TRAVEL TITBITS
Thailand temples among world’s best
The Temple of the Reclining Buddha, or Wat Pho, is listed among the world’s Top 25 destinations by TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards for Landmarks.
According to the travel-planning and -booking website, winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for landmarks worldwide, gathered over a 12-month period. The awards honour 706 landmarks in 82 countries.
Top of the list is Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, followed by Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center in the United Arab Emirates; the Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba, also known as the Great Mosque of Córdoba in Spain; St. Peter’s Basilica, an Italian Renaissance church in Vatican City in Italy; and Taj Mahal in India. The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood or the Church of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ in Russia is in the sixth position, followed by the Great Wall at Mutianyu in China, Machu Picchu in Peru, Plaze de Espana in Spain and Duomo di Milano or Milan Cathedral in Italy.
Wat Pho is in 21st place, the same rank like last year.
For Asia’s Top 15 Landmarks, three destinations in Thailand are in the list. They are Wat Pho (fourth), The Grand Palace (ninth) and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, or Wat Phra Kaeo (14th).
Visit www.tripadvisor.com/ TravelersChoice-Landmarks.
Motorway extension
The Ministry of Transport plans to open the extension of Motorway (Highway 7) to Map Ta Phut in Rayong in the next two years.
According to Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, the government set aside a budget of 14 billion baht to build the 32km highway from Pattaya to Map Ta Phut. The project is 30% completed.
The project will help facilitate logistics and tourism, he noted.
The extension of Highway 7 is part of the infrastructure-development plan of the government’s Eastern Economic Corridor, which also includes expansion of U-tapao airport with the second runway and the transportation service linking the airport to Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports, the third phase of Laem Chabang to be the logistics hub and gateway for Indochina and the double-track rail link connecting Laem Chabang and Map Ta Phut seaport.
Airlines update
Thai Smile will increase flight frequency between Bangkok and Udon Thani to 31 flights a week, tomorrow.
At present, the airline flies four daily flights between the two cities. The new flight will be on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. It will depart from Suvarnabhumi International Airport at 7.15pm. For the new flight from Udon Thani, the service will be available on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. It will be the early flight at 6.30am. Flying time is about one hour.
Visit www.thaismileair.com.
Vetjet has launched a daily flight between Danang and Seoul.
“Being the economic and tourist hub of the country, Da Nang strongly attracts investment in economic and tourism development,” said Vietjet managing director Luu Duc Khanh.
Vietjet not only provides the local people and international tourists with more travel opportunities, but contributes to promoting trade and investment development, she added.
The flight departs from Danang at 11.45pm and arrives in Seoul at 6.00am. The return flight is at 7.00pm and will land in Danang at 9.40am.
Visit www.vietjetair.com.
Hotels update
Cachet Hospitality Group, the Hong Kong-based hotel development and management company, has opened its hotel in Phuket.
Called Cachet Resort Dewa Phuket, the hotel has been rebranded from Dewa Phuket Resort & Spa.
The property is owned by R&B Partners Company, the Phuket-based resort and property management company.
The hotel offers 128 rooms, including villas and suites, two restaurants, 1,000m² of meeting and event spaces, spa, fitness centre, yoga-focused wellness centre, Kids Club and two swimming pools.
Located on Nai Yang Beach, the hotel is about 3km south of Phuket international airport and 34km north of Phuket old town.
Visit www.cachethotelgroup.com. Avani Hotels & Resorts of Thailand-based Minor International has acquired the Metro Suites Apartment Hotel in Auckland, New Zealand.
The cost of acquisition is 265 million baht. The 40-storey hotel will be rebranded as Metropolis Avani Residences in October.
The hotel will be the first Avani brand in New Zealand, according to Avani Hotels & Resorts group director Alejandro Bernabe.
The hotel facilities will be refurbished, including 370 rooms of one and two bedrooms. Each room has living and dining areas, along with kitchen and laundry facilities.
Other facilities are a 22m-long heated swimming pool, indoor and outdoor spas, sauna, fitness and steam room.
Visit www.minorhotels.com/en/avani.
Email karnjanak@bangkokpost.co.th if you have any comments to share.