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Oslo added to Thai routes

Thai Airways International (THAI) will operate a BangkokOslo route, making it the first carrier to provide direct flights between Norway's capital and Bangkok, a gateway to Southeast Asia.

The five weekly flights will start on June 15 on Airbus A340500 aircraft, offering 60 seats in Business Class, 42 seats in Premium Economy and 113 seats in Economy.

The service, which operates every day except on Tuesday and Thursday, departs Bangkok at 00.35am and arrives in Oslo at 7am. The aircraft leaves Norway's capital at 2.45pm hours and lands at Suvarnabhumi Airport the following morning at 6.10. Visit www.ThaiAir.com.

Sunny on Samui

Suralai Resort on Samui's Bophut Beach sets a new benchmark for island luxury with six private pool villas overlooking the Gulf of Thailand. Each villa has two master suites, three king bedrooms and one twin room, plus a private pool, gym and expan¬sive sun terrace. Suralai means "residence of the angels" in Thai, and living like an angel's doesn't come cheap, with rates ranging from US$1,200 to 2,500 per night per villa. You have to book for three consecutive nights - or even for five or 10 consecu¬tive nights during the high season and over the Christmas holidays.

Finding Nemo

Visit "Thailand Travel & Dive Expo 2009" this weekend and discover new depths of the deep. Better recognised as "TDEX", this annual diving exhibition continues at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre until Sunday and brings scubadiving enthusiasts together with diving industrial operators. Experienced divers can "hunt" for diving trips and promotions, while "prebeginners" negoti¬ate for the scuba diving course. Don't like scuba div¬ing? No problem. You'll find plenty of resort and hol¬iday packages available at bargain prices.

Run like a … turtle

Phuket's Maikhao Beach is holding its annual Marathon & Fun Run on May 24 to raise funds for the care of sea turtles at Phuket Marine Biological Centre. There's a 10.5kilometre minimarathon (registration costs Bt200), a 3.5km Fun Run (Bt150) and a 2.5km "Love Turtles" fam¬ily walk (Bt300). The starting point is Pru Jeh San Lake, and people get moving at 5am. The last stragglers are expected to finish by 9.30am. Preregister on May 22 at the Phuket Tourism and Sports Office or drop by Turtle Village on the 23rd. Call (086) 689 2230 or email info@maikhaoturtlefoundation.com.