Lanna in full bloom

Lanna in full bloom

Chiang Mai plays host to the Ratchaphruek Festival 2009 from November 30 to December 10 with the Northern city expecting 200,000 spectators to visit this spectacular garden fair.

During the festival, which celebrates His Majesty the King's 82nd birth¬day, visitors will be able to enjoy a wonderful horticultural exhibition of flowers, trees and fruits, as well as sales and competitions of agriprod¬ucts, handicrafts and villagemade souvenirs. Orchid lovers will find this festival a particular delight.

Fun for all the family

Tomorrow marks the official opening of the new JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa , a familyoriented beach destination in Phang Nga province.

The 298-room resort is located on a lushly landscaped site along a onekilometre stretch of the pristine Khuk Khak Beach.

"We are delighted to expand our JW Marriott brand presence in Thailand," notes Ed Fuller, president & managing director of international lodging for Marriott International. "We are confident the JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa will be popular with leisure and incentive travellers."

Centara wins another award

Centara Hotels & Resorts has been named as the best locally owned hotel chain in Asia in the TTG Travel Awards for the third year in succession.

"We are very proud to have won this prestigious award for three con¬secutive years," says Suthikiati Chirathivat , chairman of the executive board of Central Plaza Hotel Plc (Centel). "Centara Hotels & Resorts is growing quickly, but we have always been determined that fast growth will not be at the expense of quality."

TTG is Travel Trade Gazette, a weekly newspaper for travel trade.

Langham hooks up with Bangkok Airways

Langham Hotels International has signed a new flyer bonus programme with Bangkok Airways.

Effective for the booking from now until September 30, 2012, this new agreement with Bangkok Airways enables the airline's frequent flyer members to earn 15 points per qualified stay at worldwide hotels and resorts of the Langham and Langham Place, and 10 points at Eaton Hotels.

Langham Place Samui at Lamai beach is set to open in December.