Bangkok travel warning upgraded

AUSTRALIANS are being advised to think twice about heading to Bangkok as tensions between pro and anti-government groups erupt.The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has upgraded its advice for Bangkok, suggesting Australians reconsider their need to travel to the city.The overall advice for Thailand is to exercise a high degree of caution.Anti-government protesters continue to blockade the two main airports in Bangkok, leaving thousands of travellers stranded.There are growing fears of clashes between pro-government supporters and the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which has blockaded the airports.”You should avoid unnecessary travel to the area around Government House and other demonstration sites,” DFAT advised on its smarttraveller website.”Several attacks, including with hand grenades and explosive devices resulting in some fatalities and a number of injuries have occurred. Further violence cannot be ruled out.”

Spew fest for sick tourists at Thai airbase

MEDICAL treatment has been provided to 282 foreign tourists at a naval base of Thailand from which travellers are being evacuated during an opposition blockade of Bangkok’s airports, Thai authorities said Monday.Most were suffering from complaints including headaches, vomiting, fainting, cold, muscle sprains, skin irritation and food poisoning, the Public Health Authority said in a statement.Foreign nations are scrambling to get their nationals out of the Vietnam-era U-Tapao airbase southeast of Bangkok while the capital’s international and domestic airports remain occupied by protesters.

Anti-government protests strand 350,000 travellers in Thailand

AN estimated 350,000 passengers have been unable to fly out of Thailand since anti-government protesters shut down Bangkok’s two airports last week, according to a senior tourism official.The main Suvarnabhumi international airport has been shut since last Tuesday when protesters besieged it in their bid to topple the premier, and a day later they stormed the smaller Don Mueang domestic airport.”Around 350,000 passengers remain stranded in Thailand since the closing of the airports,” said Sasithara Pichaichannarong, permanent secretary at the tourism ministry, That figure includes Thais who were booked on flights out of the kingdom.

Tourists stranded after Thailand airport riot

THAI protesters today tightened their grip on ’s international airport, where two people were hurt in a blast and thousands of travellers left stranded by anti-Government demonstrations.Grenade attacks elsewhere in the city deepened the sense of lawlessness after demonstrators stormed the showpiece airport yesterday night, dramatically escalating their campaign against Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.Suvarnabhumi Airport – a $US3bn ($4.61bn) hub for travel throughout Asia – was shut for the rest of the day as guards from the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protest movement blocked access roads.”I have been informed by Thai Airways that 3000 passengers are stranded at the terminal now,” airport director Saereerat Prasutanont told said, adding that 78 outbound and incoming flights were cancelled.”Protesters refused to negotiate with anyone except the prime minister.”

Krabi – Perfect Destination for Holidays

Water sports like snorkeling and scuba diving can be enjoyed at its beaches. During night, the whole ambiance changes and takes a glaring appearance. Furthermore, your stay is beautified by which offer elegant accommodations and modern services. Not only this, there style of hospitality also enamors the travelers.Located on the west coast of Southern Thailand, Krabi is considered as one of the most favorable tourist destinations of the world. Krabi covers a 4708 sq km area and is blessed with the natural glory of white sandy beaches, coral reefs, mesmerizing Islands, and forests with caves and waterfalls. It makes you enter an exotic world which exists away from a noisy and hectic atmosphere. Taking out time from a busy schedule and spending precious moments with family at this amazing spot is definitely a great pleasure. Furthermore, your enjoyment is enhanced by Krabi Hotels which offer modern accommodations.

Amari Vogue Resort, Golden Beach Resort, Buri Tara Resort, Rawi Warin Resort Spa, and Sofitel Phokeethra are some of the leading hotels in Krabi. Budget travelers as well as visitors with great requirements can easily find an apposite hotel. Most of the hotels in Krabi are nested at beachfront locations. Also, they make available an entire set of amenities including restaurant, swimming pool, and Spa. Not only this, guests can also fully avail the services like laundry, parking, travel information, shuttle service, front desk, and many more.

Krabi offers various sightseeing places like Wat Tham Suea, Wat Sai Thai, Krabi Horticultural Centre, Hin Daeng, Tham Lot, Wat Khlong Thom Museum, Tham Chao Le, Tham Sadet, Koh Talu, Railay beach, Ao Nang beach, Koh Lanta Marine National Park, Fossil Shell beach, Koh Phi Phi Natural Park, Than Bokkharani National Park, Nopharat Thara Beach, and Shell Cemetery. These attractions portray the ongoing world of enchantment that never comes to a stand still.

Apart from this, Krabi beaches are very popular among adventurers for offering exciting activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and many more. Not only this, trekking and hiking are also available there. For leisure, you can just relax in the stilling zone at beach while feeling the warmth of sun. Meanwhile, gladsome moments can be cherished with friends or family. Around the beaches, Spa facilities are also available where you can take cool Thai massage treatments.

Well, dining and shopping have their own fun at the beaches. Various stores selling antiques, gems, clothing, furniture, neilloware, orchids, pewterware, and silk items, are set there. While, restaurants, bars, cafes, and bistros are lit during dusk which makes the whole atmosphere dazzling. Sala Thai, Ko Tung, Last Fisherman Bar, Seafood street, Lo Spuntino, The Irish Rover Pub, Night Market, Gecko House, and Crazy Pub are some of the spots where a vibrant nightlife can be enjoyed.

Bangkok To Phuket

By Air
Air Thai operates nearly a dozen daily flights from Bangkok. The direct flight takes an hour and 25 minutes, but some flights stop in Hat Yai for half and hour. There are also regular flights to and from Hat Yai.Bangkok Airways flies between Samui Island and Phuket Island twice daily (once a week in June and September).Angle Airlines recently introduced flights to Phuket Island from Bangkok and Singapore. Angle’s office is at Phuket international Airport.THAI flies between Phuket Island and several international destinations, including Penang, Langkawi, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei and Sydney. Other international airlines with offices in Phuket are: Malaysia Airline, Silk Air, Singapore Airlines and China Airlines.Southern Helicopter service at the airport charters a seven passenger helicopter. The service covers all of Phuket Island and Ao Phang Nga beach, including Phi Phi Island. Southern Flying Group does small aero plane charters.

By BUS
All direct air-conditioner buses from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal make the journey overnight, leaving at approximately half-hourly intervals between 5.30pm and 7pm and arriving about fourteen hours later. Most air-conditioner buses from Phuket to Bangkok also make the journey overnight, though there are a few departures during the morning. There is no train service to Phuket, but if you can’t face taking the bus all the way from Bangkok, a more comfortable (and less nerve-wracking) alternative would be to book an overnight sleeper train to Surat Thani, about 290km east of Phuket, and take a bus from there to Phuket (about six hours). There are fourteen buses a day between Surat Thani and Phuket, all traveling via Khao Sok, Takua Pa and Khao Lak; and six private minibuses a day from Phuket to Surat Thani. Takua Pa is a useful interchange for local services to Khuraburi and Ranong, though there are four direct buses a day between Ranong and Phuket. As for points further south : seventeen buses a day run between Krabi and Phuket, via Phang Nga, and there are also frequent services to and form Trang, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Hat Yai.

By Boat
If you’re coming to Phuket form Phi Phi Island or Lanta Island, the quickest and most scenic option is to take the boat. During peak season, up to four ferries a day make the trip to and from Phi Phi Island, taking between ninety minutes and two and a half hours and docking at the deep-sea port on Phuket’s southeast coast; during low season, there’s at least one ferry a day in both directions. Travelers from Lanta Island have to change boats on Phi Phi Island. Minibuses meet the ferries in Phuket and charge 100B per person for transfer to Phuket town and the major west-coast beaches, or 150B to the airport.