Mrigadayavan Palace will temporarily reopen this month.
Located on a 31 rai plot of land in Cha-am district, the beachfront summer palace of King Rama VI has been closed since the Covid-19 outbreak.
The palace was designed by a team of architects led by Italian Mario Tamagno. Construction started in 1923 and was completed in a year. King Rama VI named the palace Mrigadayavan, which was the name of the place where Buddha gave his first dhamma teaching. The name means a non-hunting zone.
The palace will be open between Oct 10-11 and Oct 23-25 from 9am to 5.30pm. It will limit the time for each visit at 30 minutes per round. The number of visitors per time will also be capped to 20 people. The entrance fee is 120 baht.
For those who just want to walk around the palace ground, entrance fees are 30 baht for adults and 15 baht for students and kids.
The palace also houses a coffee shop and a public library.
Visit facebook.com/mrigadayavanofficial or call 032-508-444.
Yala set to welcome skywalk
Ai Yerweng Skywalk in Yala will open this month.
Located on the top of Microwave Mountain in tambon Ai Yerweng (also spelt Aiyoeweng), about 40km from downtown Betong, the skywalk project was initiated by the Tambon Administrative Office of Ai Yerweng. It also received support from the Office of Natural Resources and Environment in Yala, the Department of Forest Resource Management in Narathiwat and the Office of Tourism and Sports in Yala. The aim is to promote eco-tourism in the Deep South. The cost of the project was 91 million baht.
The skywalk is 61m in length and the longest such structure in Southeast Asia. It has a translucent floor at the circle tip which will make visitors feel like they are walking in the air. Situated about 620m above sea level, the mountaintop of Ai Yerweng is also a popular spot for visitors to see a sea of fog all year round.
E-wristbands to improve museum experience
The Fine Arts Department is set to introduce electronic wristbands for tourists at the Bangkok National Museum on Na Phrathat Road.
It aims to enhance its exhibitions by analysing the interest of visitors.
The wristband will send realtime information to its server about locations of visitors from the time they enter the museum until they exit. The technology will help the department learn about popular exhibition halls based on the number of visitors as well as know which exhibited items people are interested in. The system can also send related information to visitors based on their interests via email or SMS.
The department launched the pilot test in the Bangkok National Museum before planning to expand the project to other national museums nationwide.
Three Thai firms bag Pata Gold
Three organisations from Thailand won the Pacific Asia Travel Association (Pata) Gold Awards 2020.
Sponsored by the Macao Government Tourist Office, the awards recognise the achievement of 23 organisations and individuals. The winners were announced last week during the Virtual PATA Travel Mart 2020.
Anurak Community Lodge in Surat Thani won the Pata Grand Award for Sustainability.
The Designated Areas for Sustainable Development Administration (Dasta) won two Gold Awards. The first one was for the Women Empowerment Initiative in which Dasta introduced the "Nan-Ner-Jaow" brand for woven cloth in Nan. The other achievement for the Gold Award was for the Youth Empowerment Initiative in which Dasta launched "Dasta Nan Youth Club" to help teenagers learn more about their culture and to promote sustainable tourism.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand won the Gold Award for the Travel Photography category. The picture that won was A Beautiful Bond taken in Ban Nong Bua Elephant Village, Surin.
HOTEL DEALS & UPDATE
- Best Western Plus Nexen in North Pattaya is officially open today.
The property is located on Pattaya 3 Road in Bang Lamung district in Chon Buri, about 2km to Pattaya Beach. It features 164 rooms and suites, swimming pool, fitness centre, restaurant and bar.
Visit bestwestern.com.
- Holiday Inn & Suites in Sri Racha, Chon Buri has launched the "Meet With Confidence" programme.
It targets guests who want to book 10 to 50 rooms for their meetings or group events. The package offers up to a 5% rebate towards a master bill and no cancellation fee. The offer is available until Dec 31 for stay until June 30 next year.
Email karnjanak@bangkokpost.co.th if you have any comments to share.
