AOT installs Express Check-in Kiosks at Suvarnabhumi

Bangkok – A self-service check-in kiosk recently installed by the Airports of Thailand (AOT) at Suvarnabhumi is expected to speed up further and make it even more convenient when checking in at the international airport. The “X-Press Check-in KIOSK Speed Up to the Flight” campaign, which is being implemented by AOT in collaboration with duty-free giant King Power, allows passengers to select an airline, get booking code, and reserve seat numbers to receive confirmation before bringing their luggage to the designated bag drop area. AOT has installed 16 kiosks with 14 airlines available attended by airport staff. The check-in kiosks are located at gates 2, 3, 4, and 7 on the 4th floor of the Passenger Terminal building.

Avani re-energizes the river

Bangkok – A new property is rising along the banks of the Chao Phraya River — Avani Riverside Bangkok, set to open in April 2016 with 26-storeys overlooking Bangkok’s “River of Kings.” The hotel boasts 251 stylish guestrooms and suites and a modern Grand Ballroom to fit 1,500 people to wow the guests. On the rooftop will be the Attitude Bar and Restaurant that offers a panoramic view of the city, and a designer infinity pool on the roof.

Sheraton Phuket to open

Phuket – Starwood Hotel and Resort has joined hands with the Grand Bay Hotel in opening Sheraton Phuket Grand Bay Resort in 2020. Located in Phuket’s Grand Bay region, in an exclusively private beachfront northeast from the main island, Sheraton Phuket Grand Bay Resort will have over 200 rooms overlooking the Andaman Ocean and facilities and services that bear the hallmarks of the Sheraton brand. The mega project is one of the 150 Sheraton hotels that will be opening worldwide in the next five years.

Mövenpick announces Asian expansion

Bangkok -– Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has announced its expansion campaign recently with many new exciting properties rising in many of Southeast Asia’s popular beachfronts and cities. This month, Mövenpick Siam Hotel Pattaya opened as the group’s fifth property in Thailand. This was followed by a debut in the Philippines and Indonesia (2016). The Swiss hospitality group will also open two properties in Malaysia and Vietnam in 2018 and targets to open at least 15 properties around the two countries by 2020.

Chiang Mai village wins InSpire award

Chiang Mai – Ban Rai Kong Khing village in Chiang Mai recently won the Tourism InSpire Award in recognition of its efforts in developing social, environmental, and economic sustainability in tourism based on consumption and production principles. One of the major considerations for the award is the village’s tourist service, which includes community tours, organic food, herbal products, and Lanna massages by the locals. This service has boosted the villagers income with an almost 10 percent increase.

Centara unveils new corporate identity

Bangkok – Centara Hotels & Resorts last month has been renamed to Central Hospitality International (CHi). The group renamed the management and holding company behind its collection of hotels, but the Centara brands, products and services will be left unchanged, according to sources. As Chi, the group intends to expand its portfolio in both the local and international markets through careful strategic global travel profiling.

TTM+ moves to Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai – After 14 years, the “Thailand Travel Mart Plus Amazing Getaway to the Greater Mekong Sub-region (TTM+)” has finally found a new home. The event, held in Bangkok consecutively since its inception, will now be held in the northern capital, Chiang Mai. This year’s TTM+ will be held at the Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Center on June 8. The annual event, organized by Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), is one of the largest tourism and travel trade event exhibiting small and medium sized enterprises.

PATA, SKAL celebration

Bangkok – PATA Thailand and SKAL Bangkok hosted a Christmas lunch at the Ramada Plaza Bangkok Menam Riverside recently. The president of SKAL Bangkok, the chairman of PATA Thailand Chapter, and the SKAL Bangkok Events Director headed the attendees, who were all welcomes by Klaus Sennik, Ramada Plaza Bangkok general manager.

‘Good Deed’ in Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai –Ascott Thailand and iCare Thailand recently joined hands to organize ‘A Good Deed for Children in Need’ program by gathering donations of toys and gifts from Ascott residents and staff members to hand out to over 500 kids at Doi Wiang Pittaya School. Jean Keijdener Ascott’s country general manager (Thailand), and Myla Caceres, Ascott’s director of sales and marketing for Thailand, presented the gifts to the children together with iCare Foundation volunteers. The team visited 25 households in the area to offer some goodie-bags, food supplies and blankets for the cold weather uphill.

TRIA gets ‘Asia Spa Award’

Bangkok – TRIA Spa, a modern holistic wellness center in Thailand, recently won 2015 Asia Spa Awards, one of the highest and most prestigious honors in the spa industry. TRIA won in the category of “Best Day Spa in Asia,” during the award ceremonies held in Hong Kong. The award is a fitting follow-up to the Thailand Spa and Wellness Award 2015 that TRIA also won, under the category of “Amazing Day Spa” and “Amazing Medical Spa.”

Asia’s Best Female Chef announced

Bangkok – Asia’s 50 Best Restaurant recently named Margarita Forés as “Asia’s Best Female Chef 2016.” Over 300 industry experts across the region voted for Forés, an acclaimed chef and restaurant owner in Manila. Inspired by authentic Italian cuisine during her tour in Italy in 1986, Forés’ cooking style evolved from home-cook meals and exploring markets in Florence. Asia’s 50 Best Restaurant Academy recognizes and appreciates restaurants from both in and outside of voter’s home country and are influenced by over 300 leaders in the restaurant industry across Asia. The fourth annual award ceremony, sponsored by S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna, will be held at W Bangkok Hotel on Feb. 29.

AOT launches APPS

Bangkok – An Advanced Passenger Processing System (APPS) was launched at Suvarnabhumi Airport recently. APPS is expected to boost the process of efficient immigration checks and enhance airport security through a thorough screening and run-on background checks of all passengers checking-in at the airport.

New ‘revolutionary sport’ opens in Thailand

Bangkok – Bounce.inc launch a free-jumping revolution in Thailand recently with the opening of ‘Clip ‘n Climb’, an indoor rock-climbing experience from New Zealand. Clip ‘n Climb opened Dec. 22, 2015 on the 5th floor of The Street, a new lifestyle mall in Bangkok. The hottest new activity has an innovative safety system for beginners as well as a challenging design walls for experience athletes. Other activity offered includes, trampoline with different levels of heights, trampoline fitness class and more.

Hotel PR Association elects new president

Bangkok – Earth Saiswang returns to her post as president of Hotel Public Relations Association for the fifth time. This is the fifth time that Earth is holding the post. Photo shows Earth receiving a congratulatory bouquet from Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao General Manager, Wim N.M. Fagel, and Pradapporn Chantaworaluck, the hotel’s PR manager, while other hotel PR officers watch.

Former foreign minister welcomed in Pattaya

Sarad Upadhyay (1st from left), executive assistant manager of Holiday Inn Pattaya welcomed HE Dr. Kantathi Suphamongkhon (center), former minister of foreign affairs of Thailand, who was at Holiday Inn Pattaya as guest speaker during the Thai Houghton 150th anniversary celebrations. The event was held last Dec. 16 at the Holiday Inn Pattaya’s Ballroom. Also in photo is Thananan Jindakitskulchai, marketing manager of Thai Houghton 1993 Co., Ltd