Kingdom in the Himalayas
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Load more
Recommended publications
-
In Focus: Koh Samui
MARCH 2016 | PRICE $500 IN FOCUS: KOH SAMUI Paola Orneli Bock Vice President Setthawat Hetrakul Senior Analyst Pawinee Chaisiriroj Senior Analyst HVS.com HVS | Unit 2302 The Millennia Tower, 62 Soi Langsuan, 10330, Bangkok, Thailand Koh Samui has witnessed a complete Surat Thani Airport and the political instability in transformation, from an island traversed by jungle Bangkok, which caused some flights to be suspended. tracks in 1970s to an upscale tourism destination. FIGURE 1: PASSENGER MOVEMENTS AT USM AND URT The island’s tourism was originally characterized as 4,500 50 a ‘party’ stop on the backpacker trail. In recent 4,000 40 years, Koh Samui has rapidly developed into a 3,500 deluxe resort destination with increased air and sea 3,000 30 2,500 connections and numerous upper-tier, 20 2,000 internationally branded resorts. 1,500 10 Change % 1,000 0 500 Airport Statistics Passenger Movement (Thousands) 0 (10) 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Koh Samui is served by two international airports, Koh Samui International Airport Surat Thani Airport Samui International Airport (USM) and Surat Thani % Change (USM) % Change (URT) Airport (URT). Source: Department of Civil Aviation USM is owned and operated by Bangkok Airways, a Located 21 km west of the centre of Surat Thani city private airline and the main carrier flying to Koh and approximately 95 km west of Donsak Peir, Surat Samui. The development of Koh Samui’s air Thani Airport serves as a secondary gateway to Koh accessibility, and therefore its demand for the hotel Samui that has helped fuel demand to the island. -
Nepali-Speaking Lhotsampas of Bhutan Population of Bhutan: 798,000 (2016 Estimate)
Caring for the Health of Refugees and Immigrants Nepali-Speaking Lhotsampas of Bhutan Population of Bhutan: 798,000 (2016 estimate) Bhutan is a small, South Asian country nestled in the Himalayan Mountains between China and India. The Lhotsampas (“People of the South”) are an ethnically- and linguistically-Nepali people from Bhutan. They are descendants of Nepali people who settled in Bhutan mostly during the early 1800s to early 1900s. In the 1980s, xenophobic fear spread that the ethnic minority Lhotsampas were starting to overtake the ethnic majority Druks. This led the country’s king to institute a “one country, one people” policy that required all Bhutanese citizens to dress, worship, and speak as the Druks did. Textbooks were burned, Lhotsampa teachers were dismissed, and Nepali was banned from schools. Protests were declared subversive and illegal. By the early 1990s, the minority group was frequently subject to detention, imprisonment without trial, and torture. The citizenship of Lhotsampas was questioned and their Bhutanese nationality documents were often rejected. In December 1990, the government decreed that any Lhotsampas who could not prove they were residents of Bhutan in the year 1958 would have to leave the country. More than 100,000 Lhotsampas fled to Nepal, where they have spent the past quarter of a century in crowded, impoverished refugee camps. Nepal did not allow refugees to integrate into Nepali society, seek employment, or travel outside of the camps and initially refused to allow any refugees to be resettled in other countries. An intractable humanitarian crisis emerged, further complicated by the failure of diplomatic negotiations between Bhutan and Nepal. -
Facts & Figures & Figures
OCTOBER 2019 FACTS & FIGURES & FIGURES THE STAR ALLIANCE NETWORK RADAR The Star Alliance network was created in 1997 to better meet the needs of the frequent international traveller. MANAGEMENT INFORMATION Combined Total of the current Star Alliance member airlines: FOR ALLIANCE EXECUTIVES Total revenue: 179.04 BUSD Revenue Passenger 1,739,41 bn Km: Daily departures: More than Annual Passengers: 762,27 m 19,000 Countries served: 195 Number of employees: 431,500 Airports served: Over 1,300 Fleet: 5,013 Lounges: More than 1,000 MEMBER AIRLINES Aegean Airlines is Greece’s largest airline providing at its inception in 1999 until today, full service, premium quality short and medium haul services. In 2013, AEGEAN acquired Olympic Air and through the synergies obtained, network, fleet and passenger numbers expanded fast. The Group welcomed 14m passengers onboard its flights in 2018. The Company has been honored with the Skytrax World Airline award, as the best European regional airline in 2018. This was the 9th time AEGEAN received the relevant award. Among other distinctions, AEGEAN captured the 5th place, in the world's 20 best airlines list (outside the U.S.) in 2018 Readers' Choice Awards survey of Condé Nast Traveler. In June 2018 AEGEAN signed a Purchase Agreement with Airbus, for the order of up to 42 new generation aircraft of the 1 MAY 2019 FACTS & FIGURES A320neo family and plans to place additional orders with lessors for up to 20 new A/C of the A320neo family. For more information please visit www.aegeanair.com. Total revenue: USD 1.10 bn Revenue Passenger Km: 11.92 m Daily departures: 139 Annual Passengers: 7.19 m Countries served: 44 Number of employees: 2,498 Airports served: 134 Joined Star Alliance: June 2010 Fleet size: 49 Aircraft Types: A321 – 200, A320 – 200, A319 – 200 Hub Airport: Athens Airport bases: Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Rhodes, Kalamata, Chania, Larnaka Current as of: 14 MAY 19 Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international airline serving nearly 220 airports on six continents. -
Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN)
MARCH 2016 ISSUE NO. 135 Intra-BBIN Trade: Opportunities and Challenges PARTHAPRATIM PAL ABSTRACT The Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal (BBIN) sub-regional initiative is envisioned to improve economic cooperation and connectivity among the four South Asian countries. For India, this initiative allows it to bypass some of the more complex political issues of SAARC and engage in direct discussions on connectivity with Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal. This initiative is expected to help the landlocked developing countries of this region to integrate more effectively with the global economy. But there may be certain challenges, too. India has been a dominant member of SAARC; without Pakistan and Sri Lanka, India's dominance in BBIN will be even more pronounced. It is also important to keep in mind that political objectives and policy priorities of BBIN countries might not always align perfectly. The long-term success of BBIN will depend on how well these concerns are managed within the framework. INTRODUCTION Although countries of South Asia are tied by To begin with, these countries trade very little shared history and culture, they are still not well among themselves. In spite of having an connected with each other and integration overarching regional free trade agreement in the remains one of the poorest in the world. The form of the South Asian Free Trade Agreement Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal (BBIN) sub- (SAFTA) signed in 2004, and various other regional initiative is envisioned to improve bilateral and regional trade agreements forged economic cooperation and connectivity among since then, intra-regional trade among South these four South Asian countries. -
September, 2008
WWW.AIRCARGOWORLD.COM SEPTEMBER 2008 International Trends & Analysis INTERNATIONAL EDITION The World’s Top Cargo Airlines50 Cargo Security • India • Anti-Trust 2008 SUPPLY CHAIN INNOVATION AWARD FINALIST 6H>6 IDD J#H# EDGII"ID "9DDG# 96NN"9:;>C>I::# ,% A:HH I=6C6>G# As fuel prices send airfreight costs soaring, only OceanGuaranteed ® provides day-definite delivery from Asia to the U.S. that’s just as reliable, but at a fraction of the cost.With the combined resources and expertise of APL Logistics and Con-way Freight, OceanGuaranteed provides a unique single-source LCL/LTL solution with proven 99% on-time performance. In fact, your shipment is guaranteed to arrive on schedule, or we’ll pay 20% of the invoice.* Call 866-896-2005 or visit www.oceanguaranteed.com/22 for more information or to book a shipment today. *Conditions and restrictions apply. See website for full details. Service also available to Canada and Mexico. International Edition September 2008 CONTENTS Volume 11, Number 7 COLUMNS Top Cargo 12 North America Airlines With all the turmoil in Ohio, 22 The annual ranking of the growth at Toledo Express the world’s top 50 cargo air- Airport as a freight center is lines by traffic, with aircraft noteworthy orders and cargo revenue. 14 Pacific Yields on freighters may be down, but handling cargo in China remains a feast • JAL Slimmer 17 Europe Despite its bad timing of entering the market, Cargo 30 India B could be a survivor among India could become a plenty of airline failures key growth market for air 30 cargo, but overcapacity could spoil the party for freight operators. -
Annual Review 2006
CONTACT INFORMATION Finnair Plc Helsinki-Vantaa Airport Tietotie 11 A FI-01053 FINNAIR Switchboard +358 9 818 81 www.finnair.com www.finnair.com/group Senior Vice President Communications Christer Haglund Telephone +358 9 818 4007 Fax +358 9 818 4092 [email protected] Senior Vice President and CFO Lasse Heinonen Telephone +358 9 818 4950 Fax +358 9 818 4092 [email protected] Director, Investor Relations Taneli Hassinen Telephone +358 9 818 4976 Fax +358 9 818 4092 [email protected] Investor Relations Telephone +358 9 818 4951 Fax +358 9 818 4092 [email protected] 2006 The 2006 annual report is intended to be a travel guide into the world of Finnair. We are a reliable airline, we have a comprehensive route network and we provide fi rst class service. Our customers are satisfi ed. We realised in time the growth potential of Asian traffi c and got down to work in the company. We could tell people how good our connections are via Helsinki from Europe to Asia and vice versa. A map of Asia and new aircraft. This is good material for a travel guide. Shall we continue with these themes? Christer Haglund, SVP Communications and Jukka Hienonen, President and CEO Indeed. We have already achieved our vision “Best in Northern Skies, European Excellence”. Now we will empha- sise our role in traffi c between Europe and Asia. CONTENTS Information for Shareholders .......................................4 Absolutely. We have a story Key Figures 2006 .........................................................4 of strong growth to tell. Invest in Finnair ...........................................................6 We must remember to mention Traffi c Information and Fleet ........................................7 that we are in strong shape Review by the President & CEO .....................................9 fi nancially, as we start to On Finnish Wings to the Ends of the Earth .................10 invest in a new Asian fl eet. -
In Pursuit of Happiness, Bhutan Opens to Globalization and Business
In Pursuit of Happiness, Bhutan Opens to Globalization and Business Kimberly A. Freeman, Ph.D. Mercer University Katherine C. Jackson Mercer University ABSTRACT The Kingdom of Bhutan, a small country situated on the border between China and India, has in recent years become a constitutional democratic monarchy. As part of its 2008 constitution, Bhutan committed to promote conditions that would enable the pursuit of Gross National Happiness. The country thus initiated an effort to improve the quality of life and happiness for its citizens and has embraced globalization far more than previously through attracting business, tourism, and communications. The author’s herein address some of the initiatives provide the context within which these efforts have arisen. Keywords: Bhutan; Gross National Happiness (GNH); Globalization; Constitutional democratic monarchy 1. Introduction In 2006, the 4th King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, decided he wanted to open Bhutan up to the world and usher in modernization. Forty years ago, in 1972, Bhutan’s fourth king stated that “Bhutan should pursue Gross National Happiness (GNH) rather than Gross National Product (GNP)…with an emphasis not only on economic growth, but also on culture, mental health, social values, compassion, and community” (Sachs, 2011, p. 2) He chose to abdicate the throne to his eldest son and announced Bhutan would hold its first general elections in 2008. His son, King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, took the throne of the new democratic Bhutan on December 14, 2006. Jigme Yoser Thinley was elected prime minister in the election, and Bhutan’s constitution was ratified on July 18, 2008. The concept of GNH has a very long history in Bhutan. -
Chapter 1: Introduction and Background
A GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS OF AIR HUBS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA HAN SONGGUANG (B. Soc. Sci. (Hons.)), NUS A THESIS SUBMITTED FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SOCIAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE 2007 A Geographical Analysis of Air Hubs in Southeast Asia ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS It seemed like not long ago when I started out on my undergraduate degree at the National University of Singapore and here I am at the conclusion of my formal education. The decision to pursue this Masters degree was not a straightforward and simple one. Many sacrifices had to be made as a result but I am glad to have truly enjoyed and benefited from this fulfilling journey. This thesis, in many ways, is the culmination of my academic journey, one fraught with challenges but also laden with rewards. It also marks the start of a new chapter of my life where I leave the comfortable and sheltered confines of the university into the “outside world” and my future pursuit of a career in education. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the following people, without whom this thesis would not have been possible: I am foremost indebted to Associate Professor K. Raguraman who first inspired me in the wonderful field of transport geography from the undergraduate modules I did under him. His endearing self, intellectual guidance, critical comments and helpful suggestions have been central to the completion of this thesis. A special word of thanks to you Ragu, my supervisor, mentor, inspiration and friend. All faculty members at the Department of Geography, NUS who have taught me (hopefully well enough!) during my undergraduate and postgraduate days in the university and enabled me to see the magic behind the discipline that is Geography. -
Formation of the State of Bhutan ('Brug Gzhung) in the 17Th Century and Its Tibetan Antecedents
Formation of the State of Bhutan (’Brug gzhung) in the 17th Century and its Tibetan Antecedents* John Ardussi Introduction The relationship between religion and the state has remained a perennial issue of the Tibetan cultural presence since the 7th century. The question is how the definition and actuality of that relationship evolved over fourteen centuries, both theoretically and in the practical implementation of governing structures. On what moral or normative religious grounds have the various Tibetan governments justified their existence? Conversely, what political assertions or compromises have religious institutions made to achieve a privileged, or at least defined and workable, relationship with the entities of civil governance? These are questions that in India and the West were framed in the context of debate over political theory, by such authors as Kautilya, Plato, Machiavelli, Montesquieu, Locke and a host of others. In the Buddhism-dominated intellectual universe of traditional Tibet, debates over politics and government were more likely to be argued in the pages of religious or quasi-religious tracts. Biography, poetry and religious history were literary genres which Tibetans used to expound views on government, often linking important events and leaders of the present with archetypes, both good and evil, from canonical antiquity and the early monarchy.i Prophecy (including recovered gter-ma works and dream encounters with deceased saints) was an especially potent Tibetan cultural medium in which political criticism of contemporary rulers could be articulated as an “authoritative voice from the past.” In the extreme were certain itinerant prophets who, like * Reprinted from Christoph Cüppers (ed.) 2005. Proceedings of the Seminar on The Relationship Between Religion and State (chos srid zung ’brel) in Traditional Tibet; Lumbini 4-7 March 2000. -
Suvarnabhumi Airport, (New) Bangkok International Airport Bangkok, Thailand Overview
Xi Jing Fang Jing Meng Natasha Soriano Kendra Hanagami Suvarnabhumi Airport, (New) Bangkok International Airport Bangkok, Thailand Overview Magnitudes and Financing Social and Economic Benefits Technical Issues and Innovations Policy Challenges and Social Problems Location Samut Prakan Province, Thailand 25 km to the east of downtown Bangkok Magnitudes 1973 ––LandLand purchased in 2002 ––constructionconstruction began September 28, 2006 open Cost: $3.8 billion Approximately 232 hectacres Airport Features 2 parallel runways 51 air bridges 120 parking bays Capacity per year of 76 flights per hour 45 million passengers 3 million tones of cargo 5,000 car parking lot Tallest control Tower (132.2m) Further Expansion Two additional runways It will cater to over 100 million passengers per year Financing and Management 40%: Airports of Thailand PLC.(AOT) 58.4%: Japan Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC) 1.6%: of other financial institution Breakdown of budget: Type Percent Engineering Cost 63.58 Management Cost 2.35 Financing Cost 2.83 Other Cost 31.24 Ground Transportation 1.1. Suvarnabhumi Airport Express (under construction) 2.2. Train ($1.27) 3.3. Express bus ($4.25) 4.4. City bus ($1) 5.5. Public taxi ($6($6--$12)$12) 3030--4040 min Uses Built to replace the old airport of Don Muang The airport is the main hub for Thai Airways International Bangkok Airways Orient Thai Airlines PBair Thai AirAsia focus city for China Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Emirates Airline, EVA Air, Indian Airlines, and SriLankan Airlines. Economic Benefits Southeast Asia's regional cargo hub, able to move 6 million tons of freight per year. -
A Provisional Physiographic Zonation of Bhutan
Journal of Bhutan Studies A PROVISIONAL PHYSIOGRAPHIC ZONATION OF BHUTAN Chencho Norbu etal1 Abstract The concept of physiography integrates all of the main components of the natural environment, such as bedrock, surface drift deposits, landform, soils, climate, water, and plants and animals. This paper summarizes the provisional physiographic zonation of Bhutan, based on soil survey fieldwork by the National Soil Services Centre, with some material incorporated from other environmental disciplines. The main influence in shaping the landscape of Bhutan has been the uplift of the Himalayas following the collision of the Indian and Asian continental plates. This has given rise to the basic topographic structure of the country with the High Himalaya in the north from which long ranges formed of metamorphic rocks run southwards and then descend steeply to the duars. The main valleys follow more or less north- south course, but show considerable variation in their longitudinal profiles. They all have narrow gorge-like sections in the South but vary in the sections upstream. In western and central Bhutan the riverbeds have stepped profiles and the flatter sections form Inner Valleys with relatively gentle side slopes and wide floors at altitudes ranging from 1100 m at Wangdi to 2600 m at Jakar. The rivers in the east are cut deeper, and their valleys are narrow and steep throughout. 1 Ian Baillie, National Soil Resources Institute, Cranfield University, UK. Email: [email protected], Tshering Dorji, Tsheten Dorj, H. B. Tamang, Kado Tshering & Austin Hutcheon, National Soil Services Centre, Semtokha, Ministry of Agriculture, PO Box 119, Thimphu, Bhutan .Email:[email protected] 54 This structure forms the basis of the proposed zonation in which Bhutan is divided into transmontane plateau, High Himalayan peaks, High Himalayan plateau remnants, North- South valleys and ranges, front foothills and duars. -
LOCATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE of BHUTAN in RELATION to INDIA Bhutan Is a Landlocked Country in South Asia. Located in the Eastern Hima
LOCATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE OF BHUTAN IN RELATION TO INDIA Bhutan is a landlocked country in south Asia. Located in the eastern Himalayas, it is bordered by Tibet of china in the west, Arunachal Pradesh state of India in the east and the Assam state of India in the south. Bhutan is landlocked between china and India measures 46,500 square kilometres and has a population of about 813,581. In spite of these limitations, Bhutan has earned the reputation of being a peaceful country where the development of threats from militancy, terrorism and economic disparity with in itself has virtually been absent. In this sense, Bhutan has thus far been more fortunate than many of its neighbours in the south Asian region. This has been in part owing to its self-isolationist policy up until the second half of the 20th century and the preservation and promotion of a strong sense of individuality that has ensured social adherence and unity. The locational significance of Bhutan are discussed as follows:- 1. Buffer State: The Himalayan nations of Nepal, Bhutan and Sikkim were buffer- states between the British Empire and China, later between China and India, which in 1962 fought the Sino-Indian War in places where the two regional powers bordered each other. Bhutan is important to India as a buffer state as it act as a defence against China by protecting the chicken neck. It is so important for India to protect the North Eastern states that it has done things which no other nation does. 2. Bilateral relationship with India: The bilateral relations between the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan and the Republic of India have been traditionally close and both countries share a 'special relationship', making Bhutan a protected state, but not a protectorate, of India.