Gear up for the upcoming festivals and events around Thailand

This annual event, Butterfly Watching will take place at Impact Exhibition and Convention Center, Muang Thong Thani from June 3 to 7 which will bring together wealth of sales and marketing. The showcase is divided into different zones, among them are Gourmet Tourism, Rustic Thailand, Health & Spa, Adventure and Eco Tourism.

The annual “Amari Watergate Hotel & BMW Thailand Charity Midnight Run” will kick off at midnight at Amari Watergate Hotel on Phetchaburi Road and continue through the city’s streets. Southeast Asia’s unofficial nightlife capital, will host the Charity Midnight Run on October 10, and the good news is that you don’t have to be the fastest to have fun.

The rainy season is here, and it’s about time to swap your summer sandals for hiking shoes. The butterfly watching season in Sa Kaew coincides with the fruit picking season in the eastern provinces, so don’t forget to stop off on your way back and stock up with your favorites. Pangsida National Park in Sa Kaew, beckons the butterfly-watchers to pitch up their tents in the park, more than 400 butterfly species can easily be captured for posterity even with the camera.

Thai spa is the latest craze in global spa trend

We all know that today’s consumers are savvy. They are well-educated, know the benefits of total-body wellness and are buying into the spa experience. The new trend touched on consumer behavior and found that people wanted “pampering” in order to stay healthy and look good, and that they generally were knowledgeable and demanding about spa services. “Thai spa” does not mean only traditional Thai massage to relieve symptoms or restore health; it means holistic health care too. The country prides itself in countless spas offering the highest world-class services. Herbs also play an important role in the Thai spa industry today and Thai massage, that helps relax tense muscles and stimulate blood circulation.

Thailand’s Department of Export Promotion under the Ministry of Commerce is organizing the Thailand health and beauty show 2009 at the Royal Paragon Hall Exhibition & Convention Centers, Siam Paragon shopping complex from June 5-7 and it will coincide with the launch of Thai Spa Day 2009 as a parallel main event. It will give rise to many related businesses such as spas, weight-reduction, Thai traditional massage, private hospitals, dentistry, herbal medicine, food supplements and cosmetics.

Thai spas are not only quantity, but also quality. The success of Thai spas lies in the beauty of Thai culture which cannot be copied anywhere else. Growth in the spa business also depends on the creative services, new opportunities in new markets, and the ability to create new trends to answer lifestyle needs with value-for-money services. The highlight of Thailand HBS 2009 will be Thai Spa Day 2009, will be a one-stop service center for sourcing, services, products, and franchises in the health and beauty business.

Despite the global economic downturn, there is a growth with the spa business outlook in Thailand. Apart from serving tourists and foreign visitors, it focuses more on Thai customers. That’s why the association has been organizing more spa promotion activities to create new markets, while at the same time working with travel agents to increase our customer base.

Bhundari – The luxurious Spa Resort in Thailand

Bhundhari Spa Resort & Villas Samui hotel Koh Samui is the ultimate tropical island getaway, that you must have dreamed of, a luxurious resort with privacy and without the distractions of being surrounded by families, where you could live right on the beach and simply wallow in the attractions of your natural surroundings and the fine service that the resort offered. Bhundhari means Lotus or Water Lily which is the religious flower of Buddhism which can be found around our resort. The four star hotel is actually a spa inspired by traditional southern Thai house in architecture.

The location of the hotel is quite favorable for peace and relaxation that demands of luxuries spa provided foe couples, families and children. With its 124 deluxe rooms and villas is built on a scale that allows privacy. There is lots of space in the rooms, the deluxe rooms start at 42 sq m, while the villas start at 48 sq m. Each room and villa has its own private terrace or patio, while the larger villas offer the choice of a private pool or a Jacuzzi on the sun-deck. Therefore been developed for this concept, and now that the resort is fully open it is being marketed to the adult sector, to honeymooners and to couples and individuals who want to get away for a quiet celebration and vacation, says Mr Chris Bailey, Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing at Central Hotels and Resorts.

The hotel amenities at this luxury hotel also feature number of recreational facilities for the leisure of the guests. There are some other hotel amenities too like baby sitting service, car rental service, children pool, doctor on call, Internet access, tour desk, etc.

Ladyboys of Soi Katoey at Patong beach

A Thai katoey is a Thai boy that either dresses like or acts like a Thai girl or in other words ‘a ladyboy’. Be it through steroids, estrogen, hormone pills, gender reassignment surgery, or breast enlargement surgery, Thailand’s “beautiful” ladyboys are quite popular internationally and the sole reason for many visitors, men and women alike, coming to Thailand.

Soi Katoey is a small street off the main nightlife drag in Patong Beach called “Soi Bangla”. The official name of Soi Katoey is, “Soi Crocodile” but you won’t find any crocodiles there.

Soi Katoey is just clean fun with people eating, drinking and watching ladyboy dance shows where amateur dancing ladyboys vie for as little as a square foot of dance space on the very small triangular raised stage at the front of the soi. There are also many gay bars in the soi toward the back and the restrooms are back there so inevitably you’ll see the entire soi.

A word of caution here. The ladyboys at Soi exhibit free behaviour which may amount to staring, talking, smiling, brushing against or flirting. They are there for it. So, try not to be offended and whatever happens, DO NOT get into fight with these ladyboys coz you are sure to lose when thirty of her friends join her.

There are pickpockets here that you should be aware of. Be careful to keep your main stash of cash in a money-belt around your waist and not in your pockets as they work in teams and can distract you quite easily.

Jennifer Ellison and her fiancé in Thailand

Jennifer Ellison and her fiance Tony travel to Thailand to shoot the cover of her new album ‘Jennifer Does Thailand’, and make a TV show directed by Richard Lightboy along the way. The shwo is hour-long, one-off programme for Sky One and it also featured Jennifer’s make-up artist, record company exec and their partners – all whom joined her, and the TV crew, on the trip. Pls have a look at the video below:

Jennifer Does Thailand

Gays compete at the Pride festival

Heard of the Dragoncastle’s Sexy Swimsuit Contest, the dinner cruise party, the Karaoke contest or the Miss Jumbo contest? Well it all happens at the infamous pride show in Thailand’s vibrant capital, Bangkok. It is Bangkok’s annual celebration of gay and lesbian identity which has grown to encompass a broad range of activities including art, film, sport, the Pride in the Park party and a parade. There are also several sporting events (volleyball, bike rides, badminton, and bowling), drag acts and plenty of parties in the Silom Soi district.

The show which began on a much smaller scale back in 2001, has by the year gained a lot of popularity. People from all over the country, flock to Bangkok to witness this week long extravaganza which usually takes place in November. Some of the more famous events at the venue are

* Pride Night Kick Off Party
* Pride Dinner Cruise
* White Nights Party
* Karaoke Contest
* Isaan Party
* Swimsuit contest

These are usually sponsored by famous night clubs, cafes and clothing companies, sport groups or fitness centers. The contests are usually followed by awards and trophies for the winners. Come here to witness some of the funkiest night parties with gay men dressed in the most bizarre fashion…something you wont get to behold elsewhere!

Phuket Fantasea is all about myths, mysteries & magic

It is named as the ‘Fantasea’ show and truly enough, inspired by Thailand’s rich and exotic heritage, Phuket FantaSea is a real fantansy depicting the charm and beauty of Thailand. Technology and special effects make the show extra-ordinary in a stunning 140-acre theme complex, packed with a multitude of activities and entertainment like games, handicrafts and shopping. The 4,000-seat restaurant offers a grand buffet of Thai and international cuisine. The breath-taking Las Vegas-style theatrical show unfolds Thailand’s Myths, Mysteries and Magic in a wondrous extravaganza certain to delight everyone.

The Palace of the Elephants is a grand 3000 seat state of-the-art theater that houses this show with the one in which illusion reaches its heights when an elephant flies and disappears before your eyes!

Fantasy of A Kingdom encompasses magical illusions, 4 dimensional effects, aerial ballet, exotic songs and dances, acrobatics pyrotechnics, special effects, elephant circus & stunts into one unforgettable show.

Now, I told you all about the show missing the vital information. Coming to it, the show is held at Phuket in Thailand everyday (excluding Thursday) from 17:30 pm to 23:30 pm.

Go Golfing in Thailand

One of the most popular sports in Thailand is Golf, especially among the elite and fashionable class.  is one of the most popular sports in Thailand.  It arrived here a century ago and was quickly taken up by the elite and fashionable. The first international golf tournament hosted by Thailand was the 1975 World Cup.

The Armed Forces and government institutions are the first sponsors and the leading owners of the finest courses in the country. Now, the country has an array of golf courses in and within easy reach of all major cities. The relatively newer courses also offer accommodations on site or nearby, plus recreational facilities for the whole family. For the golfers who come to this country not only for a challenging course, but an exotically different one too, Thailand offers an unbelievable choice.

One of the best courses in the country within easy reach from Bangkok are the Navathanee Golf Course, which was created for the 1975 World Cup and the Ekachai Golf Club. Outside Bangkok, there are numerous courses offering high quality facilities, including The Rose Garden in Nakhon Pathom, the Siam Country Club in Pattaya, the Phuket Golf and Country Club on the lush island of Phuket, and the Royal Hua Hin Golf Course, probably the oldest in Thailand.

For the golf lovers, the best time to visit Thailand is the cool season, from November to March. From April to October, it is very hot and wet. However, since all the golf courses have good drainage system and the pour here does not last for too long, even rainy months should satisfy for desire for the game. But a word here…. Book in advance for the weekends, for the courses go packed especially in the peak season December to February.

You can expect all the facilities at the courses- ranging from economical lodging to cozy, luxurious and grand stays. Also appreciable is the fact that the fees here are still quite reasonable. For the vacation with your family, or to fill a break in your golfing schedule, there is a diverse choice of culture, adventure, dining and shopping available wherever you choose to tee-off.

Walking street pattaya

If you think you are born to party, then don’t miss the vivacious parties that happen every night at Pattaya’s famous “Walking Street” all the year round. Located in south of Pattaya, it is perhaps the most illustrious hang out zone for every age group. The pulsating music and the grooving crowd will force you to leave all your inhibitions behind and put on your dancing shoes.

Walking street is another name for revelry, food and night life. Though it has every thing from junk jewelary stores to unique gift shops and from painting galleries to department stores, you cannot possibly miss one thing and that is the uncountable no. of “Go Go Bars” and their barely clad dancers tempting you to join them and have fun. There are countless such bars not even 5 metres apart, throughout the stretch, and if that doesn’t impress you then head for the pleasing cabaret shows and live music bands etc etc….the choices are infinite.

The Strip pubs and night clubs are a special attraction for all bachelors. It is said that the country’s prostitution gang is also concentrated here at night. So all those going with their Spouses…..Be careful!

Though the Walking street is for those who need a place to indulge in drinking, dancing and partying, pick pocketing is a common problem in this over crowded narrow lane. So let me tell you one way of escaping the thieves…….and that is to get as much money as you plan to squander and come back drained out!

Enjoy Thai massage!!

Heard of a Thai massage but skeptical to try it? Well, here are some of the valuable informations which might help you overcome your inhibitions to a certain extent. Though it was initially a form of therapeutic healing, today Thai massage has taken the garb of a more fashionable form. Whether it’s the street in Bangkok, a by lane in the magnificent Chingmai island or the charismatic Pattaya, a massage parlour is sure to catch your attention.

There are more than a dozen types of Thai massages which are well-known from the ancient times. The Old Medicine Hospital Style, the Buntautak style, Thai classic massage and the Thai yoga massage are just a few to name; and if you happen to hit any of the parlours, you are sure to find a style that suits your needs.

As soon as the receiver changes into his/her pyjamas, he is put into yoga-like positions during the course of the massage. In the northern style there are a lot of stretching movements whereas the southern style emphasis is given to acupressure. Usually no oil is applied, but sometimes a hot herbal compress is used to warm and sooth the receiver’s body. A typical relaxation therapy may last upto two hours. There is a standard procedure and rhythm to the massage.

A Thai massage is a sheer treat to your mind and soul, but it might be a little heavy on your pocket. While a regular parlour may charge you approximately $10 to 15, the same may be five times more expensive if you opt for a five star hotel parlour. But whatever your choice of massage may be, make sure you have a fair bargain and not get cheated by the innumerable parlours.

Image source: dresden

Night life in Thailand

If you have been to Thailand and have missed the ravishing parties which begin as the sun goes down, consider a trip to the country again! Yes, Thailand is crowded with more pubs and discos per square mile, than you can imagine. And it’s not just dancing and drinking that happens here, from karaoke sessions, cabaret shows to live musical programmes and jamming sessions, it all happens in this “paradise on earth”!

The capital city Bangkok is particularly famous for an absolutely phenomenal night culture. Once there you will agree that the people surely know how to celebrate and rejoice. Some of the more popular areas are Sukhumvit road, Siam square and the areas around the World Trade Centre. The city hosts a vibrant night scenario attracting both the Thais and the tourists.

If wild is the word for you, then join the gang in Pattaya. Here you will experience one of the wildest parties you have ever imagined! Whether young or aged, no one can escape the rowdy night parties that go on till the wee hours of dawn. Even Phuket boasts of a lovely night culture and offers something for every taste.

Whether it’s a trendy club in Bankok or a good jazz bar in Phuket, Thailand will make you jive, whatever your budget is. Though it seems quite wild, actually, the night life in Thailand is quite safe and relaxing. Just find the right place and company, and the night is yours!

Image source: BedSupperClub