Nature's bounty

Nature's bounty

TRAVEL
Nature's bounty
Visit Khao Yai National Park's Facebook page and enjoy pictures of wildlife. (Photo courtesy of Khao Yai National Park)

Since the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department has announced the temporary closure of national parks and forest parks nationwide since March 25, some national parks keep updating their Facebook page about the beauty of nature when visitors are not allowed.

Khao Yai National Park in Nakhon Ratchasima (facebook.com/KhaoYaiNationalPark1962) posted pictures of a herd of elephants, gaurs and hornbills, allowing visitors to see the behaviour of wildlife in their habitats.

Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi (facebook.com/Kaengkrachannationalparkofficial) uploaded a video clip of a large herd of gaurs eating grass and a stump-tailed macaque sipping water with captions to let visitors learn more about nature.

Mu Koh Chang National Park in Trat (facebook.com/KoChang.DNP) posted photos of scenic beaches on the island and its vicinity such as the white beaches of Koh Rang. The park officers also took this chance to repair facilities including walkways and viewpoint platforms.

If you are concerned about the forest fire situation in Doi Suthep National Park in Chiang Mai, the park updates the situation and the work of its officers at facebook.com/DoiSuthepPuiNP.

Temple closing

Wat Mangkon Kamalawat or Wat Leng Noei Yi in Bangkok's Chinatown has announced its closure for one month to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The doors will be closed to the public until April 30.

The temple is located on Charoen Krung Road. Founded in 1871 during the period of King Rama V, it is one of the most popular Chinese temples in Bangkok. The place is always crowded during the Chinese New Year when worshippers visit the temple for blessings of prosperity and good fortune.

Visit facebook.com/Wat.Mangkonkamalawat.Temple.

Provincial airports close

The Department of Airports has temporarily closed 12 domestic airports due to cancelled flights by commercial airlines.

The airports are in Buri Ram, Chumphon, Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Loei, Mae Hong Son, Mae Sot, Nakhon Phanom, Nan, Narathiwat, Phrae, Ranong and Roi Et. The airports are open for some cases including emergency landings, requests by a government agency and for cargo service. The office hours are limited from 8.30am to 4.30pm.


HOTEL DEALS & UPDATE

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration of the Ministry of Public Health has provided an online form for hotel owners who volunteer to convert their properties to be field hospitals. Those hotels must have at least 30 rooms, have enough hotel staff to take care of patients and must have medical tools and supplies.

They can fill in the form at covid-center.hss.moph.go.th.

The field hospitals are designed for patients who have mild symptoms of Covid-19 and can take care of themselves.

The Princeton Bangkok Hotel on Mit Maitri Road has already converted into a field hospital. The hotel features 270 rooms, with about 70 rooms acquired by patients. Other hotels are The Palazzo Hotel on Ratchadaphisek Road (430 rooms), Ozone Hotel @ Samyan (42 rooms) and Punjadara Hotel in Nakhon Ratchasima (80 rooms).

According to the centre, about 100 hotels submitted proposals to be field hospitals. The facilities are located in Bangkok, Chon Buri, Nakhon Ratchasima and Chiang Mai. The total capacity will be about 14,000 rooms.

The Public Health Ministry also encourages other hotels to participate in the "Hotel Isolation" programme. It is designed for the property owners who want to offer rooms for those who have to isolate themselves from others for 14 days. A number of hotels have joined the campaign including Luxor Hotel (luxorbangkokhotel.com) in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi; The Idle Residence (theidle-residence.com) in Klong Nueng, Klong Luang district, Pathum Thani; Grand Bella Hotel in Pattaya; and Phayao Grandroom Hotel in Phayao's Muang district.

In addition, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has joined hands with Thai Hotels Association, the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Council of Thailand to launch the "Amazing Distancing @Hotel" campaign.

The programme offers choices of hotels that offer isolation packages. However, the length of stay is only eight days.

Visit tourismthailand.org/tourismdepartmentstore.

- Oyo Homes and Hotels offer free rooms in Bangkok and Pattaya for healthcare workers.

The hotels are Oyo 419 Maleewan Jomtien Pattaya and Na Banglampoo Hotel Bangkok on Phra Sumen Road.

For booking, contact the Oyo Careline at 081-646-3936 between 9am and 7pm daily. Hospital staff IDs are required for check-in.

The hotel has joined other hotels that have provided rooms for medical professionals that include The Quarter Bangkok (thequarterbangkok.com) on Phaya Thai Road, Rabbitat Hostel (rabbitathostel.com) also on Phaya Thai Road and Eastin Tan Hotel in Chiang Mai (eastinhotelsresidences.com/eastintanchiangmai).


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

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