The service is operated by U-Tapao Airport Limousine, a joint venture between Phuprow Limousine and Vanatana.
U-Tapao Airport Limousine provides 46 vehicles including 29 vans, 11 Toyota Camrys and six Toyota Fortuners. Each car is equipped with GPS to monitor speed, CCTV to ensure passenger safety, and Wi-Fi. Service fees start at 250 baht for a one-way trip to Pattaya, about an hour's drive, and 300 baht to Ban Phe in Rayong, where passengers can ride a ferry to Koh Samet.
For a service fee to Suvarnabhumi International Airport, a one-way trip is priced at 2,200 baht and to Don Mueang International Airport is 2,500 baht.
The limousine service is available 24 hours, and its counters are located at both departure and arrival halls of the new passenger terminal.
U-Tapao Rayong Pattaya International Airport is located in Rayong. Airlines that fly from and to U-Tapao Airport include Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Hainan Airlines, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air and Qatar Airways.
For information about the service, call 08-0636-3282.
Increased ferry rounds
Raja Ferry has increased the number of services between Ko Samui and Ko Phangan in Surat Thani from three to four rounds a day.
The new service is available at 12.00pm from Ko Samui to Ko Phangan and 2pm from Ko Phangan to Ko Samui.
At present, the ferry service between the two islands is available daily. The ferry leaves Ko Samui at 9am, 12pm, 2pm and 6pm. The service from Ko Phangan to Ko Samui departs at 7am, 12pm, 2pm and 4pm. Travel time is one hour and 30 minutes.
The company also launched its new membership card, with radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology. The membership fee is 250 baht for a period of three years. The card holder will receive discounts for its ferry and van services.
Visit www.rajaferryport.com or call 02--276-8211--2.
Airlines update
Bangkok Airways has launched a codeshare partnership with EL AL Israel Airlines.
The agreement allows passengers of the flag carrier of Israel to connect their flights to nine domestic and international destinations operated from Bangkok by Bangkok Airways. The destinations are Koh Samui, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Lampang, Trat, Sukhothai, Danang, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
However, passengers of Bangkok Airways cannot yet book their flights to destinations in Israel through the website of Bangkok Airways.
Meanwhile, Bangkok Airways is also working with Expedia, an online travel company, to add a new distribution channel. It expects the co-operation will help expand its market in North America, Europe and Australasia.
Bangkok Airways generated total revenue of 28.5 billion baht last year, up 6.5% from the year before. The net profit was 846.4 million baht.
The airline operates a fleet of 38 aircraft. It served 5.944 million passengers in 2017, an increase of 5% from the previous year. The passenger load factor was 68.5%.
Visit www.bangkokair.com.
Emirates, the Dubai-based airline, has launched a special package with 96-hour visa.
The offer is limited to passengers who book a return ticket from Bangkok to Dubai from now until March 4.
Passengers can also use the boarding pass to receive special discounts at some 250 restaurants, spas and attractions in Dubai such as Wild Wadi Waterpark and IMG World of Adventures. Called My Emirates Pass, the programme will last until the end of the month.
Visit www.emirates.com.
Hotels update
The 25th Laguna Phuket Triathlon is open for early bird registration.
Known as Asia's longest triathlon, the event will be held on Nov 18 at Laguna Phuket. The early bird discounts for entry fees will last until March 5.
Opened for pro triathletes and amateurs, the race will comprise a 1.8km swim including a 1.3km sea swim and a 0.5km swim in one of Laguna Phuket's freshwater lagoons. The second course will be a new 50km cycle and a 12km run (a two-lap course around the Laguna Phuket resort complex). This race is open for individual triathletes and relay teams of three.
To celebrate the 25th anniversary, the event will also have a 25 for 25 Sprint triathlon, which will consist of a 0.5km swim in the lagoon, an 18.5km bicycle ride and a 6km run. This race is open to individual athletes.
For the Charity Fun Run, participants can choose to take part in either a 5km or 10km run or a special 2km run for kids.
Visit www.lagunaphukettri.com.
Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort has launched its Marine Discovery Centre.
The facility houses nurseries for clownfish and nurse sharks to raise and breed the fish before releasing them into the sea. There is also a series of interactive displays about marine life forms inhabiting the area of Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park.
The centre also has an adopt-a-clownfish programme to let the general public participate in its conservation, as well as activities that the centre will open for interested divers to join the releasing-clownfish programme.
Visit www.phiphiislandvillage.com/marine-discovery-centre.php.
Email karnjanak@bangkokpost.co.th if you have any comments to share.
