The News Review:

- How green is your hotel?
- World’s top chefs shy from controversy over poverty tour
- Thai south separatist violence toll tops 3000
- Dirk De Cuyper appointed General Manager of the Conrad Shanghai

How green is your hotel?
International Herald Tribune – Mar 20, 2008
The money is given to one of several community organizations — including a shelter for impoverished children and an animal rescue foundation. Additionally there are copies of articles on global warming in each room and rather than the typical breakfast buffet filled with too much food (and often imported products) the morning meal consists of local specialties including delicate coconut pancakes Thai doughnuts and fresh fruit. (ne morning Tulyanond dashed out to buy roseapple from a passing fruit vendor so eager was she for me to taste it. ) But being green is not just about saving the environment it is also now about saving money.

World’s top chefs shy from controversy over poverty tour
International Herald Tribune – Mar 20, 2008
The only catch is that this particular dinner at a Bangkok luxury hotel has stirred up a mighty controversy and two dozen chefs around the world have declined to cook it. Several have confessed fears of losing a coveted star in the Michelin guide the gastronome's bible that can make or break culinary careers. Bangkok's Lebua hotel which is organizing the dinner is no stranger to publicity — or to Michelin-starred chefs. Last year it put on a decadent feast billed as the meal of a lifetime for US$25000 (€19000) a head. Six three-star Michelin chefs were flown in from Europe to cook the 10-course meal each plate paired with a rare vintage wine.

Thai south separatist violence toll tops 3000
Dispatch nline – Mar 20, 2008
getElementById(“imgGalleryNav”). A wave of deadly attacks across the violence-racked south killed five people yesterday alone as Thailand’s new government struggles to come to grips with the separatist violence that erupted in early 2004 in the region bordering Malaysia. Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej will hold an emergency meeting tomorrow while Interior Minister Chalerm Yubamrung admitted on Tuesday he had “no idea” how to curb the unrest which has claimed 3004 lives. Srawut Aree a professor of Muslim studies at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University said the government has made little progress in easing the violence because it has failed to identify any of the militancy’s leadership. “The problem is the government still cannot recognise real actors behind violent attacks” Srawut said… ne of the men was identified as Sunawa Yugo believed to be a leading militant with a R130000 (500000baht) bounty on his head. Also in Yala a Muslim defence volunteer was killed in a drive-by shooting while a suspected rebel was killed in nearby Pattani province in a shoot-out with army rangers. The latest attacks came after the violence took a dramatic turn last weekend when a car bomb exploded outside a luxury hotel that had been considered a safe zone for visiting political and business leaders. Two people were killed and 13 injured in the blast. Samak on Tuesday vowed to prioritise resolving the unrest. The southernmost corner of the kingdom was an autonomous Malay sultanate until mainly Buddhist Thailand annexed the region a century ago.

Dirk De Cuyper appointed General Manager of the Conrad Shanghai
ASIATravelTips.com – Mar 20, 2008
Dirk De Cuyper has been appointed as General Manager of the new Conrad Shanghai. Located in the heart of the heritage and entertainment district of Xintiandi the pre-opening phase of the Conrad Shanghai is scheduled to commence in August 2008. With a career spanning fifteen years at Hilton Hotels Corporation Dirk has extensive experience working in hotel management in Brussels New York Malaysia Indonesia and Thailand. Prior to taking on his new role at Conrad Hotels & Resorts he held the position of General Manager at the Hilton Sanya Resort & Spa on Hainan Island in China since 2005 during which time the resort received a myriad of awards for service and operational excellence. In the lead up to the opening of the Conrad Shanghai Dirk will be responsible for appointing a team of experienced professionals to operate the hotel and deliver one of Shanghai’s most luxurious guest experiences. Koos Klein President Hilton Hotels Corporation Asia Pacific said “The Conrad Shanghai marks the beginning of the brand’s expansion into mainland China building on the success of the well-established Conrad Hong Kong and will be followed by the opening of the Conrad Beijing in 2010. The Conrad Shanghai is part of an urban revitalisation project comprising trendy boutiques restaurants and shops in the vibrant Xintiandi district.

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