Nong Khai Blog » Site Updates http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com ...a resource for tourists and residents Tue, 18 May 2010 00:48:08 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Haiti Disaster Fund Raising Event http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/2010/01/18/haiti-disaster-fund-raising-event/ http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/2010/01/18/haiti-disaster-fund-raising-event/#comments Mon, 18 Jan 2010 01:40:04 +0000 Alec http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/?p=142 The Isara Foundation is having a Haiti fund raising event on Thursday 21st January at the Gaia Bar at the Mut Mee Garden Guesthouse starting at 7:00pm. All donations received will go directly to help the aid effort in Haiti. Come along and enjoy some great live music on the Mekong River.

]]> http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/2010/01/18/haiti-disaster-fund-raising-event/feed/ 0 Updated and improved Interactive Nong Khai Map http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/2009/09/08/updated-and-improved-interactive-nong-khai-map/ http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/2009/09/08/updated-and-improved-interactive-nong-khai-map/#comments Tue, 08 Sep 2009 05:10:18 +0000 Alec http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/?p=132 We have had an interactive map on our website for many months, but it had not been updated in a long time. We have now transferred all of the data we collected for our printed map of Nong Khai to our Interactive Nong Khai Town Map.

To make it more easy for users to find the information they are looking for, as there is such a large amount of data to be included, we have created four separate interactive maps as follows:

1.) General Nong Khai Map showing the location of Temples, Shops, Gas Stations, Hospitals, Pharmacies, Attractions, Markets etc…

2.) Nong Khai Accommodation Map showing Nong Khai Hotels, Nong Khai Guesthouses, Nong Khai Resorts and Nong Khai Apartments.

3.) Map of Nong Khai Bars, Nong Khai Restaurants and Nong Khai Coffee Shops

4.) Map of Nong Khai Banks and ATMs

We have tried to include as much information as possible and will be constantly review the data. If, however, there is something additional that you think should be included, please contact us.

]]> http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/2009/09/08/updated-and-improved-interactive-nong-khai-map/feed/ 0 Commenting is now enabled on the blog http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/2009/07/23/commenting-is-no-enabled-on-the-blog/ http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/2009/07/23/commenting-is-no-enabled-on-the-blog/#comments Thu, 23 Jul 2009 01:38:26 +0000 Alec http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/2009/07/23/commenting-is-no-enabled-on-the-blog/ I recently had a request to enable commenting on the Nong Khai Information blog. I thought that they had been enabled from the start, but on checking I realised that when I created all of the wordpress blog theme templates, I missed out one small but crucial piece of code. The result was that it appeared that you would be able to make comments, but when you clicked on the comments link you would be taken straight to the post with no way to comment.

This problem has now been rectified so feel free to add comments to the blog. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Note that, for anti spam reasons, comments have to be approved so they may not appear on the blog immediately.

Thanks to John at UdonThani.co.uk for pointing out this problem.

]]> http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/2009/07/23/commenting-is-no-enabled-on-the-blog/feed/ 3 Useful Links http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/2009/07/18/useful-links/ http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/2009/07/18/useful-links/#comments Sat, 18 Jul 2009 08:09:40 +0000 Alec http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/?p=107 I’ve just added a ‘useful links’ page to the site which can be accessed directly from the navigation menu on the left hand side.

Can’t find the information about Nong Khai that you are looking for on this site? The useful links page will show you other sites about Nong Khai that might have what you are looking for. Perhaps you are looking for information about another province within Thailand – you may find what you are looking for on the useful links page.

Is there a site about Nong Khai or another region of Thailand that you find useful? Please contact us and let us know so that I can add it to the list. Thanks.

]]> http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/2009/07/18/useful-links/feed/ 0 Nong Khai Map http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/2009/07/01/nong-khai-map/ http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/2009/07/01/nong-khai-map/#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:42:25 +0000 Alec http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/?p=101 Nong Khai Map

Our map of Nong Khai is now available throughout the province.

The map features a large scale map of Nong Khai town on one side. On the other side, there is a map of Nong Khai province, and information about some of the attractions and things to do in Nong Khai.

We will print 2,500 copies every month and will add different featured attractions and information for each issue, so look out for the latest edition every month.

We are distributing the map to businesses throught Nong Khai province to make available to their customers. If you run a business and would like to be included in our month distribution please contact us. Also contact us if you would like to promote your business on our maps.

]]> http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/2009/07/01/nong-khai-map/feed/ 2 A different approach for a commercial, information website http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/2009/06/23/a-different-approach-for-a-commercial-information-website/ http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/2009/06/23/a-different-approach-for-a-commercial-information-website/#comments Tue, 23 Jun 2009 03:05:58 +0000 Alec http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/?p=95 We pride ourselves on being the most comprehensive online source of information about Nong Khai. Nong Khai information is indeed a commercial operation, but we certainly do not let that get in the way of our main focus which is to provide complete and accurate information about Nong Khai, the province in which we live. All too often, one sees websites that merely list those companies who have paid to be included. Whilst this may save time and effort in building the website, it is far from useful for visitors to the site looking for complete information.

The cost of online advertising can sometimes prove prohibitive for some of the smaller establishments who offer just a few budget-rate rooms, for example. It is for this reason that we offer free listings for all businesses. In this way, no one is excluded from our listings. (If you run, or know of, a business that is not yet included on our website, please contact us.)

In the next few days, our free printed map of Nong Khai will be available. This is a project that has taken a great deal of our time recently, but with work on the map complete and in the hands of the printer, we will be able to fully focus our attention on website content once again.

As well as updating our existing Nong Khai Hotels, Nong Khai Restaurants and Nong Khai Bars sections, we will also be adding information to the Visa section of our website. We also have a lot more information about Nong Khai Attractions to be uploaded complete with a number of additional photo galleries. If you have any suggestions of items to be included in any of these sections, or if you have any relevant questions that need answers please contact us.

We will also be adding a page providing links to other websites that may be useful to people living in or visiting Nong Khai. This will include any other websites containing information about Nong Khai, or sites relevant to Ex-pats living in Thailand. We will also be adding links to similar ‘town guide’ sites for other towns in Thailand. If you have any suggestions of sites to be included, please contact us.

]]> http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/2009/06/23/a-different-approach-for-a-commercial-information-website/feed/ 0 Future site development plans http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/2009/04/17/future-site-development-plans/ http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/2009/04/17/future-site-development-plans/#comments Fri, 17 Apr 2009 02:15:10 +0000 Alec http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/?p=78 This post is really just to outline planned additions to site functionality, rather than content. Obviously, we are also always adding more Nong Khai hotels, restaurants, bars, attractions and general information on an ongoing basis.

Business Directory
The next major new addition to the site will be the Nong Khai business directory. Here you will be able to find listings of businesses of all types located within Nong Khai. As we offer free listings to all businesses in Nong Khai, we are sure you will find the directory to be a useful and comprehensive resource.

Integrated Mapping
At the moment the free accommodation, restaurant and bar listings simply include names addresses and contact numbers (though paid entries include more information). We also have our interactive map of Nong Khai that marks the position of these establishments. At the moment, there is no integration between the sections. However, we will soon be adding mapping links directly into the hotel/restaurant/bar/business directory entries, making locating a particular business all the more easy.

Reviews
With so many hotels, restaurants, bars and businesses to choose from, it can be hard to make an informed decision, so we will also be adding review functionality so that you can read or write reviews and grade Nong Khai businesses and attractions.

Forum
There will also be a forum where you can discuss all topics related to Nong Khai with others.

Classifieds
If you have something to sell or are looking for something to buy, you will be able to take advantage of our free classified ads.

Current position and next steps
Obviously, adding features takes time and the feeling so far has been that it is better to to spend the time filling the site with useful data before devoting time to these ‘extras’. We are currently in a rather busy period of validating all of our existing data and also compiling information for the business directory which will be the next major site update. The mapping and review links will follow that.

]]> http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/2009/04/17/future-site-development-plans/feed/ 1 New Currency Converter and Twitter Widget http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/2009/04/17/new-currency-converter-and-twitter-widget/ http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/2009/04/17/new-currency-converter-and-twitter-widget/#comments Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:31:05 +0000 Alec http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/?p=71 I had a request via the site feedback system for more currencies to be added to the currency widget. In time, I shall update this widget, but because of the way this information is brought into the site, it is not an easy task to add more currencies. It is basically an iFrame, which takes the currecy widget directly from Bangkok Bank’s website. In this way, I’m stuck with the data that they provide. As an intermediate solution, I’ve added a currency conversion page to the site here. You will also find a link to it from the currency widget. I think this will be a useful addition to the site, but I realise that it is not as convenient as the widget for quick reference. However, like I said, I will address this issue as soon as possible.

On a related point, I mentioned that this request had come through the site feedback system. This is a free service provided by www.Kampyle.com. They definitely deserve a mention here as I have been very happy with the service. It has generated more feedback than I was expecting and has enabled me to improve the site. I would recommend their service as it is free and simple to set up.

Another widget that I have changed is the Twitter widget that displays my latest twitter updates. Previously I was using a Flash widget, but I’ve changed it to a pure HTML widget in the interest of accessibility. (Flash does not work on iPhone / iPod touch at the moment.) I also now have more control over the way that posts are displayed.

I am looking for an alternative non-Flash weather widget for the same reason, but it needs to be customisable – so far, I have not been happy with the appearance of those available.Updated: I have now added a non-flash Weather widget to the site. It may not be quite as ‘pretty’ as the flash version, but is more accessible, which I think is more important.

]]> http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/2009/04/17/new-currency-converter-and-twitter-widget/feed/ 0 Our other website domains http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/2009/04/07/our-other-website-domains/ http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/2009/04/07/our-other-website-domains/#comments Tue, 07 Apr 2009 00:37:50 +0000 Alec http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/?p=43 There are a number of other ways you can get to our site rather than using our main address.

You can also find us at:
www.NongKhai-Accommodation.com
www.NongKhai-Hotels.com
www.NongKhai-Guesthouses.com
www.NongKhai-Restaurants.com
www.NongKhai-Bars.com
www.NongKhai-Visa.com
www.NongKhaiProperty.com
www.NongKhaiHub.com

]]> http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/2009/04/07/our-other-website-domains/feed/ 0 Interactive Map of Nong Khai http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/2009/04/07/interactive-map-of-nong-khai/ http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/2009/04/07/interactive-map-of-nong-khai/#comments Mon, 06 Apr 2009 21:51:08 +0000 Alec http://blog.nongkhaiinformation.com/?p=38 I have added an interactive map of Nong Khai town to the Maps section of the site. At the moment, there is not a large number of points marked on it. However, over the next few days it will be populated with a lot more information.

The map will show general points of interest, accommodation, restaurants, bars as well as other useful information such as banks, markets, ATMs and such like.

The map uses the standard “Google Maps” functionality that is familiar to so many, so it should be fairly intuitive for most users. Use the navigation keys in the top left corner of the map to scroll around and zoom in and out. Switch between different view types using the buttons in the top right corner of the map. Click on a marker icon on the map to get more information about what is at that point, with photographs and links in some cases.

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