[Ride] Songkran Festival - Hatyai : 11 to 15 Apr 2007

[josean]

TOURISM / SOUTHERN VIOLENCE

 

Hat Yai outlook goes from bad to worse

CHATRUDEE THEPARAT

 

Hat Yai _ Tourism conditions in Hat Yai are going from bad to worse, with some hotel operators leaving the area altogether, according to Nimitr Chaichiratikul, the president of the Tourist Business Federation of Songkhla.

 

The violence that re-emerged in the three southernmost provinces in 2004 has had an increasing effect on nearby Songkhla, where Hat Yai is the main commercial centre.

 

Bombings that took place in Hat Yai last year worsened the tourism outlook, and recent violence has made businesses even more pessimistic, Mr Nimitr told a meeting held yesterday by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

 

Tourism and Sports Minister Suvit Yodmani chaired the meeting, at which businesses as well as officials were invited to voice their concerns.

 

Mr Nimitr estimated that Songkhla had lost about 15 billion baht since 2004. Foreign tourist arrivals are estimated at 600,000 to 700,000 this year, substantially down from one million a year before 2004, he said. Revenue is likely to be worth only 10 billion baht this year.

 

Foreign tourist arrivals declined to 720,826 in 2005, partially because of flooding, compared with 852,234 in 2004 and 1,044,900 in 2003. The number increased marginally last year to 720,860.

 

Tourism earned the province about 12 billion baht last year, a rise from 11.7 billion baht a year earlier but down from 14 billion baht in 2004. Foreign tourists, many of them Malaysians, contributed nearly half of Songkhla's tourism revenue.

 

Sawai Na Pathalung, executive chairman of Pink Hotel & Complex and adviser to the Thai Hotel Association of Hat Yai, said about seven three-star hotels were recently taken over by Singaporean investors.

 

The owners of more than 10 hotels are likely to be forced to sell this year because they could not afford to pay debt given the sharp drop in occupancy.

 

Normally, the occupancy rate of hotels in Hat Yai averages about 65%. The rate fell to only 20% after the latest bombings in September last year.

 

Hotel operations are generally able to survive only when their occupancy rate stays above 50%, Mr Sawai said.

 

''We desperately call on the government to help address the problems as soon as possible to restore the confidence of tourists about safety in order to boost the industry and consumption in the province,'' he said.

 

''Installing CCTV (closed-circuit TV) in public areas is also necessary.''

 

The government is also being urged to support soft loans with interest rates of 1.5% to 2% to hotel entrepreneurs in order to maintain their businesses.

 

According to the Songkhla TAT Office, the province has 167 hotels with a total of 11,777 rooms, 137 tour operators, 630 tour guides, and 370 restaurants.

 

 

 

http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/23Mar2007_biz35.php

[hachi]

Originally posted by kennyseaw@March 23, 2007 05:48 am

Need help here, anyone got any latest news for hatyai???

 

If anyone wanna pull out from this trip, you may do so but please do it before end of March

Hi, but izzit safe at this point of time. Where to keep us updated on the situation?

I am sure safety is more important, I also can understand,I will not force you to return the fees if the situation got worse at the last min.....

I guess safety is more important than anythings else....

[HamsterZ]

sheeeh it would be if if brought forward man.... songkran is a must go at least once thingie

[ahsnow]

sorry wish to ask is tt if there is not enough 30 bike go how will the towing charge??

[kennyseaw]

Originally posted by abiskumar@March 23, 2007 08:35 am

Hi kenney,

I like to join in your thai thirl,still places avail.

 

thanks

abiskumar

yes, but do it fast, i have already cancel some rooms

[kennyseaw]

Originally posted by hachi@March 24, 2007 03:10 am

Hi, but izzit safe at this point of time. Where to keep us updated on the situation?

I am sure safety is more important, I also can understand,I will not force you to return the fees if the situation got worse at the last min.....

I guess safety is more important than anythings else....

I was there last week to do payment, is quite over there. nothing much happening. Anyway, i will still be going

[kennyseaw]

Originally posted by ahsnow@March 26, 2007 10:29 pm

sorry wish to ask is tt if there is not enough 30 bike go how will the towing charge??

we will discuss on friday meet up

[kennyseaw]

Organiser:

Simon Soh & Kenny Seaw

 

Interested:

 

Example: kennyseaw - 9623 8875 - X9 200

 

By Air

 

1a. Kenny's friend x2 (by Air) Paid $210

 

1. Kennyseaw & Wife - 9623 8875 - X9 200 Paid

2. Simon Soh - 92729028 - ST1100 Paid

3. JasonChew & friend - 96743552 - X9 Paid

4. ganman 97128410 Paid $105

5. Choong & Partner - 91396529 - Super4 (Paid)

6. Who_noe - 97637845 - X9 Paid $105

7. hondacbr2001 - 9623 8875 - CBR 1100 Paid $210

8. kumar - 94756464 - Super Paid $105

9. cwleo & friend - 92723013 - Runner 2 stroke Paid $210

10. Bernard Ong & friend - sms only - Super 4 Paid $210

11. Peter Goh - 94564441 - X8 - Paid $210

12. Wormz - 96858845 - Hayabusa Paid $105

13. P.kumar - 82685375 - ??? - Paid $210

14. Hachi Paid $105

15. `L` Paid $105

16. kiative - 91550428 - S4 Paid $105

17. tonychan + wife 94515020 S4 Paid $210

18. dynnobyke - 90900260 - GS Paid $105

19. dynnobyke friend - 90900260 - LT Paid $105

20.

21.

22.

23.

 

 

Pending:

 

1. koma - 98476708 - R1100GS

2. Chan - 98479047 - R6

3. keegankoh - 98504401 - R1100GS

4. Elfaiz & Girlfriend - 96492926 -Super4 (To Be Confirm)

5. Ahsnow & GF -93801012(sms only ) S4 (To Be Comfirm)

6. Neucom53 - 91791039 TZR 125 (To Be Confirm )

7. Deanz4 & fren 91130344

8. Joyrider - 98584352 S4 (To Be Cinfirm)

9. sretroyl -98475834 =) to be confirm

10. Cheekoon - 98213225 - S4 to be confirmed

11. josean + gf - to be confirmed for leave approval

12. danielburgess 91072797 - Suzuki Bandit - to be confirm on 1st march

13. hon st1100 to b cfrm.

14. initial_fire82 + wife 94595039 s4- confirm by mid march

15. futsal123 (allen) Ta150/ 91994847/ to be confirm

16. Recon & Partner - X8

 

 

 

Songkran Festival 2005

Songkran Festival 2005

[kennyseaw]

Rooms Arrangment

 

Arrangment will be updated once payment made

 

Room 1: KennySeaw & Wife (taken)

Room 2: Simon Soh (taken)

Room 3: Peter Goh & Friend (taken)

Room 4: Bernard Ong & friend (taken)

Room 5: Jason Chew & friend (taken)

Room 6: Jeffrey & friend (taken)

Room 7: Choong & GF (taken)

Room 8: Jason chew's Friend (taken)

Room 9: kenny's friend (seng) (taken)

Room 10: kenny's friend (jacky) (taken)

Room 11: P.Kumar (taken)

Room 12: dynnobyke & friend (taken)

Room 13: Hachi & `L` (taken)

Room 14: Kenny's friend x2 (F) (taken)

Room 15: hondacbr2001 & friend (taken)

Room 16: tonychan + wife (taken)

Room 17: cwleo & friend (taken)

Room 18: Ganman & Wormz (taken)

Room 19: kiative & Kumar (taken)

Room 20: who_noe & .... (taken)

Room 21:

Room 22:

Room 23:

Room 24:

Room 25:

Room 26:

Room 27:

[ahsnow]

sorry can pay u at the meeting there??

[kennyseaw]

Organiser:

Simon Soh & Kenny Seaw

 

Interested:

 

Example: kennyseaw - 9623 8875 - X9 200

 

By Air

 

1a. Kenny's friend x2 (by Air) Paid $210

 

1. Kennyseaw & Wife - 9623 8875 - X9 200 Paid

2. Simon Soh - 92729028 - ST1100 Paid

3. JasonChew & friend - 96743552 - X9 Paid

4. ganman 97128410 Paid $105

5. Choong & Partner - 91396529 - Super4 (Paid)

6. Who_noe - 97637845 - X9 Paid $105

7. hondacbr2001 - 9623 8875 - CBR 1100 Paid $210

8. kumar - 94756464 - Super Paid $105

9. cwleo & friend - 92723013 - Runner 2 stroke Paid $210

10. Bernard Ong & friend - sms only - Super 4 Paid $210

11. Peter Goh - 94564441 - X8 - Paid $210

12. Wormz - 96858845 - Hayabusa Paid $105

13. P.kumar - 82685375 - ??? - Paid $210

14. Hachi Paid $105

15. `L` Paid $105

16. kiative - 91550428 - S4 Paid $105

17. tonychan + wife 94515020 S4 Paid $210

18. dynnobyke - 90900260 - GS Paid $105

19. dynnobyke friend - 90900260 - LT Paid $105

20. Chan - 98479047 - R6 Paid $105

21.

22.

23.

 

 

Pending:

 

1. koma - 98476708 - R1100GS

2.

3. keegankoh - 98504401 - R1100GS

4. Elfaiz & Girlfriend - 96492926 -Super4 (To Be Confirm)

5. Ahsnow & GF -93801012(sms only ) S4 (To Be Comfirm)

6. Neucom53 - 91791039 TZR 125 (To Be Confirm )

7. Deanz4 & fren 91130344

8. Joyrider - 98584352 S4 (To Be Cinfirm)

9. sretroyl -98475834 =) to be confirm

10. Cheekoon - 98213225 - S4 to be confirmed

11. josean + gf - to be confirmed for leave approval

12. danielburgess 91072797 - Suzuki Bandit - to be confirm on 1st march

13. hon st1100 to b cfrm.

14. initial_fire82 + wife 94595039 s4- confirm by mid march

15. futsal123 (allen) Ta150/ 91994847/ to be confirm

16. Recon & Partner - X8

17.

 

 

Songkran Festival 2005

Songkran Festival 2005

[kennyseaw]

Rooms Arrangment

 

Arrangment will be updated once payment made

 

Room 1: KennySeaw & Wife (taken)

Room 2: Simon Soh (taken)

Room 3: Peter Goh & Friend (taken)

Room 4: Bernard Ong & friend (taken)

Room 5: Jason Chew & friend (taken)

Room 6: Jeffrey & friend (taken)

Room 7: Choong & GF (taken)

Room 8: Jason chew's Friend (taken)

Room 9: kenny's friend (seng) (taken)

Room 10: kenny's friend (jacky) (taken)

Room 11: P.Kumar (taken)

Room 12: dynnobyke & friend (taken)

Room 13: Hachi & `L` (taken)

Room 14: Kenny's friend x2 (F) (taken)

Room 15: hondacbr2001 & friend (taken)

Room 16: tonychan + wife (taken)

Room 17: cwleo & friend (taken)

Room 18: Ganman & Wormz (taken)

Room 19: kiative & Kumar (taken)

Room 20: who_noe & Chan (taken)

Room 21:

Room 22:

Room 23:

Room 24:

Room 25:

Room 26:

Room 27:

[THE BEAST]

Hi Kenny,

missed briefing yesterday because of work.

Can fill those who missed out, wat's the payment for breakdown insurance?

any last minute thingy...

[josean]

ill try to answer your question

 

in relation to breakdown insurance,

 

Breakdown insurance is supposed to be $30 per bike based on a 30 bike rate.

at current, there are only 25 bikes so it will be $35 per bike. collection will be at GP Esso on the day itself.

 

however, if turns out that there are 30 bikes or more, the balance will be refunded to us.

 

during the ride there (or back) anything wrong with the vehicle, first thing is up the lorry so that the convoy will still move. upon the next rest stop (from the itenery) the 2 mechanics with us on the trip, ah choong and ah seng will try to solve the problem.

 

such cases will still be covered under the $30 insurance case. no extra charges.

 

however, if the problem cannot be solved, bike will be towed (depending on place of breakdown) and the RM300 is calculated as a per bike basis. means 2 bike on tow will cost RM300 each. no discount.

 

these tow guys and malaysian riders doing all these have a close working relationship with us singapore riders so they can be trusted to handle our beloved baby (vehicle)

 

other important things are like travel insurance, bring 2 malaysia white card, vehicle log card, waterproof your passport and print out a copy of the itenary list on the front page

[THE BEAST]

 

thanks for the info..

will be seeing you on the 11th then..

 

cheers

[Future Scootering]

i will update the list 1 or 2 days time. Btw anyone contacted 2_wheeler for the insurance?

[kennyseaw]

Organiser:

Simon Soh & Kenny Seaw

 

Interested:

 

Example: kennyseaw - 9623 8875 - X9 200

 

By Air

 

1a. Kenny's friend x2 (by Air) Paid $210

 

1. JasonChew & friend - 96743552 - X9 Paid

2. ganman 97128410 Paid $105

3. Choong & Partner - 91396529 - Super4 (Paid)

4. Who_noe - 97637845 - X9 Paid $105

5. hondacbr2001 - 9623 8875 - CBR 1100 Paid $210

6. kumar - 94756464 - Super Paid $105

7. cwleo & friend - 92723013 - Runner 2 stroke Paid $210

8. Bernard Ong & friend - sms only - Super 4 Paid $210

9. Peter Goh - 94564441 - X8 - Paid $210

10. Wormz - 96858845 - Hayabusa Paid $105

11. kumar - 82685375 - ??? - Paid $210

12. Hachi Paid $105

13 L` Paid $105

14. kiative - 91550428 - S4 Paid $105

15. tonychan + wife 94515020 S4 Paid $210

16. dynnobyke - 90900260 - GS Paid $105

17. dynnobyke friend - 90900260 - LT Paid $105

18. Chan - 98479047 - R6 Paid $105

19. Dave - ???????? - ST1100 Paid $210

20. K.senthilkumar & friend - 92729143 Paid $210

21. ahsnow - 93801012 - Paid $105

22. neucom53 - 91791039 - Paid $105

23. Josean & Friend - 94575860 - silverwing Paid $210

24.

 

Pending:

 

1. koma - 98476708 - R1100GS

2. Recon & Partner - X8

3. keegankoh - 98504401 - R1100GS

4. Elfaiz & Girlfriend - 96492926 -Super4 (To Be Confirm)

5. futsal123 (allen) Ta150/ 91994847/ to be confirm

6. initial_fire82 + wife 94595039 s4- confirm by mid march

7. Deanz4 & fren 91130344

8. Joyrider - 98584352 S4 (To Be Cinfirm)

9. sretroyl -98475834 =) to be confirm

10. Cheekoon - 98213225 - S4 to be confirmed

11. hon st1100 to b cfrm.

12. danielburgess 91072797 - Suzuki Bandit - to be confirm on 1st march

13.

 

Songkran Festival 2005

Songkran Festival 2005

[kennyseaw]

Rooms Arrangment

 

Arrangment will be updated once payment made

 

Room 1: KennySeaw & Simon Soh (taken)

Room 2: Jason Chew & friend (taken)

Room 3: Peter Goh & Friend (taken)

Room 4: Bernard Ong & friend (taken)

Room 5: ahsnow & neucom53 (taken)

Room 6: Choong & GF (taken)

Room 7: P.Kumar (taken)

Room 8: dynnobyke & friend (taken)

Room 9: Hachi & `L` (taken)

Room 10: Kenny's friend x2 (F) (taken)

Room 11: hondacbr2001 (taken)

Room 12: tonychan + wife (taken)

Room 13: cwleo & friend (taken)

Room 14: Ganman & Wormz (taken)

Room 15: kiative & Kumar (taken)

Room 16: who_noe & Chan (taken)

Room 17: K.senthilkumar & friend (taken)

Room 18: Dave (taken)

Room 19: Josean & Friend (taken)

Room 20: Spectum's friend (taken)

Room 21: Spectum's friend (taken)

Room 22: Spectum's friend (taken)

Room 23: Spectum's friend (taken)

Room 24: Spectum's friend (taken)

Room 25: Spectum's friend (taken)

Room 26: Spectum's friend (taken)

Room 27: Spectum's friend (taken)

Room 28: Spectum's friend (taken)

Room 29: Spectum's friend (taken)

Room 30: Spectum's friend (taken)

Room 31: Spectum's friend (taken)

Room 32: Spectum's friend (taken)

Room 33:

Room 34:

Room 35:

Room 36:

Room 37:

Room 38:

Room 39:

Room 40:

[kennyseaw]

Final Confirmations

 

Songkran Festival April 2007 "Hatyai"

(Total Mileage Est. around 1800km)

11th - 15th April 2007

 

Meeting Point: GP Esso

Meeting Date: 11th April 2007(Wednesday nite)

Meeting Time: 2000hrs(8pm), move out 2020hrs(8.20pm SHARP)

Travelling Speed: 120km/h & above

 

4D/3N stay @ Hatyai S$105/pax(Twin share)

 

 

Route planning to Hatyai >>>

 

- Meeting Point @ Galang Patah R&R, Esso. Moving off 8.20PM SHARP

 

- 1st stop @ Pagoh R&R, Shell. (Rd Mileage 145km) Moving off 10.10pm

(est. 155km clear)

 

- 2nd stop @ Seremban R&R, Petronas. (Rd Mileage 272km)

Moving off 11.50pm

(est. 285km clear)

 

- turn left at Rd mileage 284.5km (direction to Ipoh)

 

- EST. 46km journey to Y-junction than keep right to Ipoh

 

- EST. 9km journey to Y-junction than keep left to Ipoh

 

- 3rd stop @ Tapah R&R Shell (Rd mileage 330km) moving off 2.20am

(est. 480km clear)

 

- 4th stop @ Semangul R&R Esso (Rd mileage 196km) moving off 4am

(est. 610km clear)

 

- 5th stop @ Gurun R&R, Caltex (RD mileage 80km) moving off 5.40am

(est. 725km clear)

 

- 6th stop at Bkt Kayu Hitam Petronas (Final top up & head count) (RD mileage 10km)

 

- Est. Reaching Sadao(Thai border) at 7.30am & custom clearing (RD mileage 0km)

(est. 805km clear)

 

All above mentioned Rd mileage is base on the Highway Mileage (where you can find at road side left or right when we travel)

 

 

Important things to take note >

 

- $$$ Ringgit & Thai baht

- Passport 6 months validation

- Vehicle registration card (photocopy will do) *New bike got to print it out on internet*

- RainCoat (Rain shoes cover)

- necessary check and maintence of own bike

- Water Proof of important document

 

If u r not the vehicle owner but a sub-rider, you need >

1. copy of vehicle registration card.

2. Authorisation letter stated clearly by owner that you are riding into thailand & with signature onit.

 

Ride safety*min. Requirement*

 

- Jacket

- Glove

- Shoe

- Jean

- better Quality helmet

 

Your cooperation is needed:

 

1. Please keep up with the travelling speed as much as possible and Please Do Not Tailgate.

2. Please stay within convoy, do not over take the leading bike, do not fall behind the Appointed last bike.

3. Please do not turn at any Exit/junctions, unless you saw a marker directing you.

3. Stop by the road shoulder (turn on Signal/hazard lights) when u think you are lost.

4. Always give way to fast vehicles coming behind you on the right.

 

Songkran Festival 2005

Songkran Festival 2005

[kennyseaw]

There's still rooms vacant, please act fast if you are still interested to join us

[justborn]

Originally posted by kennyseaw@April 02, 2007 06:34 pm

There's still rooms vacant, please act fast if you are still interested to join us

Hi All,

As suggested by Kenny during the meet-up. Anyone who are interested in having travel insurance coverage, please list down your name. we try to get a quote for group discount before confirmation. as time is limited, the cut off date will be this sunday 8 April. thanks

 

GROUP TRAVEL INSURANCE

 

1. Justborn

2. who_noe

3.

4.

5.

[ace23]

Originally posted by justborn@April 02, 2007 10:25 pm

Hi All,

As suggested by Kenny during the meet-up. Anyone who are interested in having travel insurance coverage, please list down your name. we try to get a quote for group discount before confirmation. as time is limited, the cut off date will be this sunday 8 April. thanks

 

GROUP TRAVEL INSURANCE

 

1. Justborn

2. who_noe

3. ace23 (dynnobyke's fren)

4.

5.

 

 

im in....

[THE BEAST]

Originally posted by justborn@April 02, 2007 10:25 pm

Hi All,

As suggested by Kenny during the meet-up. Anyone who are interested in having travel insurance coverage, please list down your name. we try to get a quote for group discount before confirmation. as time is limited, the cut off date will be this sunday 8 April. thanks

 

GROUP TRAVEL INSURANCE

 

1. Justborn

2. who_noe

3. ace23 (dynnobyke's fren)

4. THE BEAST @ dynnobyke

5.

me too

[ProFatSir]

Hi All,

As suggested by Kenny during the meet-up. Anyone who are interested in having travel insurance coverage, please list down your name. we try to get a quote for group discount before confirmation. as time is limited, the cut off date will be this sunday 8 April. thanks

 

GROUP TRAVEL INSURANCE

 

1. Justborn

2. who_noe

3. ace23 (dynnobyke's fren)

4. THE BEAST @ dynnobyke

5. tonychan & friend 2 person

[ahsnow]

anyone who wish to go i may wish to give up my place at $90 if there is no buyer than i will go

 

interested can pm me for deal or sms me at 93801012