The event, which is being held at Challenger Hall, Impact Muang Thong Thani, will be home to hundreds of booths with displays on everything from culture tourism to eco-tourism plus spectacular shows and thousands of holiday packages at affordable prices.

The sky's the limit

Soneva Fushi resort in the Maldives has opened an astronomical observatory tower, allowing guests to observe razor-sharp images of the moon, Jupiter, Saturn and galaxies made of more than 200 billion stars.

Set deep within the resort's dense, lush jungle, the observatory tower houses a Meade RCX 400 telescope that uses the same technology as Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope.

The scope is linked to a plasma screen in the library where recordings are made and lectures are given by specially trained hosts.

Thumbs up for service

Marriott Resort and Spa introduces the "Thumb's Up" programme and invites guests to nominate hotel staff who provide the best service.

As part of the "Spirit to Serve our Guests" campaign, Marriott's guests can ask to write a brief note on a card whenever they come across exceptional service that offers a "wow" experience. In other words, the guest is giving the staff member their "Thumbs Up".

The programme aims to encourage staff to deliver the highest levels of personal service. The nomination cards are available in all areas of the hotel including guestrooms.

Steeped in Southern culture

Siam Society is organising a cultural trip to Nakhon Si Thammarat and Surat Thani provinces in Thailand's South over the weekend of July 19-20

Participants will visit the finest temples in Surat Thani's Chaiya and Kanchanadit districts plus museums in Nakhon Si Thammarat. Back in the fifth century, these two seaside towns were important trading ports and drew Arabian, Indian and Chinese merchants.

The price is Bt11,050 per person including twin sharing accommodation at Racha Kiri Resort & Spa, five meals, museum fees and return tickets on Nok Air.

or booking information, call (02) 661 6470-7 or visit www.Siam-Society.org.