Oct 5-7 will be the last time this year when visitors can observe the sunlight through the 15 doors of Prasat Hin Phanom Rung in Buri Ram.
The phenomenon happens four times a year. The two events for sunrise happen between April 3-5 and Sept 8-10 and another two for sunset take place between March 5-6 and Oct 5-7.
Prasat Hin Phanom Rung is an ancient Khmer monument built between the 10th-13th centuries as a Shiva shrine. The name Phanom Rung was taken from the Khmer word "wanang rung", according to the Fine Arts Department. It found the inscription at the historical site, which means a vast mountain.
The historical site has long been one of the top destinations in Buri Ram and recently became a trendy place among young Thais after the release of Lalisa, the first solo album by Thai-born K-pop singer Lalisa "Lisa" Manoban.
The music video features a prop of the ancient Khmer shrine. Buri Ram is the hometown of the pop singer. After the music video was released on Sept 9, the number of visitors to the sandstone sanctuary has increased from about 150 visitors a day to more than 400 last weekend.
For those who want to experience the solar phenomenon in October, they must arrive at the historical site before 5.30pm.
For more information, call Buri Ram Historical Park at 044-666-251.
Dasta, TAT win Pata's 2021 Gold Award
The Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Dasta) and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) won the Pacific Asia Travel Association (Pata) Gold Awards 2021.
Organised for the 26th consecutive year, the Pata Gold Awards comprises 18 Gold Awards and two Grand Title Winners in two major categories -- marketing, and sustainability and social responsibility.
Dasta submitted its community-based tourism training programme and it won the Gold Award for Human Capital Development Initiative.
TAT won the Gold Award in the category of Marketing Campaign for its Special Tourist Visa initiative, offering a premium 90-day visa that can be extended twice for up to 90 days each time. The initiative is available until the end of this month.
Visit pata.org/pata-gold-awards.
AIRLINES UPDATE
- Thai Smile has joined hands with the Department of Intellectual Property to sell geographical indication (GI) products on its e-marketplace (marketplace.thaismileair.com).
However, it offers only a handful of items under the GI Thailand category. It features 34 items including coffee, tea, coconut oil and rice. The GI certified goods are not available onboard.
Meanwhile, the airline offers cargo service for fresh products and seasonal fruits from farmers. The weight must not exceed 150kg.
For more details, contact the airline's call centre at 02-134-5809 or email WEcargo@thaismileair.com.
- Thai Vietjet will launch direct flights between Hat Yai and Chiang Rai on Oct 1.
The service will be available Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The outbound flight will depart Hat Yai airport at 8.55am and the inbound flight will depart Chiang Rai airport at 11.35am.
The flight time is about two hours.
Visit vietjetair.com.
HOTEL DEALS & UPDATES
- Cape Fahn Hotel, Koh Samui, has introduced the Mega Deal promotion, offering up to 50% discount.
Rates start from 7,500 baht for a night stay in a Tropical Pool villa (300m²). The offer includes breakfast for two and early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability).
Cape Fahn Hotel is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. The property features 22 pool villas on the private Fahn island on the northeast of Koh Samui. Booking is available until Sept 30 for stays until Dec 31.
Visit capefahnhotel.com/offers.
- Banyan Tree is celebrating its 27th anniversary with the "Rediscover The World" promotion.
It offers up to 50% discount to guests who book at least two night stays at its properties in Bangkok, Koh Samui, Krabi and Phuket. The promotion also includes daily breakfast, early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability), and other offers which will be different in each location. For example, Banyan Tree Bangkok offers a three-course dinner while Banyan Tree Phuket includes a 60-minute massage for two in the package.
The promotion is available from now until Oct 15 for stays until July 31 next year.
Visit banyantree.com.
