Hua Hin Film Festival 2012

An electrifying experience and ambience was present even before the official inauguration. Expectations and anxiety grew gradually as the final date came closer and our stars would soon be arriving in Hua hin.
Our minds grew wild, Movie stars, Directors, Film legends, Screen monuments, unforgettable moments of awards celebrations and ceremonies.
A fantastic ambience was felt at the beach side of the Intercontinental Resort as a red carpet was spread that led to a stage which could embrace at least 200 persons….. sorry….. Stars. The bright red carpet presented Movie stars from Thailand, India, Korea, China and other international celebrities that gave presence to this international event. A big moment, a great premiere awaited us all in Hua Hin.
Needless to comment on the dress –up of our VIP´s. The colourful dresses , décolleté´s , hip swinging beauties of the white screen hushed us up as we stared in pure astonishment and admiration.

Hua Hin Film Festival 2012

The moment of truth was upon us. Stunning beauties, handsome Chappytowers. How some of the female stars could move in their tight dresses with mile high heels on their highly erotic shoes remains a well kept secret. But they did move and they did stun us. The guys did, this time stand in the shadow of the female stars. Why not, it was worthwhile.
I am sure the fashion trend set here once and for all will be followed up closely by our everyday female population.
Gent´s fashion progressed more or less towards the hair creations where scalps are modeled to create fear and destruction, we could believe. Fearful hairdo´s with porcupine styles and loads, loads of gel , black shoe polish and other additives sculptured appearances and definitely set male hair fashion trends. Are we creating a future “Robot-look?”, walking around with his iPod or Galaxy, you name it, plugged ears with phones on roller-skates. Where has our romance gone? Mind you please, these were only observations.
At the opening, the organizer and owner of the Intercontinental Resort and Centenial Park, Khun Suwat made his introductory speech. He emphasized that with all the international glamour, we also focus on the growing Thai film industry and the strategic position of Hua Hin as an international top tourist destination as we create a great possibility for our Thai upcoming stars and Thai film industry to to establish themselves internationally. This is Khun Suwat´s target.

Hua Hin Film Festival 2012

All film stars and international guests were given a warm and enthusiastic welcome by the guests.
The magic atmosphere spread as fireworks crowned the event after the welcome words of Khun Suwat. Cannes was in everyone´s mind as the milestone of all film festivals about 60 years ago. After Cannes, Montreux and others followed. Hua Hin is destined to be in the line up and I am sure next festivals will follow. Hua Hin will remain in our memories as the film festival showed several contemporary movies and some of great heritage.
Khun Suwat has proven that we can write history in Hua Hin. No one before has tried. As Gorbatchof said so well put: “He who comes late is punished by life !”. Congratulations Khun Suwat and your entire team. Perfect timing, perfect organization and brilliant PR work. Can we count of many more events for Hua Hin, especially culturally? Hua Hin is now on the international film festival map!

Homes and Vacation Villas with Finance in Hua Hin, Thailand

In the beautiful and friendly Hua Hin there are so many wonderful vacation villas and homes that you can buy and call your own. Whether you are staying long term or are on your yearly holiday. It doesn’t matter because there is something perfect for everyone. However, buying a vacation villa or home can be a little difficult sometimes.

What if you just don’t have the money to cover the whole payment in one go?
Well there’s an easy solution for that. Get a loan or a finance plan with a bank. The idea is plain and simple, the bank lends you the money that you need and you’ll have to pay it back over time with a little interest. However, they usually require some sort of evidence or proof that you can actually pay the money back with time. E.g.: having a constant income from your job.
Most banks in Thailand can offer you loans based on this system. The only problem is that its incredibly difficult or even impossible to obtain one as foreigner . As a foreigner the proof of your ability to pay back the loan is much harder to support. Because either you are retired or you only come to Thailand on a monthly basis. Therefore it’s not possible or very difficult to secure a loan with a Thai bank.
Developers in Hua Hin got their ideas flowing and are offering finance plans of their own!. That basically means that you don’t have to go through any difficulties trying to associate with a loan from a Thai bank. You could alternatively go to the developer and work out their plans of payment over the period of time with their terms and interest. Speaking a language that you understand and no mistakes or misunderstanding could be made.

Homes and Vacation Villas with Finance in Hua Hin, Thailand

La Vallee, Baan Warin, Hua Hin Nice Breeze, Black Lotus, Sunset Village, Greenscape are a series of developments that are offering financing plans making it easier for everyone to own a home or vacation villa in beautiful Hua Hin.
The most common payment plans are usually structured around initial down payments of 20% – 40% and monthly payments over 6 to 20 years. However you might not have the cash required to pay the large sum of money as a down payment or first stage payment for such a delightful home.

But, don’t worry. It’s not the end of the world. If you still wish to purchase a vacation villa or a permanent home- stay, there is another alternative with Developments financial plans in Hua Hin: Marble Concepts is a development that offers on Eden Gardens Hua hin, near Khao Tao, the possibility to buy your new vacation villa or home. And there is a little bonus too. No down payment is needed whatsoever. Payments are worked out over a 15 year period. As a result it’s more like you’re renting a house, than buying one.
Even though you’re actually purchasing one over time and you will own it free and clear after the payment period. This does not only count for foreigners, it is of course also available for the nationals of Thailand.

Homes and Vacation Villas with Finance in Hua Hin, Thailand

Because of the additional bonus of not having to pay an initial down payment also makes this an easier option. So, at the end of the day you’ll be the bright and proud owner of a 3-4 bedroom vacation villa or home with your very own pool and nice garden where you can relax and sunbathe.

What was once a difficult choice to make –due to difficulties that I mentioned above- has now become easier than ever. Marble Homes is offering a kind and trustable 100% financing on new villas to buy. You can enjoy your stay in the sunny and exotic Thailand in your own, comfortable surroundings. Whether it’s near the beach or in the mountains, you’ll be around the nicest Thai nationals and neighbors.

Tourist Authority of Thailand offers One Card for 4 Provinces

By Supansa

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has recently officiated “One Card: Four Provinces” to facilitate visitors travelling in 4 provinces of lower central Thailand: Samut Sakorn, Samut Songkram, Petchaburi and Prachuab Khirikhan.
The cardholder can benefit discount from many tourist attractions, accommodations, restaurants and souvenir shops in the 4 provinces, said Mrs. Pinnat Charoenphol, the director of the TAT, Prachuab Khirikhan Office.

Conveniently located very close to Bangkok, the 4 provinces are famous for beautiful beaches, namely Chao Samran, Cha-Am, Hua Hin, Ao Noi, Ao Prachuab and Ao Manao. In Petchaburi, visitors usually go to Kaeng Krachan National Park and admire the mystifying mist at the peak of Khao Phanern Thung. In Samut Sakorn and Samut Songkram, visitors can learn how salt is produced. Above all, the 4 provinces are popular in terms of rare archeological sites, unique tradition and culture and mouth-watering seafood.

The “One Card: Four Provinces” project will certainly promote tourism in the concerned areas, said Mrs. Pinnat. The card is valid for one year – from 15 June 2011 to 15 June 2012.
Tourists can ask for the card at the Division of Strategy Management for the Provinces of Lower Central Thailand at tel. 032 400 985, the Office of Tourism and Sport in Samut Sakorn at tel. 034 815 980, the Association of Tourism Promotion of Samut Sakorn at tel. 034 814 028, the Office of Tourism and Sport in Samut Songkram at tel. 034 716 112, the Samut Songkram Tourism Club at tel. 034 717 213, the Office of Tourism and Sport in Petchaburi at tel. 032 780 336, the Office of Tourism and Sport Prachuab Khirikhan at tel. 032 611 543 and the Association of Tourism Business in Prachuab Khirikhan at tel. 032 611 581.

Thai restrictions having 'no negative effect' on property market

Limitations on foreign ownership in Thailand are preventing overseas buyers from entering the market, it has been claimed.

Bangkok, in particular, did not witness any notable deals and income through real estate during the fourth quarter of 2010, a new report from CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) has claimed.

“Although there have been concerns regarding the influx of foreign capital into Thailand, the various restrictions on foreign investment ensured the real estate investment market remained largely dominated by domestic players,” the consultancy confirmed.

Indeed, CBRE explained that the market was completely dominated by local buyers following a decision to raise the policy interest rate three times in the second half of 2010.

The Bank of Thailand also announced that it would be decreasing LTV’s for condominiums to 90 per cent and LTV’s for houses to 95 per cent.

Despite this, CBRE concluded that the moves have not had any major negative impacts on the property market, with Thailand’s major property firms even announcing dozens of new building projects for 2011.

Bangkok’s City Viva Mall to open in May

Bangkok property developer Sun Assets Global, a property arm of Nimit Group, is set to fully open its community mall The City Viva on Sathorn Road in May with the target of welcoming up to 2,000 customers per day.

As reported in The Nation, 92 of 280 planned shops have opened to date, while the rest will open after the grand opening in May.

The company’s managing director Suriya Ampaporn said that after the soft opening last month, the mall attracted around 1,000-1,500 visitors per day. He also believed that the number of visitors, especially aged 22-40 years, would increase to meet the target when it fully opens.

The City Viva is the first retail project from Sun Assets Global. Located on a 3.25-rai plot, the THB1 billion mall (US$33.1 million) has space of 9,500 sqm of which, 4,500sqm is available for rent and 5,000sqm is kept as open-air areas for events.

According to Suriya, the company aims to generate rental income of THB10 million (US$332,000) a month and to break even within 10 years.

“We don’t have any plans to launch new retailers this year or in the next five years from now although we have undeveloped land in 40 to 50 locations nationwide,” he said. Sun Assets Global is owned by members of the Siriwattanabhakdi family – Thavee and Thongchai Srisomburananont, the younger brothers of beverage tycoon Charoen Siriwattanabhakdi. The company’s main businesses are property management, mortgage agency, and information technology.

Courtesy of www.property–report.com

Sansiri targets budget buyers

Thailand’s second biggest property developer, Sansiri PLC, has set itself ambitious targets over the next 3 years in order to capture more of the low end property market.

The company’s chief operating officer, Khun Wanchak Buranasiri  recently announced new targets that will see revenue increase by 10%  this year to eventually reach THB29 billion (US$947 m) in 2012 and then THB35 billion (US$1.1bn) by 2013.

Wanchak said the revenue increases will come from 23 new projects, which include 12 townhouse and detached housing estates worth THB13 billion (US$424m) plus 3 condominiums projects with a total value of THB17 billion (US$555m).

Until now, Sansiri has focused primarily on high-end residential projects, but reduced demand at this level prompted the company to shift its strategy to target middle- and low-income buyers. New lower-income properties are generally condominiums priced from one million and and the company expects strong demand in this sector.

In terms of the wider Thai property sector, Wanchak says the main challenges will be rises in the cost of construction materials, which are expected to go up by 1-3 per cent, while inflation may also cause a drop in buyer demand. However, he also maintains that the market will improve on last year’s performance thanks to the continued strength of the Thai economy

Only 10 major players dominate the property market in Bangkok, and these account for some 70% of all residential projects. Mr Wanchak said he believes developers learned hard lessons during the 1997 financial crisis and that most companies now have strategies to cope with any issues of oversupply. Although some areas are showing signs of a surplus, he said, the situation is still controllable.

TAT Steps Up Promotions for Golf in a Kingdom

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is to adopt a high-profile presence at the North America Golf Tourism Convention to be organised by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) between May 18 – 21, 2011, Monterey County, California.

Thailand is the only Asian country to be featured as a major sponsor of this event. With more than 100 buyers of golf tourism expected to participate, TAT plans to make full use of this opportunity to disseminate information about the kingdom’s amazing golf facilities, expand its range of contacts and boost networking with golf operators worldwide.
Mrs Juthaporn Rerngronasa, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing (Europe and the Americas), said, "This year, we have set a strategy to expand quality tourists in the American region by stepping up our promotions of the golf tourism market."

"This is due to the fact that golfers still have high spending power. In times of recurring and unpredictable crisis every week and a highly competitive market, the TAT needs to continue to attract market segments which still have the desire and the means to travel. Golf tourism is one such segment."

Set up in 1997 with headquarters in London, IAGTO has a membership of 1,600 companies from 82 countries. Its membership has expanded in recent years to include golf resorts, golf courses, hotels, specialist ground handlers, car rental and transportation companies, airlines, tourist boards, media, and a wide range of business partners who provide services for the golf tourism industry. Late last year, TAT organised a familiarisation trip for 22 golf tour operators, all members of IAGTO, to survey golf courses in Bangkok, Pattaya, Hua Hin and Chiang Mai.

According to IAGTO, its membership includes 370 golf tour operators from 51 countries who only sell golfing holidays. Of these, 144 companies sell golf tours to Thailand. Mrs Juthaporn said, "The IAGTO has stressed that Thailand has great potential to expand its profile among the rest of the golfing operators who are not yet selling Thailand. We will work with IAGTO more intensively in the future to find ways to cooperate in promoting the golf market."

In addition to cooperation with IAGTO, TAT also participated in the PGA Merchandise Show in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, last January. The event was attended by nearly 42,000 PGA professionals and industry executives from 88 countries and nearly every U.S. state.

Two marketing activities targetted at the golf sector are under way in Thailand between 20-29 March.
A group of 16 golf industry journalists from the United States, Canada, UK, Italy, Sweden and Denmark have been invited on a fam trip that will take them to some of the popular golf courses of Bangkok, Pattaya, Hua Hin and Chiang Mai.

A group of 10 Teaching Professional Golfers from USA are also visiting Thailand to survey the golf courses and supporting facilities and services, and also get ideas for organising golf holiday packages. Golfing has become a major component of Thailand’s increasingly diverse tourism product. There are over 200 high standard golf courses nationwide, many of them championship level designed by the world’s top designers; such as, Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones Jr, and many others. The result is some of the most attractive courses in Asia, with excellent facilities, memorable signature holes and regular maintenance to keep them in top-class condition.

There are at least a few courses in or within easy reach of all major cites. Most of the newer courses offer accommodation on site or nearby, plus recreational facilities for the whole family. For the more adventurous, there are older, natural courses in remote areas around the country, all offering good value.
So for golfers who not only appreciate a challenging course, but an exotically different one too, there is an extraordinary choice.
International Public Relations Division Tourism Authority of Thailand Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48 Web site: www.tatnews.org  
For more information on Golf in a Kingdom: The Thai Golf Experience, or to make golf travel plans in Thailand, visit www.golfinakingdom.com, or send email to info(at)golfinakingdom(dot)com

The near mayhem at Cairo’s airport over the past few days gave way to slightly more organized chaos on Wednesday, with between 10,000 to 13,000 passengers making their escape aboard about 95 flights. Miles away, protesters fought supporters of embattled President Hosni Mubarak — clashes sure to further stoke fears about growing instability in the country.

Governments stepped up efforts to fly out their nationals and others scrambled for seats on commercial flights whose schedules have been amended to accommodate an onerous curfew.

As the terminals cleared out, airport officials said they found 120 bags scattered around, left by owners anxious to clear Egyptian airspace.

The U.S. flew out over 330 Americans on two flights on Wednesday, raising to more than 1,800 the number of U.S. citizens who have left on government-chartered aircraft. The flights Wednesday were the first since the State Department on Tuesday ordered non-essential U.S. government personnel to leave Egypt.

Others opted for commercial flights.

Clarksdale, Mississippi resident Carol Mangrum, had been at the airport since 3 p.m. Tuesday waiting for a flight that was to leave at 6 a.m. That flight was delayed even further — until 3 p.m.

"I’ve been here at the airport the whole time," said Mangrum. "I’m tired, but anxious to go home."

Even those who were to take government-chartered flights had some trouble. A group from Thailand was dropped off a half-mile from the terminal, and had to drag their luggage. It was unclear whether their bus had not been allowed to reach the terminal.

Those who had already left had plenty of stories to tell friends back home, even without witnessing the street battles Wednesday.

Georgia Supreme Court Justice Hugh Thompson and Ocmulgee Circuit Superior Court Judge Hulane George were among a group of 30 people who arrived Jan. 20 on a private tour to Egypt.

They were in Upper Egypt, an area famed for pharaonic temples and tombs, when the protests broke out. A day after witnessing their first demonstration on Jan. 29, their group was flown back to Cairo only to find themselves in the thick of the protests in the capital.

They remained at the airport’s main terminal where they were warned about the curfew — then set to begin at 4 p.m.

"They warned us if we stepped outside the terminal, we would be shot," Thompson said upon his return home.

Back at his office at the Georgia Supreme Court, Thompson said he was still watching the protests.

"I won’t forget it," he said. "If memory is etched by adrenaline, I’ll never forget it. Because there was a lot of adrenaline flowing."

While few abided by the curfew, hundreds of passengers have found themselves stranded at the airport because of the difficulty of getting to a hotel. Taxi service from the airport is almost nonexistent during curfew hours.

In a sign that the airlines were starting to adjust more easily to the curfew, only about 500 people remained at the airport Wednesday night — a far smaller number than in the first few days of the mass exodus.

The flights largely came from abroad. EgyptAir, the national carrier, was flying only a fraction of its roughly 145 international and domestic flights as crew either failed to make it on time because of the curfew, or were too concerned about the mayhem on the street to come to the airport.

U.S. Embassy officials in Cairo said additional flights were slated for Thursday.

"Things are going very smoothly," said Roberto Powers, the U.S. consul-general in Egypt.

Germany reported that about 1,100 of its citizens flew out of Cairo and Alexandria the day before, and consular officials were deployed at Cairo airport, as well as other cities.

A chartered flight was dispatched by Britain’s government to pick up British nationals stranded in Cairo. The cost per place was about $480 — a charge the government defended as necessary to not undercut commercial carriers. The U.S. was also charging its citizens who opted for the evacuation flights, though the costs had yet to be determined.

Several South and Latin American nations — including Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Argentina — said they had chartered planes, or planned to, in order to fly their citizens to safety.

Brazil said it was aware of 42 nationals who are trying to leave Egypt, but a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said no special flights were planned because commercial carriers were available. She spoke on condition of anonymity as she was not authorized to discuss the matter.

Trinidad’s foreign minister, Suruj Rambachan, said the Caribbean nation was trying to arrange commercial flights for the nearly two dozen nationals of the Caribbean island who want to leave Egypt.

One group that finally made it out was headed for Portugal. Airport officials said the 48 people were not allowed to leave on Tuesday, as they planned, because they showed up without passports.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media.

___

Associated Press reporters from around the world contributed to this report.

The new U.N. data shows that China and Hong Kong exported $498 billion in such goods in 2009, more than four times the United States share of $113 billion. Also included in such trade were cameras, iPads, CD and DVD players and other consumer electronics.

Global exports of information and communication technology, known as ICT — key to developing economies — represented 12 percent of world merchandise traded last year, up about 1 percent from a year earlier, according to the U.N. Conference on Trade and Development figures.

"The striking thing is that Asia really has emerged as a very dominant player," said Torbjorn Fredriksson, who heads the ICT analysis section at the U.N. trade organization known as UNCTAD. "And you can also see that within just one year, their share increased by 2.5 percent, which is quite a large share globally, and we link (that) to the financial crisis."

Asia’s gain has come mostly at the expense of the U.S., Japan and Europe, he said, with the quick rebound of Asian economies also playing a role.

Trade in ICT goods is increasingly dominated by Asia; seven of the top 10 exporters — led by China and Hong Kong — are Asian.

The next closest is the U.S., which exports almost 11 percent of ICT goods. The U.S., China and Hong Kong are also the biggest importers of ICT goods — partly a reflection of the inter-Asian trade in components.

The latest data support "recent findings that the global financial crisis has led to significant shifts in world trade of ICT goods towards Asia," UNCTAD said.

Most major exporters saw a decrease in ICT goods due the financial crisis, but the decline was sharper in Portugal and Finland, where the drop was more than 50 percent, and in Ireland, where it fell 36 percent. In Czech Republic, France, Germany and Sweden it decreased 20 percent.

China, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Korea and Thailand also notched modest losses.

By contrast, India’s exports soared 244 percent and its imports of ICT goods also rose. Exports of those by Romania, Israel and Malaysia also rose sharply, UNCTAD reported.

But imports of ICT goods declined by more than 35 percent in Finland, Ireland, Portugal, Russia and Spain for a mixture of factors that include the financial crisis, Fredriksson said.

UNCTAD says that mobile telephones and other ICT goods were helping blaze the way for new "micro-enterprises" that are mushrooming in developing countries — sometimes creating new livelihoods for the poor.

For example, Kenya has more than 20,000 agents for the M-PESA mobile-based transaction service, Fredriksson said.

Some 1 million people are now involved in India’s mobile phone sector, he said. UNCTAD, citing Grameenphone figures, said Bangladesh has an estimated 350,000 "village phone ladies" who run mobile phone booths in remote places so others can call relatives or get health care.

Pol. Col. Wanlop Jamnong-arsa said a half dozen gunmen in a pickup truck opened fire at the shop, a popular place for residents to congregate, and then fled. Three men and two women were killed and a man and a boy were injured, he said.

All were identified as Buddhists and the gunmen were believed to be Muslim insurgents, he said.

Thailand’s three southernmost provinces are the only areas with a Muslim majority. The insurgents have not issued specific demands but are generally believed to seeking an independent Islamic state.

The attack in Pattani province followed the explosion of a roadside bomb last week in nearby Yala province which killed nine people.

The recent violence occurred after the government claimed to have made progress against the insurgents, whose attacks have generally become smaller in scale.

More than 4,300 people have been killed in the insurgency since January 2004.