Dok Khun Siang Khaen Festival

Dok Khun Siang Khaen Festival is held during April 13-15 every year at Bung Kaen Nakhon. The day starts with merit making, followed by pouring holy water on Buddha images, local dramatic arts, floral cart procession, northeastern food contest, boat race in Bung Kaen Nakhon, and shops selling a variety of products.


source : tourismthailand.org

Thailand Even Calendar 2008

Many of the festivals and events listed on Thailand's official calendar of annual events are traditional Buddhist or folk festivals, the date of which is either determined by the Buddhist lunar calendar and waxing and waning moon. These are not staged events. The festivals reflect the rhythm of life in rural Thai villages and local traditions as observed in times past. Event dates may be subject to change. To ensure you have the most updated information, please reconfirm details prior to travel.

JANUARY 2008

NOVEMBER 28, 2007 – MARCH 28, 2008
THE WORLD SAND SCULPTURE FESTIVAL
Srisothorn Road, Chachoengsao provincial center
Chachoengsao province, Thailand

“BRIDGES — DIALOGUES TOWARDS A CULTURE OF PEACE”
November 2007 to April 2008
http://www.peace-foundation.net

FEBRUARY 2008

FEBRUARY 1 - 3, 2008
The 31st CHIANG MAI FLOWER FESTIVAL
Nong Buak Hat Park, Mueang District, Chiang Mai
read article

FEBRUARY 7 - 9, 2008
CHINESE NEW YEAR 2008

FEBRUARY 20 - 22, 2008
THAILAND LADIES OPEN 2008
http://www.thailandladiesgolf.org

MARCH 2008

MARCH 2008 (date to be confirmed)
ASIAN BARRED GROUND DOVE COOING COMPETITION
Yala

MARCH 8, 2008
SUMMER SPLASH 2008
At Jomtien Beach, Pattaya Park
read article

MARCH 8 - 9, 2008
THAILAND INTERNATIONAL KITE FESTIVAL
At the Rama VI Camp
Cha-am, Phetchaburi, Thailand

MARCH 21 – 23, 2008
PATTAYA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL 2007

MARCH 28 - 30, 2008
2008 MEKONG RIVER ITU TRIATHLON ASIAN CUP
ITU Point Race
The International Triathlon Union (ITU) is the official international governing body for the Olympic sport of Triathlon

MARCH 31 - APRIL 6, 2008
2007 KING'S CUP ELEPHANT POLO TOURNAMENT
Chiang Saen Secondary School, Golden Triangle,
Chiang Rai, Thailand
Spectator entrance is free of charge.

APRIL 2008

APRIL 1 - 9, 2008
CHIANG MAI INTERNATIONAL ART AND CULTURE FESTIVAL
At the Three Kings Monument and venues around Chiang Mai

APRIL 13 - 15, 2008
SONGKRAN FESTIVAL
Bangkok. Chiang Mai. Khon Kaen. Nong Khai. Nakhon Phanom. Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. Chon Buri. Samut Prakarn. Phuket. Nakhon Si Thammarat. Songkhla.
read article

APRIL 13 - 15, 2008
DOK KHUN SIANG KHEAN FESTIVAL
at Bung Kaen Nakhon, Khon Kaen

MAY 2008

MAY 9, 2008
THE ROYAL PLOUGHING CEREMONY
Sanam Luang, Rattanakosin Island Bangkok

MAY 2008
BUN BANG FAI ROCKET FESTIVAL
Yasothon Municipal Office on Chaeng Sanit Road and Yasothon Provincial Office

JUNE 2008

JUNE 1 - JULY 31, 2008
BLOOMING KRACHIAO FLOWER FESTIVAL
The Siam Tulip Festival of Chaiyaphum
Pa Hin Ngam National Park
Ban Rai district and Thep Sathit sub-district, Chaiyaphum province

JUNE 1 – AUGUST 31, 2008
AMAZING THAILAND GRAND SALE 2008
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket and Hat Yai

JUNE 2008
PHI TA KHON & BUN LUANG FESTIVAL
Dan Sai District, Loei District and Province

JULY 2008

JULY 1 - 9, 2008
GRAND CANDLE FESTIVAL
Ubon Ratchathani

JULY 2008
TAK BAT DOK MAI FESTIVAL
Wat Phra Phutthabat Ratchaworamahawihan, Amphoe Phra Phutthabat, Saraburi

JULY 13, 2008
PATTAYA INTERNATIONAL MARATHON

AUGUST 2008

AUGUST 30 – 31, 2008
BHUMIBOL DAM INVITATION INTERNATIONAL
MOUNTAIN BIKE CHAMPIONSHIP 2008
At Bhumibol Dam, Tak Province

SEPTEMBER 2008

SEPTEMBER 13 - 14, 2008
THAILAND INTERNATIONAL SWAN BOAT RACES
AND LONG BOAT RACE CHAMPIONSHIP THAILAND
On the Chao Phraya River
At the Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Centre,
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

SEPTEMBER 2008
INTERNATIONAL KO-LAE BOAT RACES
At the mouth of the Bang Nara River
in front of the Narathiwat City Hall

OCTOBER 2008

OCTOBER 2008
PHUKET VEGETARIAN FESTIVAL
www.phuketvegetarian.com

OCTOBER 2008
ILLUMINATED BOAT PROCESSION
The Mekong River, Nakhon Phanom

OCTOBER 2008
THE SAKHON NAKHON WAX CASTLE PROCESSION
& ROYAL TROPHY LONG-BOAT RACES
At Wat Phra That Choeng Chum Temple, Sakon Nakhon

OCTOBER 2008
RAP BUA CEREMONY
Samut Prakan

NOVEMBER 2008

NOVEMBER 2008
LOI KRATHONG – FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

NOVEMBER 2008
RIVER KWAI BRIDGE WEEK
Kanchanaburi

DECEMBER 2008

DECEMBER 2008
2008 PHUKET KING'S CUP REGATTA

DECEMBER 2008
AYUTTHAYA WORLD HERITAGE SITE CELEBRATIONS
Venue: The Ayutthaya Historical Park, Ayutthaya

Contact:
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Email: info@tat.or.th
Website: www.tat.or.th
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 (120 automatic lines)
Fax: +66 (0) 2250 5511 (two automatic lines)

FOR EVENT INFORMATION,
please call 1672.

Address:
1600 Petchaburi Road, Makkasan, Rajatevee
Bangkok 10400
Thailand

New Coral Reef Found Off Thailand

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has reported the finding of a new coral reef off the coast of Thailand . Reportedly in pristine condition, the reef is being hailed as a major find by environmentalists. Discovered by local fishermen in January of this year, the reef is located off Phang-Nga, a southern Thai province. full article

source : discoverythailand.com

Pattaya Park, Summer Splash 2008

Summer Splash 2008
Catch the summer vibe at Summer Splash Jomtien Beach, Pattaya - March 8, 2008… The fun starts at 5pm sharp, goes on late...

This is going to be a brilliant! Sponsored by the likes of MTV, The British Council and Maxim, it’s going to be this summer’s ultimate pool and beach event. The party takes place at Pattaya Park and features DJs, a summer barbeque, a swimwear fashion show, waterslides and splash pool, big inflatables, wow dancers, live percussionist, VDO jockey, fire jugglers and much, much more.The music will be an exceptional mix of brand new banging beats and quality tunes from the dance decade 1994 to 2004. full article

source : discoverythailand.com

Artistic Performances in 3 Cities of Thailand

• The Fine Arts Department arranges artistic performances in 3 cities
During the year 2007
Venue: the National Theatres in Bangkok, Suphan Buri, and Nakhon Ratchasima

Thailand is not only recognized by people around the world as a beautiful country, but also well known for its abundance of exquisite arts. This is because by nature the Thais love and appreciate the beauty of things, which has resulted in the creation of a large number of valuable art forms, including performing arts.

In order to revitalise, conserve, and promote the knowledge of all such arts, the Fine Arts Department has collected all kinds of artists and materials needed in performing these arts and arranged a series of performances all year round. Apart from conserving Thai Arts, the shows are valuable sources of knowledge for those who want to study Thai Arts and Culture.

Theatrical and music performances are being held in the afternoon and the evening of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of each week consecutively in the year 2007 at the National Theatres in Bangkok, Suphan Buri and Nakhon Ratchasima. Examples of interesting performances are khon, jataka plays, Thai historical plays, Thai musicals, and traditional dances.

For more information about the performance schedules and tickets, please contact the Office of Performing Arts, The Fine Arts Department Tel. +66 (0) 2224-1342, +66 (0) 2222-1092 or visit website – finearts.go.th/~opa

Ferry Service Between Trang and Langkawi

South Thailand: New Ferry Service Between Trang and Langkawi

A ferry service has been launched between the southern Thai province of Trang and the Malaysian resort island of Langkawi, opening up access to some of the region's best beaches and diving spots. Presently, the service is open only to Thais and Malaysians but ferry operators are hopeful of international traffic being allowed if the route proves successful.

The Thai-Langkawi Ferryline Ltd. inaugurated the route on 7 December, 2003. The ferry, which has a seating capacity of 150+, operates one round-trip per day only on weekends. The two-hour trip departs from Ta-se Pier in Trang at 08.00 hrs. and returns from Langkawi Island at 15.30 hrs.

Round trip tickets are 660 baht for adults and 460 baht for children aged 3 - 12 years old. One-way tickets are half those prices. All fares exclude a 100 baht border-crossing levy. Travellers have to send a copy of their national ID cards to the company two days in advance of the trip.

The company also offers two tour packages include a return one-day trip for 1,900 baht per person and a two-day one-night trip for 2,300 baht per person.

Langkawi and Trang are two of the most beautiful coastal areas in the Andaman Sea. With a well-developed tourist infrastructure, Langkawi is a popular holiday resort for domestic Malaysian travellers, who can now cross over into Thailand as a result of the new ferry service.

In turn, Trang is rapidly emerging as a popular Thai resort, especially the 50 or so small islands off its western coast, known for their pristine coral reefs, and rich bird and mammal wildlife. The best time for sea travel is during October to May. Thai Airways International serves Trang with daily flights, and three extra flights on weekends.

In 2002, domestic Thai visitor arrivals to Trang rose by 8.48% to 440,798 person-trips with an average length of stay (ALS) of 2.78 days and an average expenditure of 1,621 baht per person per day. International visitor arrivals to Trang in 2002 were up by 26.68% to 49,505 person-trips with an ALS of 3.65 days and an average expenditure of 1,932 baht per person per day.

Langkawi is also accessible by boat from Satun province in Thailand, a shorter trip of only 45 minutes.

Bangkok - Hua Hin Air shuttle

A newly-launched Bangkok-Hua Hin air shuttle service offers travellers the option of flying between Bangkok and Hua Hin in only 40 minutes. The air shuttle service, operated by SGA Airlines/ Siam General Aviation, reduces the travel time between Bangkok and Hua Hin by more than two hours.

With a steady increase in the number of luxury resorts and spas and prime properties opening in the ‘royal paradise’ of Hua Hin, Thailand’s first seaside resort is attracting an ever-increasing numbers of affluent international travellers. This, according to SGA, has led to a demand for an air shuttle service that provides a convenient and welcome alternative to the three-hour drive from Bangkok to Hua Hin.

The Bangkok-Hua Hin air-shuttle service essentially provides an express transfer service for hotel guests, particularly for travellers arriving on long-haul flights from Europe. In operating its air-shuttle service, SGA works in close cooperation with several leading hotels in Hua Hin.
Siam General Aviation received ISO 9001:2000 certification in September 2004 and has been operating four daily flights between Bangkok and Hua Hin since November 1, 2004.

The route is serviced by a Cessna 208B Caravan aircraft, with a seating capacity for 12 passengers. The aircraft has been fitted out with plush leather seating. The Cessna is a light aircraft well-suited to low-altitude flights. This offers passengers an opportunity to enjoy an aerial view of the landscape along the route which passes over Bangkok, Samut Prakarn, the Gulf of Thailand, the Chao Phraya River and Petchburi province before touching down in Hua Hin.

With such a short flight, there is no inflight service. However the airline has its own lounge in Bangkok and Hua Hin, where passengers are able to relax and enjoy light snacks and beverages.

Destination Air Shuttle in Phuket, Thailand

Destination Air Shuttle in Phuket, Thailand

Destination Air Shuttle, Thailand’s only seaplane shuttle service officially launched services from Phuket International Airport on February 1, 2007. Offering 12 flights per day, leaving every 2 hours from Phuket International Airport, Destination Air Shuttle will serve Phi Phi Island, Krabi and Koh Lanta. Further landing locations are planned for Similans, Koh Racha, and Khao Lak.

Destination Air Shuttle provides reliable, safe and regular air shuttle services that will connect with international airlines by providing door to door service to most major hotels and resorts in the various islands when guests arrive to Phuket. This significantly reduces the travel time to these resort destinations from the usual half day overland trip to less than 13 minutes to Koh Phi Phi, 20 minutes to Krabi, and 30 minutes to Koh Lanta giving better accessibility in the region. Destination Air Shuttle departs from Phuket International Airport and lands directly in the waterfront of most major hotel resorts.

As the only seaplane shuttle service in Thailand, guests can expect Service Reliability by reserving their flights on Destination Air through travel agents or directly through the Destination Air Shuttle website (destinationair.com). Upon arrival, Destination Air Shuttle staff will take transfers from international and domestic baggage claim area to the Destination Air Shuttle terminal, a short 200 metres, adjoining the main terminal.

Passengers will board one of Destination Air Shuttle’s passenger amphibian aircraft that take off from the runway and land in front of their Island resort. Destination Air’s fleet includes Cessna 208 and 206 aircraft, which are rated as the safest aircraft in the world. Aircraft are flown by experienced international pilots individually selected for their many years of safe flight experience and friendly customer service capabilities.

Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) President and CEO Mr. Peter de Jong said: “Accessibilty is a key success factor for any destination. The Thai Andaman region already enjoys international and domestic accessibility via Phuket International Airport, however, Destination Air Shuttle's local service will distribute the benefits of international and domestic travel much more broadly. Destination Air Shuttle will open up new markets and opportunities for local people and the travel and tourism industry across a much wider geographic area. That's great news for Thailand. We're proud to have Destination Air Shuttle on board as a PATA member, and wish it and the region it serves a most prosperous 2007.”

Capt. Nithit Kesangam, CEO of Destination Air Shuttle says “This is an outstanding service to hotels and tour operators in the Phuket area. This is a fantastic shot in the arm for hotels and tourists going to Phi Phi, Krabi, and Koh Lanta.”

About Destination Air Co., Ltd.
Destination Air Co., Ltd. is the owner and sole operator of Destination Air Shuttle – Thailand’s only seaplane shuttle service based at Phuket International Airport that flies to various destinations in the Andaman Sea. It is a member of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). More details can be found at www.destinationair.com

KOH TAO Scuba Dive Season 2007

KOH TAO DIVE SEASON KICKS-OFF WITH UNDERWATER WORLD 2007

The island of Koh Tao, Thailand’s most popular diving destination for dive beginners, accounts for approximately 30 per cent of all dive certificates issued around the world. Koh Tao also ranks among the world’s top 10 dive sites.
Known for its picturesque tropical coastal landscape and spectacular underwater world with coral reefs teeming with a tremendous variety of colourful marine life, the island attracts more than 300,000 visitors each year.

The opening of Koh Tao Underwater World 2007 during February 10-11 marks the beginning of the island’s travel and dive season. Following a short break during the November-December monsoon season, Koh Tao and its neighbouring island of Koh Nang Yuan offer year-round diving opportunities.

Some of the key activities being organized such as the Underwater World 2007 ‘save the seas’ and ‘clean beaches’ campaigns, tree-planting, the installation of mooring buoys for vessels to protect shallow-water reefs and other environmental protection initiatives, are designed to encourage local residents, as well as visitors, to take part in community efforts to protect the island’s delicate coastal and marine environment and rich eco-systems. It is hoped that participation in these environmentally-friendly activities will foster increased environmental awareness and promote responsible tourism.

These environmental protection and marine conservation efforts are being jointly spearheaded by the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Southern Region 5 office which oversees the provinces of Surat Thani, Chumphon and Ranong; the Surat Thani Provincial Administration Office (Or Bor Jor), the Koh Tao Sub-District Administration Office (Or Bor Tor), Koh Tao dive clubs and societies, the Royal Thai Navy Region 1, Koh Tao community and PADI.

Designed to be a fun weekend with family and friends, Koh Tao Underwater World 2007 also features a light-and-sound presentation and contests such as the Miss Dive Shop beauty contest and the Creative Costume contest. Winners will be judged for their creativity in designing extra-ordinary costumes made from re-cycled items salvaged from the OTOP and Food Festival.

KOH TAO (Turtle Island) AND KOH NANG YUAN

The islands of Koh Tao - Turtle Island, and Koh Nang Yuan offer experienced divers virtually year-round diving opportunities with the exception of the November-December monsoon season.

Koh Tao, a bean-shaped island, has 11 bays, beautiful beaches and crystal clear seas with an 8-km. long coral reef teeming with marine life. At dive sites just 1 km. from the island, you'll be swimming in the midst of pelagics, barracudas, big-eyed jacks, tuna, giant travellys and the colourful clown fish. This proximity to the "underwater classrooms" for diving courses makes Koh Tao ideal for beginners.

The renowned diving site at Kong Hin Wong is adorned with huge sea fans, Cetmocella, sea whips and other soft corals.

Whale sharks are often spotted off Ko Hong Sai Daeng.

Hin Tung Ku and Kong Hin Khao are also interesting deep-sea diving sites, thanks to a myriad of marine animals and rare black coral.

HOW TO GET THERE
A 2.5 hours boat trip from Ko Pa-ngan to Koh Tao operates daily. The daily trip from Chumphon to Koh Tao takes 6 hours by ordinary boat and 2 hours by express boat.

Scenic Ko Nang Yuan is 15-minutes from Koh Tao.

ACCOMMODATION
Houses and resorts for tourists are available in every bay area, fully equipped with boats, cars and diving gear for rent.

Contact information:
TAT Southern Office – Region 5 (Surat Thani)
Tel: +66 (0) 7728 8817-9
Fax: +66 (0) 7728 2828
E-mail: tatsurat@tat.or.th

Saranrom Cultural Park Exhibition

SARANROM CULTURAL PARK
An Exhibition in Honour of His Majesty the King, Cultural Shows and
Light-and-Sound performances
Cultural Park for Tourism Project
1 January – 14 April 2007
13.00 – 21.00 hrs, daily
At Saranrom Park
Free Admission

An Exhibition in Honour of His Majesty the King
The exhibition showcases thousands of projects initiated by His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand for the benefit of the Thai people throughout his 60 years on the throne.

Cultural Shows from Five Regions
Cultural shows from the five regions include Thai traditional folk dances, Manorah performances, shadow puppet plays, northeastern-style basket dances, performances of Thai traditional masked dances or khon, and plays by artists from around the country.
Performances are staged simultaneously twice a day.
15.00 – 15.30 hrs and 18.00 – 20.30 hrs

Merry Folk Music
Enjoy a vast selection of colourful folk music bands such as the northeastern-style Sing Saderd folk singers, the Mongserng rock group, the southern band Pran Preu and alto xylophonist Narongrit Tosa-nga. Many national artists and famous stars from each province will take to the stage, presenting impressive performances daily.
Performances are staged simultaneously twice a day.
15.00 – 15.30 hrs and 18.00 – 20.30 hrs

Grand Light-and-Sound performances
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday/ 19.00 – 20.00 hrs
These combine the performing arts with multimedia effects, musical fountains, flying angels and laser displays. With the support of more than 50 performers, the show is intended to express national loyalty for His Majesty the King through five stories about five special occasions.

Learn about Thai Folk Wisdom
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will stage demonstrations on how to create products based on Thai folk wisdom. Visitors are welcome to observe the demonstrations and learn about useful techniques free of charge.

Demonstrations are held twice a day.
15.00 – 17.30 hrs
18.00 – 20.30 hrs

Contact information:
Cultural Park for Tourism Project
Bangkok Tourism Division, Culture, Sports and Tourism Department
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration
Tel: 0 2225 7612-4
Fax: 0 2225 7615-6

The 2nd Annual Phuket International Blues Festival

The 2nd Annual Phuket International Blues Festival
Date 16 Feb 2007 - 17 Feb 2007

Following the success of the 1st Phuket International Blue Festival, Phuket Music Production Company, Ltd. announces The 2nd Annual Phuket International Blues Festival. The 2nd Annual Phuket International Blues Festival will be held the third weekend in February; February 16-17, 2007, at the Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa in Karon Beach.

Activities
The 2nd Annual Phuket International Blues Festival; February 16-17, 2007

The schedule is now confirmed. The highly acclaimed Rich Harper Blues Band (U.S.A.) will once again headline the event and close the show Saturday night. The phenomenal voice of British blues legend Victor Brox will again fill the air as Friday night draws to a close. If you did not see these magnificent performers last time, here’s your second chance!

Confirmed are also The Groove Doctors, Blue On Blue, Cannonball, The Blues Machine and Soi Dog Blues Band, as well as Victor Brox’s daughter, Kyla Brox. Don’t miss this young lady, destined to be Britain’s #1 female singer!

Schedule:

Friday February 16, 2007
8:30-19:40: Blue On Blue, Bangkok
20:00-21:10: The Blues Machine, Pattaya
21:30-22:40: Soi Dog Blues Band, Bangkok
23:00-00:10: Victor Brox, U.K.

Saturday February 17, 2007
18:30 - 19:40: Cannonball, Bangkok
20:00 - 21:10: Groove Doctors, Phuket
21:30 - 22:40: Kyla Brox, U.K.
23:00 - 00:10: The Rich Harper Band, U.S.A.

Sunday Februry 18, 2007
21:00: All-star Jam Session (Location TBA)

souece : phuketbluesfestival.com

2007 Chinese New Year, Bangkok Thailand

Thailand's largest Chinese community, in the Yaowarat area, organises an annual fair to bring in the New Year. Expect international and Chinese music, lion dancing, local Chinese cultural performances, Chinese opera and fireworks, as well as plenty of stores selling products and food like grilled pork, Peking duck, Chinese desserts and noodles.

Thailand's Chinese population is so large that the entire city seems to shut down during Chinese New Year. During this holiday, Chinatown's streets are filled with an international crowd eating their way along Yaowarat and Charon Krung Rds while watching spectacular lion dancing and colourful dragon processions.

When you're there, don't miss Wat Traimit (Tri Mit Rd), which houses the world's largest solid gold Buddha, the crocodiles of Wat Chakrawat (Chakrawatm off Anawong Rd) - its first guest is still there, stuffed in a glass case - and Nakhon Kasem (Thieves' Market), where you can buy everything from phallus keychains to hubcaps.

Kaeng Krachan The Winner of the 2006

KAENG KRACHAN NATIONAL PARK
Winner of the 2006 Thailand Tourism Award of Outstanding Performance for Natural Site - Central Region

Nestled on the western brink of the country four-hours drive from Bangkok is a wilderness unparalleled for its rich diversity of birds, large mammals and flora. Kaeng Krachan is Thailand's largest national park (2,914 sq km) and part of a continuous forest complex covering 30,000 sq km of land spanning the border with Myanmar. The park lies at the junction of biogeographic zones so biodiversity in the area is a mix of Indo-Burmese and Malaysian forms.

At middle and higher elevations in the forest, two major watersheds fed by the Phetchaburi and Pranburi Rivers support wildlife. In the lowlands beyond the forest, they sustain agricultural activities. The waterways turn from trickles at their sources to raging water columns in mid-course, to gentle meandering wide streams in the lowlands. Along these waterways lie mineral licks and wallows fed by smaller forest streams where a plethora of fauna including Fea's barking deer, Tapir, Asian elephant come to feed. Tiger, Asiatic leopard, and wild dog lurk along trails leading to the mineral licks waiting for these prey species to emerge in the dead of night. Endangered Siamese crocodile nest along the banks of the Phetchaburi River. The Banded leaf monkey is also commonly seen.

Spanning altitudes ranging from 300 to 1,513m, Kaeng Krachan hosts a diversity of vegetation and is home to a rich bird fauna. Over 400 species are recorded, including the rare Ratchet-tailed treepie, found nowhere else in Thailand. Yellow-vented and White-bellied Pigeons, Grey Peacock Pheasant, six species of hornbill and seven kinds of broadbill are also present.

FLORA
Forest covers 80% of the park and comprises dry dipterocarp, mixed deciduous, and evergreen types.

source : tatnews.org

Trang Underwater Wedding Ceremony 2007

Trang Underwater Wedding Ceremony
The Trang Chamber of Commerce – in association with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thai Airways International as well as other participating local authorities and private sector organisations – have cooperatively launched the 11st Anniversary of “Trang Underwater Wedding Ceremony 2007” event to promote tourism opportunities in the province. The event will be held during 13-15 February 2007 at Pak Meng Beach – one of the best known sand beaches with the peaceful atmosphere and the aligned Koh Meng as its background. The project is aimed to further promote the truly spectacular natural seaside and marine resources - with the warm atmosphere of love giving to each other under the concept of “Romantic Destination”, as well as the beauty of a symbolic flower of the province named “Sri-Trang”, whose pale violet blossoms in season are pleasantly ubiquitous everywhere.

Trang is the province endowed with charming tourism treasures combining several chests of jewels given by the nature – numerous tropical rain forest valleys, distinctive and endorsing-imagination limestone stalactites and stalagmites, and spectacular waterfalls with purely natural water rushed from limestone caves. Being located along the coast of the Andaman Sea, Trang is an origin of an amazingly well-endowed coral reef, where is the habitat of aquatic plants and marine creatures. During the Trang Underwater Wedding event, when no disturbing monsoon emerges, the province’s splendidly scenic resources simultaneously show their natural beauty, especially the sweet blossoms of “Sri-Trang” flowers, to warmly welcome tourists worldwide.

Application and Registration

For Diver Couples:
Please fill in the Application Form and Diver Registration Form enclosed herewith and submit to:

For Non-Diver Couples:
Please fill in the Application Form enclosed herewith and submit to:

Trang Underwater Wedding 2007
43 Tanasan Building, Chiangmai Road, Klongsan, Bangkok 10600
Tel: +662 863 3288 (automatic) ext. 246, 304 Fax: +662 437 8123 Or

Trang Chamber of Commerce (Trang Underwater Wedding 2007)
188 Kantang Road, Aumphur Muang, Trang, Thailand 92000
Tel: +667 522 5353, +667 521 0238 Fax: +667 521 1380

Email address: info@underwaterwedding.com
Please visit our website at www.underwaterwedding.com


Read more: Thailand Destinations
Travel Variety , Hotels and Resorts , Thailand Beach ,
Thailand Place , City of Three Mists , Thailand Festival ,

Bangkok International Boat Show - Boat Thai 2007

Bangkok International Boat Show - Boat Thai 2007






Boat Thai 2007 Cruises Forward with Firm Support from the Industry Bangkok, 9 January 2007 – The first international boat show to be held in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand, has the boating industry in Thailand abuzz with excitement. Boat Thai is on track for a successful first show, having already garnered many firm reservations despite being more than three months away. Support from leading marine companies located in Thailand includes Lee Marine, Blue Wave Watersports, Simpson Marine, Kingfisher Marine, Go Boating and many more, making this an event not to be missed.

Suntec Integrated Media, organiser of Boat Thai 2007, scheduled for 27 to 29 April 2007 at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC), is targeting a strong showing of well-heeled visitors from Bangkok and around the region. As boating becomes increasingly linked to affluence and grows in popularity as a leisure pursuit, the organisers are confident that Boat Thai will satisfy exhibitor and consumer demands for an international boating platform in the heart of Thailand

For further information please contact:
Tom Van Blarcom / Kitti Tharmapornpilas
TQPR Thailand
Tel: 0 2260 5820 ext. 161
Fax: 0 2260 5847-8
E-mail: tqprthai@tqpr.com

Read more: Thailand Destinations
Travel Variety , Hotels and Resorts , Thailand Beach ,
Thailand Place , City of Three Mists , Thailand Festival ,

Kate Moss to be marrying in Thailand

Kate Moss is staying at the luxury Amanpuri resort in Phuket, Thailand and newspaper reports say that Pete Doherty joined her there to see in the New Year – and get married today.
'Senior management at the hotel have been told that the couple are having a romantic, bohemian-style beach wedding,' an insider at the Amanpuri tells The Daily Mail. 'Family and friends have been invited.'
The ceremony may have no legal significance in the UK and could simply be a romantic ritual to endorse the couple's long-standing relationship.

Read more: Thailand Destinations
Travel Variety , Hotels and Resorts , Thailand Beach
Thailand Place , Thailand Festival , Maehongson,

Thailand Flower. Miss Udon Sunshine

Thailand Flower. Miss Udon Sunshine

The ”Udon Sunshine” orchid is a hybrid orchid which is crossbred between the foreign Vanda Josephine van Brero and the Thai Vanda denisoniana that was created in the blossoms of northern part of Thailand by a renowned Thai orchid expert, Dr. Pradit Khampermpoon.

The unique blossoms of Udon Sunshine have three remarkable qualities. First is their longlasting quality. If left on the plant, flowers can stay up to 60 days. Those that are cut from the plant can last 15 days at room temperature, but in cool temperatures, the cut flowers can last up to 25 days.

Another remarkable quality of this unique orchid is that it is a scented orchid and can be extracted and blended with citrus and kefir lime leaf to make the first orchid perfume, named “Miss Udon Sunshine.”

Besides being long-lasting and sweetsmelling, the color of the orchid varies according to the temperature. In the temperature range of 10-15° Celsius, the orchids become bright red, while at the higher temperature of 15-20° Celsius, the flowers change to golden yellow. However, if the temperature is higher than 20° Celsius, the color then changes to deep yellow.

Miss Udon Sunshine has already been patented with the World Orchid Association in England.

source : thailand.prd.go.th

Thailand Travel. Special Package by Amari Coral Beach & Spa

One of Thailand's most popular islands, Phuket is often called the Pearl of the Andaman Sea. On a secluded headland on Patong Bay, Amari Coral Beach Resort & Spa offers first-class accommodation, two swimming pools, diving and sports facilities and a range of fine restaurants. The hotel has been completely renovated in a contemporary modern design.

In addition, the Sivara Spa makes sure that you can really relax and spoil yourself.

Planning a trip to Thailand for business or pleasure - why not select one of our extremely popular packages, including accommodation, daily breakfast and many other options depending on the package of your choice.

We can also assist to arrange golf, diving, or spa activities during your stay - and for those special occasions, why not arrange for champagne and roses in the room for you and your loved one?

Ultimate Relaxation Spa Package Why not escape from the daily stress for a few days of total relaxation. This 3 night package allows time to unwind and chill out. The included spa treatment package at Amari’s signature Sivara Spa will ensure that you are revitalized and refreshed.

Amari Getaway Planning a short vacation in Thailand – then book an Amari Getaway Package. Everything is taken care of from transfers to the airport, a welcome dinner and 3 night’s accommodation with daily American buffet breakfast. Some properties offer unique sightseeing options from jungle adventures in Chiang Mai to family fun in Samui.

Celebration Package A package designed to help you celebrate the special things in life – from a wedding anniversary to a birthday. Sometimes you don’t need a reason – just treat yourself. This 3 night package includes deluxe accommodation, a three-course candlelit dinner and a champagne breakfast.

Honeymoon Package Celebrate your honeymoon in style with a romantically inspired package at Amari Hotels and Resorts. From the heart of rose petals on the bed – or a romantic candlelit dinner let us spoil you in style with this special 2 nights package.

Suite Package Looking for the ultimate in luxury – then the Suite package is for you. Whether you choose the 2 night suite package in Bangkok and Chiang Mai or the 3 night resort suite package - you are assured of luxury all the way. From a romantic dinner with wine, to return airport transfers, this is the perfect way to indulge yourself.

more info : http://www.amari.com/coralbeach/

KOREAN SUPERSTAR FILMS ON LOCATION IN PHUKET

Phuket's scenic tropical landscape, and a sophisticated service infrastructure, makes the resort island a popular film location.

TAT Seoul has been actively promoting destinations around Thailand as film locations and recently partly sponsored Korean superstar Hyun Young in Diet VDO in Phuket — a video production to promote health and well-being.

Hyun Young and crew were filming on location in Phuket from September 8 – 13, 2006. The video which has the island’s beautiful scenery as the backdrop will be publicized to Korean audiences via high impact PR channels such as MBC TV: TV Entertainment Section, SBS TV: Entertainment Express, M Net Music channel: Entertainment Wide, ETM cable channel: Entertainment Section, television programmes such as KBS Six Women, Good Morning SBS with Kim, Seung-Hyun & Jung, Eun-A, Yashimmanman and MBC Nolowa.

The 300,000 volumes of "Diet VDO in Phuket" are expected to be available in the market from early October. The high profile PR campaign will significantly raise the visibility and consumer awareness and strengthen Phuket’s positioning as both a tropical holiday destination as well as well-being oriented travel destination among Korean audiences

Hyun Young
ProfileDate of Birth: September 6, 1976
Debut: SBS Super ModelAt
Present: Super model, singer, actressFilmography Art of Seduction and others
TV programme: MC of MBC Section TV, KBS 6 Womens and others
Award won: 2006 Baeksang Best Actress

source : tatnews.org

The Johnnie Walker Classic in Thailand

The Johnnie Walker Classic will go ahead in Thailand in March after a planned ban on alcohol advertising was lifted, organisers have confirmed.
The new Thai government planned to introduce the ban this month, with organisers threatening to move the event either to China or South Korea.
Top-10 players Adam Scott, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, and England's Paul Casey are among the field.

Organisers of next year’s Johnnie Walker Classic have confirmed that the tournament will be played at the Blue Canyon Country Club in Phuket Thailand between March 1 and 4.

Golfers from Kenya will have an opportunity to play in the Pro-Am in late February. The local participants will be picked at the end of the on-going Johnnie Walker Classic series.

The local tournament resumes early next month. There are only two rounds of the tournament remaining before the finals, which will be staged at Royal Nairobi Club.

Heading the customary star-studded field in the main event of the classic will be three of the world’s top ten players: Adam Scott of Australia and South Africans Ernie Els and Retief Goosen currently ranked fourth, fifth and sixth in the world, plus English Ryder Cup star, Paul Casey.

Scott, although relatively young, has already established himself as a truly international player with wins in major competitions across the world.

In 2004 he became the youngest winner of The Players’ Championship on the US PGA Tour, considered by many to be the games fifth ‘major.’

Adam climbed to number four in the world this year after victories in the Barclays Singapore Open and The Tour Championship, his second place finish behind Tiger Woods at the American Express Championship and his nine top 10 finishes on the US PGA Tour.

Ernie Els, is a two-time winner of both the US Open, in 1994 and 1997, and the Johnnie Walker Classic, first in 1997 in Queensland, Australia and in Perth, Western Australia in 2003.

Locally, there will be low-key action at Kiambu, Thika and Nakuru Golf Clubs this weekend.

Meanwhile,Ian Woosnam has revealed he was on the verge of quitting as European Ryder Cup skipper after Thomas Bjorn criticised his wildcard picks and captaincy style.

The 48-year-old Welshman upset Bjorn by opting for Lee Westwood instead of him.

The Dane launched a withering attack on Woosnam but later apologised and was fined £10,000 for the outburst.

In an interview with the Independent, Woosnam, however, said the row was the "lowest point" of his career and he was "prepared to resign" over it.

Woosnam was furious about Bjorn’s reaction to being left out but was deeply concerned that his feelings were shared by others in the European team.

As well as criticising Woosnam’s decision to choose Westwood over him, Bjorn criticised the captain for a "lack of communication" during the qualifying period and poor man-management. He also suggested that others were "uneasy about this man’s captaincy".

"That’s the bit that worried me most," Woosnam told the newspaper. "Not all the personal stuff, although that obviously hurt, but that members of my team might be uneasy with me."

The 1991 Masters champion and former world number one brought the issue up with half of his team on a pre-Ryder Cup reconnaissance trip to the K Club.

Woosnam took the six players that were not either competing in the European Masters or taking a break — Paul Casey, Darren Clarke, Luke Donald, Padraig Harrington, David Howell and Jose Maria Olazabal — to the County Kildare course for a low-key practice and bonding session.

The first item on the agenda was Bjorn.

"I sat them down and said, ‘If anyone’s got a problem with me being captain and agrees with Thomas in any way, then speak now’," he said.

"Fortunately, there was a silence and to a man they backed me, as did the other boys I spoke to on the phone.

That was the vote of confidence I needed.

"I could move on and concentrate on the match. Thomas Bjorn was forgotten then."

Forgotten, perhaps, but not entirely forgiven.

"Some of what he said about me was actionable and I did consider suing. But in the end I didn’t want to put a shadow over the competition," Woosnam continued.

"A few weeks later, I did bump into him at the Dunhill (Links Championship at St Andrews).

"He apologised, we shook hands and I said, ‘Don’t worry, it’s all water under the bridge’.

"But when people ask me if I’m OK with him now, I always refer to something he said in his rant against me, ‘Things will never be the same between us again’. He’s right. They won’t be."

Woosnam’s wildcard selections were vindicated, of course, when Westwood, and Darren Clarke, made significant contributions to Europe’s crushing 181⁄2-91⁄2 victory over the Americans.

The European Tour veteran has since spoken of his desire to qualify for the 2008 team that will travel to Louisville to defend the Ryder Cup and to captain the team again in 2010 when the event comes to Wales for the first time.

source : pga.info , eastandard.net