THAILAND TRAVEL NEWS: Thailand’s panda family will move in to a new Bt 60 million ($US1.757 million) purposely built snow house later this year.

The Chinese design enclosure is currently under construction behind the existing panda habitat at Chiang Mai Zoo and officials expect the new structure to be completed by the end of this month.

Prasertsak Buntrakulpuntawi, director for panda research and display at Chiang Mai Zoo, said the new habitat will feature artificial snow and the temperature inside will be maintained at -5C (23F).

He said the male adult panda, Xuang Xuang, will be moved there to see if the environment suits the pandas when the cool seasons begins at the end of this year.

Lin Hui and her female cub will try out the house after both have regained their strength.

The new-born panda cub continues to put on weight and yesterday underwent a full medical checkup by Chinese panda expert Wei Ming, who declared her healthy.

The as yet to be named cub now measures 18.5cm long and weighs 325gm. Black fur is already growing on parts of the cub’s body, as well as around her ears.

Meanwhile, Thailand’s National Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti and Zoological Park Organisation director-general Sophon Damnui are expected to approach China with a proposal to set up a Thailand-China panda research centre in the kingdom.

By John Le Fevre

Thailand Travel News for June 5, 2009