Butterworth-Bangkok train services disrupted

If you have bought train tickets to or from Bangkok, this information is for you.

The Star reported that

The train services from Butterworth to Bangkok and vice-versa have been temporarily disrupted, following a strike by railway workers in Thailand.

KTMB Butterworth station master Ahmad Yusof Salim said the daily International Express which usually departed Butterworth at 2.20pm, had been suspended indefinitely since Monday.

The services of the Express Senandung Langkawi from Kuala Lumpur to Haadyai that leaves Butterworth at 5.19am daily will only go up to Padang Besar for the time being.

Those returning to Malaysia from Thailand are advised to find their way to Padang Besar to board this train back to Butterworth, he said in an interview Tuesday.

On Monday, international news agencies reported that thousands of travellers were stranded after Thailands railway workers went on strike, halting travel and cargo services nationwide.

They were said to have protested against government plans to restructure the heavily indebted, loss-making railway authority.

Ahmad Yusof said KTMB would wait for further notice from the State Railways of Thailand (SRT) before resuming operations of the International Express train.

He, however, noted that the monthly Eastern & Oriental Express (E&O) train services was not affected, as there were no schedules for it this month.

The next E&O train en route Singapore-Kuala Lumpur-Butterworth-Bangkok was scheduled for July 11, he said.

Ahmad Yusof said those who had bought tickets to board the particular trains that were suspended were being given full refunds since Monday.

For details, contact KTMB at 03-22671200 or 04-3237962/ 3312796.

Tune Hotel in Penang

Malaysia's low-cost carrier, Air Asia, also runs its own low-cost hotels, Tune Hotels. There is one in Kuala Lumpur and other cities. Here is an insightful write-up of the Tune Hotel in Penang written by Andrea Tan, photo courtesy of the site.

Bungy-jumping in Sunway Lagoon soon

If you are into bungy-jumping or would like to try it, in a few months time, you can do it here in Malaysia itself. Sunway Lagoon and AJ Hackett, the people in the bungy-jump business are collaborating to set one up at Sunway Lagoon.

This attraction at the Sunway Lagoon theme park is slated to be ready between three to six months according to a spokesperson.

Source: The Star


Update: Mar 14, 2011

THE first permanent bungy jumping site is now open at the Sunway Lagoon’s Extreme Park’s suspension bridge.

Thrill-seekers will be free-falling 22m above the water, a height equivalent to a nine-storey building.

Jumpers will have the option of doing either individual bungy jump or the water-touch which allows the jumper’s head to touch the water before the bungy cord pulls the jumper upwards.

You would have to be at least 10 years of age in order to participate and have to be of a minimum weight of 35kg or maximum of up to 285kg.

Each jump is priced at RM100 (non-MyKad holder) and RM50 (MyKad holder). Those who are planning to go on a complete thrill seeking experience can enjoy both the existing G-Force X Reverse Bungy and the Bungy Jump with a combo ticket priced at RM150 (non-MyKad holder) and RM70 (MyKad holder).

All successful jumpers would receive a Bungy Jump Certificate from Bungy Malaysia.


Source: The Star

Travel smart

HERE are some tips from The Star, on how to be a savvy traveller, courtesy of MAS and Malaysia Airports Bhd.

Easy check-in

Avoid the queue and check yourself in by using the:

· MAS Web Check-In (malaysiaairlines.com) in the comfort of your own home or office. Passengers can now check in online anytime from 24 hours to 90 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. This is available for flights departing from all MAS stations – except Paris, Kunming, Xiamen and Bandar Seri Begawan – to all MAS destinations. You can even select preferred seats online.

· Self-serve kiosks located at level 5A at KLIA (pic).

Bag hygiene

No, we’re not talking about the cleanliness of your bags! It’s aviation talk for a bag that is clear of old baggage tags with barcodes that could confuse the baggage sensor.

If you find yourself arriving in Sydney while your bag lands in Tokyo, it could be because of your old baggage tag. Another reason bags go missing could be the printing quality of the barcodes; bags are misdirected because the sensors can’t read the codes correctly.

Less is more

Most airports around the world now observe a maximum weight of 32kg per piece of baggage. This will not only help protect the airline workers’ health, it will be easier for you to lug your bags around.

Avoid packing dangerous goods or placing valuables inside your check-in luggage. Ensure that locks are properly secured as a lot of baggage locks are found caught between the conveyor belts.

Smaller and softer bags are usually placed inside a tray at check-in to protect the locks from contact with the conveyor belt.

Other related articles:
Handling a crisis in mid-flight
Ready to fly

Firefly flies direct from Singapore to Terengganu starting July 14

Terengganu’s tourism industry will get a boost when the low-cost carrier Firefly from Changi touches down at the Sultan Mahmud Airport on July 14. The maiden Terengganu flight will be carrying Singaporean tourists.

Firefly will serve direct flights from here to Changi Airport beginning July 14 with three flights a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

The 20 minute flight could carry 70 passengers and costs RM88 one way. A 30-day advanced booking is required to enjoy this special fare. The normal Kuala Terengganu-Singapore fare is priced between RM120 and RM130,

The Haze is Back

I am not proud of it but the haze is back in Kuala Lumpur. This time of the year normally sees us experiencing hazy skies, hot dry weather and high humidity. Malaysians may have to put up with this condition right up to September. Below is a picture of the Petronas Twin Towers shrouded in the haze - photo courtesy of The Star.


Open burning due to land-clearing for agriculture and peat fire hotspots are responsible for this hazy condition. Hotspots have been spotted in Malaysia, Sumatra and Kalimantan.