of whom stand next to rows of water barrels and douse every person or vehicle that passes by.
On the spiritual level - the Burmese believe that during this 3-day period, the king of the “nat (spirits)”, Thagyamin, visits the human world to tally his annual record of the good deeds and misdeeds humans have performed. Villages place flowers and sacred leaves in front of their homes to welcome the nat. Thagyamin’s departure on the morning of the 3rd day marks the beginning of the new year, when properly brought-up young people wash the hair of their elderly kin, Buddha images and ceremonially washed and hpongyi (monks) are offered particularly apetising alms food.
Although the true meaning of the festival is still kept alive by the ceremonies such as these, nowadays its mainly a festival of fun. In between getting soaked, there will be dancing, singing and theatre. In the latter, the emphasis is on satire - particularly making fun of the govenment, the latest female fashions and any othner items of everyday interest. (Source; Lonely Planet).
Add comment March 8th, 2007
| Beginning on March 02 2007, the five-star express train connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang will begin making a quick stop in Phan Thiet along the way allowing the popular train service to be used by weekenders wanting a quick and comfortable means of getting to Mui Ne when their time is at a premium. |
The train will depart at 6.15 a.m from Ho Chi Minh City and arrive at Muong Man Station at 9.45a.m. After a short stop it will then continue on to Nha Trang.
Passengers heading back to Ho Chi Minh City from Phan Thiet can catch the train there at 7.35 p.m at the Muong Man Station. The train arrives in Sai Gon Railway Station at about 11:20 p.m.
Price-wise, the rail company offers a 5 Star Club ticket for VND350, 000, a deluxe service for VND250, 000 and a Standard-class at VND160, 000.
The company will offer some discounted prices for the new service for the month of March in honor of International Women’s Day.
(Source: SGGP)
Add comment March 8th, 2007
Vietnam Airlines has recently announced that a direct flights from Hanoi to Buon Me Thuot will begin on March 10 2007 using the airbus 320s aircraft.
Flights will be operated every Tuesdays and Sundays until March 25 2007. From then on, there will be another flight added with a return ticket of VND 2.8 million (US$ 175.00) per person.
Currently, passengers flying from Hanoi to Buon Me Thuot will have to travel via Danang or Ho Chi Minh City.
Source: VNA
Add comment February 27th, 2007
Vietnam National Administration of Tourism recently announced that Saigon Passenger Transport Company will operate VIP bus service from Ho Chi Minh City to Cambodia’s Siem Reap via the Moc Bai border in Tay Ninh Province.
The new service started on February 17 2007 and should operate twice a week.
The fare is US$ 20.00 for one-way and US$ 36.00 for a return ticket for the 8-hour trip from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap.
Passengers are provided with breakfast and lunch and a guide, who can speak Vietnamese, English and Khmer.
A new Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City bus route also recently kicked off daily service.
The fleet of 50-airconditioned busses - decked out with 39 bunk beds, deluxe interiors, audio and video equipment, 3 TVs, a toilet and other amenities between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City - is operated by the Hoang Long Transport Company Limited.
The 30-hour journey covers approximately 1,000 kms. with buses leaving daily from Luong Vien Bus Station in Hanoi and the Mien Dong Bus Station in Ho Chi Minh City.
Buses depart from both cities every 2 hours starting at 0500 hrs. with the final departures at 2300 hrs. The fare is VND 650,000 (US$ 40.00) and includes meals and insurance.
Source: TTR Weekly
Add comment February 27th, 2007
Those of you who are departing from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport should take note of these entrance doors. Just ask your drivers to drop you off in front of the right entrance will save you a lot of time and hassle!
The entrance doors to the check-in rows are clearly marked by airlines as follows:
Entrance 1
- Thai Airways International (TG) - international routes; first and business class
passengers
Entrance 2
- Thai Airways International (TG) - domestic routes; business and economy passengers
- Nok Air (DD)
- Orient Thai (One-Two-Go) (OX)
- PB Air (9Q)
- Tiger Airways (TR)
- SGA (5E)
- Thai Air Asia (FD, domestic and international routes except KUL)
- Air Asia (AK, KUL route)
Entrance 3
- Bangkok Airways (PG) - domestic and international routes
- Siem Reap Airways (FT)
- Lufthansa (LH)
- Swiss Air (LX)
- Austrian (OS)
- Gulf Air (GF)
- Garuda Indonesia (GA)
- AeroSvit (VV)
Entrance 4
- Thai Airways International (TG) - international routes, economy, premium economy
and Star Alliance Gold
- SAS (SK)
- All Nippon Airways (NH)
- United Airlines (UA)
- Asiana (OZ)
- JetStar (3K)
- Vietnam Airlines (VN)
- LTU (LT)
- Hainan (1R)
Entrance 5
- Korean Air (KE)
- Malaysia Airlines (MH)
- Singapore Airlines (SQ)
- Pakistan International (PK)
- Kenya Airways (KQ)
- Turkmenistan (T5)
- Transaero (UN)
- Myanmar Airways International (8M)
- PMT Air (U4)
Entrance 6
- Cathay Pacific Airlines (CX)
- Qantas (QF)
- British Airways (BA)
- Air France (AF)
- KLM (KL)
- Aeroflot (SU)
- Northwest (NW)
- Air India (AI)
- Mahan Air (W5)
Entrance 7
- Qatar Airways (QR)
- Ethihad Airways (EY)
- Kuwait Airways (KU)
- Egypt Air (MS)
- Laos Aviation (QV)
- Air Madagascar (MD)
- Thai Sky Airlines (9I)
- Xiamen Airlines (MF)
- Air Astana (4L)
Entrance 8
- Japan Airlines (JL)
- Eva Air (BR)
- Uni Air (B7)
- China Airlines (CI)
- Dragon Air (KA)
- Finnair (AY)
- Royal Jordanian (RJ)
- Air Macau (NX)
- Malev (MA)
Entrance 9
- Emirates (EK)
- Turkish Airlines (TK)
- Royal Brunei (BI)
- Sri Lankan (UL)
- Royal Nepal Airlines (RA)
- Ethiopian Airlines (ET)
- Philippines Airlines (PR)
- Siberia Airlines (S7)
Entrance 10
- China Eastern Airline (MU)
- China Southern Airline (CZ)
- Air China (CA)
- Indian Airlines (IC)
- Biman Bangladesh (BG)
- Druk Air (KB)
- Uzbekistan Airways (HY)
- El Al Isarael Airline (LY)
Add comment February 20th, 2007
The cabinet on Tuesday approved the reopening of Bangkok’s 92-year-old Don Muang Airport on March 25 to handle domestic flights while the capital’s new but problem-plagued Suvarnabhumi Airport will handle mainly international travel.
Government spokesman Yongyuth Maiyalarp said the cabinet had decided to reopen Don Muang to handle only domestic flights and it would be up to the airlines themselves to decide which airport they will use.
So far, Thai Airways International (THAI) has agreed to operate its domestic routes from Don Muang as has its affiliate Nok Air and two other privately owned Thai airlines, One-Two-Go and PB Air, Mr Yongyuth said.
Airlines that choose to remain at Suvarnabhumi would presumably be allowed to operate both international and domestic flights.
Depending on which airlines will transfer back to operate at Don Muang, there could be some implications for us all and the services we provide. As soon as we have further news we will let you know.
Depending on which airlines will transfer back to operate at Don Muang, there could be some
Add comment February 20th, 2007
As of April 10 2007, Bangkok Airways will begin its direct services from Bangkok to Pakse, another exotic destination in Laos two days a week on Tuesday and Saturday.
Flight schedules are:
Flight number: PG# 947
Departs Bangkok at 1125 hrs.
Arrives Pakse at 1255 hrs.
Flying time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Flight number: PG# 948
Departs Pakse at 1605 hrs.
Arrives Bangkok at 1735 hrs.
Flying time: 1 hour 35 minutes
For more information, please visit airline’s website on:
Add comment February 15th, 2007
As of March 02 2007, Bangkok Airways will begin direct flights between Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City three days a week on Tuesdays, Friday and Sunday.
Flight schedules are as follows:
Flight number: PG# 939
Departs Bangkok at 1630 hrs.
Arrives Ho Chi Minh City at 1755 hrs.
Flying time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Flight number: PG# 040
Departs Ho Chi Minh City at 1850 hrs.
Arrives Bangkok at 2015 hrs.
Flying time: 1 hour 25 minutes
For more information, please click on the airline’s website:
Add comment February 15th, 2007
China Southern Airlines, the world’s 10th largest airline – is pleased to announce a major international expansion during 2007.
Slated to open in 2007 are all-new air routes to eight Asian nations, including Cambodia, India, Japan, Laos, United Arab Emirates, as well as Nigeria and Angola, with cities including: Dubai, Luanda, New Delhi, Phuket, Sendai, Sapporo, Siem Reap, Vientiane and Yangon.
This new International expansion is a major step in China Southern’s construction in building Guangzhou as a major global business and logistic destination.
Mr. Si’s announcement comes on the heels of China Southern’s recent opening of new service from China to Lagos, Nigeria and Kathmandu, Nepal.
International routes slated for opening in 2007 include:
Guangzhou-Dubai-Guangzhou
Guangzhou-Luanda-Guangzhou
Guangzhou-Sendai-Guangzhou
Guangzhou-Sapporo-Guangzhou
Guangzhou-Katmandu-Guangzhou
Guangzhou-Delhi-Guangzhou
Guangzhou-Siem Reap-Guangzhou
Guangzhou-Phuket-Guangzhou
Guangzhou-Yangon-Guangzhou
Guangzhou-Vientiane-Guangzhou
By the close of February 2007, China Southern Airlines will operate 82 International and regional services. Guangzhou and Beijing will serve as its major airport hubs, with regional airports in Urumqi in China’s northeast and Shenyang in the northwest serving as an air network covering all of Asia, with convenient connections to Africa, Australia, Europe and the United States.
With world headquarters In Guangzhou, China Southern Airlines currently operates 22 Guangzhou-outbound International and regional routes, with direct services to the major cities in North America, Europe, Australia, South East Asian areas, Japan and South Korea.
The largest airline in The People’s Republic of China for the past 28 years, China Southern Airlines – www.cs-air.com/en – connects more than 80 cities around the globe. Major business and vacation destinations served in China include: Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Guilin, Hong Kong, Kunming, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Wuhan, and International service as well, including: Amsterdam, Bangkok, Fukuoka, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Islamabad, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Los Angeles, Manila, Melbourne, Moscow, Osaka, Paris, Penang, Phnom Penh, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo.
For China Southern Airlines reservations and information, please check out its website on:
http://www.cs-air.com/en
Source: businesswire
Add comment February 15th, 2007