Bangkok Airways’ Head Office/ August 4th, 2009 – At 17.00 hrs, Captain Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, the President of Bangkok Airways, held a press conference about the accident of the airline’s flight PG 266 from Krabi skidding off the runway and collided with the former control tower during the flight’s captain attempted to land at Samui Airport.

The flight, operated by ATR-72 500 series MSN670 with 70 seats, carried 68 passengers, two pilots and two flight attendants. All passengers have been evacuated from the site with four seriously injured passengers sent to the Bangkok Samui Hospital, and two others with minor injuries delivered to the Thai Inter Hospital. The 62 other passengers have been transferred to hotel. Two flight attendants and a pilot were reportedly safe, while the other pilot was dead.

Currently, the airline has dispatched the investigation team from the Department of Aviation to the accident site at Samui Airport.

The airline’s insurance company – Bangkok Insurance, will cover full liability caused by this accident.

For more information, please contact the Emergency Call Center 02 265 8777.

Black & White portrait by subcomandanta via Flickr

I am writing this piece to make a small contribution to the promotion of Cambodia as a tourist destination. Tourism is one of the country’s few foreign exchange earners and so will play a key role in alleviating the country’s economic woes.

The Phnom Penh Post reports that figures for the first half of 2009 show an overall decline in the number of foreign visitors, with South Korea down by as much as one third. Needless to say there have been job losses.

I realise that talk of poverty, prostitution and human trafficking is not what you would normally associate with tourism promotion, but I have always believed in telling it like it is. For the most part, as a tourist, you would not be aware of these problems but crucially, if you were to visit the country, you could be part of the solution, particularly if using companies that follow responsible tourism principles.

Cambodian Government Aims High

Despite the negative indicators, according to the Straits Times, the government is predicting that next year annual arrivals will increase to 3 million: that’s up from 2.15 million in 2008, a projected increase of 39% over 2 years.

This is perhaps an ambitious figure in today’s climate but, if it is a realistic target, I am all for aiming high. I read that, amidst the gloom, arrivals from Vietnam at least increased by 40% in the first half of this year (2009): it’s a start.

Cambodia Angkor Air Launched This Week

Airport sign by aZAMirui via Flickr

The government hopes that the country’s new national airline, Cambodia Angkor Air, launched this week, will add to the momentum. This is a joint venture between Cambodia (51%) and Vietnam Airlines (49%) and the first flights connect Phnom Penh (Cambodia’s capital), Siem Reap (the gateway to Cambodia’s famed Angkor temples) with Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. A service between Siem Reap and the Cambodian beach resort of Sihanoukville will follow. The collaboration operates as a code share, which in practical terms means flight numbers are prefixed by one or both of the airlines’ 2-character designator codes (K6 and VN); and gives the fledgling airline connections to Vietnam Airlines’ international routes.

Cambodia: The Perfect Tourist Package – City, Culture And Beach

Phnom Penh rooftops by Anduze traveller via Flickr

Cambodia, via its two international gateways, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, is already well served by direct flights from regional hubs like Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore; but these new services by the national carrier both increase air capacity and give the country a degree of autonomy.

Sihanoukville beach

CC photo: John Einar Sandvand, Cambodia Tales

Once the airport at Sihanoukville has officially opened (at the time of writing I do not have a date but I understand it’ll be soon) all of this will combine to give Cambodia the perfect tourist package: city, culture and beach, all accessible by air. The existing accommodation inventory also offers a wide choice of places to stay: from guest houses right the way up, in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh at least, to 5 star luxury.

Cambodia then has the start of a sound tourist infrastructure.

The Two Jewels In Cambodia’s Tourism Crown

Angkor Wat by mtchm via Flickr

Whether or not tourist arrivals hit 3 million next year, by continuing to cater for a wider range of visitors, the industry can attract a higher spend and that is what is needed. For me quality is more important than quantity (but then I’m not running the country!) and I believe it important that all tourist developments should be responsible ones.

The Family at Ta Prohm

Finally I would just briefly mention the two jewels in the country’s tourism crown: 1) The World Heritage site of Angkor and 2) The people.

I will be writing about the temples of Angkor elsewhere but for now let me say that the temple complex, close to Siem Reap, is one of the most awesome sites I have seen in 25 years of travelling in Asia.

Smiling face by mrcharly via Flickr

The people, in my experience, are gentle and charming and for the fortitude shown over decades of war, genocide and instability, they have my respect and admiration. Since 1997 their focus has been firmly on the future and I am sure you, as a visitor, would receive a gracious, warm welcome.

I realise discretionary income is tight at the moment but if you are undecided about where to spend your next vacation let me recommend Cambodia : this pocket-size country has a lot to offer. A word of warning though: after visiting once you will want to go back, and as the country continues to develop there will be plenty to go back for!

If you know Cambodia and would like to give more reasons why someone should consider it for their vacation please comment below.

If you do not know the country and have a question about it, post a comment too: I am sure someone will be able to help

Krabi in southern Thailand is one of my favourite beach resort areas: there is a good selection of hotel accommodation without it being over-developed.

“Singapore’s budget carrier Tiger Airways will resume flights to the Thai resort of Krabi four times a week from end-October. “

Read: Tiger Airways to resume flights to Krabi, Thailand

The Singapore Flyer by Cheeweng

From 01 July 2009 another no-frills airline will be flying between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Firefly, Malaysia Airline’s budget carrier, will be joining rivals AirAsia, Jetstar and Tiger Airways on this traditionally lucrative route. It will start with 3 flights daily and move up to 4 on 12 July.

The recent liberation of air services between Malaysia and Singapore means that competition is really hotting up: good news for the consumer. Firefly has an introductory price of RM88 one way, which is around £15. (Currency Converter)

The airline arguably has the edge on its rivals because it flies from the ‘old’ airport at Subang, which is around half the distance from the city as Sepang.

Later on in July the airline will also be flying between Singapore and the Malaysian cities of Ipoh, to the north of KL, and to both Kuala Terengganu and Kuantan on the east coast. This will open up the opportunities for more Singapore beach combos. The weather will still be good on the eastern seaboard until around September when the rainy season kicks in.

Photo source: Cheeweng

That should take some of the tension away from the pre-flight preparation, from those will-it-or-won’t-it-be-a-pair-of-shoes-too-far moments.

Yet I suspect there is a law that covers this, probably a derivative of Parkinson’s Law – “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion”. The Packing Law probably goes something like “amount of luggage packed increases according to the free allowance available”.

The good news is that air travellers have a real and distinctive choice between the low-cost airlines and a full-service carrier. Which do you prefer?

Centara: 2 new hotels

in southern Thailand

I hear that the Thailand-based Centara Hotels & Resorts has taken on the management of two more hotels in Thailand: the Bhundhari Spa Resort & Villas Samui, A Centara Resort, on Ko Samui, and Centara Pariya Resort & Villas on Koh Pha Ngan – famous (or is that infamous) for the backpackers’ full moon parties. This must mean Ko Pha Ngan has entered the mainstream. It has always interested me how backpackers pioneer destinations and lay the foundation for mainstream tourism. That’s a whole debate right there but if I am to get this post published I have to move on.

The Bhundari Spa Resort has an introductory offer on at the moment for bookings made by 10 May 2009 with prices from THB 2,950 (Currency Converter) – that’s around £56: worth looking at if you can get this rate for the July/August peak.

New Flights Kuala Lumpur to Phuket

Firefly, a wholly owned subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines, will launch a daily flight between Kuala Lumpur (Subang) and Phuket from 01 May 2009.

The airline operates out of Penang and flies to Kuantan, Kuala Terengganu, Kota Bharu and Langkawi in Malaysia, and Koh Samui and Phuket in Thailand.

I remember being cheesed off when Thai Airways withdrew their flight that used to operate between Phuket and Penang: it made a great combination for clients. It is good that Firefly has been on that route since April 2007 and now with this new one it is possible to have some interesting local combos: e.g. Singapore/Penang/Phuket/Kuala Lumpur.

New from Tiger Airways

- Singapore/Langkawi and Singapore/Penang

Following on from news that AirAsia will be flying between Singapore and Langkawi (at time of writing I am still awaiting the schedule), Tiger Airways announced this week that the Governments of Singapore and Malaysia have given approval for the low-cost carrier to commence daily services to Langkawi and up to 3 services a day to Penang from Singapore.

Rosalynn Tay, Managing Director of Tiger Airways Singapore, said “Tiger Airways continues to buck the global aviation trend. Over the last four months we have added 7 routes to our group network including daily flights to Kota Kinabalu and Kuching, a new daily service between Singapore and Jakarta, more services on the ever popular Singapore – Kuala Lumpur route, as well as 4 extra flights a week to Guangzhou bringing the total number of weekly services to 11.” The airline has yet to announce the flight schedule to Langkawi and Penang.

Good news for the islands of Penang and Langkawi, and for the independent-minded traveller, but I do wonder where all the passengers are going to come from.

Independent Travellers Buck The Trend?

I drop into forums when I can and help out where I can and I have noticed that, whatever might be happening in the travel industry as a whole, the independent-minded traveller is still planning and still taking the annual (if not more often) vacation. Is it just my imagination or are those that are clued-up making the most of the cheap Asia travel?

Announcing the latest promotion, the Malaysia Airlines Stimulus package, yesterday, Dato’ Sri Idris Jala, the airline’s Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, said, “This is the best time for the public to travel as such incredible offers are given only during a downturn! Customers are the ones to truly benefit during this time as we are looking for innovative ways to boost load factors and revenue.”

The stimulus package has been aimed at all sectors of the market with 9 strands to the promotion:

First and Business Class

1. Premium Match

Malaysia Airlines will match the price of one’s previous travel on another airline for flights above 3 hours.

This applies for First and Business Class travel.

Asean and International travel

2. Business Companion

50% discount is offered for your companion’s business class travel.

Domestic, Asean and International travel

Economy Class

3. Economy +

Pay economy class fares but enjoy business class travel privileges including access to the lounges and accrual of Enrich miles.

Domestic, Asean and International travel

4. Balik Kampung

Enjoy all inclusive RM69 fares for travel within the Peninsular & within East Malaysia

RM99 for travel between East and West Malaysia

Domestic only

5. Weekend Getaway

Special fares for long weekend travel

ASEAN only

6. Kids Fly Free

For every 2 adult economy class tickets purchased, a child below 12 years old travels for free

Domestic and Asean travel

7. MHFlex, 1+1

Purchase 1 economy class ticket, and your companion gets a free ticket on flights operated by Malaysia Airlines

Domestic and Asean travel

8. 80% discounts off domestic & ASEAN

Enjoy low fares when you book online

Domestic and Asean travel

9. Grab-A- Deal

Special fares for selected destinations are available online from time to time

Domestic, Asean and International travel

For further information visit malaysiaairlines.com

I think there is chance there are so many offers around at the moment that the consumer is spoilt for choice. I can see also the temptation to hold on just in case a better offer comes along. If you are flexible and do not mind whether you travel or not then that is a reasonable stance. However, if you are set on visiting Asia sometime this year I recommend finding a fare at a level and at a time you are comfortable with and book it. Then don’t think about looking again and get on with booking and anticipating the rest of the vacation.

I cannot really see how anyone can fail to be happy with their Asia vacation purchase at the moment because the travelling public surely has never had it so good.

Courtesy of Tanjung Rhu Resort, Langkawi

I was pleased to read that the Malaysian government has agreed to Air Asia operating direct flights between Singapore and Langkawi.

The timetable operated by Malaysia Airlines and SilkAir is limited (currently there is no flight on Mondays for example) and thus to have more capacity on the route is a good thing for consumers. Admittedly whether it is good for the airlines is another matter: the local Chinese community seem to believe there is enough traffic so let’s hope so.

From the longhaul perspective I would say that if consumers see there are more flight options they are more likely to consider Langkawi as an end destination. Certainly from my point of view I would. On my last visit to Asia I couldn’t decide between Langkawi or Ko Samui: flight availability and cost were two of the factors I considered and I chose Ko Samui.

I will though be returning to Langkawi and a 2-centre Singapore/Langkawi for me is a good holiday combo. I enjoy just pottering around Singapore and contrary to what some people think there are little gems to be discovered. On our last visit for example we wandered around Chinatown and stumbled upon the Chinatown Heritage Centre on Pagoda Street. (Ok, I know had I read a guidebook I could have saved the ‘stumbling’ but I enjoy just discovering!).

We met a very charming man, Andrew Yip, on one of the stalls outside the Centre and we now have 3 stunning black and white prints taken by his late father Yip Cheong-Fun, an award-winning photographer. You can see some of his work here .

Langkawi Cable Car

Langkawi, on the other hand, is somewhere you go pretty much just to relax. The beaches are good and the scenery on the north coast is stunning. During our last visit we took the cable car ride at Gunung Machinchang. I am not a great one for heights but the views were worth the anguish!

The best time to visit Langkawi, weather-wise, is December through to March. Any other time there is a risk of rain although generally the sunshine is not too far behind. I usually go May/June when it is quieter and the hotel rates are just about at their lowest. You do get very spoilt though having swimming pools all to yourself, which we have had on many an occasion.

So I look forward to seeing the start of an Air Asia service between Singapore and Langkawi before our next visit!