The ASEAN meeting on SARS has been hold April 29 in Bangkok with all the heads of State.

Top government officials met at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Monday 21^st April in the largest inter-ministerial meeting Cambodia has held to discuss the country’s status in the global war against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. The Cambodian government has designed about US$ 11.000,- for a SARS budget, which will pay for personal protective equipment like masks and the deployment of quarantine officials.

There have been no cases reported in Cambodia since the appearance of the disease and once again we would like to re-assure your clients that there is no need to cancel their trip to Cambodia.

Last week, we went to Preah Vihear, one of the most important temple complex, built on a crest of the Dangkrek Mountains at an altitude of 730m. The excursion must be done from Siem Reap in 2 days as some portion of the road remain difficult. The Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chuktema will continue former municipal governor Chea Sophara’ s project to develop the tourism potential of Preah Vihear temple. He recently ordered workers to install a drainage system at Preah Vihear site to ensure that it will remain accessible during the rainy season which is not the case for the moment. They are also doing a paved road from the foot of the hill to the top.

For the moment the temple is only accessible with a 4 wheel drive.

Circus representations of PHARE in France

Asian Trails in association with PHARE Ponleu Selpak, would like to inform you that the Circus school of this association located in Battambang is coming in France and Spain for some representations. The association supported by Asian Trails is promoting the artistic expression of Cambodian child through several activities, among which the Circus. The schedule of the representations starting in May 2003 can be find in the following websites: www.passeurs.net or www.babel-web.net/phare

Construction of the $6 million massive exhibition hall, located across the river from the Royal Palace, which had been stalled for several months due to lack of funds, will begin again soon. The Governor plans to sign an agreement with city officials from Venice- Italy, who will help develop the site by lending technical support. The Ministry of tourism has already provided $3 million, but more funds are necessary.

…The hall is being built on 9,000 square meters of land. Thirty percent has been achieved and the construction may not be completed until 2005.

AIRLINES NEWS
President Airlines : New Boeing 737/200

President Airlines offers since the 21^st April 03 a new additional flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap v.v.:

It is a Boeing 737/200 with 113 seats (12 seats in business class and 101 seats in Economic class)

Phnom Penh ~ Siem Reap (daily) Siem Reap ~ Phnom Penh (daily)

dep: 06h55 arr: 07h40 TO106 New! dep: 08h10 arr: 08h55 TO 107 New!

dep: 16h25 arr: 17h10 TO118 New! dep: 17h55 arr: 18H40 TO 119 New!

Due to commercial reason, Silkair has announced the cancellation of its flight Singapor-Phnom Penh (MI608) and Phnom Penh- Singapor (MI607) for the following dates : 4 – 11 – 18 May 2003.

The company has suspended temporarily the operations of Luang Prabang-Danang / Danang-Siem Reap / Siem Reap – Saigon due to a considerable number of booking cancellations these last weeks.

The above flight suspension took effect from 5 April 2003 until 30 September 2003 and shall resume the operations as from 1^st October 2003 onwards.

Khemara Hotel opened its doors on 11^th April 2003. Managed by the former General Manager of the Princess Angkor, this 3-storey hotel comes with 130 rooms (60 deluxe-63 superior-7 suites), a large swimming pool, a well equipped fitness center, a lounge-bar, a nice restaurant with the view on the swimming pool and a boutique.

It is very well located on airport road near the center.

The Angkor Star located near the center, on the road No.6 will open Mid-May. This 3 storey hotel comes with 65 well appointed air conditioned rooms, each one with bathtub, television, minibar, hot & cold water.

The hotel has a nice swimming pool and a restaurant. We will keep you inform in our next newsletter.

A new 4-star property will be completed for a soft opening by 15^th August 2003. The Sokha Beach Hotel & Resort located on its own unspoiled private beach, in Sihanoukville, will come with 180 stylishly appointed rooms and suites with modern amenities. We will send you the fact sheet of this new property soon.

Mr. Gilbert Madhavan who was the Area General Manager of the 2 properties in Cambodia – Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh and Raffles Grand Hotel d’ Angkor in Siem Reap - is leaving Cambodia for Australia.

Mr. Clarence Tan will take over Mr. Madhavan as Corporate Director – Operation.

We would like to wish all the best to Gilbert for his new appointment in Australia and welcome Mr. Clarence.

Mr. Jeffrey Goh Peng Hong has been appointed General Manager at Angkor Century Resort and Spa since 7^th April 2003, in replacement of Mr. Cherdsak Daokaew who left the hotel upon expiry of his contract. We would like to wish all the best to of Mr. Cherdsak Daokaew for the future and welcome Mr. Jeffrey Goh Peng Hong.

Mr. Pierre Vadel who was the Chef at Pansea Hotel since the opening left Pansea Cambodia for Pansea in Tunisia by the end of April. We wish all the best to Pierre for his new appointment. We will keep you inform for his replacement.