Anything & Everything About Thailand

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Friday 10 February 2006 :-

BMTA rejects one baht fare rise proposal

The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority has rejected a proposed one baht bus fare hike, saying the increase would be deemed illegal unless approved by the agency. Opas Phetmunee, BMTA acting director, said the 1976 BMTA law gave the agency the final say on fare rises.

Earlier, the hike was approved by a committee on land transport which said the rise in the oil price, which has hit 24.70 baht a litre, justified the increase. The hike was supposed to be in effect on Monday.

Mr Opas said Feb 14 might have been set mistakenly as the date for the increase. That was probably meant to be the day on which the land transport committee's proposal was sent to the BMTA board for a decision.

Mr Opas said the BMTA is expected to decide on the matter at the end of the month.

He said operators of private buses and mini-buses which increased fares in the meantime could be prosecuted under the law.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Friday 10 February 2006 :-

Rotiboy proves a taste sensation

By Pitsinee Jitpleecheep

Rubbing shoulders with the jet-set at elite restaurants in Bangkok isn't the only way to keep abreast of the latest dining trends. By sweating a bit and queuing in a long line you can get a bite out of the latest craze - a coffee-flavoured baked bun at a Rotiboy outlet.

Days after entering the Thai market, Rotiboy, the Malaysia-based bakery chain has became a big hit with consumers by peddling its unique buns which have a coffee aroma.

Every day, from 8 am to 9 pm, there's the same astonishing scene on Silom Road and in Siam Square. That's a long line of people waiting in front of a Rotiboy outlet for their special buns.

It takes buyers about half an hour on average to queue before they can make a purchase, and each shopper is also limited to up to 10 buns at 25 baht apiece.

Pornpen Aungkavanich, managing director of Lottyboy Khanompangob Co, the authorised franchisee of Rotiboy in Siam Square, said she opened the business after a successful partnership with an Indonesian who opened her Noodie noodle outlet in Indonesia last year.

''I had never anticipated that a bun priced at 25 baht could become a million-baht business for me. At first bite, I instantly thought about the business opportunity and bought around 200-300 buns to distribute to my friends as a trial. After all of them said they liked it, I went back to the Malaysian founder and opened our first outlet in only a few months,'' she said.

The first Rotiboy outlet opened with an investment of more than four million baht at Siam Square Soi 4 last December.

At first, consumers weren't that excited. So Ms Pornpen tried a sampling strategy. She gave away hundreds of buns to prospective customer groups, ranging from politicians to singers, businessmen and students.

Through word of mouth, demand for the buns rapidly increased and her company soon had to limit the number of buns per purchase to 10 to avoid disappointing other customers who were still in the queue.

As demand keeps rising, the company plans to open more Rotiboy outlets, with one planned for Central Plaza Lat Phrao on the third floor by the end of this month and another at Central Rama II later on. Additional outlets may open at other department stores and BTS stations.

Rotiboy is the first company to offer this type of baked bun locally. However, it expects that two rivals will soon begin offering the same kind of food as Rotiboy, targeting the same market segment in Bangkok under their own brands in the coming month.

Chalit Limpanavech, chairman of Abac University's Marketing and Communication Department, said Rotiboy could prove a case study as it demonstrates the power of the right four Ps - product innovation, price, place and promotion.


Queues for Rotiboy offerings are now a common sight at its Bangkok outlets :

http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/100206_bus03.jpg

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Friday 10 February 2006 :-

Providing a bird’s-eye view of Asia : Asia News Network

Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon yesterday lauded the launch of AsiaNews, a weekly magazine produced by 14 newspapers in 12 countries.

“The rise of Asia is the defining phenomenon in the early 21st century,” Kantathi said at the magazine’s launch. “With its world-changing dynamism, Asia needs the kind of extensive yet incisive coverage and analysis that can only be provided by a news weekly.”

The 36-page magazine, produced by the Asia News Network (ANN) , aims to provide accurate, timely and informative reports on Asia.

“Now more than ever, there is a hunger for news and analysis that focus on Asia,” Kantathi said.

“We need information that adds to our understanding of Asia’s place in the world. We need an Asian perspective that enhances our understanding of fellow Asians, their cultures and their lifestyles,” he added.

The magazine will be distributed aboard Star Alliance carriers, including United Airlines, Lufthansa, All Nippon Airways, Thai Airways and Singapore Airlines. Other sponsors are Holcim Group of Switzerland and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

The first issue was also distributed to subscribers of The Nation.

Kantathi heralded “the emergence of a fresh Asian voice in the global media scene”, saying, “We must offer the world a well-balanced news presentation. This will contribute to better understanding of Asia by the world at large.”

AsiaNews’ debut issue carried feature stories on the region’s rising personalities. The cover showcases Princess Aiko, the most famous four-year-old in Japan and already a newsmaker in Asia. The issue also features Tony Fernandes, chief of AirAsia, the region’s largest low-cost carrier, Bank of Thailand Governor MR Pridiyathorn Devakula, Rahul Gandhi, the scion of India’s Nehru-Gandhi family, and South Korean pop sensation Rain.

The eclectic mix of stories reflects AsiaNews’ objective to be the prime source of news and features in Asia.

“ANN is a prime example of the Asian cooperation we all dream of, and we would like to thank these organisations in having the foresight to support AsiaNews,” said Pana Janviroj, ANN executive director.

Zhu Ling, editor-in-chief of China Daily and this year’s ANN chairman, said the magazine opened up another chapter in the successful cooperation of the network’s 14 member papers.

Ravindra Kumar, editor of The Statesman, said the magazine – like the ANN website – offered a bird’s-eye view on what’s happening in the region. “‘We know Asia better’ is a recurring theme in the network … and by accessing our website and reading the magazine, you immediately reach into pockets of influence in Asia,” he said.

The launch was attended by ANN editors and CEOs, executives from Star Alliance and Holcim, and guests from the business sector and the media.

Werner vom Busch, regional representative for the Konrad Adenauer Media Programme, said the small beginnings of ANN in 1999 had resulted in great rewards with the magazine.

“This is the first all-Asian magazine compiled, produced and distributed in this part of the world. The Konrad-Adenauer-Siftung is proud that it could give some assistance to such a great enterprise and will continue to do so. May you never run out of good stories!” said to Vom Busch.

Star Alliance CEO Jaan Albrecht said: “Star Alliance’s values highly its association with ANN. We have worked together on a number of projects. The ANN magazine will undoubtedly further enhance our customer service on those Star Alliance members who have taken up ANN’s offer to carry it on board. I am sure our customers will grow to appreciate this new service.”

Paul Hugentobler, member of the executive committee of Holcim Group, sees the new magazine as an important source to reflect what is happening in the region from an Asian perspective.

“The world has become aware of what is going on in Asia. Still, the perception does not correspond with the real dynamics of the region. AsiaNews is an important initiative to adjust the picture. We have great respect for the achievements of ANN to enforce the voice of Asia in the rest of the world, and we are honoured to be able to support this promising magazine.”

Since its founding in 1999, ANN has aimed to take advantage of its resources through collaborations among its editors and reporters as well as the daily exchange of stories and photos to provide comprehensive coverage on Asia.

ANN members are The Statesman (India), The Jakarta Post (Indonesia), Sin Chew Daily and The Star (Malaysia), The Straits Times (Singapore), The Nation (Thailand), Viet Nam News (Vietnam), The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Daily Star (Bangladesh), China Daily (China), Daily Yomiuri and Yomiuri Shimbun (Japan), The Korea Herald (South Korea) and The Island (Sri Lanka).

The magazine is also available in a digital e-paper format at www.asianewsnet.net

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Friday 10 February 2006 :-

Transport firm ‘has eye on Thai AirAsia’

A transport company is likely to emerge as a new partner of Thai AirAsia Co Ltd, the low-cost airline which is struggling to change its shareholding structure to maintain its aviation licence, said a source close to the Shin group.

His comment coincides with a market rumour that Regional Containers Line Plc (RCL), owned by Sumeth Tanthavanich, will buy a stake from Shin Corp, which is now 49.6 per cent owned by Singapore’s Temasek Holdings.

However, AirAsia CEO Tassapon Bijleveld told Krungthep Turakij he had no knowledge of RCL’s bid.

“I don’t know about this,” he said. “I have never discussed this with Khun Sumeth as we are still in the process of finalising the shareholding restructuring. We haven’t decided finally whether the new shareholder will be a nominee or a group of Thai companies.”

Thai AirAsia is 50 per cent owned by Shin. Given that Shin is now half owned by a Singaporean investor, the airline’s foreign ownership breaches the statutory limit. It was already 49 per cent owned by Malaysia’s AirAsia.

Meanwhile Malaysia AirAsia’s CEO Tony Fernandes told Bernama news agency that the Malaysian airline would not dilute its 49-per-cent stake in Thai AirAsia Co following the sale of Shin to Singapore’s Temasek.

“I can confirm very categorically that AirAsia will remain a 49-per-cent shareholder,” he told reporters after a tour of the LCC (low-cost carrier) terminal by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy in Sepang, Malaysia, on Friday.

According to Thai law, Thai-majority ownership is required to maintain Thai AirAsia’s aviation licence.

AirAsia owns 49 per cent of the Thai budget carrier while Shin Corp holds 50 per cent. A Thai national, Tassapon Bijleveld, owns the remaining 1 per cent.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s family sold its 49.6-per-cent stake in Shin Corp to Temasek Holdings for Bt73.3 billion last month.

“What has to be done will be done at the Shin Corp level,” Fernandes added.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Friday 10 February 2006 :-

More plastic for your pocket

Seven leading businesses are joining hands to form “One Plus” to offer customers Membership Reward Privilege Cash Cards.

The organisations include CP Seven Eleven, True Corp, United Broadcasting Plc, RS Promotion Plc and BTS.

The scheme offers three varieties of cards – the 7-11 Value Card, the Love Link Card and the True Privilege One Plus, all allowing cardholders to spend up to Bt10,000.

Customers who use the privilege cards will be awarded points every time they spend.

The “One Plus” group expects to attract more than 1,000,000 customers by the end of the year.

“CP Seven Eleven has been operating throughout Thailand for more than 16 years. As always, the company puts great importance on selecting quality merchandise to consistently meet customer demand”, said Korsak Chairasmisak, chief executive of CP Seven Eleven.

In the near future, “One Plus” plans to expand its benefits for customers. In addition, Visa Cash has also accepted “Membership Reward Privilege Cash Cards” as a member, allowing “One Plus” to use the privilege cards with the “Smart Purse” system.

The “Smart Purse” system electronically transfers cash to the card chip. While the copyright for the system is held by Thai Smart Card Co Ltd, Privilege Cash Card customers can use their card at any shop displaying the “Smart Purse” sign.

Cash cardholders can top-up their card chip from Bt50 to Bt10,000.

The cards can be purchased at any 7-Eleven, Counter Service and True outlets. All cards have an initial 3-year membership fee of Bt250.

The first 10,000 customers to subscribe to the Membership Reward Privilege Cash Card scheme through February 29 will be eligible to receive a BTS ticket worth Bt200,” Korsak said.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Friday 10 February 2006 :-

Elite Card fees to at least double

Thailand Privilege Card Co (TPC) has announced a three-year plan which would limit the total number of members and more than double the membership fee.

Choksiri Rodboonpha, managing director of the firm which issues the Thailand Elite Card, said the company would strictly limit membership to less than 7,000. “This way we can give better services and more benefits to members,” he said.

He said the membership fee would increase from Bt1 million to between Bt2 million and Bt4 million, probably in 2008.

He added that the company had already achieved a membership of 2,063 and expected to sign up 2,000 new members this year, mostly from Western countries.

The target is down somewhat from the aim of one million members set by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra when the scheme was launched several years ago. However, Choksiri said the PM, along with the tourism and sports minister and the company’s board, had approved the changes.

He said that to meet the target this year, TPC would improve its services by fast-tracking facilities for visa extensions, driving licences, lounges, priority tee times at 10 golf courses, and elite packages at spas.

Meanwhile, it will revamp its sales and marketing network by setting up regional distribution centres overseas instead of just country representatives. Each of the centres will take care of three to five countries.

TPC plans to have at least six regional distribution centres, mostly in Asia. It will expand the model to Western regions – including Scandinavia and North America – and the Middle East.

In 2005, members visiting Thailand accounted for more than 3,500 trips with total spending of Bt500 million.

Choksiri said some members had invested in tourism, motor-home, jewellery, hotel, bio-technology, golf school, villa and furniture projects, with total investments worth Bt3.7 billion.

Suchat Sritama
The Nation

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Saturday 11 February 2006 :-

Soldiers put faith in pieces of sacred cloth

By Wassana Nanuam

Pieces of red cloth with a mantra written on them -called pha prachiad and similar to the ones worn by Bang Rachan warriors during the Ayutthaya period - have been distributed to soldiers fighting southern insurgents in a bid to boost their morale.

The Southern Border Provinces Peace-building Command (SBPPC) has produced many pieces of pha prachiad and handed them out to nearly 20,000 soldiers who are risking their lives working in the strife-torn southern provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat.

These are similar to the pieces of cloth worn by Bang Rachan village warriors who fought fearlessly against Burmese invaders to protect the old capital.

Phra Thepsiripimon, a well-known monk of Bang Rachan village in Ayutthaya province, performed a rite to bless the pha prachiad cloths on Dec 7 before they were distributed to the soldiers early this week.

The cloths bear ancient Khmer cryptic writing, said to put a magic spell on them, as well as a Thai flag with words encouraging the troops to protect the motherland like their ancestors did.

''These [sacred pieces of cloth] keep our spirits high when we are out to fight off enemies. We feel more confident when going into action as the cloth gives us extra protection,'' said Sgt Songsakda Soparat, 43, from northeastern Maha Sarakham province, who is based at the 22nd special task force unit in Pattani's Sai Buri district.

Most soldiers used the sacred cloths as scarfs when they are on duty.

Sgt Songsakda said the wearing of charms and amulets depended on individuals' beliefs.

He had a Luangpu Jiam amulet from Surin province and a Luangpu Thuad amulet from Wat Changhai in Pattani, as well as the pha prachiad sacred cloth to guard him against harm.

''With the sacred cloth and other charms, I hope that we will be safe so all of us will return home by the end of the year,'' said the sergeant.

Col Somkhuan Saengpataranet, spokesman for the SBPPC, said many people and private organisations had given charms and amulets to the command to hand out to soldiers working in the far South, in the belief that the sacred objects would shield them from danger.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Saturday 11 February 2006 :-

Battle lines drawn on day of rally : Political chasm opens up as protests intensify

Society is becoming increasingly polarised and the ''Us-vs-Them'' attitude of many supporters and opponents of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is making a confrontation imminent, some observers fear. Media firebrand Sondhi Limthongkul's protest last week has opened a political chasm, with the prime minister's supporters massing at Government House and opponents orchestrating a campaign for his ouster in the lead-up to today's mass rally likely to be staged at the Royal Plaza.

This rally, expected to be shorter than the previous one, will be led by a coalition of civic groups strengthened by lecturers and students who insist that Mr Thaksin's days are numbered.

Petition sign-up booths are being set up on various campuses including Thammasat and Chulalongkorn universities, according to Tanachai Sunthorn-anantachai, chairman of Thammasat University Students Union.

Members of the public can download a form from a website and send it along with a photocopy of their ID card by mail.

Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said that today's demonstration is no longer something personal between Mr Sondhi and Mr Thaksin.

''The fact that several organisations have stepped forward to take over the rally today should tell the prime minister that the people's rally is not, as he has claimed, Mr Sondhi's move alone,'' he said. Mr Abhisit said that ousting the prime minister is now being pushed as a national agenda item.

The rally will begin at noon when the demonstrators will gather on Makhawan Bridge and head to the Royal Plaza.

Mr Thaksin has apparently decided to compete with the anti-government campaign. He opened Government House for a third straight day yesterday to greet supporters bussed in by Thai Rak Thai MPs and government agencies.

The grounds were crowded with people who were treated to free meals.

Mr Thaksin, who left for the restive South yesterday evening, declined to talk to the press the whole day. He told his supporters at Government House that he would use the ''Prime Minister Thaksin Meets the People'' radio programme today to clarify his position.

Mr Thaksin yesterday told around 5,000 employees of the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority that his exhaustion vanished when he realised how much hope the poor placed in him.

''I've worked non-stop for the past five years. But every time I feel tired, I see the poor who are waiting for assistance.

''My inspiration [for being prime minister] is when the [country's] elders ask me to help the poor,'' he told the gathering at the National Stadium.

The government has not abandoned its bids to block today's rally at the Royal Plaza.

The Metropolitan Police Bureau has banned bull-horns at the Royal Plaza and warned against disrupting traffic flow.

A group of taxi and passenger van drivers rallied outside Ban Phra Arthit, the headquarters of the Manager daily newspaper founded by Mr Sondhi, calling on him to halt all his political activities because he had already submitted a petition to His Majesty the King.

Banners have sprung up at various corners, warning of possible violence.

Pro-Thaksin rallies are being planned nationwide today. In his hometown of Chiang Mai, around 10,000 people wearing red will rally and march to the Police Region 5 Bureau to file treason charges against Mr Sondhi.

Today's rally is expected to draw as many people as the previous one. About 6,400 police will be deployed to keep law and order.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Saturday 11 February 2006 :-

American tourist stabbed and injured by bar girl, boyfriend in Pattaya

Chon Buri - A 44-year-old American tourist was assaulted and stabbed on Pattaya beach by a bar girl and who appeared to be her boyfriend early Saturday morning, police said.

Pol Maj Sirapop Sukkasi of Tambon Pattaya police station, said Tony Lindsey was severely injured during the attack at 2:30 am.

Lindsey suffered several knife wounds on his stomach, right side and right arm, Sirapop said. He was also hit at his face.

Sirapop quoted a witness as saying that he saw the American walking hand-in-hand from Soi 7 across the road to the beach.

While the two were sitting on the beach, a Thai man arrived at the scene on a motorcycle. The woman and man were then seen as assaulting the American with fists and knife before fleeing the scene on the motorcycle.

Sirapop said police had yet to interrogate Lindsey and police thought the woman might lure him to be robbed by her boyfriend at the beach.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Sunday 12 February 2006 :-

Thaworn is Asian golfer of year

Perth: Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant has been selected as Asian Golfer of the Year title for 2005.

The 39-year-old Thaworn was selected for the top award by a panel of judges after a sensational season in 2005 which saw him lift a career first Asian Tour Order of Merit crown.

The Thai, who possesses a unique golf swing and has the touch of a magician around the greens, wrote several new pages in Asian golf history when he claimed an unprecedented four titles last season, winning the Indonesia Open, Taiwan Open, Indian Open and Masters of Vietnam.

Thaworn's win in Indonesia made him the second Thai after Thongchai Jaidee, a former Asian Golfer of the Year, to triumph in a European Tour-sanctioned event.

Thaworn broke the season-earnings record with a haul of $510,122, becoming the first player to surpass the half million dollar mark. He also holds the most number of wins, with eight titles in Asia.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Sunday 12 February 2006 :-

Skydivers break world record : Achievement honours the 60th anniversary of His Majesty’s accession

The sky over Suvarnabhumi International Airport was filled with parachutes yesterday as the Royal Thai Air Force and the international skydiving group World Team set the Guinness World Record for the largest mass jump.

A fleet of RTAF aircraft dropped 960 parachutists to shatter the previous record of 672 set by World Team and Thai military skydivers in 2004.

The 450 members of World Team, representing 30 countries, and 510 skydivers from the Royal Thai Armed Forces and Police, jumped at 2,000 metres from 11 aircraft including seven RTAF Hercules C130s and one C130 provided by the Singapore Armed Forces.

For more than 10 minutes, participants drifted down over the airport under their colourful canopies with one Thai parachutist flying an enormous Thai flag behind him, while another carried a banner with “Long Live The King”.

The mass jump was the final event of the Royal Sky Celebration, which was staged to celebrate His Majesty the King’s 60th anniversary on the throne. This success comes only days after World Team set a record for the world’s first 400-person free-fall formation in Udon Thani.

“While all of Thailand is honouring His Majesty at this time, this is a great opportunity to include the rest of the world in the celebrations,” World Team organiser Larry Henderson said.

Thousands of spectators lined the road outside the airport to watch and tents inside the grounds hosted civilian and military dignitaries and guests.

Spectators were also treated to an air show involving fly-pasts and manoeuvres by an F-16 fighter jet, a PC9 training craft, and three low-flying planes that trailed smoke in the colours of the Thai flag.

Chris Vedelago
The Nation

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Monday 13 February 2006 :-

Goddess inspires annual fire walk

At least 300 people, adults and teenagers, walked over a burning bed of charcoal in front of Chao Mae Lim Kor Niew shrine in Pattani yesterday during the annual celebration of the local Chinese goddess.

The atmosphere at the 144th annual celebration at the shrine in Muang district was lively, with a huge cheering crowd gathering to watch the fire walking, the highlight of the event.

Men of all ages queued up early in the morning for the chance to carry the open palanquin, or kieo, bearing the statue of Chao Mae Lim Kor Niew while walking barefoot over the glowing coals.

It is local belief that those who take part in parading the statue will be protected by the goddess, who will shield them from harm - a comforting thought in the violence-prone deep South.

''We don't feel the heat of the fire because our minds are concentrated on Chao Mae Lim Kor Niew. The more faith we have in the goddess, the less we feel the heat,'' said Pongsakorn Charnnarong, 16. He insisted there was no need to utter magic words to keep his feet from burning.

It was the fourth time he had participated in the fire walk. He admitted being scared the first time he stepped out on to the searing coals.

Thosaphorn Vichitkul, 26, who made his seventh fire walk yesterday, said it was strictly restricted to men. Walking through fire stirred a sense of pride and bravery.

He believed the walkers would be spared from danger. On emerging from the flames the men are forbidden from showing any pain. Their friends pour sacred, cooling water on them. Charoen Theppitak, 56, who made his 10th annual walk over the coals yesterday said followers sought the divine protection of the goddess. Some men received minor burns, but others were unscathed, he said.


Lion dancers leap about on burning charcoal to worship Lim Kor Niew during yesterday's festival, an event which has been celebrated annually in Pattani for the last 144 years :
http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/130206_news01.jpg

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Monday 13 February 2006 :-

AT ODDS OVER SUBMERGED GRAVE : Bid to kindle tourist interest in ancient site opposed by Lim Kor Niew Shrine Foundation

Story by Wassana Nanuam and Abdullah Benyakay, Pattani

Academics of the Prince of Songkla University, Pattani campus, and Muslim villagers have come up with an ambitious plan to promote a site they believe is the grave of legendary Lim Kor Niew as a new ''unseen'' tourist attraction in the province. But their plan is opposed by the Lim Kor Niew Shrine Foundation which says the grave is in fact not that of Lim Kor Niew but another Chinese woman.

Legend has it that about 400 years ago Lim Kor Niew and her elder brother Lim Toh Kiam travelled from China to live in Pattani. When their mother was sick, Lim Toh Kiam, who was married to a Muslim woman, refused to return to China to visit her for he was too preoccupied with supervising the construction of Krue Se mosque.

This upset Lim Kor Niew. Before she died, she made a curse that the Krue Se mosque must never be completed. Local villagers believe that her curse worked. The mosque has never been finished because of various incidents including fires and lightning.

Nearby, a shrine was built in her memory, the Lim Kor Niew shrine. It is a major tourist attraction in the province. A celebration is held at the shrine annually, drawing Thai Chinese and Chinese people from Singapore and Malaysia. This year's celebration began on Thursday and lasts until Wednesday.

Prince of Songkla University academics and Muslim villagers believe the first and original grave of Lim Kor Niew or Leng Ku Nieng is located at the seaside near Ban Tanyong Lulo in Pattani's Muang district. The village was named after a bay called Tanyong Lulo.

They believe the grave was located in a large cemetery which was built in 1592. Because of soil erosion, the cemetery has been flooded for 30 years and can be seen only during low tide.

Before it was flooded, Chinese people came to the cemetery to pay homage. From about 1937, the cemetery area became a Muslim community. When the Chinese arrived they usually brought with them food offerings including boiled pig heads, upsetting Muslims. They stopped the Chinese walking past their land to the cemetery.

According to villagers of Tanyong Lulo, about 300 years ago the Chinese people of Pattani performed a rite to invite the spirit of Lim Kor Niew from the grave to a new place which is now the Lim Kor Niew shrine, next to the unfinished Krue Se mosque.

Assoc Prof Krongchai Hattha, a historian of Prince of Songkla University, said historical evidence indicated the underwater grave was the place where Lim Kor Niew was buried.

A stone erected at the grave about 400 years ago was inscribed with the words ''Su Chin Sae Chen.'' Some historians believe it was the original name of Lim Kor Niew, because when she arrived in Pattani from China she was known by the name ''Li Chen.''

The province has allocated a budget of three million baht for construction of a pavilion and a bridge leading to the underwater grave for people to pay homage during low tide.

While conceding there were already many sculptures and shrines of Lim Kor Niew, dubbed ''Goddess of the Sea,'' in many countries, Mr Krongchai said Pattani has evidence to prove she really existed and that the inundated grave, not far away from the grave of her brother, is genuine.

He said the foundation's protest stemmed largely from fears that tourists might lose interest in the old place.

Voravit Baru, vice-rector of Prince of Songkla University, said he believed the inundated grave was the original.

But staff of the Lim Kor Niew Shrine Foundation argue that since the spirit of the goddess had been invited to stay at the shrine, importance should be placed on that.

Prayoondet Khananurak, secretary-general of the foundation, said he did not believe the grave was that of Lim Kor Niew, as the name ''Chen'' on the inscription stone was not the woman's other name.

''What do they have to prove that the grave was of Lim Kor Niew?'' said Mr Prayoondet, insisting the shrine by the Krue Se mosque was her original grave.

Earnings from tourist visits had dropped sharply in the past two years due to southern unrest and a decline in the number of tourists from Singapore and Malaysia.

Donations had fallen from 3-4 million baht a year to just one million baht a year now, while the foundation spends 200,000 baht maintaining the shrine.

The foundation has collected 4.5 million baht from donors to organise this year's celebration.

Wae-uma Waedolo, kamnan of tambon Tanyong Lulo, said villagers are glad to have the underwater grave as a new tourist spot.

''It's very beautiful. I am a Muslim, but I often go to see it, as it is related to the Krue Se mosque. I think it is real,'' said Mr Wae-uma.


Workers prepare the site of a bridge being built to gain access to what is believed to be the inundated ancient grave of Lim Kor Niew in Pattani's Tanyong Lulo. The bridge will allow worshippers and tourists to visit the grave during low tide :-
http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/130206_news07.jpg

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Monday 13 February 2006 :-

Phuket Convention Centre site posing a headache

The Tourism Council of Thailand has called for experts to be brought in to weigh the pros and cons of prospective locations for the long-awaited Phuket convention and exhibition centre before further consulting work is done.

Vichit Na Ranong, the council's chairman, said that to speed up the construction of the centre, which was originally scheduled to start last year, the government should find out which areas were most suitable before asking Phuket residents to agree.

He said a committee should be established to judge the weaknesses and strengths of each prospective location.

''I understood that the government wanted to conclude the plan for this project, and make it an important destination for meetings and exhibitions in southern Thailand,'' he said.

Several locations have been proposed, but not by experts, he said.

However, two of the most preferable choices are Mai Khao beach and Saphan Hin near Phuket's southern bay.

Construction of the three-billion-baht convention hall was scheduled to start in 2004 and to be completed this year.

A convention and exhibition hall project has also been approved for Chang Mai. The cabinet gave the go ahead for the 1.9-billion-baht centre on Oct 25, and it has been scheduled for completion by September 2007.

The Chiang Mai project includes a convention hall, a central market for agricultural products and a product distribution centre for small and medium-sized enterprises from the northern provinces.

An open bid for project construction is scheduled to take place in the middle of the year. The Tourism Authority of Thailand is responsible for the design, which is expected to be finished by March.

The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has been authorised to draft a business plan for the centre.

The TCEB has projected that the number of Mice (meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition) visitors this year will reach 780,000, increasing to one million in 2007 and 1.4 million in 2008.

The TCEB is expected to propose its full business plan to the cabinet in July.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Monday 13 February 2006 :-

Nestlé takes aim at Boon Rawd

Nestlé (Thai) Ltd has mapped out an ambitious plan to topple Boon Rawd's Singha as the country's best-selling drinking water brand.

Prasopsuk Suttapirom, executive director for the water business at Nestlé Thai, said the company had relaunched Nestlé Pure Life with a new label to highlight its trendy and refreshing look.

It plans to spend 100 million baht promoting the relaunched product, which was first introduced in the local market seven years ago.

100-million-baht promotion planned for Pure Life.

A new TV commercial and marketing campaigns will be aimed at younger people who have the potential to become loyal long-term customers, with a plan to double sales this year.

Mr Prasopsuk added that competition in the drinking water business continues to be vigorous. Thailand has one of the highest per capita consumption rates of drinking water market in Asia.

Nestlé Pure Life has been recording steady sales growth of 40-50% a year in line with the expansion of its distribution network. It ranks second with about a 23-24% share in the PET bottle drinking water market, behind Boon Rawd's Singha with 27-28%.

Thailand's total drinking water market last year was worth 13 billion baht, of which almost 50% was drinking water in PET bottles.

Mr Prasopsuk said the market value for all drinking water segments last year grew by 4-5% from the previous year, but volume sales dropped because several brands went out of business.

With the increasing prices of plastic and fuel and a government policy to maintain price controls on drinking water, small and medium-sized drinking water producers could no longer bear the higher cost.

''It was estimated that at least 1,000 manufacturers withdrew from the market last year,'' said Mr Prasopsuk.

In Ayutthaya alone, the number of drinking water manufacturers registered with the Food and Drug Administration declined to 80 from about 300 a year before.

In addition to small manufacturers, some big brands also felt the negative impact from cost factors. The number of well-known drinking water brands displayed on shelves in local retail outlets is down to a half-dozen, from 10 brands in the past.