We have just been informed by that TTM 2010 has been postponed due to the current situation in Bangkok. We are awaiting further details from Thailand Travel Mart and will keep you updated with any news via our Travel Trade site.

Exotissimo Cambodia now offers an updated version of one of its most popular tours, which is now a real Grand Tour of Cambodia as it highlights all major places of interest on a 13 days/12 nights circuit. The new itinerary starts and ends in Phnom Penh, and takes visitors on a journey to the Mekong dolphins near Kratie, the community development project at the pre-Angkorian temples of Sambor Prey Kuk, and culminates in Siem Reap with a in depth visit to Angkor before continuing to the scenic countryside of Battambang and back to the capital. An optional beach extension to Kep or Sihanoukville complements this tour. Furthermore, the hotel selection reflects the continuous improvement in accommodation options in Cambodia’s provinces.

Today there was a decisive move by the Thai authorities to end the six-week protests in central Bangkok. Throughout the day there were violent clashes as troops used force to remove the Red Shirt protesters from their rally sites in Rachaprasong, Din Daeng and Lumpini. By early afternoon the protestors had dispersed and the main Red Shirt leaders had submitted to the authorities. There have been further sporadic clashes throughout the afternoon but the main protest sites have now been cleared. The government have declared a curfew in Bangkok tonight from 20.00hrs to 06.00hrs tomorrow and all Thai citizens and foreigners have been asked to stay inside or in case of necessary travel to ensure they have their passports with them at all times.

We would like to let you know that all Exotissimo staff and clients in country are safe and will not be moving tonight during the curfew.

The security of Exotissimo clients visiting Thailand remains our highest priority. We would like to advise all clients scheduled to arrive in Bangkok tonight or early tomorrow morning to postpone their travels if possible. Any clients that do arrive will be transferred directly out of the city to avoid any potentially dangerous area. We have moved all clients in country away to safe zones either by the River or completely outside Bangkok. We are not offering any touring services in Bangkok and encourage clients to stay inside their hotels and are well taken care of and receive daily communications from our staff until they leave Bangkok.

The Airport is still open and clients transiting to other destinations will not be affected by the curfew. Elsewhere in Thailand the atmosphere remains calm and clients in Phuket, Samui, are not experiencing any difficulties although there have been disturbances in Chiang Mai and some cities in the north and north east of Thailand.

We are recommending clients scheduled to arrive in Thailand over the next few days consider changing their plans or postpone until the situation improves. We are doing our best to avoid cancellation fees on case by case basis. We will also be pleased to offer alternatives in any of our other destinations with no additional charges.

Exotisismo’s Bangkok office is located in Silom and we are still unable to access our building and will operate from remote offices this week and do our best to respond to all requests as quickly as we can. Our offices in Chiang Mai and Phuket are open as usual.

In case of an urgent or emergency situations only please contact the following senior staff:

Emergency Contacts:
Emergency Contact Number: +66 81 8672806
Edwin Briels (General Manager): +66 81 9337328
Ms. Waleerat (Operations Manager): +66 846418020
Hamish Keith (Managing Director): +66 81 8088395

We continue to follow developments very closely and update the travel advice as and when we judge that the risk changes. We sincerely hope that the events of today will signal the end of the violence and that peace and common sense will soon return to our beautiful country.

Due to the increase in demand from the Asian and European markets wanting to visit Borobudur, Garuda Airlines has created a new flight schedule from Denpasar to Jogjakarta. Moving flights from noon to an early morning ensures travelers more time at the magnificent Borobudur temple, with the added option of a full-day tour of the city. The flight will arrive in Jogjakarta at 07:25 AM offering ample opportunity to get better acquainted with the rich cultural and architectural wonders of this Javanese city.

Exotissimo will be attending IMEX in Frankfurt from the 25 to the 27 of May. We will be represented by Mr. Jean-Marie Mell, Incentive Product Manager Exotissimo France. Our Exo booth number is: B160, alternatively Click here to schedule an appointment with us or contact marketing@exotissimo.com.

Issan’s newest luxury property, The Wishing Tree, is set to make a big impression in the north-east region of Thailand. Occupying a peaceful location in a riverside woodland habitat on the outskirts of Khon Kaen, the hotel is part of the Unique Collection brand and unique it certainly is. With a décor concept that pays tribute to local aesthetic values each of the 48-rooms have been designed using regional architecture and subtle texture details, to understated effect. All accommodation enjoys views of the lush surrounding landscape and the Chi River, well appreciated from private furnished verandas.

More often than not the journey from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap is one done via plane with many travelers missing the opportunity to discover Cambodia’s undisclosed treasures and meet the real highlight of the country, the people. This tour allows clients to see what lies in between the ancient temples of Angkor and the vibrant streets of Phnom Penh, on our specially designed 3-day overland tour you will discover the heart of Cambodia. Having received the Exo touch this overland excursion immerses travelers in local and classically Khmer experiences, stopping along the way to encounter curious locals, witness handicraft production and fruit cultivation with a particularly unique highlight being the school visit.