Hinoki Land has been opened as a new attraction in Chiang Mai. It is located in Chai Prakan district, about a 2.5-hour drive from Chiang Mai Airport. Also known as Ban Mai Hom in Thai, the property is owned by Anirut Chuengsudprasert, who loves the fragrance of hinoki, or Japanese cypress.
Inspired by Japanese culture, he has a large, four-storey house and calls it Hinoki Castle. The whole structure was made from the wood of the Japanese cypress. Visitors are allowed to visit the house up to the 4th floor where they will have panoramic views of the surroundings.
Located on an 88 rai site, Hinoki Land also has hundreds of red torii gates leading to the Hinoki Castle. A torii gate is a traditional Japanese gate to a Shinto shrine. The themed park also has Japanese costumes for visitors to rent, food outlets, a coffee shop and souvenir shop.
Hinoki Land is open daily from 7.30am to 7pm. The entrance fee is 180 baht for adults and 50 baht for children, and free for children with the height not over than 100cm.
Visit http://facebook.com/bannhinoki.
New German visa service
Starting next year, residents in Thailand who wish to travel to Germany have to apply for the visa through VFS Global's service.
The German government's Federal Foreign Office recently signed a regional contract with VFS Global allowing the company to provide Germany visa services in the Asia-Pacific region. The service covers 36 locations in 14 countries including Brunei, Cambodia, China, Fiji, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
VFS Global is expected to start the operations during the first quarter of 2019.
In addition to these facilities, VFS Global will also offer a mobile biometric service in 24 locations throughout the region. The mobile biometric service enables applicants to submit their documents and biometric information from a location of their choice including from their home or office in order to eliminate the need to visit a visa application centre.
VFS Global, headquartered in Dubai, has 2,763 application centres in 141 countries. It is the partner of 61 client governments.
AIRLINES UPDATE
- Thai Airways has extended the codeshare agreement with Gulf Air.
Gulf Air passengers can now fly beyond Bangkok on Thai Airways to Hong Kong and will soon be able to connect to Singapore, Tokyo and Melbourne.
"The codeshare expansion provides more opportunities for THAI's passengers to travel to Bahrain and the Middle East on Gulf Air. On the other hand, it also allows more traffic volume from the Middle East to Asia and Australia by Thai Airways," said THAI president Sumeth Damrongchaitham.
In addition, Thai Airways has signed a memorandum of understanding with Black Tie Service Company to provide limousine and meet and assist services to THAI customers who fly international flights to and from Suvarnabhumi airport.
Passengers who book the service will be able to use the fast track check-in counter for flight departures and arrivals. Booking is required at least 72 hours in advance via the website http://thaiairways.blacktie-limousine.com.
- Korean Air has launched daily direct flights between Busan in South Korea and Danang in Vietnam. The airline flies with a 159-seat Boeing 737-900 aircraft. The flight departs from Gimhae International Airport in Busan at 9.25pm and lands in Danang at 12.20am the following day. The return flight leaves Danang at 2.45am and arrives in Busan at 8.30am.
Visit http://koreanair.com.
HOTELS DEALS & UPDATE
- Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld has launched a shopaholic package to offer up to 30% discount for room rates.
Until Nov 30, the promotion prices start at 5,280 baht per night and also includes daily buffet breakfast, one-day pass for riding the BTS Skytrain per guest, 20% discount for dining, late check-out until 2pm, a buy-one-get-another-one foot massage and a gift voucher valued at 600 baht for a stay of at least two nights. The voucher can be used for shopping at Central and Zen department stores.
Visit http://centarahotelsresorts.com.
- Pulakorn Private Beach Resort has been rebranded to Away Pranburi Beach Resort.
Located in Ban Sam Roi Yot in Prachuap Khiri Khan, the property features 48 rooms and two pool villas, a restaurant, meeting facility which can accommodate up to 100 guests, outdoor space for hosting beach weddings for up to 200 guests, swimming pool and Thai massage.
Visit http://awayresorts.com.
- So Sofitel Hua Hin in Cha-am district of Phetchaburi has expanded from 78 rooms to 109 rooms and villas.
The new rooms include studio rooms, pool access rooms, family suites and one bedroom pool villas.
The hotel also offers meeting facilities that can accommodate up to 150 guests, restaurants, bar, café, a swimming pool with a kids' pool and playground. The hotel plans to add a tennis, basketball and pickleball court as well as a bicycle track in December.
Visit http://so-sofitel-huahin.com.
