A new mountain bike park opened last Saturday in Bangkok's Bang Kapi district.
Peppermint Bike Park.
Called Peppermint Bike Park, the 40 million baht project is founded by Bertram Chemical (1982), a Thai manufacturer and distributor of herbal products including Siang Pure Oil and Peppermint Field gel and balm.
According to the company CEO Suwanna Eiampikul, the opening of the park was partly motivated by her passion for biking. She also wanted to create a safety zone and new experiences for those who love mountain bikes.
The park features a normal bike lane with an elevated wooden slope and mountain bike tracks. Suwanna expected that the bike park would encourage more people to exercise after working hours as it opens until late night.
The park is located on a 10 rai plot of land in Soi Yothin Phatthana 3, off Pradit Manutham Road, and not far from Ekamai-Ramintra expressway.
Also available is parking for up to 100 cars, public toilets and bathrooms and restaurants.
Annual memberships are 200 baht per year. Those who apply will get a discount when biking at Pepermint Bike Park; 100 baht per day from 7am to 5.30pm, and 150 baht for biking at night, from 6pm to 10pm.
For non-members, entrance fees are 150 baht and 200 baht for day and night respectively.
Visit www.facebook.com/PeppermintBikePark for more details.
New floating market
Samut Sakhon has opened a new floating market at Wat Nong Pha-ong in Krathum Baen district.
Called Nong Pha-ong Floating market, it was initiated by Suan Luang Municipality to create a new tourist attraction along Phasi Charoen Canal to generate more income for locals.
Visitors will be able to buy handmade products, home decorations, fresh fruits, cooked food, snacks and drinks at stalls located on the waterside as well as those offered by vendors in wooden boats along the canal.
There is also a canal cruising service. Each boat can serve up to 20 passengers, and for private trips.
For more details, visit nongpaongfloatingmarket.com.
Building bridges
The Department of Highways plans to begin a second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge project this month.
The investment budget has been raised to 3.9 billion baht from last year's 2.3 billion baht budget, following the high price of land after the increase in Thai-Myanmar cross-border trade. The department will build a 21.5km-long four-lane road and a 700m-long bridge crossing the Moei River in Mae Sot district of Tak province to Myawaddy.
The construction will be completed by 2017.
The new bridge will help ease traffic of the first Thai-Myanmar Friendship bridge also located in Tak's Mae Sot District and help enhance trade ties and logistics between the two countries.
Airline updates
Etihad Airways will upgrade its Abu Dhabi-Singapore route with the deployment of a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner from Aug 1.
"The dimensions and unique features of the Dreamliner aircraft have enabled us to customise it with the most innovative and sophisticated cabins," said the airline president and CEO James Hogan, adding that it would bolster the airline's position in the competitive Singapore travel market.
The new Boeing 787 interiors feature eight First Suites with a mini-bar and centre seats which can be joined to create a double bed, 28 Business Studios offering direct aisle access and a fully flat bed of up to 2m in length and 199 Economy Smart Seats. On-board decoration is inspired by a contemporary modern Arabian design.
The airline currently operates the 787-9 to Washington DC and Mumbai, and from June 1, to Düsseldorf and Brisbane. The airline will also begin taking delivery of 787s in a two-class configuration from 2016.
Hotels update
Klapsons, Singaporean-based boutique hotel, has launched Klapsons the River Residences Bangkok on the west side of Chao Phraya River.
Located on 21st to 31st floors of the North Tower of the River Condominium on Charoen Nakhon Road, the property offers 92 rooms starting from 35m² in space usage for a studio room to 230m² for a suite with three bedrooms. Each room type has private balcony, is fully equipped and has a kitchenette with a microwave, a washing machine, a hob and an ironing board.
Other facilities are a lobby, lounge, fitness, three lap swimming pools and two multi-purpose courts.
The residence is open for a long or short term stay.
Visit www.klapsons.com/bangkok for more details.
Centara Hotels & Resorts has signed a management contract with Zhaoqing Yuhao Properties Development Company in China to open a Centara in Southeastern China.
Called Centara Resort Zhaoqing, it will be located in Zhaoqing City in Guangdong.
The four-star resort will have 250 rooms, a water park complete with swimming pools and pool bar, three dining venues, a fitness centre, Spa Cenvaree, Kid's Club and meeting facilities, including a 800m² ballroom.
Zhaoqing is known as one of Guangdong province's top tourist attractions with Qixingyan (Seven Star Crags), Dinghu Mountain, Xiannv Lake (Fairy Lake), Butterfly Valley and Qingyun Temple.
Not far from Guangzhou are Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Macau.
Centara Resort Zhaoqing will be opened in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Email karnjanak@bangkokpost.co.th
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