Nongkhai has launched Wang Bua Daeng, a reservoir of pink water lilies, as its new attraction.
Located in Muang district, the pond is large -- 4,768 rai -- of which about 2,000 features flowers in full bloom.
Locals offer paddle boat service for tourists at Ban Phai Si Thong and Ban Nong Bo. The boat can accommodate up to five people. The service is available daily from 6am-6pm. The fee is 50 baht per person for the one-hour cruise.
The buoyant pink water lilies are expected to bloom in March.
In addition, there are two more places in the Northeast where travellers can see the pink water lilies.
The most popular site is Thale Bua Daeng, meaning the sea of red water lilies, in the 25,500 rai lake of Nong Han in Udon Thani's Kumphawapi district. The lake is about 90km south of Wang Bua Daeng.
At Thale Bua Daeng, there are options for a 45-minute boat ride and a 90-minute ride, priced at 300 and 500 baht respectively. A boat can accommodate up to five passengers.
The other place, launched last year, is Thung Bua Daeng in Yasothon, the smallest site among the three. The pond is only 90 rai and is located in Ban Samrong in Maha Chana Chai district.
For those who want leisure time at Wang Bua Daeng, call Pa Kho Municipality at 042-408-170 or the Tourism Authority of Thailand at 1672.
Renovated Bank of Thailand Museum
Bank of Thailand (BoT) has reopened its museum in the newly renovated BoT Learning Center.
The centre is located on the bank of the Chao Phraya River in the BoT's headquarters on Samsen Road. The centre was renovated from BoT's old Note Printing Works, built in 1969.
The centre is comprised of 12,900m² in its five-storey building. The museum ranges from the second basement to the second floor.
It houses exhibitions related to money, including the history of currencies, collections of Thai banknotes and coins, the history of BoT's note-printing works and financial knowledge.
Visitors have an access to the Prince Vivadhanajaya Library, which provides information services on economics and finance in Thailand and abroad. The library was founded in 1946 from the personal book collection of the Prince, who was the first governor of BoT.
BoT's Learning Center has a co-working space, meeting rooms accommodating up to 80 people and a function hall for up to 300 occupants.
The BoT Museum is open every day except Monday, 9.30am-4.30pm. Free guided tours are available six rounds a day from 9.30am-2.30pm.
Entrance fee is 50 baht. To promote the museum, the central bank will waive the entrance fee until the end of February.
Visit www.botlc.or.th.
Airlines update
Qatar Airways will launch its first direct flight from Penang in Malaysia to Doha on Feb 6.
The service will be available three times a week every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The departure time from Penang will be 8.30pm and the arrival time in Doha will be 11.20pm. The return flight from Doha will be 2.30am and arrival time in Penang will be 2.30pm. Travel time is about seven hours.
Penang will be the airline's second destination in Malaysia, after Kuala Lumpur.
Meanwhile, the airline also joins hands with its leisure division, Qatar Airways Holidays, to offer travel packages for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, which will take place from June 14 to July 15.
Visit www.qatarairways.com or www.qrfootballpackages.com.
Cathay Pacific will launch four weekly flights from Hong Kong to Washington DC in September.
The service to Dulles International Airport will become the longest on the Cathay Pacific's network at 13,122km. The service will be operated by the all-new Airbus A350-1000.
The fleet features a three-class cabin comprised of Business, Premium Economy and Economy, with Wi-Fi connectivity.
It will depart Hong Kong on every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 6.35pm and the arrive at Washington DC at 10.10pm. The return trip will be 1.15am on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, and the arrival time in Hong Kong will be 5.10am of the next day.
Visit www.cathaypacific.com.
Hotels update
Thailand-based Onyx Hospitality Group has signed a contract with JR Kyushu Business Development (Thailand) to manage Shama Lakeview Asoke.
Located on Sukhumvit Soi 16 and about 800m from BTS Asoke, the property is serviced apartments that will be opened for short and long stays.
It will feature 429 rooms, from studio suites to three-bedroom apartments in two towers, with restaurant, pool deck featuring lake view, golf practice range, fitness centre, kids' playroom and meeting room.
Shama Lakeview Asoke will be opened on April 1.
Visit www.shama.com/lakeview-asoke.
Sala Samui Chaweng Beach Resort has been opened.
During its first phase, the beachfront resort offered 52 pool suites and pool villas. The room sizes ran from 66m-286m². Also provided are swimming pool, restaurant and bar.
The property will launch its second phase next year and feature 83 rooms including suites and pool villas, a spa, fitness centre, and another swimming pool with a pool bar and a restaurant.
The resort is 2.7km from Samui Airport.
Visit www.salahospitality.com/chaweng.
Email karnjanak@bangkokpost.co.th if you have any comments to share.
