Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on September 15 named Patong Beach, Old Phuket Town and Promthep Cape as three Andaman tourist attractions to receive "emergency budget" support.

Also on the list to receive special attention were Phi Phi Island and Ao Nang, both in Krabi province, to make them more "tourist friendly" ahead of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) coming into effect in 2015.

"We have a plan to develop 29 top tourism destinations throughout Thailand. There are five such destinations in the Andaman region included in the plan: Patong Beach, Old Phuket Town, Promthep Cape, Phi Phi Island and Ao Nang Beach, "PM Yingluck told guests at a dinner talk organized by the Krabi Provincial Office and Matichon Group.

With about 14.3 million tourists having already visited the Kingdom this year, PM Yingluck expects the Thai tourism industry to be making about 2 trillion baht a year by the year 2015.

The jump in expected revenue relies heavily on the hopes that the AEC will bolster Thailand's tourism industry. "We now have to develop an effective marketing strategy that will allow us to maintain our existing markets, while also drawing in new markets.

Kritsada Mueanhawong
Pheket Gazette

A brand new, state-of-the art, private Krabi hospital is nearing completion and due to welcome its first patients in 2012.

Lucky Krabi residents will soon be able to take advantage of superior health care facilities, when the long-awaited Krabi Nakharin International Hospital finally opens its doors in the second quarter of 2012.

This much needed international hospital will offer cutting-edge medical treatment and, with one hundred beds in its modern, six story building, the capability to house a large number of inpatients. Visiting hours should prove stress free too, thanks to a generous provision of on-site parking, for up to one hundred cars. Although subject to some initial delays, the construction of the sleek, new building (which is being project managed by well known Thai developers, Krabinakharin Ltd), is now in the final stages. Located on Pisalpop Road at T.Paknum, Krabi, it is destined to become a prominent and familiar Krabi landmark.

‘Krabi is currently undergoing rapid economic growth and marked expansion, which in turn is being supported by a number of high profile development projects. These include the prestigious Port Takola Marina, the impressive Royal Krabi Marina, a number of select Krabi villas, hotels and resorts and now the imposing Krabi Nakharin International Hospital’, states Ton Loriers, managing director of Ton Company Ltd, the premier architecture and construction company in Krabi. The local Krabi community will benefit significantly from the superlative care, equipment and resources that this first class facility is expected to provide.

On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the founding of Ton Company Ltd, we talk to the managing director, Pierre-Yves Loriers, a.k.a. Ton, about the company’s origins and vision 

“I arrived in Krabi in January 2000. Previously, I had only visited Thailand on a 10 day trip to Bangkok and Phuket. My preference at the time was for Vietnam, where I had plans to start a villa operation (Ton has a business school and service industry background, working for 12 years in The Peninsula Beverley Hills, a luxury hotel in Los Angeles), but after a month there I decided to explore other areas in the region.

Ton Company is proud to introduce the latest villa in their rental portfolio,
Baan Zoe

Vacation rentals are increasing in popularity all the time; and Krabi Villas by Ton Company Ltd is pioneering the trend towards serviced homes in the Krabi region. 

As well as designing and building pool villas, Ton Company also markets and manages six luxury properties, all offering their well-known brand of service. In addition to the high level facilities already in each villa, all guests benefit from a complimentary transport service around the local area, as well as to and from the airport; and an on-call personal assistant who can arrange anything from a Thai chef to in-house massages, as well as day trips and excursions. 

Last Updated ( Friday, 17 December 2010 11:11 )

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The design and construction of Baan Kantiang See, a unique villa-only family resort in Koh Lanta, is Ton Company’s biggest project to date. Here, Pierre-Yves Loriers (Ton), the managing director, explains some of the challenges involved and how they were overcome to create this beautiful new holiday complex. 

“Our clients approached us in April 2007. After two years of searching for the perfect piece of land, they had finally found their ideal spot: nearly 6.5 rai on a steep hillside overlooking the breathtaking Kantiang Bay in the south of Koh Lanta. They wanted to create a family-friendly, villa-only resort, with large individual units and a central pool – all with panoramic sea views. They had a clear concept of what was required: it was then up to us to transform that into reality.”

http://www.villalanta.com

Tiger Airways is to resume operations to Thailand’s paradise resort of Krabi four times a week with effect from the end of October this year.

Ticket sales have started with fares from just Sin$20 (one way, excluding taxes and charges) for travel from 25 October 2005 onwards.

Krabi is the airline’s third destination in Thailand and represents the fifth new destination launched by Tiger Airways in 2009, bringing the Tiger Airways network to 37 routes across Asia Pacific.

 

Last Updated ( Friday, 17 December 2010 11:20 )

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Ton Company are very proud to introduce Miss Thitima Boonserm as their new "Senior Project Manager."

She comes with 14 years of professional work experience in architecture and construction. Originally from Krabi she received a Bachelor Degree in Landscape Architecture from the prestigious Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok in 1992 and started her career with top rated firm Architects 49 in Bangkok.

Last Updated ( Friday, 17 December 2010 11:15 )

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Your “rainy day” savings can be put to work in the sunny climes of Krabi Retirement in a warm climate is a dream for many: with so much leisure time, it makes sense to choose a place where much of the day can be spent outdoors on activities such as gardening or golf. Even reading a book is more pleasurable when lounging on a sunny, flower-filled terrace. 

Krabi is a growing retirement destination, as fast developing infrastructure makes this already incredibly beautiful and friendly area a viable option for those seeking the benefits of the climate and culture without sacrificing comfort and convenience.

Last Updated ( Friday, 30 September 2011 17:06 )

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BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Government has extended the tourist visa fee exemption scheme that had expired in March 2010. As a result of the decision, foreign citizens that qualify for a tourist visa are not subjected to a visa fee. The exemption scheme will be in effect from 11 May 2010 until 31 March 2011 (the fee exemption is not extended to other types of visas).

For further information please contact the Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand (662-981-7171)or the Royal Thai Missions or visit Visas and Travel Documents webpage. 

Iceland and London are among the world's best-value destinations thanks to the economic crisis, travel guide firm Lonely Planet said Tuesday, while Thailand remains tough to beat.

South Africa, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Bulgaria, Kenya and Las Vegas in Nevada rounded out the top 10, said the British-based company in its "Best In Travel 2010" guide.

The annual snapshot book captures "the world's hottest travel trends, destinations, journeys and experiences for the year ahead," Lonely Planet said.

The economic collapse in Iceland meant the island was no longer punitively expensive, said the guide, putting the beleaguered country at the top of its best-value list.

Last Updated ( Friday, 30 September 2011 17:07 )

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