Travel Tips - Cambodia - Thailand - November 2003

Sunday November 30, 2003

Bangkok Post Nite Owl Columnist Bernard Trink Terminated - Thailand's Elite Card - New Budget Airline In Thailand - Bangkok's MTV Club - Cambodia's Bad Roads Hamper Travel - Siem Reap Changes - Khao San Road Shark

BANGKOK POST TERMINATE NITE OWL COLUMNIST BERNARD TRINK

For three decades many tourists that have visited Thailand have become aware of what to do and where to go in the land of smiles through Bernard Trink's Nite Owl column in the Bangkok Post.

The publication gave the 72-year-old journalist his notice that his services will no longer be needed. Trink's last day with the paper is scheduled to be December 31st.

Trink's last columns for the publication may be read @: www.bangkokpost.com Go to: Real Time in left column then Nite Owl.

THAILAND'S ELITE CARD

For $25,000 Thailand is offering an Elite Card membership…. if you qualify. Some membership privileges include: airport transfers to your hotel, free or discounted green fees for those that play golf and the entitlement of being able to purchase 10 rai of land.

Full story coming....

NO FRILLS BUDGET AIRLINE IN THAILAND

Competition is coming in airline travel in Thailand. A low cost no frills budget carrier Air Asia Aviation is scheduled to begin service in January. The carrier is a joint venture with Thailand's prime minister' Thaksin Shinawatra's company Shin Corporation and Malaysia's Air Asia.

Shin holds a 50% share of the 2 million Air Asia shares reported to be worth 200 million baht. AAA International, a unit of Air Asia holds a 49% share. It is being negotiated that the remaining one percent is to be held by the staff members of both companies.

The airline will service routes from Bangkok to Chiang Mia, Phuket, Hat Yai, Nakhon Ratchasima and Khon Kaen.

Tickets will sell for 40-50% cheaper than tickets on other airlines. According to the Nation newspaper the aim is to discount tickets 50-60%.

Tickets must be booked in advance. Reservations are on a first call first served basis. Early bookings receive a cheaper fare. Check-in counters will be closed 45 minutes prior to scheduled departures. Late passengers will be refused boarding without a refund. Passengers will be charged 500 baht ($12.50 USD) for schedule changes.

Tickets will be issued through a call center via SMS with plans for an e-ticket channel. Payments can be made over the phone using credit cards or by cash at Krung Thai banks. The plan is to have some tickets available for purchase at Shin's Corp's AIS mobile phone service sales offices.

Trips to Chiang Mai could cost 1000 baht ($25 USD). Currently the tickets are approximately 2000 baht ($50 USD). There will be no complimentary meals but for an hours flight who needs a $25 sandwich?

CLUB MTV - BANGKOK

Club MTV in Bangkok celebrated its 8th anniversary November 22nd. The club is located adjacent to the Rhamkhamheang and Assumption University campuses. It's also near Hau Mark stadium.

The club was packed and those in attendance were treated to live entertainment with singers and dancers. Why the name? Owner Somkrit Dhammasarn (Chai) said he chose the name after MTV was first televised and became so popular in Thailand.

The clientele is primarily from the universities and the young in crowd. It's an interesting spot to see if you're in the area. Located 36-38 Rhamkhamheang 24, Bangkok. Telephone 023-198-340

BAD ROAD FROM PHNOM PENH TO KOH KONG /THAI BORDER

After receiving good news last month that the road from Phnom Penh to Battambang was in good shape now comes the bad news. The road from Phnom Penh to Koh Kong is in bad shape.

Since the riots on Thai business in Phnom Penh January 28th construction was halted. The portion from Koh Kong to the first river crossing has eroded. A trip from Phnom Penh to the border took seven hours October 28th.

BAD ROAD FROM THAI BORDER/POIPET TO SIEM REAP

To put it in to two words….THE PITS (horrible). This road remains in very poor condition from Sisophon to Siem Reap. The road is dirt, dusty and unhealthy.

It has been improved from what it was in the past by filling in some of the monstrous holes with rocks and…more dirt. It still takes careful maneuvering to keep from busting an axle.

Traveling by minibus the trip took seven hours after departing Poipet at 3:30pm and arriving in Siem Reap at 10:30pm.

BEWARE OF KHAO SAN ROAD SHARK

Beware of a hustler on Khao San Road that is trying to collect tickets from tourists traveling to the Thai border going to Poipet. He waits in front of travel agents offices early in the morning before the pickup connection to the big bus. He'll tell you he is to pick you up.

One traveler was suspicious of the man and recalls dealing with him in the past. He went with the man and was driven to the border and dropped off having to look after himself. He then had to negotiate a ride in a pickup truck to reach Siem Reap. He had to pay more money to obtain a seat inside the pickup.

When you purchase a ticket from Bangkok to Siem Reap a tour guide meets you on the Thai side of the border as you exit the bus. The guide will take you across the border through immigration and walk you to an office where minibuses pick you up to take you to Siem Reap.

At the time of purchase from the travel agent make sure you know who or what is to pick you up… before being conned by the Khao San Road Shark!!!

Full story coming: The Adventures of Roman Wanderaugh - The Road To Siem Reap.

CURRENCY - BEWARE OF CONFUSING CAMBODIAN RIEL

After a tourist deals with the colorful Thai currency signifying the different values be careful of the Cambodian currency the riel. It is easy to confuse the 5000 ($1.25) and 10,000 riel notes ($2.50) they are the same blue color.

When spending these notes make sure you see what note you are handing over. Some unscrupulous vendors will give you change for a 5,000 note when you give them a 10,000 note. Another thing to watch out for is what change you are given.

A tourist was given change for a US dollar at the Lotus Market in Siem Reap after paying with a 5000 riel note. When it was called to the clerk's attention she replied that she thought the customer paid with a US $1 note.

The 50 riel note (1 ¼ US cents) is often confused for a 500 riel note (12 ½ cents). Sometimes they are given to an unsuspecting foreigner as change for a 500 riel note.

SIEM REAP INTERNET PRICES FALLING

Internet prices have dropped to $1 an hour. One year ago it was $1.50. Three years ago the rate was $4 an hour. Five years ago it was $10 an hour.

SIEM REAP BUDGET FOOD INCREASE

If you're one that is a low budget diner the cost of a dish at shops at the Old market in Siem Reap is now 6000 a dish up from 1000 riel a dish three years ago. The prices are posted on signs on the curb IN ENGLISH.

In the past there was NO ENGLISH MENU. The next step was to have a menu in English for foreigners with prices higher that that on the menu written in Khmer (Cambodian). Now that it's posted on signs on the curb…. FOREIGNERS…. YOU'VE BEEN GIVEN YOUR NOTICE.

© Copying or reuse of this material is prohibited unless authorized in writing by National Radio. Contact: nationalradio@yahoo.com