The Department of Airports (DoA) has joined hands with the Thailand Post to implement Automated Postal Machines (APM) at its airports.
The department manages 28 airports. At present the machines have been installed in Suvarnabhumi International Airport, which is operated by the Airports of Thailand.
According to DoA director-general Daroon Saengchai, the machines will facilitate passengers to mail banned items that they cannot carry on with them to their homes before boarding a flight.
Such items include liquid bottles bigger than 100cc, pocket knives or larger power banks. However, the mailed item must not weigh more than 500g.
The service charges are flat rates of 50 baht per package for domestic mail and 450 baht for international.
During the one-year service in Suvarnabhumi airport, about 2,200 people have used the machines. The two APMs can generate up to 10,000 baht per machine per month.
The APMs will be available at Mae Sot, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat airports this year. DoA also plans to install the machines at the remaining airports within the next couple of years.
Grab Hua Hin
Grab launches its ride hailing service in Hua Hin.
Grab is available in many popular tourist cities including Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani and Phuket.
The company also provides Grab service from Bangkok to Hua Hin or a round-trip service with JustGrab, GrabTaxi, GrabCar and GrabCar Plus.
Visit http://facebook.com/GrabTH.
Airlines update
Value Alliance has celebrated its second anniversary by relaunching its website.
Value Alliance is a network of eight low-cost carriers including Cebu Pacific, Cebgo, Jeju Air, Nok Air, NokScoot, Scoot, Tigerair Australia and Vanilla Air. Together, they fly to 160 destinations across Australia, North Asia and Southeast Asia.
The improved portal offers more fare promotions, booking and ticketing capabilities across the airlines' members.
Visit http://valuealliance.com.
Japan Airlines will launch a low-cost carrier for international routes in the summer of 2020.
The new business is scheduled to be established in July this year. The name has yet to be announced. JAL plans to start the new operation with two Boeing 787-8 aircraft from Narita International Airport to select destinations in Asia, Europe and the Americas.
JAL is not new to the low-cost airline business. The company has shares in Jetstar Japan, a low-cost airline owned by Qantas (33.3%), Japan Airlines (33.3%), Mitsubishi (16.7%), and Century Tokyo Leasing Corp (16.7%). The airline offers domestic flights in Japan and short-haul international flights by using an Airbus A320 aircraft.
JAL expects that its new subsidiary will create more opportunities to meet the needs of diversified customer groups around the world.
Visit http://jal.com.
Hotel deals & update
Centara Hotels and Resorts launches a "stay three night, pay only two" promotion.
The promotion offers one free night for a stay of three nights. It is available at its properties in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Phuket, Pattaya, Ko Chang, Trat, Rayong, Ko Samui, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The package also covers free breakfast and up to two children stay in a room when sharing existing bedding with parents.
The booking is available until July 30 for a stay between now and Oct 31.
Visit http://centarahotelsresorts.com.
Avani Hotels & Resorts introduces the "Marry At Avani" package.
Couples who book the package before June 30 for a wedding before Dec 15 with at least 200 guests will get a complimentary five-night honeymoon in a one-bedroom villa at Sunset Coast Samui Resort & Villas, managed by Avani.
The package is available at Avani Riverside Bangkok, Avani Atrium Bangkok, Avani Hua Hin Resort & Villas, Avani Pattaya Resort & Spa and Avani Khon Kaen Hotel & Convention Centre.
Visit http://avanihotels.com.
Best Western Hotels & Resorts celebrates the 30th anniversary of its loyalty programme. Called Best Western Rewards, the programme has grown from 180,000 members when it was introduced in 1988 to more than 32 million today.
As part of the celebration, the hotel group will gift lifetime Diamond Select Status to 1,859 members who joined the programme in its inaugural year. Diamond Select Status offers 50% bonus points per stay, a choice of a thank you gift or points upon arrival and guaranteed free night availability.
The points of the loyalty programme never expire, and free nights earned can be redeemed at any Best Western branded hotel worldwide.
Visit http://BestWestern.com/Rewards.
Email karnjanak@bangkokpost.co.th if you have any comments to share.
