The Best Of Thailand | Travel in Thailand with Ashley

Thailand Tourism: The Phra Buddha Chinnarat at Wat Mahathat in Phitsanuloke is one of the top venered Buddha images in Thailand

The Phra Buddha Chinnarat image is one of the top venered Buddha images in Thailand. It is quite old - about 800 years and it is housed in Wat Mahatat which dates back to the 12th century.
To even find yourself on the temple-grounds is an overwhelming experience - especially so at time of sunrise or sunset when the gold-tiles on the roof and the gold on the Ayutthayan-style prang literally beams and glows in bright yellow!

Upon entering the building where the Buddha image is housed, you will be stunned by the incredible beauty of the real, original Buddha Chinnarat. I have seen the exact copy of this image in the "Marble Temple" in Bangkok and the effect the original image has on the viewer/visitor is amazing.

The temple interior is quite dark with no windows - however, the energy and glow from the Buddha image is so strong that you will feel like you are "bathed" in "divine light"....incredible.

I also recommend visiting the nearby Buddha image foundry (free - no admission) where one can see the age-old process of the "lost-wax" casting of Buddha images.

"Who cares?" - is it a function of being well remunerated or simply an attitude that you wear from the inside out ?

Often it's the MD or the manager who sets a standard of caring about the details. Even better is a culture where everyone cares, and where each person reinforces that horizontally throughout the team.

You've probably been on that tour to Thailand that screams "Let the buyer beware" once the local Destination Management Company has sealed the deal and collected their payment or where the overseas Tour Operator have collected their money in advance and do not expect to see you as a repeat customer.  This is in sharp relief to the other Destination Management Company that has been around at least a decade and does not care whether you have paid them or not. They simply want to delight you and your customers. This attitude costs just the same, but translates into getting the details right.

It's obviously not about access to capital (doing it right doesn't cost more). It's about caring enough to make an effort.

If we define good enough sufficiently low, we'll probably meet our standards. Caring involves raising that bar to the point where the team has to stretch.

Of course, the manager of the mediocre destination management company that's reading this, the staff member of the mediocre restaurant that just got forwarded this note--they have a great excuse. Time's are tough, money is tight, the team wasn't hired by me, nobody else cares, I'm only going to be doing this gig for a year, our customers are jerks... who cares?

Caring, it turns out, is a competitive advantage, and one that takes effort, not money.

Like most things that are worth doing, it's not easy at first and the one who cares isn't going to get a standing ovation from those that are merely phoning it in. I think it's this lack of early positive feedback that makes caring in service businesses so rare.

Which is precisely what makes it valuable.

 

What do you have just outside the gates of Khao Yai National Park ?

The areas surrounding Khao Yai have become very fashionable European looking enclaves. This Italian complex below adjoins the Juldis Resort & Spa. A lot of Thai tourists seeking photo opportunities and simply a weekend out frequent these enclaves. The well heeled have begun to acquire their second or third residential property in Khao Yai's posh ozone rich real estate developments. Khao Yai is a far cry from what it was even five years ago. Let's hope that development is eco friendly though it is bound to come at the cost of the park's animal habitat.

 

Views from Khao Yai National Park

 

 

 

 

Go camping at Khao Yai National Park

If you are willing to give up the comfort of a hotel, try pitching a tent at the Khao Yai National Park with the stars as your ceiling and planet earth for your bed.  An experience that gives you the feel of the great outdoors but not one for the faint hearted. The Park has two camp sites. 

#1) Pha Kluai Mai 

I personally prefer this one as it gives you more of a feel of being in a National Park and if you avoid the weekends, you are likely to enjoy solitude here. 

#2) Lam Ta Kong

Some people say though that Lam Ta Kong is the better of the two sites. It's larger, a better variety of terrain to choose from, more water features & the food shop is probably better stocked.

As the sites are only a few km's apart, it's not too much trouble to check them out before deciding on where to picth your tent.

The toilet and bath facilities are decent and clean though they can get messy over long weekends and New Year. Forget about hot water though...you're better off staying in a resort if that is a must. 

There are many waterfalls in the area of the national park. The largest and highest waterfall is Haew Narok Waterfall, it is a highlight of this park that I think you shouldn’t miss it. It’s located at the south end of Khao Yai National Park. Some other waterfalls are Haew Suwat Waterfall, Wang Haew Waterfall, Kongkaew Waterfall, Pha Kloi Mai Waterfall, Mai Plong Waterfall, Haew Sai Waterfall, Manaw Waterfall, Tad Ta Phu Waterfall and so on. If you happen to visit for the day, at least go to Haew Suwat Waterfall, its easiest to reach just by car and beautiful. The Hollywood film "The Beach" was shot here. 

This is the restaurant block and you get basic meals here for a cost that will not exceed THB 50 per person per meal. They also have giant coolers with an array of non alcohalic drinks and water. 

You have a choice of bringing your own tent or renting one from the park authorities. I would rather bring my own tent though as the cost of buying a small tent for two is just under THB 1000. In comparison, the cost of renting could be as much as THB 150 a day. Add the hygine angle and buying becomes a clincher. 

 

TTG Asia - Leader in Hotel, AirTAT launches certification programme for India trade

THE TOURISM Authority of Thailand (TAT), Mumbai office has launched an online training and certification programme for members of the Indian travel trade.

via www.ttgasia.com

So now Thailand has the equivalent of the Aussie Specialist. Great idea. Indian agents need to learn that Thailand is not just Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket.

Post-floods Thai Tourism Surged 46% in Dec 2011, Arrivals Hit Record 19 mln

20 Jan, 2012

via www.travel-impact-newswire.com

Good numbers from Thailand inspite of the floods for 2011.

The problem with reassurance - a superb post from Seth Godin

The taxi's waiting, it's honking its horn, time to go to the airport.

Yes, the passport is in my pocket. I checked five minutes ago.

Of course, the cost of checking again, just one more time, is tiny. Hardly worth discussing with myself. And compared to the cost of being wrong, of missing the flight... go ahead, check again.

And like giving into a toddler every time he whines for ice cream, this is the problem.

The lizard brain seeks constant reassurance. It will wheedle and argue and debate with the rest of your head, pushing for one tiny bit of evidence, some sort of proof that everything will be okay.

Don't do it.

When you indulge the lizard, it gains power. It doesn't walk away ashamed, humiliated at its anxiety. Instead, it merely sidesteps and looks for the next thing to worry about, because, ready for this? It's nice to be reassured.

Developing the reassurance habit is easy to do and hard to kick. The problem is this: there are some ventures where no reassurance is possible. There is important work for you to do where no proof is available.

If you've trained the lizard brain that reassurance is forthcoming, it will scream even louder when those projects that don't come with proof are at hand.

 

The Siam Bangkok opens in the second quarter of 2012

The Siam, 39 pool villas

The Siam will become the next legendary hotel in Bangkok with 39 Suites and Private Pool Villas designed by Bill Bensley.Covering 3 acres of prime river front land it is the most exciting new hotel to be built today. Their facilities will include a Sodashi Spa, Muay Thai Kickboxing program, Library, Piano Lounge, Movie Theatre, a beautiful Atrium filled with original Antiques and Artwork and is set to become a new super luxury brand with the goal of being the best.

The Siam is a boutique gem situated beside the Chao Phraya, the River of Kings, and close to historical palaces, temples and museums. Set within three acres of premium river frontage, the luxurious 39-room resort offers a unique ambience by blending contemporary comforts with exquisite antiques and the allure of the orient.

Created by renowned architect and designer, Bill Bensley, together with Thai celebrity owner, Krissada Sukosol Clapp, The Siam offers discerning guests some of Bangkok's most spacious suites and intimate private pool villas. Of historical highlight are four traditional, Thai teakwood houses once home to socialite antiques dealer, Connie Mangskau. Close friend and sourced with Silk Tycoon, Jim Thompson, Three of these now form an Exquisite Eng Unique Restaurant with the fourth becoming a Pool Villa. 
Guests may choose from sixteen Siam and twelfth Mae Nam Suites Located in the Main Residence. Each Siam Suite features a Colonial-style internal Verandah, Ideal for Leisurely breakfasts or afternoon Tea while the River View Mae Nam Suites include double sofa beds for Families. 
Ten Pool Villas Feature internal gardens, a Private Swimming Pool and an Open-Air Roof Terrace. , perfect for Private Sunbathing, evening cocktails or Secluded Dining. 
For a most Exclusive and memorable stay, choose Connie's Cottage, a Singularly spectacular Eng House steeped in History. 
At The Siam, an array of Cultural amusements and Pleasures Await: Explore Bangkok by Boat. from the hotel's private pier; indulge in pampering at the seductive Opium Spa; or simply unwind with a sunset cocktail at the riverfront Bathers Bar.

NEED TO KNOW.
Rooms: thirty-nine 
Rates: From US $ 500 + +. 
Check-out: the twelfth Noon. 
Facilities: Free Wi-Fi, Boutique, concierge, Cooking School, GYM + Yoga Terrace, Spa + bath House, Steam + sauna, riverside Infinity Pool. + jacuzzi beds, hair + Nail Salon, Library Room + screening, gardens, Private Pier + complimentary Speedboat, Eng barge, parking, limousine, laundry & Childcare Service. 
Children: Under twelfth stay with Free Breakfast Half Price for those over second.

IN THE KNOW.
Rooms (Types of rooms): Siam Suite, Mae Nam Suite, Royal Mae Nam Suite, Pool Villa, Connie's Cottage. 
Hotel Restaurants: Eng & International. 
Dress Code: Smart casual. 
Local Attractions: Grand Palace, Vimanmek Teak Palace, Jim Thompson's. House, Museum of Siam, Royal Barge Museum, Temple of Dawn, Dusit Zoo, Khao San Road, Little India, Chinatown, Wat Suthat, Giant Swing, Chatuchak Weekend Market, Siam Square.

Thanon Khao, Vachirapayabal, Dusit,. 
Bangkok 10300, United States. 

 

As a MICE operator, is there nothing new you can suggest to your client or are you just playing safe ?

 

Nothing new?

Or is it just easier to give the client what he asked you for ?  The notion of giving your client what he wants, the it, the winner, the safe choice--this is about buying on his behalf without taking responsibility. You just want to sell...at any cost at any margin. That is what happens when your trade gets commoditized.

Clearly, there are as many new and appropriate products that suit your client's requirement  this season as there are each year, all that's missing is an anointed product of the year, until your client annoints it. The masses want to buy what the masses have chosen as the winner, because then the purchase isn't their fault. And very often your client is trying to go for the safe choice the same way you are making  your safe choice !

And that's what happens every day in just about every market, business or consumer. A few people want to take responsibility, go first, lead the way, be choosy, inquire, find the remarkable, the magical and own the outcome. But most? They just don't want it to be their fault.

The lack of a clear winner in the MICE biz is a symptom of a move to weird (without mass TV, etc., selecting the one clear winner gets more difficult). There's still a crowd, still groups looking for the safe choice, but the trend to weird has dispersed them into smaller pockets.

It is also a useful reminder to marketers that within every sector, there's a huge advantage to the organization that's seen as the choice of the crowd. A self-fulfilling prophecy, no doubt about it.

Unfair or not, one Catch-22 truism remains: popular is often a prerequisite for being popular.

 

Phuket's Boat Lagoon Developer Opens Krabi Marina

Phuket's Boat Lagoon Developer Opens Krabi MarinaPosted: Wed 28 Dec, 2011 6:00 am | Viewed: 384 timesLeading Phuket businessman Kanit Yongsakul has opened a second marina; this one in Krabi. With 80 berths, a hard stand for a hundred craft, and six premium covered slots, the Krabi Boat Lagoon is fifteen minutes from the international airport. A soft opening has been held with 22 yachts from Singapore and Malaysia making the trip to Thailand. Next up is a low rise resort condominium project called "The Cleat" with 60 fully furnished one and two bedroom units priced from THB2.9 million. Kanit has been a leading figure in the island's marine industry for a number of years.

via www.thephuketinsider.com

Krabi is beginning to rock more and more.