Arriving at the grassy hilltop of Khao Laem Ya - headquarters of Khao Laem Ya-Moo Ko Samet National Park off mainland Rayong - one lovely sunny morning, we're tense with excitment at the prospect of trekking a nature trail dotted with viewing points, presenting a panoramic sweep of the western side of Ko Samet island.
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]Improving customer service and satisfaction has emerged as the major investment driver of worldwide airport operators, according to an airport IT trends survey.
STAY
Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai
Faces & PLACES
Just as I hopped up the back of our songthaew near the statue at Victoria Point on the coast of Kaw Thaung, I spotted something moving out of the corner of my eye. But when I glanced over, there was nothing there except a palm tree. After looking away, something popped into the edge of my line-of-sight once again, but this time I was right on it. Or him, I should say. This little boy was playing peek-a-boo with us, using a large sack and this large palm tree, which completely masked his tiny frame, as his hiding spot. His cheeks and forehead were also smeared with a yellow, powdery sandalwood-like paste called Thanaka, used by Burmese of all ages and gender. This paste is supposed to be a multi-purpose wonder cream believed to clear up acne, protect from sunburn, smooth your skin, and even as an anti-fungal! If this is true I wonder when someone will bottle this stuff up and distribute it to stores in Thailand.
AT Leisure
ML Laksasubha Kridakon spent much of her childhood overseas, based in foreign capitals with her diplomat parents, MR Suttiswat and Abha. And growing up in places like France, Argentina and Australia made her realise, she says, how important it is to respect the culture and traditions of people of other nationalities and backgrounds.
Volunteers last week installed 70 buoys at various dive and snorkelling sites around Moo Ko Similan Marine National Park, among the top-10 such sites in the world, to warn off boats from dropping anchor and causing damage to marine life and coral reef in the area.
BEEN THERE DONE THAT
Situated on one of the most lively and popular island destinations in the country, this small yet elegant beachfront resort is the second to be set up in the Kingdom by Impiana Hotels & Resorts Management Sdn Bhd, a hotel operator in Malaysia; the first being the Impiana Phuket Cabana on Patong Beach.
BEEN THERE DONE THAT
The beach of Hua Hin recently welcomed a new member to its mushrooming resort business. Operated by the Accor Group, V Villas Hua Hin offers 12 two- to three-bedroom pool villas plus a beachfront Pool Villa Suite.
Logging in
WELL, THIS JUST ABOUT CHANGES EVERYTHING! The furious charge launched by fans of Phu Khum Khao Dinosaur Museum, pulling in a massive 6000+ votes this past week, tearing right through the 10,000-vote mark and surpassing long-time, second-place holder Phu Soi Dao National Park, has caused shock and awe since it puts a whole new slant on things. To recap: Just a couple of months ago Phu Khum Khao wasn't even in the upper half of the polls, much less the top nine. And if you've been following the progress of our rankings in recent months you'll be aware that the two leading candidates, Phu Soi Dao and Si Satchanalai National Park had built up what we'd assumed was an insurmountable lead on the rest. The ability of the dinosaur museum to attract more than 10,000 votes in the last couple of weeks shows that every single candidate is just one (ridiculously crazy) surge of votes away from being a serious contender.
THAILAND's Top Destinations Vote
Khao Yai has been selected as one of the 30 candidates in the Bangkok Post's ambitious Thailand's Top Destinations Vote Campaign for so many reasons:
