Beach cleaning robot prototype

Beach cleaning robot prototype

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Beach cleaning robot prototype
A prototype of a beach cleaning robot. Photo Courtesy of PTTEP

The Faculty of Engineering of Prince of Songkla University has joined hands with PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP) to launch a prototype of a beach cleaning robot.

Developed under the "PTTEP Love Sea Love Beach" project, the robot can separate rubbish from sand through a vibrating sieve, according to Assoc Prof Dr Pruittikorn Smithmaitrie, Department of Mechanical Engineering of the Engineering Faculty.

The robot powered by a rechargeable battery can collect garbage around trees that is usually difficult to access with a tractor-pulled beach cleaner.

"The collaboration with PTTEP gives the opportunity for us to address local problems and to increase skill and practical experience for our students," he said.

A demonstration of the cleaning was recently organised at Samila Beach in Songkhla.

According to PTTEP senior vice-president for Technology and Knowledge Management Dr Vinit Hansamuit, PTTEP will continue to support improvement of the robot's capabilities before full operations in the future.

Visit pttep.com.

Bangkok among best places to travel

Bangkok is listed among the "50 Best Places To Travel in 2018" by Travel+Leisure magazine.

According to the magazine, the list is composed by its worldwide travel writers, editors and travel advisers.

The capital already welcomes more than 21 million visitors a year and was named the top destination city in the world by Mastercard and the second-most visited city after Hong Kong in a report by market researcher Euromonitor International Edition.

Bangkok will have new hotels next year, including Waldorf Astoria Bangkok on Ratchadamri Road, the 154-room Bangkok Edition located in MahaNakhon skyscraper and Capella Bangkok to be located on the bank of the Chao Phraya River.

The debut of the Michelin Guide could draw attention to one of the world's most dynamic culinary scenes. And for art lovers, visitors can explore brand-new multipurpose creative spaces including the Thailand Creative & Design Center, relocated to the former Central Post Office, Warehouse 30 on Charoen Krung Road.

Other cities in Southeast Asia that are on the list include Luang Prabang and Bali.

Visit travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/best-places-to-travel-in-2018.

New cruise routes

Star Cruises, a subsidiary of Genting Hong Kong, has launched three new routes in the Gulf of Thailand.

The third-largest cruise line in the world aims to use Laem Chabang Port in Chon Buri as its new home port. The service is operated by SuperStar Gemini liner which can support up to 1,530 passengers.

Starting and ending at Laem Chabang, the first route is a three-night trip with two stops at Sihanoukville in Cambodia and Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand. The second route is a two-night trip to Koh Kong of Cambodia and another two-night cruise to Koh Kong and Thailand's Koh Kut.

To promote the routes, Star Cruises has joined hands with Krungthai Card (KTC) to offer up to 65% discount off regular prices or a four-month installation payment with 0% interest until Jan 31.

Visit starcruises.com/th/en or www.ktcworld.co.th.

Hotels update

Two hotels in Thailand have won World Travel Awards 2017.

InterContinental Samui Baan Taling Ngam Resort won World's Leading Wedding Resort Award while Anantara Hua Hin Resort won World's Leading Green Resort.

The awards are part of more than 200 world-leading gongs in all aspects of the hospitality industry ranging from transportation, airports, accommodation, tour operators, destinations, fine dining and festivals.

Launched in 1993, the awards are based on a year-long online vote by consumers and travel professionals.

Visit worldtravelawards.com.

InterContinental Hotels Group has opened Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Soi Soonvijai.

Located in Soi Phetchaburi 47 and not far from Bangkok Hospital, the hotel features 206 rooms including standard and family rooms. The room sizes are 21m² and 25m² respectively.

The hotel also has one meeting room which can accommodate up to 10 guests, a self-service business centre, a rooftop garden, free Wi-Fi and a choice of breakfast or a Grab & Go meal.

Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Soi Soonvijai is the sixth Holiday Inn Express to open in the country.

Visit holidayinnexpress.com.

Airlines update

NokScoot has launched three weekly flights between Bangkok and Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi Province in central China.

The service is operated by Boeing 777-200s with 24 Business Class and 391 Economy Class seats. The flight departs from Don Mueang airport on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 9.25pm and will arrive at Xi'an Xianyang International Airport at 2.10am.

The return flight is at 3.30am and the arrival time to Bangkok is 6.20am.

Xi'an is the airline's sixth destination in China after Dalian, Tianjin, Shenyang, Qingdao and Nanjing. The service by NokScoot is an alternative to two other low-cost airlines, Thai AirAsia and Thai Lion Air.

Thai AirAsia will launch daily direct flights from Phuket to Kunming on Feb 1.

The flight will depart from Phuket International Airport at 9.50pm and will arrive to Kunming Changshui International Airport at 1.45am. The return trip will be at 2.45am and will arrive to Phuket at 5am. Flying time is about three hours.

Meanwhile, the airline will increase its daily direct flights from Bangkok to Kunming to 14 times weekly from Jan 16.

Visit airasia.com.


Email karnjanak@bangkokpost.co.th if you have any comments to share.

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