Red Shirt protesters have been demonstrating in Bangkok since 12 March, calling for the Prime Minister to dissolve Parliament and call a fresh election.
Two rounds of talks failed to find a solution, however, prior to last weekend the situation had been under and free of major disturbance. Regrettably, on Saturday night things turned violent.
Yesterday and today returned to being quiet and non-eventful. It is not known what the next step will be for either side although it is hoped we won’t see a repeat confrontation. Therefore, to minimize inconvenience and for peace of mind Tour East is suggesting that clients arriving within the next week who are staying in the Ratchaprasong and Ratchadamnoen areas be offered alternative accommodation in more suitable locations.
Hotels in the Ratchaprasong area and nearby where guests may be affected:
Indra Regent
Baiyoke Suites
Baiyoke Sky
Arnoma
Bangkok City Siam
White Lodge
Intercontinental
Holiday Inn Bangkok
Erawan Grand Hyatt
Four Seasons
Renaissance
Novotel Siam Square
Hotels in the Ratchadamnoen area and nearby where guests may be affected:
Royal
Buddy Lodge
Royal Princess Larn Luang
Alternative hotels:
Holiday Inn Silom
Amari Atrium
Narai
Siam @ Siam
Sofitel Silom
Montien Bangkok
Shangri-la Bangkok
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
NORTH ISLAND SEYCHELLES ENVIRONMENTAL UPDATE
Sighting: North Island environmental activities
Location: North Island, Seychelles
Date: March 2010
Observer: Linda van Herck
Photographer: Linda Wambach
The rehabilitation of an island and its ongoing sustainable environmental practice is a full-time challenge.
Location: North Island, Seychelles
Date: March 2010
Observer: Linda van Herck
Photographer: Linda Wambach
The rehabilitation of an island and its ongoing sustainable environmental practice is a full-time challenge.
This year, the rehabilitation of North Island's vegetation is continuing as before. Recent rainfall prompted a hasty reaction to plant as many endemic seedlings as possible on the glacis (granite mountain) areas of the island ... a monster task.
Members of the Environmental Team carried quantities of seedlings and of course various pieces of equipment up to the highest points of the island and planted out a number of species of seedlings including an indigenous Euphorbia.
One of the primary challenges about being on a sensitive island ecosystem is the waste generated by the ecotourism operation and what to do with it. Of course we cannot simply transfer our problem to Mahe, hence our focus on raising staff awareness.
A new waste compactor has been implemented to reduce the volume of non-organic waste that is transferred off the island for recycling.
This new piece of equipment is making our waste management far more efficient and has additionally given us an opportunity for awareness raising amongst the staff on the volumes of waste generated unless managed appropriately.
Members of the Environmental Team carried quantities of seedlings and of course various pieces of equipment up to the highest points of the island and planted out a number of species of seedlings including an indigenous Euphorbia.
One of the primary challenges about being on a sensitive island ecosystem is the waste generated by the ecotourism operation and what to do with it. Of course we cannot simply transfer our problem to Mahe, hence our focus on raising staff awareness.
A new waste compactor has been implemented to reduce the volume of non-organic waste that is transferred off the island for recycling.
This new piece of equipment is making our waste management far more efficient and has additionally given us an opportunity for awareness raising amongst the staff on the volumes of waste generated unless managed appropriately.
MADAGASCAR OFFERS FREE VISAS
MADAGASCAR has announced that it will extend its offer of free visas to visitors who are not staying in the country for longer than 30 days.The promotion will now continue until the end of December and is valid for all visas acquired on entry at an airport.
GERMAN SOCCER TEAM TO ARRIVE IN STYLE
LUFTHANSA’s A380 will celebrate its first long-haul flight in style when it flies the German soccer team to Johannesburg.
The A380, flight number LH2010, departs Frankfurt at 20h30 on June 6, arriving in Johannesburg the next day at 08h15.In addition to the team, DFB trainers and assistants and around 150 soccer fans will also be on the flight.
The fans will attend the send-off for the team in the business lounge at the flight departure gate and take part in a talk session prior to the flight. They will also be presented with an exclusive Lufthansa World Cup fan kit.
The A380, flight number LH2010, departs Frankfurt at 20h30 on June 6, arriving in Johannesburg the next day at 08h15.In addition to the team, DFB trainers and assistants and around 150 soccer fans will also be on the flight.
The fans will attend the send-off for the team in the business lounge at the flight departure gate and take part in a talk session prior to the flight. They will also be presented with an exclusive Lufthansa World Cup fan kit.
TOURISTS BANNED FROM TOYOKO TUNA AUCTIONS
Tokyo’s Metropolitan Government has banned tourists from the city’s fish market for a month after complaints from traders their presence was hampering business.
According to a BBC report, the morning tuna auction as turned the Tsukiji fish market into one of the Japan’s most popular tourist attractions, with as many as 500 people gathering for each sale. The report stated drunken tourists often visit the early- Morning auction straight after leaving the city’s nightclubs. Tensions between tourists and fish workers have also accumulated with a growing number of complaints about visitors getting in the way of workers, taking photographs and touching fish products.
Guards will be deployed at the entrance of the tuna auction inside the market in order to enforce the ban, while hotels, embassies and travel agencies will also be informed in a bid to deter visitors from trying to gain entry.
"We have decided on a total ban as visitors are taking pictures with flash and touching tuna, which gets in the way of bidding," said Akiko Ueyama, a spokeswoman for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
"The market is not a visitor attraction but a place for fish bidding. We are also considering if we should continue it indefinitely." With its rows of unidentifiable maritime creatures, hundreds of bustling fish industry workers and jet-lag friendly pre-dawn start, the fish market has become one of the city's biggest unofficial attractions.
Along with Asakusa, home to Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple, and the neon lights of the electric stores of Akihabara, the fish market is one of the three most popular tourist spots in the city, according to officials. Fuelled by an international sushi boom and gaining popularity by word of mouth among travellers, the daily tuna auction is a highlight of a visit to the working fish market, along with eating a fresh sushi breakfast in one of a string of small, informal restaurants on the fringes of the market.
According to a BBC report, the morning tuna auction as turned the Tsukiji fish market into one of the Japan’s most popular tourist attractions, with as many as 500 people gathering for each sale. The report stated drunken tourists often visit the early- Morning auction straight after leaving the city’s nightclubs. Tensions between tourists and fish workers have also accumulated with a growing number of complaints about visitors getting in the way of workers, taking photographs and touching fish products.
Guards will be deployed at the entrance of the tuna auction inside the market in order to enforce the ban, while hotels, embassies and travel agencies will also be informed in a bid to deter visitors from trying to gain entry.
"We have decided on a total ban as visitors are taking pictures with flash and touching tuna, which gets in the way of bidding," said Akiko Ueyama, a spokeswoman for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
"The market is not a visitor attraction but a place for fish bidding. We are also considering if we should continue it indefinitely." With its rows of unidentifiable maritime creatures, hundreds of bustling fish industry workers and jet-lag friendly pre-dawn start, the fish market has become one of the city's biggest unofficial attractions.
Along with Asakusa, home to Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple, and the neon lights of the electric stores of Akihabara, the fish market is one of the three most popular tourist spots in the city, according to officials. Fuelled by an international sushi boom and gaining popularity by word of mouth among travellers, the daily tuna auction is a highlight of a visit to the working fish market, along with eating a fresh sushi breakfast in one of a string of small, informal restaurants on the fringes of the market.
UPDATES ON BANGKOK - 08 APRIL 2010
Thai Government declared State of Emergency in the evening of Wednesday 7th April. This was due to a brief attempt of the anti-government protestors “Red Shirts” entry to the parliament compound.
Prime Minister Abhisit emphasized that the use of the Emergency Decree is intended to enable the Government to carry out the afore-mentioned tasks more efficiently. There is no intention of using the law to suppress or harm people, particularly innocent ones. The Government’s aim is to restore normalcy and ensure the sanctity of the law, and all actions to be taken will be in accordance with the law and international standards.
Areas covered:
The emergency rule covers Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, and Nakhon Pathom.
What it means:
In declaring the severe emergency situation, certain regulations and directives have been issued in accordance with the relevant law. It must be emphasized that in general the measures taken under these regulations and directives do not affect the normal way of life of people or their activities, nor do they affect foreigners residing in or visiting Thailand. To travel to all other parts of the kingdom has not been affected. Tourism activities in all other areas continue as normal.
Main points in the Declaration:
1. Limit of gathering for political purpose.
2. Limit of travel to and out of certain areas.
3. Limit of propaganda and news which may cause fear or altered information to the public.
4. Limit of movement to certain areas.
Note to tourists and foreigners:
For tourists visiting the Kingdom, it should be stressed that foreigners have not been targeted in the on-going political conflict. However, foreigners are advised to be vigilant, and avoid areas where crowds may gather.
Prime Minister Abhisit emphasized that the use of the Emergency Decree is intended to enable the Government to carry out the afore-mentioned tasks more efficiently. There is no intention of using the law to suppress or harm people, particularly innocent ones. The Government’s aim is to restore normalcy and ensure the sanctity of the law, and all actions to be taken will be in accordance with the law and international standards.
Areas covered:
The emergency rule covers Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, and Nakhon Pathom.
What it means:
In declaring the severe emergency situation, certain regulations and directives have been issued in accordance with the relevant law. It must be emphasized that in general the measures taken under these regulations and directives do not affect the normal way of life of people or their activities, nor do they affect foreigners residing in or visiting Thailand. To travel to all other parts of the kingdom has not been affected. Tourism activities in all other areas continue as normal.
Main points in the Declaration:
1. Limit of gathering for political purpose.
2. Limit of travel to and out of certain areas.
3. Limit of propaganda and news which may cause fear or altered information to the public.
4. Limit of movement to certain areas.
Note to tourists and foreigners:
For tourists visiting the Kingdom, it should be stressed that foreigners have not been targeted in the on-going political conflict. However, foreigners are advised to be vigilant, and avoid areas where crowds may gather.
2010 FIFA WORLD CUP GAMES VIEWED AT SEA
To ensure their guests won’t miss a minute of the action while on holiday, Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and Royal Caribbean International have obtained rights to air all games of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa while at sea in international waters on every ship across the three fleets.
Guests sailing with any of the three cruise lines any time during the entire competition – taking place from 11 June to 11 July 2010 – will be able to watch games in the comfort of their staterooms and in designated onboard lounges.* Football fans can combine a memorable Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and Royal Caribbean International holiday and still cheer on their team in special onboard programmes that include themed activities, food and beverages.
On some ships, guests can also participate in onboard tournaments, workshops and other special 2010 FIFA World Cup-themed activities.
*Games featured for public viewing will vary by ship itinerary, time zone and demographics.
Guests sailing with any of the three cruise lines any time during the entire competition – taking place from 11 June to 11 July 2010 – will be able to watch games in the comfort of their staterooms and in designated onboard lounges.* Football fans can combine a memorable Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and Royal Caribbean International holiday and still cheer on their team in special onboard programmes that include themed activities, food and beverages.
On some ships, guests can also participate in onboard tournaments, workshops and other special 2010 FIFA World Cup-themed activities.
*Games featured for public viewing will vary by ship itinerary, time zone and demographics.
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