Two new tourism trends, staycations and sleep tourism, are gaining significant popularity, according to an online travel platform.

Staycations involve short trips to nearby areas, emphasizing the enjoyment of hotel amenities like swimming pools, cycling, and spa treatments. Sleep tourism, on the other hand, focuses on traveling to relax and recharge, prioritizing sleep and relaxation in a different setting.

Neeranuit Traijakvanich, chairperson of Makalius Thailand Limited, the provider of this online travel platform, explains that these trends are especially popular among younger travelers who prioritize health and wellness.

“This group seeks hotels with comprehensive facilities and prefers traveling during the low season for a more tranquil experience.

“Hotel operators need to adapt their services to meet these travelers’ needs, focusing on rooms, activities, and food and beverages.

The room is the cornerstone of these new travel trends. Travelers demand clean spaces with adequate lighting, proper room temperature, and high-quality bedding. Quiet and serene environments are essential, and smart IT devices that enhance sleep quality are highly sought after. Large hotels should consider distinct zones for different room types, such as family and private rooms. Mid-sized and large rooms, from 35 square meters upwards, and private pool villas are particularly popular.

Activities within the hotel are crucial for these relaxation seekers. Options like muscle relaxation massages, yoga classes, sound healing, hydrotherapy, kayaking, and boxing are highly desired. Additional experiences, such as access to a library, a movie room, and cooking classes, also enhance the overall appeal.

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Food and beverage services are the third critical element. Since these travelers often dine in the hotel, varied food options from single dishes to buffets are necessary. Extended room service hours cater to guests who prefer in-room dining. Unlimited water and ice availability, though seemingly minor, greatly impacts guest satisfaction and is highly appreciated, reported The Nation..

“Creating promotions that align with these service formats is vital. For instance, package deals including all meals or activities are very appealing. Makalius collaborates with hotels to offer special packages, providing more choices for staycation and sleep tourism customers.”

The recent verdict delivered by the South Bangkok Criminal Court concerning Thai lawyer and politician Chuan Leekpai’s contentious statement, where he labeled ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra as a “harbinger of doom” for the Deep South, has sparked significant debate and scrutiny. This legal showdown, which hovered on the brink of defamation, concluded today with a ruling that reverberated through both sides of the dispute.

Initiated just three days before the statute of limitations lapsed, the lawsuit accused Chuan of defaming Thaksin during a speech delivered nearly a decade earlier. However, the court in its judgment, dismissed allegations of malice, asserting that Chuan’s remarks were simply the articulation of a seasoned politician’s viewpoint.

Throughout the trial, Chuan staunchly defended his right to vocalize his opinions based on his extensive political experience. He bolstered his argument with testimonies, including that of a former military commander, to underscore his contention that Thaksin’s policies had fueled violence in the Deep South.

Revelations surfaced during the proceedings regarding alleged directives from Thaksin to eliminate insurgency leaders monthly, painting a grim portrait of the events preceding the resurgence of conflict in the region.

In a subsequent address to the press following the verdict, Chuan reiterated his stance, emphasizing his commitment to monitoring the government’s response to the ongoing crisis in the Deep South. Recent attacks, he asserted, serve as a testament to the unresolved nature of the situation, as reported by The Nation.

Meanwhile, Thaksin’s legal representative, Winyatti Chartmontree, acknowledged the court’s acknowledgment of both individuals as public figures entitled to critique each other’s policies.

In parallel developments, the Corrections Department faces scrutiny for alleged double standards in handling the case of former Thai PM Thaksin. Despite being confined at the Police General Hospital for six months, the 74-year-old Thaksin enjoyed an early release, prompting accusations of preferential treatment.

Critics are directing their scrutiny at Justice Minister Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong, who oversees the Corrections Department, holding him responsible for what they perceive as VIP treatment.

Bangkok police have apprehended a couple accused of masterminding a delivery app scam that duped delivery workers into replenishing a digital wallet, resulting in substantial financial losses.

The operation, spearheaded by senior police officials, concluded with the arrest of the suspects at their residence yesterday.

Authorities were alerted to the fraudulent scheme following complaints from delivery workers who had fallen victim to the scheme, coerced into adding funds to a wallet under the guise of fulfilling an order.

This intricate scam involved the utilization of a convenience store delivery application that furnished false location coordinates and contact details to unsuspecting employees.

As the delivery workers approached the designated drop-off point, they would receive a call from the perpetrators instructing them to add credit to the digital wallet, sometimes accompanied by a request to top up mobile phone credit. Upon completing the transaction, the fraudsters would vanish, leaving the delivery personnel to bear the financial brunt.

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Further investigations uncovered that the phone numbers utilized to register the digital wallets and connect them to the delivery app accounts were acquired through third-party individuals hired by the suspects.

These individuals were compensated to procure SIM cards and sign up for the wallet service, which incorporated facial recognition technology for authentication purposes.

The suspects, identified as 23-year-old Pornchita and 28-year-old Supatra (last names withheld), were apprehended outside their residence in the Bang Kho neighborhood of Jomthong district, Bangkok.

Their arrest ensued following the issuance of arrest warrants by the Nakhon Nayok Provincial Court, as reported by KhaoSod.

The police operation entailed a coordinated effort involving the Narcotics Suppression Division and the fourth operational unit of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau.

Subsequently, the accused were handed over to investigative officers at the Nakhon Nayok Police Station to undergo further legal proceedings.

In related developments, the Government Lottery Office (GLO) issued a cautionary advisory concerning the hazards associated with purchasing lottery tickets from unauthorized platforms and automated vending machines.