“you’re going to Thailand…in a coup?” My friends were incredulous. After all news of a coup conjures up images of danger, disorder and degeneration. My friends were not alone in their fears. Tourism arrivals fell 20% in the first week after the Thai coup, some airlines have canceled flights into Bangkok and most tourist spots are way less busy. The capital itself is operating pretty normally, the army presence is minimal and apart from the curfew (which has now been lifted in some beach side areas) tourists have been largely unaffected. Remember, this is not the first…
Thailand
Tag Archives for Thailand.
Thai Curfew Times Relaxed
In a move which is intended to help tourism, the military has relaxed the curfew. The curfew now runs from from midnight to 4 a.m. (It was 10pm to 6am). Markets, shops, petrol stations and bars will now be able to stay open longer. This follows a fall in tourism numbers of 20 per cent since martial law was imposed just over a week ago. Nine per cent of Thailand‘s GDP is tourism related. There has also been a drop in consumer spending by Thais. Outside Bangkok, tourists and locals are reporting little difference to day…
Thai Army takes full control in Coup -imposes curfew.
The Royal Thai Army have taken full control of Thailand, dismissing the government on Thursday 22nd May, 2014 16:30h local time. General Prayuth said in Bangkok today: ‘To restore peace back to the country in a short time and to reform the country’s politics, economy and society, the Thai military, army, navy, air force and police have seized power from May 22 onward”. The country is now being run by a body known as The National Peace and Order Maintaining Council (NPOMC). General Prayuth also said.“I ask the people to remain calm and carry on with their business…
Martial Law in Thailand- Staying Safe [Updated]
Update: Thursday 22nd May, 2014 16:30h Local Time : The Situation in Thailand has changed and the army has taken full control dismissing the government. Its food is unparalleled, beaches beautiful, people lovely, shopping bargains superb and reputation for wild and fun times unsurpassed. Sadly Thailand also has a history and a culture for military interventions for nine decades. According to media sources, the Royal Thai Army declared martial law nationwide at 3am Tuesday 20 May local time (Monday, 19 May: 8pm GMT or 1pm US West Coast time). Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha said the…
Future Options for Malaysia Airlines?
A friend of mine has just purchased a round trip ticket with Malaysia airlines for travel between Thailand and Australia via Malaysia for a fraction over $US500. This trip of 7 804 km (4,849 miles) normally sits at around $1100 to $1200. A good deal is around $700. Such is the desire to get people onto their planes, that Malaysia Airlines is discounting heavily. The discounts are designed to match arch rival Air Asia and attract passengers “scared off” Malaysia Airlines after the disappearance of Flight 370 on 8th March. The appearance of a Skytrax…
An Empty Qantas Bangkok to Sydney
This has happened four times in 991 flights -a plane so empty, l score four seats in Economy to myself allowing me a stretch and a good sleep Not sure where the passengers were? Normally this is a very full flight. Scared off by the troubles in Thailand? Flying Jetstar, Emirates or Air Asia instead? Check in: 7 out of 10 After a frustrating time trying to do this on my phone, I gave up and waited until I had laptop access. This has got to be made possible using the Qantas mobile site…
Airport Celebrates with Teddy bears
Last December marked the 110th year since humanity began flying and commercial flight began 100 years ago last January. On March 27, Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand cerebrates its century. It was officially opened in 1914 as a Royal Thai Air Force base, although it had been in use earlier than that date. Commercial flights started in 1924 and continued until 2006 when Bangkok’s second airport opened. The airport is now a hub for low cost Thai carriers. Last week passengers were treated to gifts of teddy bears riding on the luggage carousels. Check out the…
More on the false passport travellers
There is still no sign of the missing Malaysia Airlines 777 and the speculations and rumours continue to abound. One of which is what role the two passengers travelling with the stolen Italian and Austrian passports might have had. According to the BBC the two men man purchased their tickets at the same time from China Southern Airlines. They had consecutive ticket numbers and were both booked on the same onward flight from Beijing to Amsterdam on Saturday. Then the itinerary for the Italian passport holder continued onto Copenhagen while the Austrian passport holder was booked to Frankfurt. Both passengers…
Sun rises on a new day in Malaysia
Sunrise this morning in Malaysia is at 0722am local time today. With the sun rise comes a bewildering lack of answers as to how one of the world’s safest aeroplanes flown by a five star airline suddenly vanished off radar screens on a routine flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.The weather was clear with no warnings. The signs point to a catastrophic event for Malaysia Airlines MH 370. If there had been a mechanical failure, the pilot should have been able to radio for help. Did the plane suddenly break up and/or went into a very steep dive, similar to…
Two MH 370 Passengers on STOLEN passports
Two of the passengers on the Malaysia Airlines passenger list were not on the plane. The passenger list includes Luigi Maraldi, 37, an Italian citizen. The Italian Foreign ministry is saying no Italian was on board. In an interview with Corriere Della Sera, the Italian newspaper, Maraldi’s father said he has spoken to his son who is currently living in Phuket, Thailand. Maraldi’s passport was reportedly stolen last August in Thailand. His father said: “He deposited it with rental car agency, and when he returned the car it was gone,” The Italian government has not confirmed this…
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