DLT launches Taxi OK app. Photo: Pornprom Satrabhaya
Like Uber or Grab, the app will feature taxi booking reservations and evaluate drivers. It will also have a function for passengers to send a complaint to the DLT. The app is developed by King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang.
Last November, the DLT enforced a rule for new taxis to install a GPS device, a CCTV camera inside the car, an emergency button and a new “Taxi OK” sign on top of the taxicabs. The app will allow DLT to track taxi locations to ensure passenger safety, according to DLT Director-General Sanit Phromwong.
The service charge is the same rate as other metered taxis, plus 20 baht for the booking fee.
Free Ride
The Transport Company will offer free rides for kids during Jan 12-14 to celebrate Children’s Day on Saturday.
The privilege is offered to kids and youths aged under 15 years old. They can ride any classes of inter-provincial buses to any destination without paying for tickets. They are required to present their ID cards before receiving the tickets.
Visit home.transport.co.th or call its call centre at 1490.
Tourism Forum
The Asean Tourism Forum 2018 will kick off on Jan 22 in Chiang Mai.
Hosted by the Tourism and Sports Ministry, the 37th edition of the forum will highlight Thailand as a potential hub for promoting sustainable tourism in Asean countries and a gateway to travel in the region as a single tourism destination.
The forum is expected to have 2,000 participants including ministers and heads of national tourism organisations in Asean countries and also from China, Japan, South Korea, India and Russia.
There also will be bilateral meetings between dialogue partners, meetings for Asean sellers and buyers from Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific and the Middle East, and the Travel Exchange trade fair to promote destinations in the region.
The Asean Tourism Forum will be organised during Jan 22-26 at Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Centre.
Visit atfthailand2018.com.
Airlines update
Singapore Airlines has joined hands with Changi airport and the Singapore Tourism Board to continue its free Singapore tours for transit passengers.
The campaign launched since last year aims to encourage travellers to get the taste of the country if they have at least 5.5 hours and do not want to remain at the airport.
There are two choices of free tours; Heritage Tour and the City Sights Tour. The tour service is available from 9am to 6pm. Each tour is conducted in English and is about 2.5 hours long.
To join the free tour, transit passengers have to book their seats one hour before the tour starts at the Free Singapore Tour Registration booths located near Transfer Lounge F in Terminal 2 and Transfer Lounge A in Terminal 3.
Participants will be guided as a group to clear immigration before the tour starts. Availability of seats is on a first-come-first-served basis.
Visit singaporeair.com or changiairport.com.
Bangkok Airways has launched its new lounge for international passengers at Suvarnabhumi airport.
Located on the 3rd floor of Concourse D and opposite gate D7, the lounge can accommodate up to 120 economy-class passengers and up to 50 business-class passengers.
The service hours are from 4.30am to 10pm.
Visit bangkokair.com.
Hotels update
Minor Hotels Group has launched river cruise services along the Mekong.
Called Mekong Kingdoms Cruises, the service is designed for two to 26 passengers with choices of a two-cabin vessel to a 13-cabin barge. Passengers can board the cruise from Chiang Rai’s Chiang Khong district to Luang Prabang, Laos. The journey will take two nights to Laos and three nights return as the trip heads upstream.
Minor Hotel Group is not new to the cruise business. It has offered Manohra Dining Cruises in Bangkok and Anantara overnight cruises from Bangkok to Ayutthaya.
Visit mekongkingdoms.com.
Movenpick has signed a contract to manage a hotel in central Vietnam.
The resort is located on Lang Co beach in Thua Thien-Hue Province on the Central Coast region of Vietnam and about 30km north of Danang.
Called Movenpick Resort Lang Co, it will offer 148 rooms including suites and a collection of one-, two- and three-bedroom villas.
Other facilities will include two restaurants, meeting rooms, a ballroom, swimming pool with a pool bar, Kids’ Club, spa and fitness centre.
The resort will be open in the fourth quarter of this year.
Visit movenpick.com.
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