Idea On Building Phuket, Vietnam, Burma Trail Link

Phuket - Thailand

From Threeland Travel's Blog - September 2012

Phuket could become the central link in a Burma-Phuket-Vietnam tourism alliance, Vietnamese Ambassador Ngo Duc Thang suggested on Phuket yesterday.

''It's certainly an idea for the very near future,'' the ambassador said when he met Phuket Vice Governor Dr Sommai Preechasin at provincial Hall in Phuket City yesterday.

Earlier in the day, Phuket's new Tourism Authority of Thailand Director Chanchai Doungjit coincidentally suggested the same need.

''For many people, a trip to Burma or Vietnam is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,'' he said. ''Phuket needs to join with its neighbors for a win-win-win.''

Air-Asia tried a Phuket-Vietnam link once but the time may be nearing when Thai Airways or another airline could resurrect the route.

Dr Sommai told the ambassador that Phuket had about 500 Vietnamese who were residents and that numbers were likely to increase with the arrival of the Asean Economic Community in 2015.

She noted that Phuket remained virtually 100 percent dependent on tourism and needed more diversity, something that perhaps could come with Vietnamese investment.

The ambassador mentioned Burma's Dawei deep sea port and the planned land bridge from the Andaman to the Gulf of Thailand.

''Phuket could certainly benefit from working with Burma and Vietnam and perhaps Cambodia to negotiate with larger tourist markets,'' he said.

The vice governor and the ambassador had previously met when Dr Somai was vice governor of an Isarn province.

The ambassador confessed this was his second visit to Phuket.

His first came as a golf tourist, playing at Phuket's Loch Palm and Red Mountain courses. He confessed to becoming a fan of the ''liveliness'' of Phuket by day and especially by night.

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Easy Visa To Myanmar

Burma

From Threeland Travel's Blog - August 2012

Visa has taken its first steps towards entry into Myanmar (previously known as Burma) with a series of training workshops to prepare selected local banks for the introduction of electronic payments as the country continues its economic and social reforms.

The workshops are aimed at upgrading the banking facilities to accept and issue international payment cards and establishing a pillar for economic growth.

As Visa steps up its engagement, the first priority for Myanmar will be preparing for the influx of international visitors resulting from the relaxation of international sanctions. With Yangon’s hotels and major tourist attractions now regularly full and the country’s airports seeing increased passenger numbers, connection to the global economy is a key element in opening up the market.

The news also comes at a good time for Myanmar as the country gets set to host the anticipated rush of visitors expecting to use their payment cards at next year’s Southeast Asian Games and the regional World Economic Forum.

“We know from experience that there will be an urgent requirement to provide basic ATM network and point-of-sale terminals for international visitors arriving in Myanmar for business and pleasure—and that is where we will focus first,” said Peter Maher, Visa Group Country Manager, Southeast Asia and Australasia. “Inbound business people and tourists are already looking for the Visa acceptance mark at merchants for the convenience, security and reassurance it brings. The sooner we deliver electronic payments, the sooner Myanmar will benefit from the increased spending.”

Maher added: “This is an exciting time for the people of Myanmar and Visa is delighted to help bring the benefits, security and convenience of electronic payments to the country. As Myanmar builds its financial infrastructure, Visa will work hand-in-hand with the local market to provide its global knowledge and technology and bring safe secure and convenient payments to all.”

The Visa Card Partner Workshop in Yangon was attended by a number of the nation’s leading banks. During the two-day event, Visa introduced representatives to the international requirements for electronic payments and a roadmap for development and delivery. The first event in a series of interactive sessions addressed the critical needs, long-term objectives and immediate steps required to establish a payment infrastructure for Myanmar.

Speaking from Yangon, Somboon Krobteeranon, Visa Country Manager, Thailand and Myanmar said, “These workshops provide a clear path to introducing a reliable and internationally connected gateway to the global economy and we are already seeing potential partners enthusiastically supporting our proposals. From our initial observations, Myanmar should have little difficulty in meeting the international requirements and the country’s banks seem committed to providing electronic payments as soon as possible ... Electronic payments will provide important support for Myanmar’s business and tourism development as well as enable economic empowerment and inclusion for the millions of unbanked in the country.”

Visit us at Threeland Travel Myanmar to get further information about traveling around the world and exploring Myanmar; to have access to the best travel services and to meet our professional consultants who're always available for help. For any inquiry please contact us.

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