เมื่อเวลา 10.39 น. ของวันที่ 27 พฤษภาคม 2552 โลกได้พบกับสิ่งที่ทำให้ทุกคนเกิดรอยยิ้ม นั่นก็คือความน่ารักของลูกหมีแพนด้า
นี่คือข้อพิสูจน์

ลูกหมีแพนด้าเพศเมีย ที่ยังไม่มีชื่อตัวนี้มีอายุกว่า 3 เดือนแล้ว สำหรับพ่อและแม่ของเธอนั้น คือหมีแพนด้าเพศเมียชื่อหลินฮุ่ยมีอายุ 7 ปี 7 เดือน และหมีแพนด้าเพศผู้ชื่อช่วงช่วงมีอายุ 8 ปี 8 เดือน ซึ่งทั้งสองเดินทางมาจาก ศูนย์กลางวิจัยและอนุรักษ์หมีแพนด้าวู่หลง สาธารณรัฐประชาชนจีน และเป็นสิ่งน่าสนใจของสวนสัตว์เชียงใหม่ตั้งแต่วันที่ 12 ตุลาคม 2546

คุณรู้หรือไม่ว่านี่เป็นลูกแพนด้าตัวแรกของโลกที่ถือกำเนิดขึ้นในปี 2552 ลูกหมีแพนด้ามีน้ำหนัก กว่า 3.2 กิโลกรัมแล้ว และน้ำหนักโดยเฉลี่ยเพิ่มขึ้น 70 – 80 กรัมต่อวัน และวันที่ 10 สิงหาคม ที่จะมาถึงนี้ ลูกหมีแพนด้าจะได้รับการตั้งชื่อ จากการโวตจากชื่อที่มีการโวตมากที่สุด

นักท่องเที่ยวสามารถเข้าชมลูกหมีแพนด้าฟรีได้ระว่างวันที่ 12 – 16 สิงหาคมนี้ ที่สวนสัตว์เชียงใหม่ สำหรับข้อมูลเพิ่มเติมสามารถเข้าชมใน Facebook ของสายการบินแอร์เอเชีย

Don't understand what's written? Don't worry, here it is in English

Precisely at 10.39am on 27 May 2009, the world saw another addition that would put a smile on anyone’s face. Babies are cute, but a baby panda is way cuter!

This female Baby Panda (we’ll call her that for now), which is yet to be named is about 3 months old now. Her proud parents are mummy panda ‘Lin Hui’ who is 7years & 7 months old, and daddy panda ‘Chuang Chuang’ who is 8years & 8 months old. They were both from Wu Long, China and have been great attractions at the Chiang Mai Zoo since 12 October 2003.

Do you know that this is the first baby panda to be born in the year 2009? She is about 3.2kg now, and growing steadily at a rate of 70 – 80grams a day. And come this 10 August 2009, she will be getting her name, as there is a competition going on right now to vote for the best name for her (yes, she’s that special)!

Travelers will be able to view Baby Panda from 12 – 16 August 2009 at the Chiang Mai Zoo for free. Keep a lookout at the AirAsia Facebook page for more details.

Hi AirAsia,

I was recently given an AirAsia teddy bear from my good friend Panda from the Thai AirAsia office. I thought it would be fun take pictures of AA bear while on my travels and share them with you all. This post is from Chicago, Illinois. I hope you guys like them. I plan to post more destinations later.

All the best,
Pom

WHY CAN'T WE FLY EASIER?

Asks John Weinthal an ex-pat pensioner living in Malaysia since August 2004 and member National press Club of Malaysia

I love travel.

As an AirAsia regular I like the fares, no frills service, enthusiastic staff and the fact that it has one of the youngest big jet fleets.

But even with flying becoming more affordable it is still not notably user friendly, and not just thanks to supposed Security issues.

Maybe the following thoughts - they can hardly be original - are unsupportable thanks to IATA or some other busybody.

Flight Planning:

I want to go to Bali then Jakarta returning to KL via Thailand, but affordable flying seems geared solely for the A-to-B-to-A traveler.

I have just about given up on multiple destination trips, or I pay the penalty for switching flights. Changing tickets is a great profit centre for airlines. It is all profit involving no financial outlay. With a few keystrokes your requirements are met. You could easily do it yourself.

I understand surcharges if flights are changed less than say three days out, but beyond that I suggest it is amoral profiteering. Worse is when you bring a flight forward. Clearly there is an unsold seat or the change would be impossible.

One books a holiday for 14 days but after eight you have had enough. "No problem", says nice lady. "That will be X amount". A more appropriate reply would surely be: "Thank you for filling our empty seat and giving us time to sell another."

Who can doubt that many more would fly, more often and possibly a lot further if there was transparent fair flexibility?

Who Will Fly?

On booking - online, over the counter or with that modern anachronism, a Travel Agent – one reveals all: names, passport details, a couple of phone numbers, email and more.

Fair enough. I accept airlines must know with whom they are entering a business transaction.

However, if I am paying for more than just myself the airline requires similar details for all. Why? The others are my responsibility. They have no business relationship with the airline.

Does this matter?

It can.

The purchaser may want one or more staff to attend a conference or whatever, but is uncertain who.

I need assistance to travel, but do not know who among my friends or family will be free at the time.

I want to give someone a surprise trip; a birthday present perhaps.

Why can I not purchase a number of seats at appropriate fares without detailing who the passenger(s) will be? The airline gets its money. I choose who flies, and when I will advise them of the trip.

I can see no SECURITY bonus in knowing more than, say, three days in advance who will occupy a seat. The only time the passenger is verified with a picture against face-to-face meeting is at the check-in counter.
PRICING ON INTERNET BOOKING AND IN ADS

Why cause delay and added frustration by giving a fare first then later - after all the rigmarole of entering many details - declaring the real cost. We must pay fuel surcharges and various taxes. They are not options like baggage charge or insurance. Declare them upfront - don't frustrate or confuse your customers.

NOW EVERYONE CAN FLY, says AirAsia.

Why not move ahead of the rest and make it: NOW EVERYONE CAN FLY EASIER

A sound business case can be made for this,surely?
John Weinthal

Over Chinese New Year I was lucky enouch to have a friend from England visiting me so I took the opportunity to take a few more days leave and do something fun while she was here.
But with so many possible destinations flying round my head I was struggling with what to decide on...my friend then told me he could skipper a boat up from Langkawi and sail to Koh Lipe in Thailand...problem solved!

So myself and 5 friends sailed for 5 glorious hours from Telaga Harbour in Langkawi (the boat appropriately named 'Mattsaleh'!) up to the stunning island of Koh Lipe - the most southern island in Thailand.

To put it plainly the island is stunning...the photos speak for themselves...

We had 3 nights there which was just enough (but not quite long enough!) to enjoy days of swimming in the stunning water, snorkelling, a bit of frisbee on the white beaches, lounging in the sun (or shade to avoid the heat of the day!), watching the dramatic sunsets...
Of course we also had some spectacular thai food including freshly caught prawns BBQ'd right on the beach...simpling delicious!

The island itslef was filled with various types of accommodation ranging from budget backpacker style huts to fully equiped luxury resorts for the more family friendly approach. The island has something for everyone so there was couples, backpackers, families; bringing a nice fun and friendly feel to the island.

We decided to stay an extra day on the island (suddenly Pantai Cenang in Langkawi didn't appeal as much!) and so we took the fast ferry back from Ko Lipe to Langkawi instead of sailing. With 3 ferry times a day (10.00, 3.30 and 4pm) you can chose which would be best for you. And its only 1hr long! They sort out all of the immigration stamps etc so although you have to wait a while for your passport once your back in Langkawi its very hastle free. You have to be careful about the time difference between Thailand and Malaysia though - that nearly caught us out!

After a few hours in Langkawi we had plenty of time to catch our 5.30pm flight back to KL. And I can safely say that my friend and I absolutely loved our holiday in Ko Lipe. With it being so close to Langkawi its even 'do-able' over a long weekend. I know I'll certainly be going back. Another bonus, if you have a little more time is that there are plenty of boats going to other islands such as Ko Lanta. What a great way to explore the islands in Thailand?!

I know one of my first posts said that the islands of Malaysia (particularly the East Coast) did it for me in terms of quality islands...but...I might just have to retract that comment after such a great first experience to a Thai Island - I think you would all do the same!

I love traveling. And a part from Jogja, Bangkok also remains one of my favorite city in SEA. The Thais have a way of making their visitors feel at home with their ever welcoming smile and never ending praises! A gal gotta love all that :p

With 8 daily flights to Bangkok, the 20:35 flight is a personal favorite. Get off work at 6pm, head straight to LCCT just in time for check in and off I go to the land of smiles and wacky t-shirt. Perfect!

My favorite place to stay in Bangkok has always been Rambutri House at Rambutri Road. Which is just about 5 mins walk to the bustling Khaosan Road. Although a bit pricey from the usual RM30 room (Don't raise your eyebrow, I am a backpacker!) that I am willing to fork out for accommodation. But hey, it's a great hotel with private bathroom, air con, clean and nice smelling bed sheets, soft pillows and most important of all, it comes with Star Movie channel! :p

Chilling with the girls outside the guest house

The flight to Chiang Mai the next morning was alright, although the slight air turbulence did made my heart skipped a beat!

There is a certain vibe that you get from a foreign place, it's either love at first sight for hate at first sight. I don't know what to make out of Chiang Mai...

Lonely Planet said it's less manic like Bangkok and people are generally nicer. Although I can't say much about my guest house owner (Sarah the English lady) nor the waitress in Ratana's Kitchen, I did however befriended a lady by the name of Paa who sells sweet corn by the road side near Sarah's Guest House. (read more...)