Home-Based Travel Agent - July 2008 - (Page 47)

Evelyne’s Collection and official travel agent liaison for Pimalai, at info@ evelynescollection.com, 310-453-8853. Rayavadee (www.rayavadee.com) is a Thai beach resort on a peninsula on the edge of Krabi Marine National Park in Krabi Province on Thailand’s Andaman Coast. The resort is bordered by three National Park beaches, including Phranang, often noted as one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Rayavadee’s 103 guest pavilions and villas are spread over 26 acres of coconut groves. The most requested premium accommodations are the onebedroom Hydro-Pool Pavilions. These have a secluded setting surrounded by lush jungle, with private gardens, a terrace barbeque and a 15-by-8-foot hydro-pool. The Rayavadee Villa is another popular option, with two bedrooms, a freeform swimming pool, a living and dining room that seats eight and a terrace with stunning views over Phranang and dramatic limestone cliff formations. Other accommodations with great beach views include the Raitalay Villa Phranang Villas and the Deluxe Villas in the Raitalay section of the resort. The spa director is Khun Garnchai Asavapapol; request advance bookings by contacting her at eam_garnchai@ rayavadee.com. The resort has a range of beach and water sports activities, including excursions in Rayavadee’s private Siamese junk to the outlying islands. The travel agent liaison is Maria Grueter (011-66-75-620-7403, ext. 2800, gm@rayavadee.com). The Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui (www.fourseasons.com/ kohsamui) opened early last year on a private cove on the secluded north shore of the island of Koh Samui on the Gulf of Siam. The resort’s 63 villas and residences offer open-air living spaces with their own infinity pools. The spa has individual treatment rooms housed in five salas (covered verandas) each with two indoor and two outdoor Thai-style massage beds, an outdoor shower, an outdoor bathtub and a steam room or indoor rain shower. Honeymooners and romanceminded travelers give the resort high marks. Contact Christina Purba at christina.purba@fourseasons.com. Tour Operators: A partial list of tour operators with programs to Thailand includes Abercrombie & Kent (www. abercrombiekent.com, info@abercrom biekent.com, 800-323-7308); Gate 1 Travel (www.gate1travel.com, info@ gate1travel.com, 800-682-3333); Globus (www.globusjourneys.com, 866-7558581); GTS Globotours (www.globo tours.net, 800-988-4833); Orient Flexi Pax Tours (www.orientflexipax.com, info@orientflexipax.com, 800-545-5540); Pacific Delight Tours (www.pacific delighttours.com, pdt@pacificdelight tours.com, 800-221-7179); Pleasant Holidays (www.pleasantagent.com, sales@ pleasant.net, 800-448-3333); SITA World Tours (www.sitatours.com, sitatours@ sitatours.com, 800-421-56430; Ritz Tours (www.ritztours.com, china@ritztours. com, 800-900-2446); Travcoa (www. travcoa.com, info@travcoa.com, 800-9922003); and Viking River Cruises (www. A Superior Room at Pimalai Resort & Spa in Krabi vikingrivercruises.com, 888-505-7984). Entry Requirements: U.S. visitors staying fewer than 30 days do not need a visa to enter Thailand, although they do need to show a valid passport and proof of a return ticket. Language: The people of Thailand speak Thai. English is widely understood, especially in Bangkok. Road and street signs are in both Thai and English. Currency: The Thai unit of currency is the baht, which is divided into 100 satangs. At press time, the exchange rate was $1 to 32.6 Thai baht. Electricity: 220 volts AC. Travelers with varied appliances and electronic gear are advised to bring an adaptor kit. Time: Thailand is seven hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. — MR Resources I Tourism Authority of Thailand (www.tourismthailand.org) Los Angeles Office Phone: 323-461-9814 E-mail: tatla@ix.netcom.com, tatla@tat.or.th New York Office Phone: 212-432-0433 E-mail: info@tatny.com, tatny@tat.or.th JULY/AUGUST 2008 Home-BasedTravelAgent 47 http://www.rayavadee.com http://www.vikingrivercruises.com http://www.abercrombiekent.com http://www.abercrombiekent.com http://www.gate1travel.com http://www.globusjourneys.com http://www.globotours.net http://www.globotours.net http://www.orientflexipax.com http://www.pacificdelighttours.com http://www.pacificdelighttours.com http://www.tourismthailand.org http://www.fourseasons.com/kohsamui http://www.pleasantagent.com http://www.fourseasons.com/kohsamui http://www.sitatours.com http://www.ritztours.com http://www.travcoa.com http://www.travcoa.com http://www.vikingrivercruises.com

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Home Based Travel Agent - July 2008 Contents Editor's Note Publisher's Note Your Lifeline Agent Spotlight New Technology Industry News Hot Deals Tips for a Smooth Trip Agent Symposium Hotels For the Traveler - Destinations - Mexico For the Agent - Destinations - Mexico For the Traveler - Destinations - Dubai For the Agent - Destinations - Dubai Thailand For the Traveler - Cruise For the Agent - Cruise For the Traveler - Tours For the Agent - Tours New Products

Home-Based Travel Agent - July 2008

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