Wat Rong Khun, also known as the White Temple, in Chiang Rai will host the light and sound festival from Nov 22-Dec 22. Called Wat Rong Khun Light Fest, the multimedia event will cost 100 million baht and will be co-hosted by the national artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, who built the temple, and Index Creative Village.
For the first time for the temple will receive visitors after dusk for the event. The one-hour show will light up the temple with 100 lasers and 3D mapping techniques. Some of the highlights include the illuminated prayer hall, the wishing well and the 3D Bodhi tree, which Buddha meditated under before enlightenment, and the virtual reality water show. The light and sound performance will be hosted two times a day at 6.30pm and 8.30 pm for 1,000 visitors per show. Ticket prices are 400 baht and 1,000 baht for a general seat and a VIP seat respectively and for attending the show only. Another price set is 550 baht and 1,150 baht for a seat plus buffet dinner.
Visit http://thaiticketmajor.com/performance/wat-rong-khun-light-fest-2019.html.
AIRLINES UPDATE
- Singapore Airlines is named the best airline in the world by Travellers' Choice Awards for Airlines by TripAdvisor. Ranked second is Qatar Airways, followed by Eva Air, Emirates, Japan Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Azul Brazilian Airlines, Air New Zealand, Jet2 (a British low-cost airline) and All Nippon Airways. The awards also consist of best of service in different types of cabins. Emirates was rated best First Class, while Qatar Airways won best Business Class. The best Premium Economy Class is Air New Zealand and the best Economy Class is Singapore Airlines.
- Thai AirAsia will launch its first flight from Bangkok to Ahmedabad, the capital of Gujarat state and India's first UNESCO world heritage city on May 31. The flight will be available on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. It will depart from Don Mueang Airport at 7pm and will arrive in Ahmedabad at 9.50pm. The return flight will depart at 10.20pm and will arrive in Bangkok at 4.15am. The travel time is about four hours and 10 minutes. The service will be available until Feb 4, 2020. Thai AirAsia currently flies from Bangkok to nine cities in India: Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Jaipur, Kochi, Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar, Ahmedabad and Gaya (seasonal flights).
Visit http://airasia.com.
- Korean Air launched direct flights between Seoul and Boston on April 12. The service is available five days a week via Airbus 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft featuring six First Class sleeper suites, 18 Business Class suites and 245 Economy Class seats. The flight departs from Incheon International Airport at 9.30am and will arrive in Boston at 10.30am. The return flight is 1.53pm and it will arrive in Seoul at 4.30pm of another day. The flying time is 14 hours.
Visit http://koreanair.com.
HOTEL DEALS & UPDATE
- Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai launches "Stay Longer" promotion. Available until April 30, guests will receive a complimentary fourth night with every three consecutive paid nights. Prices for a night stay start at 22,500++ baht for a Garden Pavilion (70m²) to 206,000 baht for a four-bedroom residence villa with a private pool (885m²). Located on Mae Rim-Samoeng old road in Mae Rim district, the hotel is about 24km from Chiang Mai International Airport.
Visit http://fourseasons.com/chiangmai.
- Centara Hotels & Resorts is offering the Tropical Escape package. The offer is available for booking until May 15 for a stay during May 1-Sept 30 in the properties in Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Oman, Qatar and the Maldives. The package includes up to 35% discount on accommodation, free for up to two children under 12 years old to stay when an extra bed is not required, and additional 10% discount if guests are a member of CentaraThe1 loyalty programme. Booking must be made at least 60 days in advance.
Visit http://centarahotelsresorts.com/featured-packages/tropical-escape.
- Minor Hotels Group has signed an agreement to operate the Villa Padierna Palace, a hotel in Marbella in the south of Spain. The property will be rebranded to Anantara Villa Padierna, Marbella Benahavís Resort. It will be the first Anantara brand in Spain. Surrounded by three golf courses, the property was designed principally by the English architect Ed Gilbert in the style of the Tuscan palazzos. The property features 130 guest rooms, suites and villas, restaurants, two swimming pools, spa, fitness and eight meeting rooms.
Visit http://villapadierna.es/palace/en.
Email karnjanak@bangkokpost.co.th if you have any comments to share.
