Yasothon has introduced Thung Bua Daeng, a 90 rai reservoir fully dotted with pink water lilies known as bua daeng.
The Northeast province is well-known for the annual rocket festival when locals make bang fai (home-made rockets) during the beginning of rice-farming season, around May. The rockets must be lit and shot to the sky to worship Phaya Thaen, god of rain.
The reservoir is located in Ban Samrong in Maha Chana Chai district.
According to Yasothon governor Boontham Lertsukhikasem, the pink water lily is the flower of the province. He hoped that the natural pond of bua daeng would attract more tourists to the province, pretty much like the famous Thale Bua Daeng (Sea of Red Lotus) in the 25,500 rai lake of Nong Han in Udon Thani.
The vibrant pink flowers of the water lilies can be seen from December to February.
For more information, call the Tourism Authority of Thailand's Ubon Ratcha Thani office at 045-243-770.
Nakhon Ratchasima shopping centre
Terminal 21 Korat has been opened on a 32 rai plot of land on Highway 2, or Mittraphap Road.
Owned by the Siam Retail Development Company, the 6 billion baht shopping mall has been developed under the market street concept of world-renowned destinations including Caribbean Street, Hollywood Street and similar streets in Paris, London, Istanbul, Tokyo and San Francisco. The shopping mall features a 200,000m² of retail space, almost triple the size of Terminal 21 Asok. There will also be a "Skydeck" where shoppers and visitors can have a 360-degree panoramic view of the city at a height of 110m, a replica of the Eiffel Tower at 22m, and Fanpekka, the Finnish conceptual theme park for children.
Nakhon Ratchasima is a gateway to the Northeast, with strong economic growth and a population of 2.6 million.
Hotel booking site
A new hotel-booking website named Traveliko.com will be officially launched within the first quarter of this year.
Based in Singapore, Traveliko has signed up several international hospitality companies, including Absolute Hotel Services, Centara Hotels and Resorts and Red Planet, as well as a number of smaller chains and independent hotels in Thailand, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
It aims to be an alternative to the current online travel agencies (OTAs).
"Traveliko not only promises the best available rate every time guests book a room online; it only takes a flat 10% commission," said the company co-founder and COO Yann Gouriou.
Traveliko will donate 20% of net commissions earned to project-oriented charities selected by guests in the country where the hotel is located, he added.
The company also has former Miss Universe Natalie Glebova as its brand ambassador.
Visit www.traveliko.com.
Airlines update
Osaka-based Peach Aviation will launch its first flight from Okinawa to Bangkok on Feb 19.
The airline will fly daily from Naha airport to Suvarnabhumi airport. The departure time from Okinawa will be 9.20pm and the arrival time to Bangkok will be 12.15am. The return flight from Bangkok will be 1.15am and the arrival time in Japan will be 7.30am. Flying time is about five hours.
To celebrate the new route, the airline will introduce Thai taste to its winter menu. Dishes will be takoyaki with coriander-paste filling, tom yum goong takoyaki (with shrimp filling), tom yum goong instant-noodle cup and Thai beer.
Peach currently operates 18 aircraft, and offers its services to 14 domestic and 12 international destinations.
Visit www.flypeach.com.
Vietjet has launched its "Win a 1kg gold airplane, Fly to a happy future" campaign to celebrate its 5th anniversary. The promotion offers 5 million air tickets priced from 5 baht during the golden hours from noon-2pm daily, from now until Feb 28. Flights include domestic and international routes from Bangkok and Vietnam.
Those who book a ticket during golden hours will have a chance to win a lucky-draw prize of a 3.75g gold piece weekly and a 1kg gold airplane as a final grand prize.
Visit www.vietjetair.com.
Hotels update
Kly Unique Pattaya has been opened in southern Pattaya.
Kly is Thai for relax or get loose. The hotel is located on Phra Tam Nak Road, about a 700m walk from the beach.
It offers rooms with space usage ranging from 32m² to 41m², with an option of interconnecting rooms for groups and families. There is also a restaurant, bar and rooftop swimming pool.
Visit www.klyhotels.com/pattaya.
Spanish hotel chain Meliá Hotels International plans to launch its first Meliá brand in Bangkok.
The property is owned by TCC Land Asset World of TCC Group of the billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi.
Meliá Bangkok will be located on Sukhumvit Road not far from Terminal 21. It will feature 315 rooms, restaurants, a spa, fitness centre and meeting facilities, along with the mixed-use development of retail and office space.
The hotel is scheduled to open in 2022.
TCC Land Asset World and Melia Hotels International plan to open two more properties, including Sol Beach House, a luxury resort in Koh Samui, and a luxury all-inclusive Paradisus resort in one of the top holiday destinations in Thailand.
