Who those who are interested in the flooding situation in Bangkok, you can read this. This is sent to me by Tourism Authority of Thailand Bangkok HQ.

Picture is taken at Don Mueang Airport last year. My first experience with Nok Air traveling to Phuket from Bangkok.

Below is the official press release from Bangkok.

BANGKOK, Thailand — Oct 27, 2011 — Bangkok is served by two airports. Suvarnabhumi Airport, the main gateway to Thailand with 120 international and domestic airlines, remains open. It is operating normally and handling around 76 flights per hour including all scheduled international arrivals and departures.

Suvarnabhumi Airport is also the main connector for international visitor arrivals to transfer to and from domestic flights serving tourist destinations throughout Thailand such as Phuket, Chiang Mai and Surat Thani. All domestic flights are also operating as per usual.

Don Mueang Airport, the old international airport located about 30 km northeast of Suvarnabhumi Airport, is closed until November 1st due to flooding. The two domestic airlines operating from Don Mueang, which are Nok Air and Orient Thai Airlines, have temporarily switched their operations to Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Useful Contact Numbers:

Nok Air:
1318 or +66 (0) 2900 9955

Orient Thai Airlines:
1126

Suvarnabhumi Airport Call Center:
+66 (0) 2132 1888

Please do remember that the flooding is currently happening in Bangkok only, it is not affecting other areas like Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi and Hatyai.

Name: CHIEW ENG WOOI

I/C no: ****** **  5461

Due to the recent flood situation, the prize validity has extended to next year thanks to sponsor Nanyang Tours Sdn Bhd

WIN a FREE 3 Days 2 Nights P2 Boutique Hotel Bangkok Contest September 2011

We are giving away a 3 Days 2 Nights P2 Boutique Hotel Bangkok package rooms for FREE! This is our first time running a contest on PlacesAndFoods.com. For those who want to travel to Bangkok, this is your opportunity to win a FREE 3 Days 2 Nights P2 Boutique Hotel Bangkok Free Room Stay Package.

The FREE 3 Days 2 Nights P2 Boutique Hotel Bangkok package (GROUND ONLY) FOR ONE WINNER inclusive of:

2 nights accommodations based on Superior Room (twin sharing)

Daily Hotel Breakfast

Airport Hotel Return Transfer (Sit in coach)

Complimentary Half Day City Tour (Sit in Coach)

Chaophraya River Boat Cruise/ Wat Arun/ Four Face Buddha/ Local Product Outlet

Gratitude for driver and guide

Package exclusive of:

Transportation arrangements such as plane tickets or bus tickets, travel insurance and expenses.

Thailand entry visa where applicable

How do you join the contest?

1. LIKE PlacesAndFoods.com Facebook Page HERE

2. LIKE our sponsor’s Facebook Page HERE

3. You must ANSWER this question correctly, how much is the Promotion Price for this Package Tour in RM (Ringgit Malaysia) per pax? Please find the answer at sponsor’s website HERE.

4. You must SHARE this page on your Facebook Page at the bottom of this page (small little facebook button) or post this link onto your Facebook wall.

Email your answers to Wilson@placesandfoods.com

Email Title: P2 Boutique Hotel Bangkok Contest September 2011

Name & Address:

Contact Number:

Answer: RMxxx per pax

Terms and Conditions:

1. Each person is allowed to participate for one entry.
2. Winners will be picked on random based on correct entries, there will be only ONE WINNER.
3. Winner will be disqualified if they did not FULFILL the SIMPLE STEPS.
4. Winner can bring a partner (twin sharing) for the package.
5. Contest ends at 30^th September 2011. Contest winner will be announced in October 2011.
6. The FREE package is valid until 31^st December 2011 based on availability.
7. Nanyang Tours Sdn Bhd will contact the winner for the arrangements.
8. Flight arrive at BKK later than 2230hrs & depart to Malaysia before 0700 hrs, a surcharge of RM 20.00 per person per way will be imposed
9. Check in time 1400, check out time before 1200.
10. This contest is for Malaysians residing in Malaysia only.

Information about P2 Boutique Hotel Bangkok

P2 Boutique Hotel Bangkok provides budget accommodation located right on Petchburi Road in the fashion friendly Pratunam area.

The setting is very close to a BTS sky train station as well as several other shopping and tourist spots including Siam Square and the legendary MBK mall. Rooms are large and bright with stylish minimalist décor and feature modern amenities including satellite TV, mini bar and high speed Wi-Fi access. Non-smoking rooms are available on request. The onsite bar / lounge is a welcoming spot for socializing or enjoying a quiet drink.

This Bangkok hotel is about 30 minutes from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Using Random.Org, we chose a winner with random and the lucky winner is

Name: CHIEW ENG WOOI

I/C no: ****** **  5461

Due to the recent flood situation, the prize validity has extended to next year thanks to sponsor Nanyang Tours Sdn Bhd

This will be a 2 series of guest contributions on Bangkok International Motorshow Models pictures. Pictures are contributed by fellow 4×4 enthusiast Steven Ng. As the Bangkok International Motorshow 2011 is coming, I am going to share the 2007 models pictures here. The Bangkok International Motorshow 2011 will be held from 23rd of March until 6th of April 2011 at Impact convention center. The 32nd International Motorshow will expect turnout to be more than 1.6 million!

For now check out the pictures taken at the Bangkok International Motorshow 2007:

Models of Lexus

Model of Beemer (BMW)

Model with K1200 BMW Bike.

Mini Cooper Model.

Mercedes Benz Models.

Bentley Models.

Bentley Model.

Bangkok International Motorshow 2007 was held at Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC).

The most common thing you heard about medical tourism in Thailand is plastic surgery. Well, that is so 1990s. It didn’t surprise me if Thailand is going all out in medical tourism. Malaysia is promoting medical tourism in this few recent years. India is also promoting medical tourism. Not forgetting Singapore is also offering medical tourism.

So what is Thailand offering for its medical tourism?

On top of their famous cosmetic surgeries, Thailand is also offering organ transplants, cardiac and orthopaedic treatments to dental and cardiac surgeries. Personally I experienced the dental services in Phuket and it was outstanding. Other treatments include spa, physical and mental therapies. My visit to Phuket’s exclusive spas has raised the bar for other spas companies in the region.

Advantages of Thailand medical tourism

It is undeniable treatments and operations in Thailand are far cheaper than in United States, Australia and Europe. In some cases, medical operations in Thailand will cost probably less than 20% than in United States.

Bangkok Hospital Phuket Thailand

There is also an increase of hospitals in Thailand that are in accreditation with Joint Commission International Gold Seal of Approval^{TM .} JCI accreditations are evaluated through stringent procedures, based on over 300 standards, including onsite inspections and personnel examinations. Only hospitals showing a strong commitment to continuously improving service quality and patient safety goals are awarded this distinction. Above all, the international standards are intended to stimulate continuous, systematic and organization-wide improvement in overall performance and outcomes.

On top of having international standards, some hospitals in Thailand also have the latest medical facilities and specialties. They have also interpreters and translators for their medical tourists.

Personal experience in Bangkok Hospital Phuket

Bangkok Hospital Phuket lobby

I went to Bangkok Hospital Phuket to try out the facilities there. I was very impressed with the facilities and services there. The Bangkok Hospital Phuket opens 24 hours a day and it invested on many medical equipments as well as having qualified local and foreign medical doctors and specialists. The coordination with travel agents as well as insurance companies lessens the burden on the medical tourists. Not forgetting the 5 star hotel ratings like bedroom and services.

With international accreditations, latest state of art medical equipments, qualified medical doctors and specialists, top notch services and value for money charges, medical tourism in Thailand looks very positive and very attractive.

Interview with Gary Arndt on Medical Tourism

There’s no place like Chatuchak Market in Bangkok. That is not an overrated statement. It is the world largest weekend open market and thousands throng the market every weekend. Easily accessible by trains, busses and taxis, there is almost everything you can find in this market.

Last weekend, I spent some quality times there with my best friend Peter and blogger David Hogan venturing the market. Personally, I have been there various times and each times seems new to me.

I took this picture by random while waiting David to do his shopping. Basically the picture is the point of view from the inner glass of the watches showcase. I loved the natural lights of this shot. The picture is shot with a wide angle lens.

Please take note not all shopkeepers allow photographers to take pictures of their products and shop. Please do ask before you take any pictures and always beware of pickpockets.

Please do check out my old posting about the Chatuchak market HERE.

Please check out my MedBlogContest Entry HERE! If you want to know about the MedBlogContest info, click HERE.

Thank you for reading!

Yesterday, I was invited by Tourism of Thailand for their latest online promotion. It is called the Bangkok Welcome You or BangkokWelcomeYou.com From now until end of November, the campaign lasted for 4 months only with collaborations with Mastercard.

The great deal starts with 999 Baht (RM 99) for one night hotel stay in Bangkok for two persons inclusive of breakfast! The deal starts from 999 Baht (RM99) to 3999 Baht (RM399). If you divide RM 99 for 2 person, 1 person only pays RM 49 per night inclusive of breakfast. It is even cheaper than the taxi fare to LCCT or KLIA in Kuala Lumpur.

Not only that, there are also offers to SPA packages, Dinner packages and many more at the website. So if you ask me, what’s the catch?

However, the catch is you must pay online with Mastercard at www.BangkokWelcomeYou.com This has been very tempting to me as I do have a plan in mind to go Bangkok soon. Check out their website for more details at www.BangkokWelcomeYou.com

Thank you reading and begin the bargain hunting to Bangkok now!

This could go to one of those untold stories of mine. Last year, at the last few days for my Tourism Of Thailand media trip, I was given the chance to learn Thai food at the famous Blue Elephant Cooking Academy in Bangkok.

The exterior the Blue Elephant Cooking School

My days of cooking have long gone passed by since my university days where I used to cook for Rachel. Since then, even staying on my own, cooking is never a necessity. Somehow, I find cooking for 2 cost more than dining out.

The beautiful interior of the place, loved the chandelier.

When the coach stopped in front of the pre-war building, there was a sign reads “Blue Elephant Restaurant”. We were brought to classrooms where chefs were teaching us the “theories”. After given us the explanations about the dishes we are going cook.

Cooking class made easy, check out the mirror on top of the chef, reflections made everything easier.

I took some notes as it wasn’t easy to memorize so many things at once. It is always simple to look at the chefs preparing the dishes but doing it on our own will be a different story.

PLEASE CLICK BELOW TO PROCEED TO THE NEXT PAGE.

A few months ago, Thailand stole the headlines around the world with the red shirt protestors in Bangkok. However, the conflict was well over. One of the most prominent stories of the whole saga is the damaged building of Central World. As many still fear about the safety in Bangkok, well rest assured, Bangkok has not been safer now.

Street Food Stalls: Check out the size of the fish balls

I was invited as a  part of a media group from Malaysia to Bangkok by Tourism Authority of Thailand recently.

Promoters at Neptune IT Mall

As many were worried about Central World, I was brought there to see the impact of the fire created by the protestors. Now, they are renovating the shopping complex for the better. It will be expected to open next year.

Buddhists praying near Central World: It was crowded

For my days in Bangkok, it was usual fun with new found friends. We went to China town and several night spots in Bangkok and what can I say? It is always good to back to the Land Of Smiles, Thailand.

Stalls at China Town Bangkok

I enjoyed my stay there and personally with my heartfelt words, Bangkok is a safe place to travel and they are recovering fast. The airport is still busy as usual and the hotels are coping fast. This is due to the hard work of the Thai government, the Thais and the Tourism Authority of Thailand altogether to revive Bangkok to its former state.

Central World now in renovation, opening soon!
Be sure to take advantage of the promotions in Bangkok and also the month long Amazing Thailand Grand Sales up to 80% discount.

At Impact Convention Center for the Amazing Grand Sale Launch: Picture with a cute promoter

Thank you Tourism of Thailand for inviting me for the media trip and it always a pleasure visiting the Land of Smiles.

Thank you for reading.

To know more about the latest update about the fate of Central World, please read the press statement below. Thank you TAT for the constant update and information.

25th Floor, Centara Grand & BCC at CentralWorld
999/99 Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan
Bangkok 10330,
Thailand

Tel. +66 (0) 2 769 1234 ext. 6129

Whilst very saddened by the recent turmoil here in Bangkok, we are relieved to announce that the Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld remained generally unharmed by the recent events.  Smoke damage being the major issue for the facility.

We have thoroughly inspected the Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld and the hotel and convention centre need only to undergo deep cleaning for several days whilst awaiting Bangkok Metropolitan authority’s approval to reopen.  We shall re-open for business on 01 June 2010.

Certain areas of CentralWorld such as the Zen department store suffered severe damage, nevertheless the main CentralWorld building annexed to the hotel suffered only minor damages.  The Bangkok Municipality has cleaned public areas and roads leading to and from Ratchaprasong intersection.

For further updates please visit our website at www.centarahotelsresorts.com or call 02 541 1234 extension 1402 or 02 769 1234 extension 6129

I hope this will clarify many doubts and many interests from all around the world. Central World will be reopening soon as from the statement. Thanks for reading.

For the latest updates, please visit
www.TATnews.org