The new passenger terminal of Khon Kaen airport is scheduled to be completed in the next three years.
The Department of Airports allocated 2 billion baht for the expansion. It covers not only the new terminal, but also a seven-storey car park and renovation of the present terminal.
When completed in 2021, the airport capacity will double. It will be able to handle 2,000 passengers per hour, from the present 1,000, or up to 5 million passengers a year. The new car park will add more than 1,000 lots for parking, or more than twice the size of the present building for 450 cars.
At present, the domestic airport serves 40 arrival and departure flights a day. The destinations include Bangkok, Chiang Mai, U-Tapao and Phuket. Airlines offering services are Nok Air, Thai AirAsia and Thai Smile Airways, which codeshares with Thai Airways and Thai Lion Air.
Improved songthaew
Air-conditioned songthaew, modified pickup trucks with two row seats for passengers, have been launched in Phitsanulok.
The service is operated by Kingdom Autocar Phitsanulok company, which has the concession to offer public transportation service in the city.
To help passengers fight the heat, the company has upgraded its vehicles from having electric fans to air-conditioners, and replaced two rows of hard benches to two rows of soft seats.
The first two new songthaew was launched last week. They ply between the bus terminal and Naresuan University. The company plans to add 10 vehicles within the next month, and will change all of its 48 songthaew to air-conditioned vehicles within the year.
AIRLINES UPDATE
- Thai AirAsia has partnered with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to launch the "Weekday Travel Wonders" campaign, offering a 300 baht discount coupon for Grab Rent, which is a car rental service with a driver.
Until March 31, the campaign is available for passengers who fly with the airline to Chiang Mai, Phuket and Hat Yai from Mondays until Thursdays.
In addition, the airline will add more flights to its seven popular routes from April 7-17, to respond to high demand during Songkran.
The routes are Bangkok-Chiang Rai (flights will increase to six per day), Bangkok-Khon Kaen (seven flights per day), Bangkok-Chiang Mai (14 flights), Bangkok-Roi Et (four), Chiang Mai-Surat Thani (two), Chiang Mai-U-Tapao (three) and U-Tapao-Udon Thani (two).
Visit http://airasia.com.
- Thai AirAsia is named the market leader in the low-cost airline business in Thailand, according to a report of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).
The report showed that the total passengers of both domestic and international routes of low-cost airlines last year reached 72 million. About 45% (or 32.4 million) were the passengers of Thai AirAsia. Thai Lion Air was ranked second with 24% (17.28 million) of market share, followed by Nok Air (21% or 15.12 million), Thai Vietjet (5% or 3.6 million), Thai AirAsia X (3% or 2.16 million) and NokScoot Airlines (2% or 1.44 million).
When segmented to the domestic market, 57 million people travelled by low-cost airlines last year. About 41% travelled by Thai AirAsia, followed by Thai Lion Air and Nok Air, which each shared 25% of the market, and Thai Vietjet (7%).
For the international market, 15 million people travelled by low-cost airlines and 50% of them chose Thai AirAsia, followed by Thai Lion Air (23%), Thai AirAsia X (12%), NokScoot (8%), Nok Air (6%) and Thai Vietjet (1%).
HOTEL DEALS & UPDATE
- Isaan Isaan Boutique Resort Khaoyai by Andacura has been opened in Nakhon Ratchasima's Pak Chong district.
Operated by Andacura Hotels and Resorts of the Phuket-based Mai-BS (Thailand) Group, the property features 69 rooms and suites, meeting rooms, swimming pool and restaurant.
Visit http://andacura.com.
- The Erawan group plans to open seven Hop Inn hotels this year.
The budget hotel features 79 rooms, car park, 24-hour reception, Wi-Fi service and a coffee corner, but without breakfast.
It plans to launch new Hop Inn in Chiang Rai, Nakhon Pathom, Rayong, Khon Kaen, Hat Yai and two more in the vicinity of Bangkok.
One is Hop Inn in Nonthaburi. The property will be located on Chaengwattana 23 and will be bigger than normal. The hotel will have 108 rooms. The other hotel will be located in Rangsit, not far from Future Park shopping complex.
Hop Inn hotels are available in 32 provinces. There are also five properties in the Philippines.
Visit http://hopinnhotel.com.
- Well Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 has offered a special promotion to celebrate its third anniversary.
The 235-room hotel offers two-night packages with prices ranging from 6,333-9,333 baht net until Oct 31. Also included are breakfast buffet and a one-hour Indian head or Thai massage.
Visit http://wellhotelbangkok.com.
Email karnjanak@bangkokpost.co.th if you have any comments to share.
