Travel news - general travel issues in Thailand

We are the champions!

Bangkok and Chiang Mai have landed first and second place in the "Best Cities in Asia 2006" poll, an internet survey conducted recently by the respected Travel +Leisure magazine. Globally, Bangkok was placed at the third best city, with Chiang Mai coming in fifth.
Thai tourism products also saw high placements in other areas of the magazine's "World's Best Awards" reader's poll.
Chiva-som International Health Resort was named the "World's Best Destination Spa" and the Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, the "Best Hotel/Spa in the Asia/Pacific/Africa/Middle East".
  "This is clearly a testimony to the hard-work, professionalism and creativity of the entire industry. I compliment all the award-winners and urge everyone to continue their efforts to reap more such awards in future," Juthamas Siriwan, Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor is quoted as saying.
With more than a million readers, Travel+ Leisure claims to be the world's premier travel magazine.
For the past 13 years, the magazine has conducted annual reader surveys to rank tourism destinations, hotels, airlines, spas, cruise lines and car rental agencies around the globe in their "World's Best" awards.
The "World Best Award 2006" survey was conducted between January 16 and March 21.
Six Thai hotels were in the top-100 hotels of the world, with the highest being the Peninsula Hotel Bangkok, placed at fourth.
Thai Airways International was placed fifth in the "World's Best Airlines". Phuket came second in the "Top Three Islands in Asia" and 10th globally.
Juthamas remarked on how the criteria for "best cities" included sights, culture and arts, food, people, shopping and value for money.
"This shows how Bangkok and Chiang Mai have changed. The awards reflect their great success in terms of both product development and marketing.
"Just 10 years ago, Bangkok was known more for its traffic and nightlife. And Chiang Mai has also improved phenomenally."
The success of Bangkok in this year's awards cannot be attributed to any one factor; it is an overall culmination of a great cosmopolitan city, rich history and heritage, an excellent image, solid economy, famous hotels and exciting tourism opportunities recognised globally that lifted it to its number one position.
Bangkok's second airport, Suvarnabhumi, is scheduled to open for commercial usage on September 28. This will further develop Bangkok as a major hub in the Asia Pacific Region.
Chiang Mai, known as the Rose of the North, is the cultural and tourism heart of Northern Thailand. In spite of that, it is still a relatively calm town with a rich heritage. The mountains around the city are still inhabited by hill-tribes and the area is still known for its wood carving and traditional handicrafts, including the famous Thai umbrella-painters.
The Nation Aug 06