PATTAYA

Local Rewards
We might be facing an economic slowdown, political trouble and a potential war with our neighbor but someone still cares about The Hard Rock Café Pattaya (429 Moo 9, Pattaya Beach Rd., Chonburi, 038-428-755/-9. www.hardrockhotels.net/pattaya) has recently launched special Stage Pass Privileges. Exclusively available for Thais and residents, pass-holders can enjoy an assortment of discounts and freebies. You’ll enjoy breaks like 50 percent off hotel rates, complimentary Hard Rock t-shirts, cabana usage, mini bar facilities and 50 percent off coupons for spa treatments and merchandise.

The Gas Pass
First it was for their restaurant, now it’s for the rooms. The Amari Orchid Resort & Tower (Pattaya Beach Rd., 038-418-418. www.amari.com/orchid) in Pattaya is now giving away B999 cash-back fuel coupons when you book at least two consecutive nights of lodging. Pick up the golden gas ticket upon check-in and enjoy the brand new Ocean Tower and the sultry Mantra bar. Through Oct 31.

HUA HIN

Weekday Rejuvenation
If you’re in Hua Hin during the week (Sun-Thu), Rest Detail Hotel (19/119 Hua Hin Soi 19, Tambol, 03-254-7733. www.restdetailhotel.com) has a Real Rest promotion. For B2,400 per person, the Rest Style of the Month Package includes a one-night stay in the Rest Spirit Room and complimentary breakfast for two. If you book before Aug 15, you’re entitled to a free upgrade to the Rest Horizon Room. Traveling packs of girlfriends can reserve the Girls Beauty Rest Package, which includes a 60-minute Erb pollen face spa session for two, one night stay in a Rest Spirit Room and Penelope Sach Afternoon Tea sessions for two all for B3,500 per person. Visit the website for details of all the packages available. Through Sep 30.

Golfer’s Paradise
While the girls are enjoying the spa, the boys can take advantage of The Asara Villa & Suite Hua Hin (53 Hua Hin Soi 5, 032-547-555. www.asaravillaandsuite.com) who have teamed up with five of the most exclusive golf courses in Hua Hin to offer the Asara & Golf Package. For B16,400, Sun-Thu and B16,900 Fri-Sat, guests get a three-day two-night stay in a Holiday Suite including free breakfast at Kampu and a complimentary Green Fee for a round of golf at either Black Mountain Golf Club, the Majestic Creek Country Club, the Imperial Lake View Golf Club, the Palm Hills Golf Resort & Country Club or Springfield Village, Golf & Spa. It’s an additional B2,200 per round of golf for any free-loading fellow players. Through Oct 31.

AIRLINES

Slimming down
Where can Bangkokians fly now? With One-Two-Go grounded and THAI Airways
and Nok Air reducing and cutting routes within the last month, it seems that the list of options is getting shorter by the minute. Bangkok Airways is the latest to jump on the bandwagon announcing it will cut international flights and downsize their frequency on other routes. In order to simply stay afloat in the sea of rising fuel prices, flights to Shenzhen will end on Aug 15 along with trips from Siem Reap to Hong Kong on its sister airline Siem Reap Airways. The Bangkok to Fukuoka route ends on Oct 1 while the Hiroshima route sees its frequency cut down from three times a week to two.