- (
) EC officials urged to remain neutral during election
BANGKOK, Oct 21 (TNA) - Thailand's general election will be held two months from now, and Election Commission (EC) officials are urged to stay neutral, and to not identify with the activities or positions of any political party, EC chairman Apichart Sukhagganond said Sunday.Mr. Apichart's remarks were made as EC officials throughout the country met at a Bangkok hotel for the second day.
The EC chief told the convened election civil servants that every concerned official should work twice as hard after His Majesty the King's endorsement of the Royal Decree setting the next general election for December 23.
Urging EC officials to remain non-partisan in regard to the upcoming general election, Mr. Apichart said he had received complaints that some election officials had not acted impartially, and called upon them to refrain from taking bribes. More>>
- (
) Accessible Asia: Three countries, three cultures, three weeks
River cruises. Fresh beer. Strong coffee. French baguettes. Bike rides along shaded canals. Cooking classes in secluded villas. Five-star hotels with sky bars and rooftop pools. Paris, Venice, London?Try Hanoi, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.
If it's your first time or your tenth, surprises await in modern Southeast Asia. More accessible and easier to travel around than ever, it's a place where English is widely spoken and the dollar still packs power. Beginning Monday, join in online as travel writer Carol Pucci reports from Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam. Follow her dispatches, see her photos and offer your own comments and tips.
Returning to Asia, where changes abound BANGKOK — When my husband, Tom, and I made our first trip to Asia 19 years ago, Bangkok was our first stop. More>>
- (
) Myanmar bans outbound package tour
Myanmar has banned outbound package tour arranged by domestic travel and tour companies, the local Voice journal reported Monday.
Meeting with hoteliers and businessmen from travel agencies in Nay Pyi Taw recently, Director of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism U Hlaing Win said that domestic travel agencies are allowed only to arrange inbound package tour services within the country for domestic and foreign travelers but not for outbound package tour services for them.
The official warned of taking action against companies which break the tourism-related rules and regulations.
However, whether the package tours such as pilgrimage, Singapore and Bangkok ones being introduced by some companies are covered by the ban or not, remained unclear, the report said. More>> - (
) Luxury hospitality group to open deluxe hotel in Bangkok, Thailand
Rapidly expanding its reach in the world�s most alluring destinations, W Hotels, owned by North Sathorn Hotel Company, a joint venture between Dubai-based Istithmar Hotels FZE and Golden Land Property Development PLC, has announced plans to open its second hotel in Thailand, W Bangkok. The newly constructed 400-room hotel will debut in 2011 as part of a luxurious, mixed-use real estate development at the core of the city�s commercial and diplomatic center. W Bangkok will combine innovative, contemporary design and W�s signature services to create a transformative experience for modern travelers visiting Bangkok, one of Asia Pacific�s most captivating cities.�Ross Klein, President, Starwood�s Luxury Brands Group, said, �W continues to extend beyond the boundaries of everyday travel, offering a magical mix of sexy destinations and sublime design. More>>
- (
) (AFX UK Focus) 2007-10-16 16:26 GMT: Starwood Hotels plans Bangkok hotel
NEW YORK (AP) - Hotel operator Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. on Tuesday said its W Hotels unit will open W Bangkok in 2011.The 400-room hotel will be W Hotels' second in Thailand. It will be owned by North Sathorn Hotel Co., a joint venture between Istithmar Hotels FZE and Golden Land Property Development PLC.
The hotel will be part of a mixed-use development in Bangkok's commercial and diplomatic center, Starwood said.
Shares of Starwood Hotels added 43 cents to $60.17 in morning trading. Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
. More>>