Anything & Everything About Thailand

[cyph]

Bro any idea whats the Shenton Way a.k.a. the Central Business District in Bangkok? And what are some of the major buildings and companies located there? Like in Singapore theres UOB Plaza? Thanks Bro.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Sunday 21 May 2006 :-

Policeman's killing : Seksan gets family support : Transexual's adopted daughter vows to make mother proud

The adopted daughter of a transsexual being held over the killing of a police
officer said yesterday that she would study hard at school to make "mum" proud.

"I love my mum so much," said Ammy, 13.

The girl said she knew her mum, Seksan Khamwong, was once a man and had served time in prison.

"My grandmother has assured me that my mum will be back soon. I am going to study hard to make my mum proud," said Ammy, who has just begun her Grade 7 classes.

After his arrest, Seksan told police that he had drugged Lt-Colonel Chanin Bunnag in a hotel room because he wanted to steal the officer's valuables in order to help pay for his daughter's school fees.

Seksan's mother, Phet, said Ammy had become depressed and quiet since Seksan's arrest.

Seksan insists he had no intention of killing Chanin and had no idea that the drug, which was just meant to induce sleep, would be fatal.

Chanin was found dead in a Bangkok hotel room on Wednesday morning after he had checked in with Seksan, who had a sex-change operation when he was 22.

Rat Burana police station superintendent Colonel Krailert Bua-kaew said tests were being carried out to determine which drug Seksan had used on Channin and to determine why Chanin's nose appeared to have been pressed in when he was found.

"We should know the results within seven days," Krailert said.

He said the results would determine whether Seksan, 36, who has been charged with theft leading to his victim's death, would face more serious charges.

Police yesterday obtained court permission to detain Seksan for 12 more days.

Meanwhile, Salad Chawichai, the headman of the village where Seksan's mother lives, said people in the village believe that Seksan had not intended to kill the officer.

"If the police allow bail, we are going to pool money to secure his [Seksan's] release," said the headman.

Police, however, have expressed their intention of opposing a bail request, saying that Seksan had been convicted of a similar crime before.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Sunday 21 May 2006 :-

Policeman's killing : Seksan gets family support : Transexual's adopted daughter vows to make mother proud

The adopted daughter of a transsexual being held over the killing of a police
officer said yesterday that she would study hard at school to make "mum" proud.

"I love my mum so much," said Ammy, 13.

The girl said she knew her mum, Seksan Khamwong, was once a man and had served time in prison.

"My grandmother has assured me that my mum will be back soon. I am going to study hard to make my mum proud," said Ammy, who has just begun her Grade 7 classes.

After his arrest, Seksan told police that he had drugged Lt-Colonel Chanin Bunnag in a hotel room because he wanted to steal the officer's valuables in order to help pay for his daughter's school fees.

Seksan's mother, Phet, said Ammy had become depressed and quiet since Seksan's arrest.

Seksan insists he had no intention of killing Chanin and had no idea that the drug, which was just meant to induce sleep, would be fatal.

Chanin was found dead in a Bangkok hotel room on Wednesday morning after he had checked in with Seksan, who had a sex-change operation when he was 22.

Rat Burana police station superintendent Colonel Krailert Bua-kaew said tests were being carried out to determine which drug Seksan had used on Channin and to determine why Chanin's nose appeared to have been pressed in when he was found.

"We should know the results within seven days," Krailert said.

He said the results would determine whether Seksan, 36, who has been charged with theft leading to his victim's death, would face more serious charges.

Police yesterday obtained court permission to detain Seksan for 12 more days.

Meanwhile, Salad Chawichai, the headman of the village where Seksan's mother lives, said people in the village believe that Seksan had not intended to kill the officer.

"If the police allow bail, we are going to pool money to secure his [Seksan's] release," said the headman.

Police, however, have expressed their intention of opposing a bail request, saying that Seksan had been convicted of a similar crime before.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Sunday 21 May 2006 :-

Phra Prom returns to Erawan Shrine

In a ritual harking back to Thailand's Hindu roots, a reconstructed Brahman statue was paraded Sunday to the Erawan shrine in the heart of Bangkok, where hundreds of worshippers were on hand to welcome the revered deity.

A procession of lion dances and gong-bangers escorted a motorcade transporting the renovated statue from the Fine Arts Department, leaving at exactly 11:39 a.m., to the Erawan Shrine in central Bangkok, where more than 1,000 worshippers including Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra awaited it.

The orginal Phra Prom statue was destroyed exactly two months ago by a mentally ill man who was forthwith beaten to death, allegedly by guards of the shrine.

"I feel at peace now that Phra Phom has returned to the shrine and we can worship him again," said Absorn Keowsopha, 52, one of hundreds of mostly elderly women dressed in white who had gathered outside the shrine to welcome the returning Hindu god.

Many of the worshippers wrote down the license plate number of the car carrying the statue in the hopes that it would prove the lucky lottery draw.

Thai Culture Minister Surakiart Sathirathai, who presided over the placement of the statue, noted that the government had made two copies, keeping the second at the National Museum in case of another mishap.

The shrine, built in 1956 to ward off bad luck at the adjacent Erawan Hotel, is one of Thailand's most popular places of worship, especially among those seeking good fortune in business, love, the birth of a male child or a lottery jackpot.

The destruction of the Brahman statue was deemed a national disaster, prompting predictions of the fall of Prime Minister Thaksin and political upheaval for the country.

The government quickly ordered a replacement statue built.

Although Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party went on to win a snap election on April 2, the poll was annulled earlier this month and Thailand is currently being managed by a caretaker administration until a new election can be held later this year.

Rear Admiral Luang Suwichanphaet, a specialist in astrology, first advised the Erawan Hotel management to construct a shrine for the statue on the corner of its property, to ensure good fortune after the hotel ran into a spate of unlucky accidents.

The Erawan Hotel was bought by the Hyatt hotel group about 14 years ago.

The shrine is a popular place of worship for Buddhists and Hindus from Thailand and abroad, especially among tourists from Hong Kong and Singapore.

Thailand is a predominantly Buddhist country but many popular religious practices hark back to Hinduism, the first world religion to be adopted in the Southeast Asian nation.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Monday 22 May 2006 :-

Erawan Shrine statue restored

At the auspicious time of 11.39am yesterday, the restored statue of the Hindu god Thao Maha Phrom was replaced at Bangkok's famed Erawan shine. Hundreds of Thai and foreign worshippers looked on in falling rain.

It was exactly two months yesterday that a mentally ill man smashed one of the city's most revered religious images.

He was later beaten to death by an angry mob.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra attended the ceremony at the Rajprasong intersection.

The Thao Maha Phrom statue - escorted by a procession of lion dancers and musicians - left the Fine Arts Department at 7.29am. It was paraded to the City Pillar Shrine, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Brahman Church of Bangkok, where holy water was poured on the statue.

At 11am, the procession arrived at the Erawan shine. Thaksin, caretaker Culture Minister Surakiart Sathirathai and city Governor Apirak Kosayodhin were waiting.

More than 1,000 people, many of them dressed in white and adorned with garlands, crowded the shrine. Others looked on from pedestrian flyovers and the BTS skywalk.

Many had been waiting since early morning. Inbound lanes of Phloenchit Road were closed to traffic.

Folk dancers were accompanied by the sound of traditional Thai gongs.

As the world-famous statue was carried out, Brahma worship was performed before it was replaced at the renovated shrine at exactly 11.39am, just as heavy rain started to fall.

"I feel so good to have a chance to worship Pra Phrom at such a special ceremony," said Thanatporn Khaomuey, 56, a BMA employee who had waited with three friends since 9am.

"I don't think I'll have another chance in my life to witness these rites at the minute the statue is placed at the shrine," she said.

Suthita Ladtai, 52, said she and friends followed the procession by taxi. She hoped participating in the ceremony would bring her luck.

As the statue was moved from a vehicle to the shrine, worshippers threw flowers. Some even noted down the registration number of the vehicle, in the hope it would provide lucky lottery numbers.

Surakiart said a copy of the statue had been made with nine different metals and was being kept at the National Museum, in case of another accident.

The shrine, built in 1956 to ward off bad luck at an adjacent hotel, is one of the country's most popular places of worship among Thais and tourists, especially those from Hong Kong and Singapore.

A 24-hour police guard will protect the renovated Erawan Shrine.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Monday 22 May 2006 :-

Alert over possible flash floods

The Meteorological Department yesterday warned residents in several provinces to be prepared for flash floods.

The warning was issued to people living in Uthai Thani, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Ranong and Phang Nga.

The bureau expects heavy downpours during the next one or two days and warned that flash floods and landslides might strike settlements and homes near foothills and those build near mountainous slopes.

In Phang Nga, the provincial disaster prevention and mitigation office's acting
chief Bancha Sudkheao said a landslide had occurred at a road in Thap Put district following a storm.

"Relevant officials have managed to clear the road," he said.

In a related development, Ranong disaster prevention and mitigation office warned local residents to brace for possible flash floods and landslides.

There are 75 villages in the districts of Muang Ranong, Kapoe, Kra Buri and La-un as well as Suk Samran sub-district, which are considered to be areas at risk.

Muang Ranong district chief Boonyapat Chatara-urai said the Ranong governor's working trip to Phayam Island would be postponed to a later date because of rough seas.

"Waves are between two and three metres high," he said. The working trip was initially scheduled on Wednesday, when officials were expected to bring public services in mobile units to treat people on the island.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Monday 22 May 2006 :-

With Wi-Fi too costly, check out the ADSL deals currently on offer : Internet service providers have a range of packages for broadband connection

Internet access now offers a competitive advantage for both providers and users. But unfortunately, wireless Internet (Wi-Fi) in Thailand is still too expensive for many people to access comfortably.

Bangkok and other cities in the Kingdom have a long way to go before they reach the Wi-Fi status of Seattle. That North American city - the birthplace of software tycoon Bill Gates - has become the most wire-free city in the United States, according to the annual survey of Intel Corp last year. With Wi-Fi Internet access available 24/7 right across the city, Seattle really is living up to its 'Sleepless' moniker.

But while most Thais may not yet be able to afford wireless service, ADSL-based broadband access allows Internet users to surf the Net faster than via a regular dial-up connection.

ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) is a form of DSL, a data communications technology that enables faster data transmission over copper telephone lines than a conventional modem can provide.

Connecting via ADSL is faster than the dial-up system that many are used to.

However, connecting with ADSL also comes at a cost.

To start with, the specifications of your desktop computer or laptop must be compatible with the technology. You will also require an additional device such as a router to connect to the service.

Until recently the price of the ADSL service was rather high when compared with the regular dial-up connection. However, to attract more customers many Internet providers have slashed their prices and brought out special offers, heralding a price war among providers that can only benefit subscribers.

ADSL providers offer a monthly service that commits customers to the high cost of connection devices. But they will often waive the charge for the device if the customer signs up for a long-term contract for the service.

For example, True Corp offers a Bt2,900 router for only Bt1 if customers sign up to the service for at least one year.

There are currently plenty of ADSL providers in the market, including True, TOT, TT&T, CS Loxinfo, KSC, Buddy BB, Ji-Net, Samart, INET and I-SAN.

On average, ADSL offering data transmission at 256 kilobits per second (kbps) with unlimited usage time ranges between Bt500 and Bt600 per month.

As expected, the higher the speed, the higher the price.

As this monthly all-in tariff may be rather high for those who don't usually surf the Internet all day and night, TOT and True have brought out low-cost broadband packages.

TOT's campaign offers an access speed of 256kbps at a monthly fee of Bt290 for 30 hours, undercutting True's offer for a speed of 128kbps.

Additional hours cost Bt12 each up to a maximum of Bt585 per month, compared to a Bt590 maximum under the True package.

TOT subscribers are also offered unlimited surfing hours during the first two months after signing up.

Subscription to the service costs Bt500 and users have to stay with the service for a minimum of 12 months.

While the ADSL service may look more expensive than dial-up connection, when you take into consideration the time wasted while waiting for each page to appear when connected via dial-up, you may feel that a little additional money spent is worth it for the time saved.

Before signing up to a package it will pay you to have a look at Web boards that talk about the providers to get the latest on performance and services.

For example, because of the high number of customers that some providers have, the speed of the Internet may not be as fast as promised as many people have to share the connection.

To find the fastest Internet access and the best deal, you need to think faster and do some homework.

The world of the Net is supposed to open up your eyes, not fool you into giving your hard earned money away for nothing.

To get an overview of the Thai Internet scene, log on to www.adslthailand.com, where you will find up-to-date information about offers and can compare prices, services and promotions.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Monday 22 May 2006 :-

Faithful celebrate return of Brahma statue

Thousands of faithful yesterday flocked to the famous Erawan Shrine to celebrate the return of the revered Brahma statue, undeterrred by heavy rain.

They scrambled for a first glimpse of the statue since it was recast after being smashed by a mentally ill man two months ago. The rain which fell throughout the installation ceremony could not deter the crowd. Many became soaked, while the lucky ones took shelter under umbrellas to witness the ceremony.

It began when the image of the Hindu creator god, restored by the Fine Arts Department, was given scented water and placed on a decorated vehicle before leaving the Handicrafts Division on Buddhamonthon road at 7.59 am.

The procession made three stopovers at the City Pillar Shrine, the Emerald Buddha Temple and the Brahmin temple near the Giant Swing, where worshipping and lustral water pouring ceremonies were performed. Crowds waited at the three stops and along the route to pay respect to the statue. Many offered jasmine and marigold garlands to the god _ yellow flowers are thought to be his favourite _ while waiting to grab flower petals and popped rice that were sprinkled by a group of Brahmin priests on the procession. Worshippers, many dressed in white to symbolise purity for the sacred rite, tried to touch the statue with banknotes and belongings such as wallets and handbags, in the hope of receiving the god's blessings.

The statue arrived at the Erawan Shrine at 11am for the installation and worshipping ceremony, attended by caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Four Brahmin priests carried the statue, which was placed on a palanquin, circling the shrine. The crowd cried out when the statue was enshrined into the place of worship. Many performed a wai of respect while praying.

Sarintra Iewsakul, 53, followed the procession on foot from the City Pillar Shrine to the Brahmin temple. Wearing a white dress, she said she would keep following the statue to the Erawan Shrine as the ceremony was a unique experience.

"It's an historic event that is worth attending. I don't think there will be another chance in our lifetime to see this kind of ritual," she said.

The woman, who has profound belief in the god, said she had been once favoured during her university entrance exam, where she won a seat at Chulalongkorn University's faculty of communications. Since then she has kept her faith in the god, and regularly paid respect to the statue when she passed by the shrine.

A 50-year-old woman who identified herself as Supanee turned up with four garlands, candles and joss sticks to worship the god. "I come today to ask the god to help heal my illness," said Ms Supanee, who has breast cancer.

She was looking for flower petals sprinkled from the procession, to mix them into home-made herbal medicine.

Other followers also expected the god to bring them luck, setting their hopes on the number 9331, the registration number of the leading vehicle which carried the statue to the shrine. They hope the number will bring them lottery prizes.

Flower vendors who have made their earnings at the shrine for decades also welcomed the return of the statue. They hired a klong yao (traditional Thai drum) performance troupe to welcome the god.

"The income we've earned from the shrine isn't as big a matter as the spiritual ties we feel for the god. He's been with us for so long that we regard him as our father or grandfather. We're really glad that he's come back to us today," said a vendor, who wanted to be identified as Orathai.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Monday 22 May 2006 :-

300 areas in Bangkok City still face risk of floods

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has warned that 300 areas across the city are vulnerable to flooding, as it tries to implement a flood mitigation plan.

Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin said flood-prone areas in the city include Vibhavadi, Chatuchak, Lat Phrao, Sukhumvit and Klong Toey, due to their low-lying terrain.

The flood prevention plan includes dredging waterways, installing more water pumps and setting up a 24-hour disaster-response unit.

The BMA would build a water tunnel to pump out floodwater as a long-term flood solution.

Work on the 300-million-baht tunnel would start next year.

Meanwhile, several provinces in the South have been warned to prepare for possible landslides caused by heavy rainfall.

Damri Sungsap, Phuket's Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department chief, said a fresh thunderstorm in the province had damaged public property and caused power blackouts in many districts.

The downpour destablised trees, which fell on houses. Some trees blocked roads, bringing traffic to a standstill.

Up to 21 spots were prone to landslides and were unsafe as the heavy downpour continued.

The weather forecast for the west coast indicated the areas would become dry as the southwest monsoon tailed off.

However, authorities warned of gusting winds and strong waves along the coast, and urged fishermen, residents and tourists to exercise caution.

The third coastal naval fleet is out on its rounds to ensure public safety.

In Ranong, 75 villages in four districts and a sub-district were put on red alert for possible landslides and swift run-off.

The Meteorological Department said the central and eastern regions also face continuing downpours and heavy rainstorms which may trigger flash floods in some areas.

The provinces at risk include Uthai Thani, Kanchanaburi, Ranong and Phangnga, said the weather bureau, urging fishermen to stay onshore because of higher than usual waves at sea.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Monday 22 May 2006 :-

Thailand tourism slumps despite record budgets

Fear of ghosts in tsunami-hit areas and instability in southern Thailand exacted a devastating toll on Thailand's 2005 visitor arrivals.

Final figures for 2005 have not yet been released. However, some very significant clues are contained in the final figures for January-September, which were released last week and show total arrivals of 8.18 million, down 3.19% over the same period of 2004.

The final tally for 2005 is expected to be around the 10 million mark, well short of the target of 13.3 million and about the same as that recorded in the worst years of tourism this decade _ 2001, the year of the 9/11 attacks, and 2003, the year of Sars and the US-led attack on Iraq.

The shortfall threatens to become another embarrassing political liability for the in-limbo Thaksin administration which coughed up record budgets for tourism revival in the aftermath of the December 2004 tsunami, and is still struggling with the unrest in the country's three southernmost provinces.

It may also affect the future of TAT governor Juthamas Siriwan, who, in spite of reaching the retirement age of 60 this year, is rumoured to be seeking an extension of her four-year contract due to expire in September. Having developed close ties with Somkid Jatusripitak, the caretaker deputy prime minister, on the basis of her tourism marketing credentials, she needs to show results to justify the huge amounts spent last year.

Poor figures will put Thailand in a bad light relative to other Asean countries, nearly all of which reported arrivals growth last year: Singapore up 7.4% to 8.94 million, Malaysia up 4.6% to 16.43 million and the Philippines up 14.6% to 2.6 million. Thailand will land up in the same camp as Indonesia, another formerly high-flying destination when it was politically and economically stable.

An analysis of the visitor profiles for January-September 2005 (by country of residence), posted on the TAT website last week, provided clear indicators of the sources of and reasons for slowdown:

- A noticeable trend is a steep fall in first-time visitors to 3,211,225, down 23.77% over the same period of 2004.

- The key markets of Northeast Asia were worst hit. First-time visitors from China were down 25.51% to 335,674, Hong Kong -58.90% to 111,137, Korea -17.35% to 406,980, Taiwan -50.72% to 163,469, and Japan -23.49% to 312,845. First timers from another key market, Malaysia, fell 20.86% to 249,411. These markets are Thailand's top sources of visitor arrivals; in 2004, they generated a combined total of 5.5 million arrivals, or 48% of that year's total.

- Although all six source markets (except Hong Kong) did show considerable increases in repeat visitors, the overall total was not enough to compensate for the sharp downturns in first timers. In the Northeast Asian countries, tour operators reported that massive publicity about the tsunami-related casualties had generated a major fear of spirits and ghosts haunting the beaches of Phuket.

- First-time visitors fell across the board, with the exception of Brunei, Laos and Saudi Arabia. First timers from Europe were down 19.13% to 703,568 and the Americas -5.68% to 202,393. They were also down from other key source markets like India (-3.08% to 119,553) and Australia (-19.05% to 100,726).

- The country was saved largely by strong growth in repeat visitors (+17.24% to 4,975,258). In addition to those leisure travellers who are familiar with Thailand and keep coming back, there was strong growth in convention delegates (+397% to 433,409). Business travellers totalled 711,091, a statistically stagnant 'growth' of 0.14% over January-September 2004.

In 2005, the TAT spent a lot of time, money and effort to prop up visitor arrivals, especially from China. A number of senior delegations visited China to generate interest, based on the 30th anniversary of the opening of bilateral diplomatic relations. An agreement was also signed with Chinese tour operators for tourism promotion including tactical advertising campaigns designed to generate quick-fix results.

The statistics being publicised are the 'positive' ones, such as arrivals at Bangkok international airport in the first quarter of 2006, which are showing strong growth over the same period of 2005.

Much will depend on the final arrivals tally from Malaysia, Thailand's top source market. In January-September 2005, arrivals totalled 988,675, a fall of 3.4% over the same period of 2004. The fact that Malaysian arrivals at Bangkok airport are up indicates that there has been a decline in overland arrivals via the southern border points.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Monday 22 May 2006 :-

Nok Air poised to expand fleet and establish overseas routes

The fledgling budget carrier Nok Air is gearing up to significantly expand its fleet and network to ensure future growth.

After putting its fourth 149-seat Boeing 737-400 jet and a 66-seat ATR-72 propeller plane into service earlier this year, Nok Air plans to add two more jets with capacity of 150-160 seats each in the fourth quarter.

Next year, it plans to add one jetliner in every quarter.

The airline, partly owned by Thai Airways International, will open its first overseas route - from Bangkok to Bangalore, the Silicon Valley of India - in October.

It is contemplating a second destination in India next year and a Bangkok-Macau service in the third quarter of next year.

"It's time for us to grow our operation," said Sehapan Chumsai, executive vice-president for marketing of Nok Airlines.

The airline reported a satisfactory performance with a net profit of 50 million baht in its first full year of operation in 2005, and has done "quite okay" in reaching a break-even point, said Mr Sehapan.

Nok claimed a high seat occupancy level, known in the trade as "cabin factor", of 83% last year and was running at 86% in the first quarter of this year, Mr Sehapan said in an interview.

He attributed the good performance to business from first-time flyers and repeat passengers who had been attracted by the low fares offered.

Critics maintain that Nok is able to charge low fares because it leases its planes at bargain rates from THAI, which also charges less for aircraft maintenance and services. Executives of Nok Air and THAI have denied the claim.

Nok Air is currently negotiating to obtain two single-aisle twin-jet aircraft, either used Boeing 737-400s or new Airbus 320s, depending on availability, from aircraft leasing companies to put into service as soon as October this year.

Mr Sehapan denied reports that Nok Air planned to fly to Malaysia and Indonesia, or that it would take over two short domestic routes - Bangkok-Phitsanulok and Bangkok-Khon Kaen - from THAI.

"These are not in our business plan," he said, noting that THAI wanted to find a new operator on the two domestic feeder routes to avoid losses.

THAI has been gradually phasing out loss-ridden domestic services including Bangkok-Nakhon Si Thammarat, Bangkok-Trang and Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son. It wants to focus on more lucrative international business.

Early this month, Nok Air introduced two new domestic routes - Bangkok-Loei and Udon Thani-Loei - using an ATR propeller plane leased from THAI. Nok Air today operates 10 domestic routes.

On the new Bangalore route, Nok Air has agreed in principle on a strategic operational alliance with the Indian low-cost carrier Air Deccan to feed passengers to one another.

It is delaying its flights to Macau beyond this year as planned earlier, in order to finalise airport service charges with Macau authorities, and because it still needs additional aircraft capacity.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Tuesday 23 May 2006 :-

Tesco Lotus rushes to open small stores

Despite the falling purchasing power of consumers, the operator of the Tesco Lotus discount-store chain will speed up the expansion of Talad Lotus and Tesco Lotus Express outlets by at least three times ahead of the original plan.

Wholly owned by UK-based retail giant Tesco, the company plans to open at least 20 Talad Lotus outlets nationwide this year, compared to only five last year, said Jeff Adams, chief executive of Ek-Chai Distribution System Co Ltd.

Talad Lotus is in effect a food store offering a full range of both fresh foods and dry grocery items at conveniently located sites.

As well, about 150 new Tesco Lotus Express stores, the compact version of Tesco Lotus which operate 24 hours a day, will be added this year, compared to 60 last year.

After the expansion, the total number of Talad Lotus and Tesco Lotus Express outlets will reach 30 and 250 respectively.

A market analyst said Tesco Lotus had shifted to aggressively expanding its two smaller retail formats to cash in on a change in consumers' behaviour toward neighbourhood shopping.

Central Food Retail, one of the major players in the local retail market, is also reportedly planing to do the same by opening Tops Daily in Bangkok soon.

As a result, Tesco Lotus might have wanted to move first in order to secure prime locations, the analyst said.

Mr Adams said the total investment this year was seven billion baht, on par with last year's figure, but declined to be specific about the investment cost of adding more Talad Lotus and Tesco Lotus Express stores.

Despite the ongoing economic and political difficulties, sales of all retail formats - Tesco Lotus hypermarket, Talad Lotus and Tesco Lotus Express - in the first five months of this year are still on tar get, as food is generally not high on the list when consumers cut their spending.

Apart from this, Tesco Lotus has revamped its health-and-beauty department. A joint marketing campaign is being held with Unilever Thai Trading to survey the needs of all customer segments.

The research found that shoppers are looking for convenience, comfort and simple choices in an excitingly modern environment when they are looking for health and beauty products.

In addition, they want spend some time while shopping there.

Tesco Lotus has thus remodelled its health and beauty department to meet their needs. The project's first phase started in May at the Tesco Lotus Rama IV store, which will be adopted as a model for other branches soon.

Part of a worldwide phenomenon, the interest and popularity of health and beauty products have been rising dramatically in Thailand in recent years, resulting in double-digit sales growth.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Tuesday 23 May 2006 :-

'Pepperoni' to spice up sales at Narai Hotel

The Narai Hotel, on Silom Road in Bangkok, will spend 12 million baht on refurbishing and rebranding its Pizzeria restaurant with an aim to increase its Italian food revenue by 20% this year.

Narai Pizzeria will be closed for renovation on June 1, and the makeover is expected to be completed by September, a month prior to the high tourism season.

The menu at the rebranded 'Pepperoni' will offer a wider variety of Italian dishes than before, said Pichet Nithivasin, managing director of Narai Hotel.

The hotel decided to renovate the restaurant after hearing from customers that the 30-year-old Pizzeria was a little dated.

Narai was one of Bangkok's first pizzerias, and its popularity prompted the hotel to create a chain of the restaurants. It sold the chain to the J Press Group in 2002, but the hotel continued to run the original Pizzeria.

According to Mr Pichet, the hotel this year would spend a total of 40 million baht to renovate various areas of its 469- room Narai Hotel. It finished renovating the third and 12th floors in January, and for the remainder of the year, besides the restaurant, it will spend another 12 million baht on 46 rooms on the ninth floor.

Mr Pichet said the Pizzeria had contributed satisfying revenue to the hotel for the past year, growing by 16% to more than nine million baht.

Surath Pachoo, the hotel's general manager, said the food and beverage business accounted for 50% of the hotel's revenue.

Narai Hotel Co, which runs two adjacent hotel properties, Narai and Triple Two, operates four key food outlets: Rabiangthong, Laksmi Thai Suki, Triple Two and Pepperoni.

The Rabiangthong restaurant contributes 50% of all F&B revenue, followed by Triple Two at 20%, Laksmi Suki 15% and Pepperoni 15%.

The hotel is considering renovating Rabiangthong next year, Mr Surath said.

The company's revenue last year totalled 400 million baht. With average occupancy of 77%, Mr Pichet said he was expecting 10% revenue growth this year.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Tuesday 23 May 2006 :-

Flash flood in the north kills two and trapped thousands in Northern Thailand

Flash floods triggered by days of heavy rain killed at least two people on Tuesday and trapped thousands of others in northern Thailand, authorities said on Tuesday.

The floods, following three consecutive days of downpour, inundated several districts in the provinces of Nan, Phrae, Lampang and Uttaradit where more than 2,000 people were trapped and forced to climb on the roofs of their houses or in trees in Lablae district.

Rescue teams with boats were deployed to the area to evacuate the stricken residents. A 60-year-old woman was killed and eight others were missing in Lablae and a 13-year-old girl perished in Phrae province, officials said.

Meanwhile in Phrae, Ekkachai Wongworakul, president of Phrae Chamber of Commerce, said that the flooding has damaged many furniture factories which are main business of the province.

"In Phrae, we have middle and small furniture factories which were situated close to one another. They therefore were damaged by the flooding. It is estimated for now that the damage was about Bt30 million," Ekkachai said. Each year the business generated about Bt500 million.

The water also suspended the transportation in the area as many gas station submerged under the water.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

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Report from The Nation dated Tuesday 23 May 2006 :-

Fitness First eyes the provinces

Fitness First Thailand is planning to spread its wings upcountry within the next few years, heading to Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen and Pattaya as priority projects.

"We are planning to add three or four new branches a year in the next two to three years. The new clubs will be located both in Bangkok and other major cities," said the company's managing director, Simon Flint.

Flint said the company would soon expand into the provinces as its sees high potential there. It is still searching for a suitable province in the South in which to open a branch, with Phuket the most likely option.

Fitness First will be the first international fitness-club operator in the country to operate outside Bangkok. Its membership fee for upcountry branches will be lower than for Bangkok as the operations are likely to be smaller.

The company currently runs 11 clubs in Bangkok and surrounding areas, nine of them normal operations under the Fitness First name and two up-market branches called Fitness First Plus. The latter are situated at Bio House Building on Sukhumvit Road and Q House Lumpini Tower.

Fitness First Plus at Q House has 2,362 square metres of space and cost Bt110 million. Seventy per cent of the investment went into construction and decoration, the rest into exercise equipment.

"As the second location for Fitness First Plus, we are targeting 'B+' customers, particularly those living and working around the central business district. We expect to receive about 2,000 members," said Flint.

The Fitness First Plus membership fee is 20 per cent higher than for normal Fitness First outlets, and is also higher than its direct competitor - California Wow Xperience.

The Q House club is one of three new outlets scheduled to open this year. In July, the company will launch an outlet at Seacon Square Shopping Centre on Srinakarin Road in the east of Bangkok. The Bt100-million club will operate as a normal branch.

The third new location this year will be in the business area, on Suriwong Road, and will be run as a Fitness First Plus club. "This new outlet is worth Bt70 million," said Flint.

The company's revenue was Bt800 million last year. It aims to increase this to Bt1 billion this year, and to Bt1.2 billion in 2007.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork