The Bangkok Metropolitan Police Bureau has launched the "Police I Lert U" app allowing users to quickly contact policemen when they need help.
The service can be used as an alternative to the police hotline 191, said bureau deputy commissioner Pol Maj Gen Chanthawit Rammasut. Only 20% of 7,000 calls per day to 191 are real emergencies, 30% are inquiries about general information, while 50% of the calls are fake.
The bureau expects that the new app will allow policemen working in 88 police stations in Bangkok to reach each caller within a short period. The ambitious goal is within four minutes, he said.
The app requires each user to sign up with full name, email and mobile phone number. It will also ask users to share their location. There is also a function to call for an ambulance.
The app is available in Thai and English languages, and for iOS and Android mobile devices.
Visit the App Store or Google Play and key in "Police I Lert U" for free download.
Chinese whispers
"The Best of Thailand Awards Voted by Chinese Tourists" campaign has been launched to attract more Chinese tourists to Thailand.
The project is organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), King Power International, Jiaranai Entertainment and Sina, a large Chinese-language portal site, which owns Weibo, a popular Chinese microblogging service like Twitter.
According to TAT acting governor and deputy governor for International Marketing Juthaphorn Rerngronasa, TAT and Weibo have created 17 categories for Chinese people to vote for their favourite things in Thailand such as for luxury hotels, resorts, attractions, spa, fruits and shopping malls.
The campaign will give away awards via lucky draws. The prizes include a travel package with a round-trip ticket from China for two, three round-trip tickets from China for two with accommodation, and five round-trip tickets from China for two.
The campaign runs until May 29 and the name of winners will be announced on June 1 on www.weibo.com.
TAT expects to welcome 5.9 million Chinese tourists this year, up 28% from 4.6 million in 2014. Tourists' spending will also increase to 261 billion baht, up 37% from 190 billion baht in 2014, according to predictions.
Visit abv8.me/4hy (in Chinese only) for more details.
Airlines update
NokAir has expanded its Fly 'n' Ride service to Sakhon Nakhon's Sawang Daen Din district. The service helps facilitate passengers who travel from Don Mueang International Airport to Sakhon Nakhon Airport.
Sawang Daen Din is about 85km northwest of the airport. It is home to Ban Don Thong Chai archaeological site at Chai Mongkol Temple and Khmer ruins at Ban Ku Phanna.
The van drop off point is in front the Sawang Sawai Resort. The airline flies daily to Sakhon Nakhon, leaving Bangkok at 8.05am and reaching the resort at 11am. From Sawang Daen Din to Sakhon Nakhon Airport, the van departs from the resort at 6pm for the flight at 8.35pm.
Visit www.nokair.com.
AirAsia has joined hands with Sixt, an international car rental company, to launch "Fly and Drive with AirAsia". The programme allows passengers to book a vehicle from Sixt Rent-a-Car when booking a flight on www.airasia.com. Promotional prices start at 699 baht, and lasts until the end of June.
Hotels update
Raffles Singapore celebrates 100 years of the Singapore Sling. The drink was first created in 1915 at the Long Bar in Raffles Singapore by Hainanese bartender Ngiam Tong Boon, and has been widely regarded as Singapore's national drink.
"In recognition of its 100th birthday, we want to highlight its sweet success with special events to encourage everyone to discover, rediscover and enjoy the Singapore Sling," said the hotel general manager Simon Hirst.
To celebrate the event, the hotel launched the Singapore Sling Masterclass, where bartenders from Long Bar will reveal the secret of the pink drink. It will also introduce special packages for a night's stay, the SlingaPore pastel pink cake inspired by the drink and Singapore Sling products such as Sling-flavoured chocolates and marmalade, T-shirts, keychains and tea at its gift shop.
Visit www.raffles.com.
Bangkok-based Absolute Hotel Services Group will launch its first Eastin brand in Indonesia. The Eastin Hotel Canggu Bali is located 200m from the famous surfer's beach in Canggu, according to the group CEO Jonathan Wigley.
The hotel will feature 102 rooms with contemporary decoration and interior design with a Balinese influence, a restaurant, pool bar, fitness centre, swimming pool and a function room. The property will be open in early 2017.
Visit www.absolutehotelservices.com.
Email karnjanak@bangkokpost.co.th
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