Renovation of the old stupa in Wat Phrasri Rattana Mahathat in Suphan Buri is expected to finish next year. The temple, including its stupa, was believed to have been built in the Ayutthaya period by King Borom Rachathirat II, also known as Chao Sam Phraya (1424–1448, or almost 600 years ago).
Located on the banks of the Tha Chin River, the stupa was one of the most sacred sites during ancient times, as it was built by the former king to house Buddha relics, said Fine Arts Department (FAD) deputy director-general Arunsak Kingmanee. The stupa was also located at the centre of the ancient Suphan Buri town.
In 1988, an FAD team surveyed the site and conducted field research. It found numerous Buddha amulets and manuscripts on golden sheets inside the stupa. The conservation project started in 2012 and has run until today. The annual budget is about 10 million baht.
FAD expects to finish the renovation around the end of 2020.
AIRLINES UPDATE
- Thai Smiles will launch direct flights between Bangkok and Kolkata in India, starting on March 31.
The flights will be available five times a week (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday). It will depart Suvarnabhumi International Airport at 10.05pm and arrive at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata at 11.30pm. The inbound flight will depart Kolkata at 1am and arrive in Bangkok at 5.30am. Travel time is about three hours.
To promote the new route, the airline offers promotion prices starting at 3,740 baht per leg.
Visit http://thaismileair.com.
- Emirates has launched a special deal for Thai passengers flying from Bangkok and Phuket to Dubai to receive a free 96-hour complimentary visa.
The promotion will end on March 31. The airline also offers special round-trip ticket fares starting from 16,110 baht. The offer will last until the end of this month for travelling until Dec 12.
The airline flies 35 weekly direct flights from Suvarnabhumi International Airport and 14 weekly flights from Phuket International Airport to Dubai.
Visit http://emirates.com/th.
- Japan Airlines will launch Zip Air as a medium-to-long-haul, low-cost carrier.
The airline will be operated by Zip Air Tokyo, its new sister company. The company plans to operate the service with Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Zip Air plans to launch its flights to Bangkok and to Seoul in the middle of next year.
Meanwhile, Japan Airlines has partnered with Accenture, a tech firm, to launch an artificial intelligence service for answering questions from passengers at the airline's check-in counters.
The service has been implemented as a pilot test at Narita and Haneda airports in Tokyo since last week and will run until the end of this month. The airline expects the AI service to help speed the check-in process.
HOTEL DEALS & UPDATE
- Hotel Labaris Khao Yai has launched pre-opening rates offering up to 15% discount.
Booking is available until March 31 for a stay until April 9. The prices for a night's stay start at 3,600 baht net, including breakfast for two for a deluxe room, and 18,000 baht a night for a pool villa with two bedrooms.
The property is located on Thanarat Road. It also has a function room, kids' club, swimming pool, restaurant and café.
Visit http://hotellabaris.com.
- Amari Pattaya Ocean Suites offers 15% discount to promote its brand-new one- and two-bedroom suites.
The one-bedroom suite is 67m², and the two-bedroom, 97m². The suites include a separate living and dining room, kitchenette and private balcony.
The promotion ends on March 31 for a stay from April 1 to June 30. The prices per night start at 13,260++ baht excluding breakfast, but include guaranteed late check-out until 4pm and a free stay for kids under 12.
Visit http://amari.com.
- Away Kanchanaburi Dheva Mantra Resort & Spa offers a "Buy One Get One Free" promotion.
The offer will last until March 31 for a stay until April 30. The room rates per night are 2,250 baht for a Superior Garden View room (52m²) and 27,647 baht for the Presidential Suite (232m²), which can accommodate up to four guests.
The property offers 104 rooms, meeting and function rooms, a spa, swimming pool and fitness centre. It is located on the banks of the Khawe Yai River in Muang district.
Visit http://awayresorts.com/resorts/kanchanaburi-dheva-mantra.
Email karnjanak@bangkokpost.co.th if you have any comments to share.
