LATEST NEWS
24 Aug 2010 - Hanoi Anniversary celebrations
Hanoi – 1000th Anniversary celebrations
2010 marks the 1,000th anniversary since the founding of Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital and to celebrate this momentous occasion the city will host a series of events from the 1-10 October. Festivities will include concerts, exhibitions, art shows, and culinary events. With so much to see and do anyone planning a holiday to Vietnam during this time may want to spend a little extra time in the city to absorb the celebrations and witness this unique event.
______________________________________________________________
Hanoi Food Festival 2010
The Hanoi Food festival 2010 will take place in the city’s Ho Tay Park from 6-11 August. The event will form part of the broarder celebrations for the Vietnam capital’s 1000th anniversary. It aims to showcase famous dishes from domestic and international regions, as well as renowned beverages.
______________________________________________________________
New Helicopter transfer service available
The Princess d’Annam Resort and Spa, located in Vietnam’s Ke Gay Bay,(near the resort town of Phan Thiet) 150km from Ho Chi Minh City, has launched a new helicopter transfer service. The resort offers a round-trip transfer in an Mi17 winturbine transport helicopter.
______________________________________________________________
Song Xanh Luxury Cruise
After exceptional client feedback we are pleased to add the Song Xanh Luxury Mekong Delta cruise to our website portfolio. For more information and images of this luxurious over night cruise in a traditional private sampan just click the above link.
______________________________________________________________
Visa Now Issued on Arrival in Burma
Great news for travellers to Burma (Myanmar), you can now get your visa on arrival.
Visa on Arrival (VOA) is now being issued to all nationalities at Yangon & Mandalay International Airports as of 1st May, 2010 as per announcement from the office of the Director General – Ministry of Immigration and Population for a fee of US$30 for a 28-Day Tourist Visa; US$40 for 70-Day Business Visa; US$40 for 28-Day Social Visa; and US$18 for 24-Hour Transit Visa.
______________________________________________________________
Nexus Resort Upgrade Rooms
One of our favourite Borneo beach hotels, the Nexus Resort and Spa Karambunai, located on one of Borneo's best beaches (near Kota Kinabalu), has completed a full renovation of its Ocean Wing guestrooms. The refurbishment see's two new room categories being introduced namely Ocean Panorama Deluxe and Ocean Panorama Premier – both offering either full or partial views of the ocean and garden.
____________________________________________________________
New Vietnam Beach Resort set to open
Life Resort Danang – owned and managed by the same group as the ever popular Life Resort Hoi An, is in the final phase of construction and plans to open its doors on 20 March 2010. The 187-room resort on the beautiful Bac My An Beach will feature the 1,400m² Nang Spa complete with 10 treatment rooms, a fitness centre, tennis courts, a resort pool, and a wide selection of food and beverage outlets. The UNESCO World Heritage town of Hoi An is just 25km away. Contact 1300 720 443 for more details and prices.
______________________________________________________________
Jayavarman - Luxury Mekong River Cruise
A new luxury river cruise boat has launched that plies the Mekong River River between Saigon and Siem Reap (the gateway town to the magnificent temples of Angkor). The main cruise offered is 8 nights but shorter 3, 4 and 5 night options are also available. The Jayavarman is currently the most spacious and most luxurious option available.
______________________________________________________________
Saigon to Phuket flights
AirAsia has today announced plans to launch daily services between Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon) and Phuket – the first direct flight between the two destinations. This flight will give holiday makers travelling in Vietnam better options when considering beach extensions following a cultural tour.
______________________________________________________________
Raffles first resort in Vietnam
Raffles Hotels and Resorts has begun work on a US$100 million Raffles Resort complex in Danang, central Vietnam. According to a local report, the development will include 142 rooms and 39 villas set across 15.4 hectares of land on Non Nuoc Beach. The project is expected to be completed in June 2011. The new resort will be a fine addition to Vietnams blossoming five star offerings to compliment offerings such as the uber chic Nam Hai and barefoot luxury found at Six Senses at Ninh Van Bay.
_____________________________________________________________
Post-Ketsana Updates in Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos
VIETNAM
We are pleased to inform that everything is almost back to normal in Hoi An town and Danang.
HOTEL UPDATES
- Life Resort Hoi An remains closed until 14 Oct.
- Golden Sand Resort closed till end of this month.
- Victoria Hotel is open but swimming pool will be closed for another 3 days.
Boat trips in Hue and Hoi An are now possible again.
CAMBODIA
Cambodia has seen great improvements in the affected cities over the last weekend. In Siem Reap, it has not rained for the past two days. Water is receding and traffic is almost back to normal.
LAOS
In Laos, the typhoon threat has passed with only the southern provinces bordering Cambodia affected by floods. The situation remains fine in major tourist destinations.
__________________________________________________________________
Typhoon Ketsana Update
Typhoon Ketsana attained Category 2 level yesterday (Tuesday) before reaching the Vietnamese coast near Quang Nai. After landfall, the storm weakened rapidly and although it cruelly claimed 38 lives, fortunately its passage was less destructive than was seen in the Philippines. Rains have stopped and this morning, the sun even broke through in Hoi An!
The streets close to the river in Hoi An town are flooded but water levels are receding. Visits are currently impossible. The affected streets are Bach Dang, Tran Phu, Le Loi, Nguyen Thai Hoc. The access road to Hoi An from Cua Beach is also underwater. The other access road to Hoi An via Tra Que village and the main coastal road from Danang remain open.
Rains have been very heavy in the last 2 days and some streets in downtown Hoi An are flooded and it is now impossible to move around as car transfers are interrupted due to downed power lines.
Hue and Danang airports have re-opened this morning.
The damage assessment and clean-up is in full swing now and below is a list of facts as per Wednesday afternoon (Vietnam time).
1. Open hotels
Danang & Hoi An:
- Furama Resort
- The Nam Hai
- Sandy Beach Resort
- Palm Garden Resort
- Hoi An Hotel
- Hoi An Beach Resort
Hue:
- La Residence
- Pilgrimage Village
- Huong Giang
- Century
- Saigon Morin
Some smaller hotels in the low-lying center such as Asia Hotel, Camelia and Queen have flooded access but remain open.
2. Inaccessible/damaged/closed hotels:
Danang & Hoi An:
- Golden Sand: road access is blocked and clients have to walk 1 km to the main road for pick up. Hotel will be closed until 7 Oct 09.
- Victoria Hotel: road access is blocked, closed for 1 week to repair damage. Opens on 7 October 09.
- Life Resort: hotel's ground floor is underwater with substantial damage. Closed until 14 Oct 09.
- Hoi An Riverside: hotel's ground floor is underwater with road access blocked as well.
- Pacific, Ancient House and Lotus: inaccessible due to flooded roads.
3. Roads
- The main coastal road between Hoi An and Danang is partially covered with sand but remains passable.
- Access to Victoria and Golden Sand: full of sand, needs to be cleaned up. Guests must walk to main road.
- The National Road No. 1 between Hue and Danang is cut off and not passable at the moment.
4. Trains
No departures/arrivals from/to Danang and Hue. Just from Quang Ngai in the south and Quang Binh in the north.
5 . Restaurants
Hoi An:
- Brother's Cafe, Nam Long, Fullmoon, Cargo Club, Morning Glory, Pho Hoi Garden: flooded and closed.
- Secret Garden, Ngoc Tuyet, Pho Hoi 1: OK, remains open.
Hue:
- Ancient Hue, Tropical garden, Royal Park: not accessible
- La Thong, Biet Phu Thao Nhi: OK
6. Sightseeing:
- Hoi An & My Son: No sightseeing possible until water recedes. We expect things to be OK by Thursday afternoon although clean-up in town will still be going on.
- Hue: Thien Mu Pagoda, Minh Mang Tomb, Citadel: not accessible right now due to flooded access. OK by tomorrow.
- Tu Duc, Khai Dinh tombs: OK
- Cham Museum Danang, Marble Mountains: OK
- Boat trips in Hue and Hoi An: currently impossible
WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW?
We do not see any reason to postpone or bypass a trip to Hoi An and central Vietnam after today.
Sightseeing: all itineraries and meals will be re-arranged as best as possible by us in agreement with our clients.
Existing and coming bookings: all current clients and clients arriving in the next week booked in hotels touched by the storm will be moved to the best possible alternative hotel of the same standard (in case the original hotel does not operate properly).
We will do all our best to fix any issues and to minimize any inconveniences for your trip.
Please do not hesitate to contact Nick Page on 07 3856 1089 if you have any questions
________________________________________________________________________
Angkor Wat Travel
Revenue from ticket sales to Cambodia's main attraction Angkor Wat fell almost 20 percent in the first half compared to last year. Officials blame the global economic downturn, poor weather and political unrest in neighboring Thailand for the drop. Numbers are sure to rise and exceed previous years making now the ideal time to avoid the coach parties of Japanese and Chinese tourists that flood the UNESCO World Heritage attraction at certain times of the year!
________________________________________________________________________
Tiger strikes at zoo
A man was killed by a Tiger at a zoo in Vietnam's Binh Duong Province (near Ho Chi Minh City). The unlucky man was killed after the tiger jumped a 2.5 metre wall into an adjacent enclosure and was mauled whilst planting trees.
Safety and care standards for the animals are not what they should be in Vietnam - for obvious reasons Oasis Travel do not organise trips to any zoos in Vietnam!
________________________________________________________________________
Iron works found near Siem Reap
An exciting new discovery near the Angkor Temple complex in Siem Reap, Cambodia has just been made. The Apsara Authority of Cambodia has announced that four key sites have been excavated including an ancient iron works in Khav Village. They have also found pieces of pottery, cooking utensils and a tube for blowing the air into the ancient kiln to melt the iron stone. The site is not yet open to the public but Oasis Travel will give clients the option to visit in conjunction with temple visits as soon as it becomes available.
___________________________________________________________________________
New border crossing announced
Cambodia and Vietnam have agreed to open six new border crossings to boost trade and travel, the Phnom Penh Post has reported. Currently there is just one such crossing at Bavet in Cambodia’s Svay Rieng province. Crossing overland has always been notoriously difficult (quite often travellers have had to bribe officials!) - hopefully this move may make travel between the two countries easier for locals at travellers alike....but only time will tell.
__________________________________________________________________
Vietnam’s finest new golf course finally opens
For those that want to combine history and culture with a fine round of golf look no further than the newly completed Montgomerie Links course near Hoi An.
Designed and constructed over a 2 year period by British golfing legend Colin Montgomerie the course brings Scottish ‘links’ style golfing to Central Vietnam - complete with the sandy soil, rolling contours, and frequently blustery conditions with views to the Marble Mountains and South China Sea.
Why not combine a round of golf and a stay in one of the regions most luxurious resorts - The Nam Hai located just 5km from the course!
________________________________________________________
Road access between Bangkok and Angkor finally open!
After 10 years of extensive construction, the 150-km stretch of road between Siem Reap and the border town of Poipet is finally completed. The Thai-Cambodian border can now be reached in a record time of 2 hours. Instead of a bumpy 10-hour trip, the time taken for the overland journey from Siem Reap to Bangkok, including all immigration formalities, is now reduced to a smooth 5-6 hour trip.
___________________________________________________
Angkor Temple Pass changes
Good news for visitors to the Angkor temple complex in Cambodia. The Angkor Entrance Fee has been restructured. The 3-day pass is now valid on any 3 days within a calendar week instead of 3 consecutive days. The ticket will be valid from the moment of purchase (Oasis Travel include the ticket in your tour price - your guide will purchase this on your behalf when you first visit the complex).
This will allow visitors to better appreciate the wealth of cultural sites within the Angkor complex while interspersing your temple touring with other interesting activities in and around the interesting town of Siem Reap and thus avoiding becoming "templed out"!
_____________________________________________________________________
Rare Sun Bears rescued in Cambodia
The Phnom Penh Post reported this week that two sun bears are settling into their new enclosure at the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre after arriving last week from Ratanakkiri province in Northeastern Cambodia following their rescue from an alleged wildlife trader by the Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team (WRRT).
Seven members of WRRT, a government task force managed by the Forestry Administration with support from the ever vigilant NGO “Wildlife Alliance”, stormed the home of 36-year-old Eng Syda after an investigation carried out by the team confirmed the location of the bears.
Ten to 15 bears on average are confiscated in Cambodia each year by WRRT, officials said. Five have been rescued by WRRT this year.
Vists can be made to Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre (30km from Phnom Penh) as part of an itinerary to Cambodia. Donations are highly appreciated by the centre.
____________________________________________________________________
Oasis Travel proudly support The Australian Orangutan Project
Please take a minute to read the press release from the AOP below
Last year, Australians' hearts were captured by Temara – an orangutan born and reared at Perth Zoo for 15 years prior to being released into Sumatran forest in Indonesia just over two years ago.
While Temara’s protection is assured, proposed new large-scale deforestation is threatening to destroy the orangutan population that Temara was sent to join, as well as the habitats of a number of Sumatran wildlife species including the critically endangered Sumatran tiger and elephant.
Recently, a proposal for further forest clearing and destruction was put forward primarily under the auspices of one of the world's largest paper companies, Asia Pulp and Paper (APP).
The Bukit Tigapuluh (“Thirty Hills”) ecosystem is located in Central Sumatra, Indonesia. It is located across both the Province of Jambi and the Province of Riau. This globally important ecosystem provides a safe haven for forest dwelling tribal communities and thousands of species of plants and animals, many of which are threatened by extinction or are extremely rare. Much of the National Park is surrounded by buffer forest, which is now under threat.
Over 100 orangutans have been released to date via the Bukit Tigapuluh Sumatran Orangutan Reintroduction Project – the only reintroduction site for this critically endangered species who share 97% of their DNA with humans.
Now, 33,776 hectares of ex Dalek Hutani Esa concession (the area of the reintroduction centre and recognised forest ‘buffer zone’) are being requested for logging by APP.
Operating since 1980, the company has been responsible for more deforestation in Sumatra than any other corporation. It is estimated that APP has pulped more than 2.5 million acres in total.
Calls for the company to stop logging natural forests by many Non Government Organisations (NGOs) have so far fallen on deaf ears. APP supplies to Target and Unilever in the United States, though many global corporations such as Walmart and Home Depot have cut ties with the paper giant due to an increasingly troubling environmental record.
Woolworths were publicly embarrassed last year with a false labelling claim pertaining to sustainability on their Select Brand products, yet APP products continue to be stocked through stores. A number of Australian companies continue to use APP paper products today - products that are common place in offices and workplaces.
"Despite pushing the orangutans closer to extinction and jeopardizing the safety of local communities, APP continue to make claims about leading wildlife conservation in the area." said Australian Orangutan Project President, Leif Cocks.
“Not only this, but the proposed land-use plan for this critical forest buffer zone surrounding the National Park will dramatically increase global carbon emissions through deforestation and systematically threaten the habitat of many rare and endangered species.
“The forest buffer area surrounding the Bukit Tigapuluh National Park is required to maintain its functional integrity and therefore its ability to maximize significant carbon storage.”
Indonesia is the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases, primarily due to the destruction of its rainforests - destruction that is contributing en masse to global warming.
The Bukit Tigapuluh National Park requires the forest buffer zone to be a long-term sustainable ecosystem. Without it, it is likely that the 65 critically endangered Sumatran elephants that solely inhabit this buffer zone will be killed. Crucial Sumatran tiger habitat will also be destroyed, dramatically affecting their already dwindling numbers.
It has been recognised that much of the buffer zone forest is better-quality habitat for the elephants, bears, tigers and orangutans than the National Park due to its high biodiversity. Many of the orangutans in the Bukit Tigapuluh ecosystem have moved into this buffer zone and will also now be directly threatened by APP clearing.
“For Temara to help develop a sustainable orangutan population it is absolutely crucial for her and others to settle in this area,” says Leif Cocks.
“It is astonishing that APP continues its relentless push into the forest while allegedly ignoring the needs of not just one, but many, critically-endangered species. Not to mention its employees or the local forest-dwelling tribal communities, who are faced with increasing marginalization as a result of rapid ongoing legal and illegal deforestation.”
If the APP proposal for pulp paper production is accepted – and it is likely to be pushed through quickly to avoid objection - clearing on the ground could start as soon as 2010.
Many environmental NGOs and Government organisations work in the landscape and several Australian Government and NGOs financially support the landscape including the Australian Orangutan Project, Human Society International (Australia), Perth Zoo, Auckland Zoo, Adelaide Zoo, Australia Zoo, and Dream World. Hundreds of individual Australians also provide financial support for the Park’s protection through AOP’s Safe Guard Program.
The Australian Orangutan Project requests immediate action from Australian companies and individuals against the use of APP products to stop this devastating destruction from continuing.
______________________________________________________________________
Happy New Year
In many Southeast Asian countries mid-April is a time for celebration at Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia all welcome in their New Year! Please note that most offices in the region are closed between 13 - 17 April so it may take a few days longer than normal to respond to any inquiries you may have! Oasis Travel wish all our colleagues in Asia a happy and prosperous New Year!
______________________________________________________________________
A heart warming tale
Now aged three, Mosha is growing at such a rate she has now been fitted with a second prosthetic leg. She is adapting well.
You can visit Mosha and other rescued elephants at the centre as part of a tour to Northern Tahailand - the centre is just a couple of hours drive from Chiang Mai.
Call 1300 720 443 for information on tours to Northern Thailand
______________________________________________________________________
Electric bicycles in Luang Prabang
To encourage responsible travel in Luang Prabang, Oasis Travel is supporting our partners in Laos by offering individually designed a sightseeing tours using electric bikes. This emission-free mode of transportation is an eco-friendly way to see this wonderful UNESCO Heritage town. The electric bike allows the user to pedal manually or to rely on the battery-powered, rechargeable motor. The half-day eco-friendly trip start at either 9am or 2pm and can include such delights as the Phosy Market, Ock Pop Tock, Elephant Asia Show and the Traditional Art & Ethnology Centre. Please call us for more details 1300 720 443
____________________________________________________________________
New Mekong Cruises in Laos
This year, Mekong River Cruises will launch three new luxury cabin cruisers that will travel between Southern Laos and Northern Thailand along the Mekong River. The vessels are named Mekong Explorer, Mekong Islands and Mekong Sun. Varying from five to nine days, the long-distance river cruises are a good way to explore the natural beauty and splendor of Laos. Watch this space for more details in the middle of 2009!
___________________________________________________________________
Hoi An becomes pedestrianised
The ancient quarter of Vietnam’s UNESCO-listed town, Hoi
An, will now be pedestrianised for five days a week. All motorised vehicles will be banned from entering the area every day except Thursday and Sunday.
_____________________________________________________________________
Restaurants that make a Difference
In Saigon, the Huong Lai Restaurant is staffed by former street kids or disadvantaged youth who have received training in English and hospitality skills. Tucked in a traditional Vietnamese house, the Huong Lai specialises in Southern Vietnamese cuisine.
In the central town of Hoi An, the Blue Dragon Restaurant serves good Vietnamese food by the waterfront with profits going towards the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation, a local children’s charity.
In the north KOTO Hanoi Restaurant is a not-for-profit restaurant dedicated to training former street youth in a culinary and hospitality career. KOTO stands for Know One, Teach One.
_____________________________________________________________________
Hanoi Flood Update
Most tours departing from Hanoi are now back in operation but some delays are to be expected in certain areas due to road damage following the early November flooding.
If you have any concerns about booked tours please contact your consultant for an update.
It has been estimated by the Vietnamese government that Hanoi needs US$2 million to repair roads, following the devastation caused by recent floods. Nearly 100 roads are reported to have been damaged by the floods, which are also estimated to have claimed 18 lives in the Vietnamese capital.
____________________________________
L'Anmien - Luxury Beach Resort opens
The "L'Anmien" name was inspired by the Vietnamese words "An – peaceful" and "Mien – sleep", in reflecting this meaning, the L’Anmien Mui Ne Resort & Spa offers a truly relaxing experience which blends both its unspoiled nature and beauty to create your dream holiday get-away.
Mui Ne, Phan Thiet is located 200km northeast of Ho Chi Minh City on the coast of the South China Sea. Recognized as one of the most idyllic seaside resorts in Vietnam, the Mui Ne area of Phan Thiet is famous for its long endless beautiful beaches, stunning mountains, deep red canyons, its desert like sand dunes and the numerous types of rare flora and fauna.
Beautifully situated along the beach front of Mui Ne, the L'Anmien Mui Ne Resort & Spa is blessed with a fresh water lagoon amidst serene lush tropical gardens that highlight the resort’s enormous swimming pool and 20 luxurious Villas, each with its individual private pools and outdoor shower. The Resort's main building has 69 rooms, which were designed and built with a modern contemporary look that has been blended in harmony with Vietnamese culture in a well crafted décor. Every traveler of all ages will experience supreme luxury combined with the utmost relaxation, while being surrounded in exceptional natural beauty. L'Anmien Mui Ne Resort & Spa is not a myth, but a truly legendary place that you will love.
Further details will be uploaded to the Phan Thiet section of the website soon. In the meantime call 1300 720 443 for more information
_____________________________________________________________________
Anantara Phuket Resort & Spa is now open welcoming guests.
Each of the 83 villas comes complete with its own private 33 square metre pool set either within magnificent Bill Bensley-designed gardens with enchanting paths meandering down to the sea or by the beautiful lagoon with its bamboo water fountains and night-time flaming torches lighting.
The resort is set in a pristine location where visitors can watch baby turtles hatch on the beach, meet sea gypsies to learn about their culture or laze on a pristine stretch of sand that is a world away from the everyday.
Call 1300 720 443 for details
_____________________________________________________________________
Pandaw Cruises, a firm favourite of Oasis Travel clients in Myanmar, Cambodia & Vietnam have just announced that they will launch a new luxury expedition cruise on the Rajang River in Sarawak, Borneo from July 2009.
The cruise will follow in the footsteps of the British explorer and travel writer Redmon O'Hanlon and traces his route from Sibu to the Pelagus Rapids and beyond the Baleh River. The brand new Orient Pandaw is planned to make an eight night cruise three times a month.
Due to the remoteness and the lack of tourist facilities this rarely visited part of Borneo will become open to more discerning travellers for the first time. From the luxury cabins on the Orient Pandaw passengers will be able to visit traditional Iban longhouses and explore the smaller tributary rivers off the Rajang River – the longest in Malaysia.
The cruise can easily be combined with beach and wildlife options in both Sabah and Sarawak as well as Kuala Lumpur, Penang or Langkawi.
Call 1300 720 443 now for more information.
_____________________________________________________________________
04 Sep 2008
Travel between Cambodia and Laos is set to become easier with the agreed opening of two new international checkpoints in Cambodia’s Strung Treng and Ratanakiri provinces. Currently the only official way to travel between the two countries with any certainty is by air. Previously, for those not wanting to take to the skies, the only overland route between the two countries was via Thailand which added more than 24 hours travelling time to an itinerary. No date has yet been fixed but we will keep you informed.
_______________________________________________________________________
01 Sep 2008
Thai Airways have begun to clear the backlog of flights following the closure of some airports across the country due to anti-government protests over the weekend.
Some 15,000 travellers were left stranded in Phuket on the weekend, with airport closures also affecting tourists in Krabi and Hat Yai.
For the most up to date information regarding THAI Airways flights call their 24-hour Contact Centre on +66 0 2356 1111 or log on to www.thaiairways.com
______________________________________________________________________
18 Aug 2008
UltraTravel, a magazine and website run by the very well respected Daily Telegraph newspaper in the UK, recently announced its top 100 poll. Their approach to luxury travel is quite refreshing. - To quote them
"Luxury travel is not necessarily about labels or ostentatious gestures. Increasingly, it is about unique experiences......”
“In an uncertain, hectic and fragmented world, the new true luxuries are space, silence and security........”
Not all of the categories are relevant to us here at Oasis Travel but the ones that are we have listed below. We are happy that the Oasis portfolio includes most of the winners and runners up mentioned below. To include any of the mentioned properties in YOUR next holiday just call 1300 720 443 for a personalised tailor-made itinerary!
The full list of awards can be found at UltraTravel.
Best Asian Hotel
Winner - Raffles Hotel, Singapore
Runners-up
Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
The Oriental, Bangkok
The Peninsula, Hong Kong
Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore
Best Worldwide Spa
Winner - Chiva-Som, Thailand
Runners-up
Banyan Tree Phuket
Champneys, United Kingdom
Pangkor Laut Resort, Malaysia
Thermae Bath Spa, United Kingdom
Best Worldwide Airport
Winner - Changi, Singapore
Runners-up
Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Thailand
Doha International, Qatar
Dubai International, Dubai
Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong
_____________________________________________________________________
Airline officials said ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra failed to take a planned flight from Beijing to Bangkok on Sunday, intensifying speculation he was skipping bail and going into exile.
Thaksin had been due to return to Bangkok on Sunday from Beijing after attending the Olympic Games opening ceremony with his wife, Potjaman, who was sentenced to three years in jail after being found guilty last month of tax fraud.
Thaksin, the current owner of Manchester City Football Club, is thought to be heading back to the UK. It is thought that Thaksin will make a statement "via the foreign media" from London around the same time that he and his wife were meant to report to the courts in Thailand.
_____________________________________________________________________
31 July 2008
The Anantara Golden Triangle, one of the Oasis Travel “Luxury” and exclusive “Directors Choice” hotels had good reason to celebrate in July following the arrival of Raimon – a 90kg baby elephant. See this cute little ele taking his first bath......
Click here to see the a short video clip of the new born taking its first bath.
Oasis wish mother and baby all the best for the future!
