A speedboat service between Koh Samui in Surat Thani and Si Chon district in Nakhon Si Thammarat has been launched.
The aim is to facilitate worshippers of Ai Khai, the boy spirit living in the century-old takhian wooden sculpture in Wat Chedi in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
Ai Khai, a common nickname for a boy in the South, has recently become famous after celebrities posted their success in business or wealth on social media and attributed it to the worship of Ai Khai. During the recent long holiday, it was estimated that tens of thousands of people visited the temple. Recently the well-known singer Yuenyong Opakul, aka Add Carabao, also composed and sang Phorn Ai Khai (Blessing From Ai Khai) to capture the moment of this phenomenon.
Ai Khai sculpture. Photo courtesy of Wat Chedi
The speedboat service will be able to accommodate up to 45 passengers. It is a joint operation by Thai Asia Link, which operates the Sichon Seashore pier in Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Grand Sea Discovery, a Koh Samui-based tour business.
During weekdays, the speedboat departs from Ban Fai Tha Pier in tambon Thung Sai in Sichon district at 9.30am and the return trip from Thong Krut Pier on Koh Samui is at 4.30pm. For weekends, the service will be available two times at 9.30am and 5.30pm from Sichon and 8am and 4.30pm from Koh Samui.
The travel time is about 40 minutes. One-way ticket fare is 500 baht. Booking is recommended at least a day in advance. The speedboat service is an alternative to a four-hour ferry service.
Visit facebook.com/sichonseashore or call 062-595-9092.
Phu Kradueng reopens
Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei will open for public visit on Oct 1.
The park has been closed for six months this year, instead of its annual closure of four months during rainy season. This was because of a wildfire that raged through the park and destroyed about 3,400 rai of the reserve forest.
The forest has recovered after the incident while wildflowers like the pink en-ah flowers (Starry Osbeckia) are now in full bloom. Visitors can book for accommodation at portal.dnp.go.th or call 02-561-0777 and 02-579-6666.
New Chon Buri landmark
The Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) of Chon Buri has joined hands with the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning to launch a 1.8km-long bridge as a new tourism landmark.
The bridge is named "Chonlamak Withi Chalerm Phrakiat 84 Phansa". It is part of the 16.57km long road running in a parallel to the coastal line in Muang district. The road starts from Bang Sai 83, off Highway 3 (Sukhumvit Road) in the city to the Office of the PAO of Chon Buri.
Visit chon.go.th/cpao/home or call 038-398-039.
Hua Hin opens Friday market
A new market has opened in Hua Hin. Called "Talat Rim Le @ Hua Hin", the market is located in the beachfront Suan Luang Rachini 19 Rai, or Hua Hin Queen's Park, and can be accessed from Hua Hin 19 or Hua Hin 35.
The market comprises five zones including areas for food outlets, music in the park, outdoor activities, handmade products and art and crafts. The market is open every Friday from 5pm to 10pm.
Hua Hin Municipality expects that the market will help increase income to locals as well as be a new attraction for the resort town.
HOTEL DEALS & UPDATES
- Oyo has partnered with Chubb Samaggi Insurance and Qoala, the Jakarta-based insure-tech company, to provide complimentary insurance coverage to guests who book rooms at any Oyo hotels in Thailand.
The coverage will cover eight topics including personal accident, emergency hospitalisation, and loss of luggage and personal electronic equipment due to theft at hotel premises. Guests can make online claims via Oyo app (oyo.qoala.app).
Visit oyorooms.com.
- Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok has launched the Presidential Terrace Suite.
The premier room is 280m². It features a master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, spacious living room, kitchenette, a private bar area, a deck and a plunge pool.
Prices per night start from 180,000++ baht.
Visit kempinski.com/en/bangkok/siam-hotel.
- Khanom Beach Resort & Spa in Nakhon Si Thammarat offers 22% off when booking a room via its website.
The "Happy" promotion is available for a night stay in all of its room types including Deluxe Garden View, Deluxe Seaview, Garden Villa, Beach Front Villa and Private Pool Villa.
Discount prices start from 4,095 baht to 8,736 baht a night.
Visit khanombeachresort.com.
Email karnjanak@bangkokpost.co.th if you have any comments to share.
