Learning Thai Categories Learning Thai Travel Thai Expat Thai Business Thai Thai Grammar Thai Travel News Saudis returning from Thailand face grilling Wednesday, 15 August 2007 Many Saudis who visit Thailand are unaware of the kingdom's 12-year ban on travel to the country, and some have returned from a vacation to the land of smiles to face questioning from Saudi authorities. Saudi Arabia has banned its citizens from traveling to Thailand because it claims Thailand has high levels of crime, prostitution and alcohol consumption. The Saudi government said those breaking the ban would be prevented from traveling for six months to three years and forced to pay a fine. Other countries banned for travel by Saudis include Israel, Iraq and Bosnia. Arab News Read more...   Korean tour operators shy away from action on illegal guides Monday, 13 August 2007 Korean tour operators were invited by the Phuket office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand for a meeting to discuss the hotly debated topic of illegal Korean tour guides operating on the island. Being a tour guide is a profession reserved for Thais, yet many Koreans continue to do so illegally. In a bid to restrict the increasing number of illegal Korean guides, the governor’s office announced a memorandum of understanding at the meeting that requires Korean operators to employ Korean-speaking Thais as guides. Korean tour operators at the meeting raised concerns that after employing Thai guides, many of them would quit and set up their own companies or work freelance, leading to staffing shortages. In a letter written to sent to the Phuket governor, some 25 Thai tour guides alleged that government officials had been taking bribes from Korean tour operators to allow them to continue hiring illegal guides. Phuket Gazette Read more...   Ko Phangan: Party island for backpackers Saturday, 11 August 2007 Ko Phangan, known as the backpacker "island-paradise," is of course famous for all-night beach parties.  It is home to the famous-infamous Full Moon Party, a giant monthly blowout that draws up to 15,000 people during high season.  Some travelers say that the island offers much more than just parties.  "It is the most beautiful island in Thailand, the most affordable and the most pleasant place to be - maybe even in all of Asia," said a 34-year-old French traveler.  At one time, Koh Samui was the gathering place for young backpackers.  The scene moved to Koh Phenang in the 1990s after Samui became too crowded. The Gazette Read more...   Elvises live - 15,000 miles from Graceland Thursday, 09 August 2007 On Aug. 3, hundreds gathered at the grand ballroom of Bangkok’s Asia Hotel to commemorate the death of a Elvis Presley with the 30th Elvis Presley Memory Lives on 2007 concert.   The event featured a number of Asian and Thai Elvis impersonators, some of which dressed like the King in his early days, and some opting to emulate him in his later, more robust years.   The Asia Hotel has hosted the event since 1997.  "This is close to my 10th year in Bangkok impersonating Elvis," said Rudy Souza, an Elvis impersonator from Macau who currently works in Macau’s hotel and casino industry.  "Although Elvis Presley’s death was unbelievable, I feel as though I am reviving his legacy whenever I impersonate." IPS Read more...   Thailand tops with Aussie travelers Thursday, 09 August 2007 An online survery by credit card firm Visa has found that Thailand is the favorite Asian travel destination of Australians.  Thailand was followed by Hong Kong, China and Japan.   The survey also found that about 20 percent of Australians were unaware that Beijing is hosting of the 2008 Olympic Games.  In addition, the survey reported that Aussies were the most likely to travel alone from the nationalities polled, and Australians were the most likely to believe that no countries were still severely affected by the 2004 tsunami. AAP Read more...   << Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next > End >>