Bangkok, Tokyo & Taipei top 3 destinations for Lunar New Year

BANGKOK, Tokyo and Taipei are the top three most popular destination for Asia Pacific travelers over the Lunar New Year period in 2019, according to booking data from Agoda, one of the fastest growing digital travel platforms. 

This year, Osaka, slips from third spot in 2018 to sixth, while Taiwan scoops three of the top ten destinations with Taipei in third, and Kaohsiung and Taichung in fifth and seventh respectively. Overall, Japan, Taiwan and Thailand will benefit most from travelers celebrating the Lunar New Year.

Travels during the Spring Festival tend to be reserved for family bonding and indulging in food and leisure activities that the whole family can enjoy. It is thus not surprising that most travelers in the region has chosen gourmet and retail paradise in Bangkok, Tokyo, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore among their top ten destinations.

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Amazing Thailand New Year Countdown Display

MORE than one and a half million people turned out in Bangkok to watch a spectacular, five-minute fireworks display that ran along the length of Bangkok's Chao Phraya River for more than 1,400 metres at midnight on 31st December 2018 as part of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's "Amazing Thailand Countdown 2019" celebrations to mark the arrival of 2019.

The dazzling New Year countdown display, the largest of its kind ever organised in #Bangkok, lit up the sky along the river. It was viewed by locals and international visitors from riverside hotels and unique travel destinations. 



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Panoramic views from the heart of Bangkok

THAILAND'S highest 360-degree observation deck and rooftop bar at 314 meters high, offering spectacular panoramic views of the city from Thailand's tallest building. The new premium attraction opened its doors to the public on 16 November 2018. 

Located on the 74th, 75th and 78th floor of the King Power Mahanakhon Building, highlights of the indoor and outdoor observation deck include one of the world's largest glass tray floors, Thailand's highest Rooftop Bar, and Thailand's fastest video-themed elevators -- which allows visitors to ascend to the 74th floor in 50 seconds.

Situated in the heart of Bangkok's central business district and directly connected to Chong Nonsi BTS station, the attraction is to become a global landmark destination.

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Michelin Guide Bangkok expands for 2019

FOLLOWING the introduction in December 2017 of the first Michelin Guide Bangkok 2018, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to announce that this year will see the launch of an expanded edition also covering Phuket and Phang Nga and with increased focus on Bangkok’s inner zone and surrounding provinces. 

The Michelin Guide Bangkok, Phuket and Phang Nga 2019 will be released at the end of this year, in the same bilingual Thai and English format and in both print and digital versions. 

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Singles golf week

THAILAND'S famed holiday playground of #Pattaya will host a week of #golf, fun and entertainment for singles from 16 to 22 September 2018. Open to all singles, you don’t have to be off single figures, you just have to be single!

Australian based Go Golfing started hosting golfing get-togethers for singles more than 10 years ago. Founder, Peter McCarthy, arranged the events as an alternative to online dating or trying your luck in clubs and bars. The events were fun, social and classy and typically the majority of the singles were aged 30 to 55.

Now singles can bring their sense of fun and adventure and passion for golf to Pattaya, just 90 minutes’ drive from Bangkok. Pattaya is known worldwide as a holiday destination of amazing beauty, with sandy beaches, water sports, world-class golf, tantalising Thai cuisine, rooftop bars and exotic nightlife.

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Bangkok has it all

#BANGKOK has been voted as the “Best City Destination in the Asia Pacific” for the third consecutive year by readers of DestinAsian magazine, a leading travel and lifestyle magazine. The cosmopolitan capital of #Thailand was recognised “for its vibrant mixture of historic sites, contemporary style, cuisine and nightlife”.

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Chinese New Years Celebrations

AMARA Bangkok announces early-bird rooms offer for guests to plan their vacations during 2018 Chinese New Year.

Guests can start making reservations during January 1, 2018 to February 15, 2018 for stays during February 12, 2018 to February 25, 2018, to receive special room rate for Deluxe room, Executive Room and Club Room. 

In addition, guests can enjoy various perks such as complimentary breakfast, a Chinese New Year welcome gift, 1-day pass BTS Sky train ticket, a ‘Thai Passion at Element’ set dinner. 

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The King of Kings

THAILAND Prepares for the Cremation of Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej, was the longest serving monarch of Thailand, who selflessly served his people for 70 years.

His passing in 2016, has united the country in grief. For many people living in #Thailand, he was the only King we had ever known. Fondly called ‘Father’ he was the spiritual and physical head of a family of 71 million people. Many thought of him as a living god.

The Kingdom will begin the five-day royal cremation ceremony next month. The country’s military government has budgeted THB 3 billion (US $91 million) for the funeral. Huge crowds are expected near a vast crematorium being constructed at Sanam Luang, a park in the heart of Bangkok close to the Grand Palace. 

The cremation itself is scheduled for the 26th October, 2017 when according to Buddhist beliefs the deceased monarch will ascend to heaven.

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Picture Credit: By Uthen Smantai - Own work, commons.wikimedia.org

New York is on top, but Bali is on the rise

AS summer kicks in, we will all start packing our suitcases and getting ready to leave for #holidays. According to new data from travel search engine momondo.co.uk, Brits are planning for far away destinations this summer, with New York on top of the list. Bali has shown a massive 333% increase in searches making it the highest trending #destination.

The relaxing holidays ahead don’t come without a price though, as more than one in three Brits finds holiday planning stressful. Surveying 1,030 Brits and analysing flight searches for travels during the summer months, travel search site momondo.co.uk found long-haul destinations are most popular among Brits for their 2017 summer holidays. 

“Across all the searches completed on our site, New York is by far the most popular summer holiday destinations among Brits this year, even though beach holidays are usually the most preferred holiday type,” says Neil James Cartwright, spokesperson at momondo.co.uk.



Top 5 most popular destinations for Brits:

1. New York
2. Bangkok
3. Bali
4. Orlando
5. Los Angeles

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TripAdvisor rates five Thai destinations as Best in Asia for 2017

FIVE of Asia’s most loved destinations of 2017 are in #Thailand, according to a poll of the top 25 taken by the popular international travel website TripAdvisor, which has recently released its Travellers’ Choice listings for the year.

The southern resort islands of Phuket, Ko Samui and Ko Tao and the cities of Bangkok and Chiang Mai were all named in the Top 25 of the Best #Destinations in Asia for 2017. Phuket took 3rd place with Samui and Ko Tao coming in the 7th and 15th place, respectively. Ever-popular Bangkok was 8th on the list and Chiang Mai came 12th.

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Grand Palace in Bangkok reopens

BANGKOK'S Grand Palace is now open as usual to visitors who would like to enjoy what is considered the Jewel in the Crown of the city’s tourist attractions. The palace is also open for mourners coming to pay their respects to the Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

The palace was closed for two days from 20-21 January, 2017, after the Bureau of the Royal Household announced they would be holding a ceremony to mark 100 days since the passing of the Late King Rama IX.

On 22 January, the Palace reopened for tourists and visitors with tickets available in advance and at the palace itself.

The Grand Palace is open every day from 8.30-15.30 Hrs. and there are free guided tours in English at 10.00, 10.30, 3.30 and 14.00 Hrs. Ticket prices include an admission to the Vimanmek Teak Mansion.

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Picture Credit: UweBKK 8136604@N05/14248250278 Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand via photopin.

Sky high savings on Christmas day

HOLIDAYMAKERS who are prepared to forgo the traditional Christmas Day celebrations at home and enjoy their turkey dinner mid-air, can land sky-high savings according to leading global flight search and travel deals website, Cheapflights.co.uk.

Savings of up to 23 per cent can be made on out-bound #flights to the most popular Christmas holiday hotspots if travellers are happy to fly on #ChristmasDay. 

The top 10 searched-for Christmas destinations are all long-haul with Bangkok in pole position and New York, Dubai, Sydney, Los Angeles, Goa and Cape Town also riding high.

Andrew Shelton, Managing Director of Cheapflights, said: “If you have always wanted to visit Australia, South Africa, Asia or the USA but have been put off by the prices, travelling on 25 December could be the way to get you there. “Our advice is to plan ahead and book early to make the most of the Christmas Day savings but for holidaymakers hankering for a Christmas getaway this year, there are still bargains to be snapped up.

For more tips on travelling on Christmas Day, go to www.cheapflights.co.uk/news/things-anyone-travelled-christmas-day-knows-true

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Picture Credit: David441491 flickr.com/photos/97578613@N08/23589725299 Strongsville Christmas Lights 12-24-2015 - 12 via photopin

Where to go for clean air

HOLIDAYMAKERS concerned about air quality when travelling abroad might be interested in a report by Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) which compares pollution levels in some of the world's most popular destinations. 

The research compares 28 cities in 19 countries highlighting their current Air Quality Index (AQI) in October 2015. 

The index is based on pollutants that have adverse effects on human health and the environment. Visitors are advised that if they are travelling to countries where the AQI is higher than 151, strenuous exercises or activities should be avoided.

Holidaymakers heading to the Middle East and Asia should be more cautious about travelling to Dubai in the UAE and Beijing in China. According to the research, Dubai has an AQI of 222, which is considered 'very unhealthy', while Beijing’s score is 328, described as 'hazardous'.

Luckily for travellers visiting destinations in Europe such as Paris, Venice, and Madrid, all three cities showed an AQI of 46 or below, which is considered good, posing little or no risk. Amsterdam’s score was 66, and London’s was 77.

The city with the lowest level of pollution was Bangkok, which recorded a figure of 18, followed by Washington DC at 24 and San Francisco at 25. 

The research can be found in the Know Before You Go section of the APH website at www.aph.com/airpollution.



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Picture Credit: href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/69345640@N00/4405955226">Shanghai</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">(license), http://www.flickr.com/photos/84292292@N00/7017130433">Bangkok</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">(license),