A ferry to connect Chon Buri in the east and Songkhla in the south will be launched within the first half of this year, according to Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob.
The service will facilitate logistics as well as boost tourism, said the minister.
The Bangkok-based Seahorse Ferries Company will offer the service. It imported the 136.6m-long ship from Japan. It can accommodate up to 586 passengers, 80 lorries and 20 cars. It will also have guestrooms, a restaurant, a recreation zone and a lobby. The vessel can run up to 17 knots (32kph).
The Marine Department approved the ship for the commercial service on March 12. Seahorse Ferries expects to launch a test service next month.
The ferry will depart from the Chuk Samet Pier in Chon Buri's Sattahip district and will dock at the Southern Songkhla port operated by Songkhla Southern Logistic 2009 in Songkhla's Muang district. The one-way journey is about 20 hours.
More ruins found in Buri Ram
The Fine Arts Department (FAD) has found a new archaeological site at Ban Bua in Buri Ram's Pakhon Chai district. It is known as the Khok Khi Lek archaeological site. The research team found the remains of seven furnaces and slag. The FAD believes that the site was a blacksmith community dating from the end of the iron age to the 11th century.
The Khok Khi Lek archaeological site. (Photo © The Fine Arts Department)
The Khok Khi Lek archaeological site is located in the vicinity of the ensemble of ancient Khmer ruins of Phanom Rung, Muang Tam and Plai Bat Sanctuaries. The discovery is part of the FAD's effort to find more historical evidence to support the Khmer ruins as a Unesco World Heritage site.
Meanwhile, the FAD has launched an e-manuscript service at manuscript.nlt.go.th.
The website offers PDF files from stone inscriptions, palm-leaf manuscripts (khamphi bai lan) and paper manuscripts (samud Thai).
There will also be information about old manuscript cabinets and their pictures in the future.
For more details call 02-280-9855.
Lighting up Sukhothai
"Amazing Sukhothai Light Up Night" will kick off tomorrow and run until Sunday at Wat Mahathat inside the Sukhothai Historical Park.
Organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand's Sukhothai Office, the light festival will run from 5-10pm. It will be a chance for tourists to take in the beautiful sunset with light decorations in the park. There will be performances, traditional and modern live music shows, a food fair, art and craft shops as well as a DIY corner.
Visit bit.ly/3eU1hGZ or call 055-616-228/9.
AIRLINES UPDATE
- AirAsia has offered a Baggage Pass promotion. It is a one-time charge of 1,599 baht excluding VAT for unlimited check-in of 10kg baggage from April 1 to Dec 16.
The promotion is available now until March 31. It can be used for domestic flights only and is not applicable for use to top up baggage allowances for bookings where baggage allowance has already been pre-purchased.
Visit airasia.com.
HOTEL DEALS & UPDATES
- Banyan Tree Group's Laguna Phuket has launched the "Laguna Phuket Revive 555 Festival". The event will be organised every weekend from Wednesday to April 18. The aim is to boost the economy and tourism in the resort island.
The festival will consist of events such as skateboard, golf and paddleboard competitions. There will also be music performances by BodySlam, Saharat "Kong" Sangkapricha and Da Endorphine.
A fair offering local arts and crafts and food will also be organised as well as parties for LGBTQ+.
Visit lagunaphuket.com.
- Chatrium Hospitality has opened the Maitria Hotel Rama 9 Bangkok.
Located on Klong Sam Sen Road, the property is located not far from renowned hospitals including Piyavate Private Hospital, Bangkok Hospital and Praram 9 Hospital, education institutions and shopping and entertainment at RCA and Central Plaza Rama 9.
The hotel offers a promotion when booking a room via its website. The offers include a 300 baht discount on room, 15% off for food and beverage and room upgrade based on availability.
Prices for a night stay start at 1,149 baht excluding tax and service charges.
Visit maitriahotels.com.
Email karnjanak@bangkokpost.co.th if you have any comments to share.
