Tourism
Chiang Rai Shaken Not Shattered, Earthquake Reports Greatly Exaggerated
The architecture of Chiang Rai’s White Temple, aka Wat Rong Khun, continues to inspire. Though some of the buildings in the complex were closed to the public after they suffered structural damage during a strong earthquake in early May, tourists continued to flock to the temple.
CHIANG RAI – The 6.3-magnitude earthquake that shook Chiang Rai in early May caused superficial damage in areas close to the epicentre, but alarmist reports recommending that tourists avoid the place completely can be ignored. Thailand’s northernmost province remains in good shape with venues that attract culture-vultures and art aficionados continuing to fascinate and a privately owned park about to expand its recreational facilities.
Travel Info
Chiang Rai is the northernmost province of Thailand, located some 785km from Bangkok. Several low-cost airlines operate regular flights between Bangkok and Chiang Rai. – The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s local office provides plenty of information on things to see and do here. Call 053-717-433.
“When the earthquake hit and damaged the temple, I knew it was an opportunity to make a fresh start,” Chalermchai Kositpipat told reporters at a press conference called recently to discuss the fate of Wat Rong Khun, the stunning, all-white temple this national artist has devoted over 20 years of his life to building just outside Chiang Rai town.
“News about the earthquake spread throughout the world. Now the world knows all about Chiang Rai and its attractions,” he enthused.
Chalermchai has committed himself to finding the funds to carry out a complete restoration, but repair work has yet to commence. Cracks in religious murals and structural damage to some buildings in the compound have necessitated their temporary closure, but tourists are still flocking to Wat Rong Khun, some for the very first time after being alerted to its architectural beauty by all the post-quake publicity.
Graphic images of the worst after-effects of the tremblor were widely circulated on social media, giving an exaggerated impression of the extent of the destruction. But after roaming around Chiang Rai recently I can assure you that the damage has been minimal and is mostly limited to southern parts of the province, to the districts of Phan, Mae Lao and Mae Suai in particular. In fact, if I hadn’t known about the quake in advance, I probably wouldn’t have noticed anything out of the ordinary.
I headed to the far north, to Mae Salong, a large community built on the slopes of the doi (mountain) of the same name in Mae Fah Luang district. It was here that soldiers of the anti-communist Kuomintang army sought refuge after their defeat by the forces of Mao Zedong in 1949. Their descendants, now mostly Thai citizens, still live here in this highland area famous for its tea plantations, many of which now open their gates to welcome visitors in search of tranquillity and picturesque scenery.
In the main market here it was business as usual, with numerous stalls offering dried tea and tea products of all kinds, exotic dried fruit and imported foodstuffs used in Chinese cuisine. The only difference was that the place wasn’t as jam-packed as I remembered it from my last visit — many potential visitors seem to have been scared off by news of the quake — with the result that this fascinating bazaar was a breeze to walk around and I was even able to find a parking space very close by.
“Doi Mae Salong is quite far from the epicentre, so there was nothing damaged here,” a merchant cheerfully explains as she busily sorts tea leaves in her shop. “What we are really afraid of here, actually, is heavy rain; it cause landslides on the mountain, you see.”
The lack of crowds also makes exploring Chiang Rai town a much more pleasant experience at this time, particularly for art lovers who usually shun the place during the high tourist season.
The first venue I wanted to check out was Baandam Museum, the brainchild of another well-known national artist, Thawan Duchanee. Using parts from a wide array of animals — skin, bone, teeth — and handmade wooden tools from the locality, he has fashioned an impressive collection of artworks, featuring his own idiosyncratic take on the tribal look blended with traditional Lanna style. Once again overblown accounts of earthquake damage had kept many would-be visitors away, ideal conditions for anyone who savours lots of peace and quiet as they admire objects in a repository of art like this. Baandam (“the black house”) is Thawan’s portrayal of hell, making it the direct opposite of Wat Rong Khun whose gleaming, ice-castle surfaces have caused it to be nicknamed the White Temple.
Doy Din Daeng, which translates as “red clay hill”, is one of the best spots in Chiang Rai to find high-quality ceramic art. Trained in Karatsu, on the Japanese island of Kyushu, as well as in his native Thailand, Somluk Pantiboon, yet another national artist who has chosen to live in these parts, set up this pottery studio back in 1991 to develop his own moulding, glazing and kiln-baking techniques. His contemporary ceramic art reflects nature and his impressions of the life that surrounds him here in Chiang Rai.
Nestled on a peaceful hill not far from Baandam, this studio seems like an ideal place to contemplate and create. I stroll around watching artisans shape mounds of clay set on pottery wheels or feed finished pieces into an oven. There are only a handful of visitors to be seen; a few are sipping coffee and enjoying the tranquility, others are wandering around the retail outlet attached to the studio, looking for beautiful vases, cups and other vessels to take home.
For those who are looking for an escape into lush natural surroundings, a taste of the great outdoors, Singha Park, a short drive from downtown Chiang Rai, is quite an interesting option, impressing most with its landscaped grounds. Once a farm growing barley for the production of beer, it has now been converted by its owners, Boon Rawd Brewery, into a recreational space and named after its original brand of beer. It boasts fields planted with flowers, sweeping meadows, a small zoo, a restaurant, hydroponic vegetable farms and even a coffee shop. Very soon, the park will be attracting even more energetic holidaymakers when the management opens several additional bike routes, a rock-climbing tower plus a series of zip-lines to take the adventurous on thrilling rides over a local tea plantation.
“Want to come along?” Sorattaya Markprasert, a staffer at the park’s Sport and Recreation Centre, asks, inviting me to go take a look at one of the zip-lines she is testing in the run-up to the opening of the facility.
I’ve had some previous experience of zip-lines in northern Thailand, most of them being cables of 100-200m in length which are anchored to the trunks of big trees. But here, at Singha Park, there will be four separate stations located on different hills, all linked together. And the cable sections are more than 300m in length.
Suspended from the zip-line by her safety harness, Sorattaya jumps from the platform of one of the stations and proceeds to soar above the neat green rows of tea bushes heading towards another hill in the distance. For her, this is routine, a task she’s been doing every day to ready for the grand opening at the end of this month. As Sorattaya checks the system to make sure everything is in its proper place, she, too, is aware of an impending debut, a fresh start that’s sure to bring all the tourists flocking back to Chiang Rai. This story originally published in the Bangkok Post
Set in a picturesque location surrounded by endless mountain vistas in Mae Chan district, Choui Fong Tea is one of the largest tea plantations in Chiang Rai, with over 1,000 rai of land under cultivation. Various types of green and black tea are grown here, including Oolong and Assam, at an elevation of over 1,200m. The plantation has become a popular tourist destination after being featured in the Channel 3 sitcom Mai Bok Rak… Tae Rak Mak (Love On Air). Besides a wide range of teas and tea-based beverages, the cafe here bakes its own tea-flavoured cakes. Ordered from the selection of savoury dishes on the menu, the spaghetti dish on the right side even came garnished with tea leaves.
The retail outlet at Doy Din Daeng offers a great selection of stoneware, including coffee sets and huge ornamental vases, as well as some exquisite ceramic art by Somluk Pantiboon.
Cyclists pass a field of sunflowers next to the 5km-long bike trail at Singha Park. What was once a farm growing barley for the beer made by Boon Rawd Brewery has now been converted into a beautifully landscaped recreational space. By the end of this month, a series of zip-lines soaring over a nearby tea plantation will be in place, all ready for thrill-seeking visitors to try out.
A lady from Doi Mae Salong shows off a handful of dried Oolong tea. Most of the people living in this bucolic upland area are descendants of soldiers from the 93rd Division of the Chinese Nationalist Army which refused to surrender to Mao Zedong’s Red Army after the Kuomintang government of Chiang Kai-shek was routed by the Chinese communists in 1949. A force of 12,000 escaped from Yunnan, crossing the border into then Burma, and some of them later settled permanently in this part of Chiang Rai. Their struggle to found settlements, make a living and develop this remote area is told by exhibits in the local museum.
1
Sorattaya Markprasert, a staffer at Singha Park, not far outside Chiang Rai town, checks out a zip-line over a tea plantation that is due to be opened to the public at the end of this month.
Situated some 10km north of Chiang Rai town, Baandam Museum is a sprawling complex designed by national artist Thawan Duchanee. It acts as a repository for his artwork, a blend of tribal and traditional Lanna styles, with the predominant colour being black, hence the name of this venue.
People from more nations will be now able to enter Thailand without a visa beginning Monday. This is part of an effort to increase tourism and encourage visitors to stay longer, Interior Ministry spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul said on Friday.
According to Ms. Traisuree, Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has signed four documents that will make it easier for foreigners to travel. These modifications will all take effect on Monday, provided they are published in the Royal Gazette.
The instructions include 93 more nations on the list of individuals who can visit Thailand without a visa, up from 57 previously. People from these countries can stay for a maximum of 60 days. Additionally, from 19 to 31, nearly twice as many nations will be able to obtain visas on arrival in Thailand.
To attract digital nomads, artists, and tourists interested in learning or practicing skills such as cooking and Muay Thai, the country will also introduce the Destination Thailand Visa service.
The new form of visa, which is valid for five years, allows travelers to stay for up to 180 days.
According to Ms. Traisuree, students holding visas for master’s degrees or higher will not be required to leave Thailand immediately upon graduation. They will be able to stay for an additional year to hunt for work or vacation.
In order to enhance the economy and tourism, the cabinet took a general decision on these additional measures in May. The statement was meant to be released in June, but it was pushed back.
Ms. Traisuree believes that this is the greatest sort of visa for persons who want to work from home in the Land of Smiles and explore the nation without the various restrictions and complications that come with conventional tourist visas.
Getting a DTV will give you a 5-year multiple-entry visa that lets you stay in Thailand for a total of 180 days a year, with the opportunity to stay for another 180 days.
Ms. Traisuree said that the Destination Thailand Visa is great if you want to work from home in the Land of Smiles and see the sights without the many restrictions and problems that come with a regular tourist visa. The Destination Thailand Visa will cost 10,000 THB.
Qualifications for the Thailand Destination Visa (DTV)
According to Thai Embassy, to be eligible for the visa, you must fulfill the following conditions (which could change):
- You have to be 20 years of age or older
- You have to be able to afford the cost of the visa
- To sustain your stay in the nation, you must demonstrate that you have at least 500,000 THB in your bank account
- Proof of your employment with a recognized company is required.
For digital nomads or remote workers who want to make the most of their travels and yet have the opportunity to work while they’re there, the Destination Thailand Visa is designed just for you. Additionally, it is ideal if you are traveling to Thailand in order to partake in any of the following activities:
- Thai food prepared with Muay Thai
- Instruction and conferences
- Sports medicine therapy
- International talent International music and art events
Thailand DTV Visa Benefits
Additionally, there is uncertainty about these details and they could change:
- In comparison to other Southeast Asian nations that provide comparable visas, Thailand has less stringent income requirements and charges for the visa. For another 10,000 THB, you can extend the visa once, for a maximum of 180 days.
- There are ninety-three foreign nations that qualify for the Thailand DTV Visa.
- With this visa, you can lawfully operate remotely for foreign clients and companies while in Thailand.
- Your spouse and any children under the age of twenty may accompany you.
- You are exempt from paying taxes on your foreign income because the visa allows you to stay in Thailand for up to 180 days.
Drawbacks of a Thailand DTV Visa
You are unable to work for a Thai company that needs a Thai work visa, even though you are still able to engage in some activities and make money. Your DTV will end if you decide to change the kind of visa you are currently on.
Additional information on the visa’s release date and application process will be available in late June or early July of 2024. You will most likely be able to apply for it via the Thai immigration office, a Thai embassy, or a Royal Thai Consulate.
Thailand’s Hotels Association (THA) reports that another German tour operator has gone bankrupt, but that this will have a far less effect than the recent bankruptcy of FTI Touristik.
Following notification from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Thai Hotels Association has now confirmed that the Cologne-based luxury tour operator Itravel Group has formally filed for bankruptcy.
Southern Thailand is home to numerous high-end resorts, which Itravel aims to attract, according to Thai Hotels Association president Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun.
As a result of Itravel’s bankruptcy, he said, the hotels association is currently collecting data from its members.
On Monday, the organization wrote to the TAT and the Foreign Ministry, requesting that they assist hotel operators in keeping up with legal developments surrounding the bankruptcy of the German tour operator FTI, which resulted in a loss of almost 111 million baht for hotels around the country.
Hotels having issues with Itravel
On Monday, during the THA monthly meeting, Mr. Thienprasit noted that they also emphasized the case’s urgency to Minister Sermsak Pongpanit of Tourism and Sports.
In response to allegations that hotel operators with business partnerships with Itravel were experiencing issues with financial transactions, the agency issued an alert to the industry, according to Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, TAT deputy governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas.
He speculated that the losses might be lower with Itravel, an online travel agency that focuses on the niche luxury market, than with FTI, the third operator.
According to the Bangkok Post, at Monday’s THA meeting, Mr. Sermsak stated that the ministry will look into measures to assist hotels, especially since the goal of 3.5 trillion baht in tourism earnings for this year is still very ambitious.
According to Mr. Thienprasit, the organization is opposed to the government’s plans to increase the legal foreign ownership of condominiums from 49% to 75%. This, he added, might lead to an increase in unlawful accommodations and make other condo residents feel uneasy about having more guests around the clock.
Unscrupulous investors
He said that some international investors are already breaking the law by renting out their rooms to day guests, even though the Hotel Act only permits rentals of at least 30 days.
An increase in the foreign ownership quota for condos, according to Mr. Thienprasit, could entice unscrupulous investors and lead to the construction of even more unlawful rooms, which now exceed the number of registered hotel rooms by a factor of two.
The success of Thailand’s hotel industry is highly dependent on the business of tour operators. These collaborations bring in a constant flow of visitors, particularly during busy seasons.
It is more convenient for passengers to book comprehensive packages offered by tour operators, which include hotel accommodations and activities. Because of this arrangement, hotels may anticipate a specific amount of bookings without having to spend a lot on advertising.
Additionally, hotels are able to provide more affordable rates, which appeals to guests who are mindful of their budget. But if tour operators go through slumps or start focusing on other places, this dependence might be disastrous.
Source: Bangkok Post, Thai PBS
Nestled at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, Los Cabos emerges as a paradise where the desert meets the sea, offering a unique blend of natural wonders, luxurious accommodations, and vibrant culture. Whether you seek serene relaxation, thrilling adventures, or cultural explorations, Los Cabos promises an idyllic escape that exceeds expectations.
Discovering Pristine Beaches
Los Cabos is renowned for its stunning beaches, each with its own charm and allure. Sink your toes into the soft sands of Medano Beach, a bustling stretch perfect for sunbathing and people-watching. For a more secluded experience, explore the rugged beauty of Santa Maria Beach, ideal for snorkeling amidst vibrant marine life in crystal-clear waters. Enhance your beach experience with guided tours and snorkeling excursions offered by https://boattripsloscabos.com/, where you can explore the coastline and underwater wonders with expert guides.
Embarking on Aquatic Adventures
Venture into the azure waters of the Sea of Cortez and Pacific Ocean for thrilling water activities. Dive into snorkeling or scuba diving expeditions to discover underwater treasures like colorful coral reefs and curious sea creatures. Set sail on a whale-watching tour during the winter months to witness majestic humpback whales breaching against the backdrop of the Pacific horizon.
Exploring the Baja Desert
Beyond its pristine coastline, Los Cabos boasts dramatic desert landscapes waiting to be explored. Take an ATV or jeep tour through the rugged terrain of the Baja desert, where towering cacti and unique rock formations paint a striking contrast against the deep blue sky. Visit the Sierra de la Laguna Biosphere Reserve for hiking trails that lead to hidden oases and panoramic vistas of the surrounding desert.
Indulging in Culinary Delights
Los Cabos is a culinary paradise, offering a fusion of traditional Mexican flavors with international influences. Sample fresh seafood tacos at local taquerías or dine on gourmet cuisine crafted by world-renowned chefs at upscale restaurants overlooking the ocean. Savor authentic Baja cuisine with dishes like fish tacos, ceviche, and grilled octopus paired perfectly with locally produced wines and craft cocktails.
Experiencing Vibrant Nightlife
As the sun sets, Los Cabos transforms into a lively nightlife destination. Explore the vibrant nightlife scene in Cabo San Lucas with its array of beachfront bars, live music venues, and pulsating nightclubs. Dance the night away under the stars or enjoy a sunset cocktail overlooking the marina, where the atmosphere buzzes with energy and excitement.
Relaxing in Luxury Resorts
Los Cabos boasts a plethora of luxurious resorts and boutique hotels that cater to every traveler’s desire for relaxation and indulgence. Unwind in infinity pools with panoramic ocean views, rejuvenate with holistic spa treatments inspired by ancient Mexican traditions, or tee off on world-class golf courses designed by golf legends amidst stunning coastal landscapes.
Immersing in Local Culture
Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Los Cabos with visits to historic landmarks like the Mission San Jose del Cabo Church or art galleries showcasing local and international artists. Browse through vibrant markets selling handmade crafts, textiles, and souvenirs, or attend cultural festivals and events celebrating Mexican traditions, music, and dance.
Planning Your Los Cabos Escape
Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a solo adventure, Los Cabos offers a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and cultural immersion. With its breathtaking landscapes, diverse activities, and warm hospitality, Los Cabos ensures a memorable vacation that leaves you rejuvenated and inspired, promising a return to its paradise shores time and again.
SEE ALSO: Thailand Named Top Spot for Most Popular Tourist Destination
-
News3 years agoLet’s Know About Ultra High Net Worth Individual
-
Entertainment2 years ago
Mabelle Prior: The Voice of Hope, Resilience, and Diversity Inspiring Generations
-
Health3 years agoHow Much Ivermectin Should You Take?
-
Tech2 years agoTop Forex Brokers of 2023: Reviews and Analysis for Successful Trading
-
Lifestyles2 years agoAries Soulmate Signs
-
Movies2 years agoWhat Should I Do If Disney Plus Keeps Logging Me Out of TV?
-
Health3 years agoCan I Buy Ivermectin Without A Prescription in the USA?
-
Learning2 years agoVirtual Numbers: What Are They For?