Venice comes to Hua Hin

Called Venezia Hua Hin, it is owned and developed by Fashion Village Development. The 1.2 billion baht project will bring the atmosphere of Venice to Thailand, according to Sutassa Laohongkiat, the company's managing director. It will feature several attractions of the famed Italian city such as the Grand Canal with gondolas, St Mark's Square and the 23m Bell Tower offering visitors a panoramic view of the place. There will also be a 4,000m2 activity zone for hosting outdoor activities such as music concerts and food festivals, and another 20,000m2 area for people to enjoy shopping and dining. Also offered are a morning flower and fruit market and a family and children's zone. "Venezia Hua Hin will make visitors feel like they are visiting Venice. It will be the destination plus a shopping mall where you can spend at least half a day or even a day with us because Venezia Hua Hin has plenty to offer," she said, adding that the project would be only the first phase. The second phase will include a resort and a condominium. Venezia Hua Hin is located on a 46-rai plot of land on Highway 4 (Phetkasem Road) and 9km before Hua Hin town. Venezia Hua Hin will have a soft launch and open to the public on Dec 12. Airlines update - Japan Airlines (JAL) will revamp menus on board flights to Southeast Asia, Europe and North America next year to create a restaurant ambience for passengers. A dream team of four Japanese star chefs has already created new First and Business Class menus. For Premium Economy and Economy Class customers, there will be a new range of seasonal delicacies from throughout Japan and meals created in collaboration with well-known Japanese restaurants. The new menu is part of JAL's Sky Project, a new initiative that will develop its in-flight services. - Passengers of Singapore Airlines can enjoy using wi-fi and make a call through their mobile phones or other electronic devices on selected long-haul flights. The in-flight connectivity is now available on 14 aircraft, including those flying direct from Singapore to Newark and Los Angeles. "Mobile and internet connectivity capabilities are just the start, enabling our customers to stay connected even when flying at cruising altitude," said Tan Pee Teck, the airline's senior vice-president for product and services. He said the new service would be rolled out across Singapore Airline's long-haul fleet over the next two years. Hotels update - Fans of the Queen of Pop Madonna will be able to follow her works up close in Bangkok when W Bangkok hotel hosts "Madonna: A Transformational Exhibition" at the end of the year. The exclusive multimedia exhibition will feature photographs of the music and fashion legend's iconic 1980s street style shot by celebrated photographers Richard Corman and George DuBose. The exhibition has just kicked off at W Mexico City before making month-long stops at W Singapore Sentosa Cove on Oct 20, W Paris Opera in November, W Bangkok, W Hong Kong and W New York Times Square later this year. For more information, visit facebook.com/whotels. - Riva Surya Bangkok recently opened on Phra Athit Road. Operated by SilverNeedle Hospitality, the Chao Phraya riverside boutique hotel features 68 rooms ranging from 30m2 to 48m2. Also provided in each room is a working space, a flat screen TV, an iPod docking station, complimentary wi-fi and a DVD player available on request. Other hotel facilities are a restaurant, a riverside pool with jacuzzi and a fitness centre. The hotel is celebrating its opening by offering a special launch package until the end of the year. From bangkokpost