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.

Celebrating the Vesak day festival in Thailand

The Day of Vesak, or Visakha Puja, is the celebration, the birth enlightenment and passing away of the Lord Buddha. It falls on the full moon day of the sixth lunar month of Vesak, which falls in May 8 this year. About 2,000 Buddhist leaders from all over the world have joined an International Buddhist Conference on the United Nations Day of Vesak in Thailand. The Day of Vesak was first celebrated during the Sukhothai period. An extraordinary aspect of the occasion is that the three incidents took place on the same day but different years.

The General Assembly of the United Nations took into consideration the fact that Buddhism is one of the world’s oldest religions. The Buddha taught mutual loving-kindness and forbearance for the sake of peace and happiness in society. Buddha attained enlightenment at the age of 35 and passed away at the age of 80. He spent 45 years propagating his principle of freedom from suffering. This still continues to make, a significant contribution to human spirituality, and therefore as a consequence, sixteen Buddhist countries jointly agreed to organize activities on the Day of Vesak at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, U.S.A. from 2000 onwards. In this way Buddhism began to make its way into Thailand. Buddhism gained wide acceptance because of its emphasis on tolerance and individual initiative, which complemented the Thais’ cherished sense of inner freedom.

At present, Thailand is the location of the headquarters of the World Fellowship of Buddhists, an international Buddhist organization which promotes coordination and cooperation to enhance Buddhism throughout the world. There are currently around 32,700 Buddhist monasteries and more than 350,000 monks across the country.

Coronation Day – a special event in Thailand

In Bangkok, the Coronation day is celebrated every year for his Majesty king Bhumibol Adulyadej. He was crowned as Rama, the ninth King of Chakri dynasty on 5th may 1950. This event includes commemorative sport, dance, gun salutes and other cultural events across Bangkok. On this event, there are religious rites that last for three days.

On the very first day (3 may) there is a Buddhist ceremony at Amarindra Vinichai Hall, in which scriptures are chanted and a sermon is delivered by a high monk. On the second day, the ceremony includes two pars-  a Brahmanic one and a Buddhist one.

The last third day is Coronation day, in which the king is dressed in full regalia, and a feast is given to Buddhist monks. They hear their Royal Thai Army and Navy each fire a salute of 21 guns. This day is very special and is enjoyed by the Civilians.

Thailand celebrates 3 different New Years each year!

Thailand is unique in many ways. One of the specila facts about this special country is that it is the only country in the world that actively celebrates 3 different New Years each year! Besides the conventional New Year on 31st of December, it has the Chinese Lunar New Year that takes normally place in February and there is the Thai New Year itself which is in April each year. Songkran Day or Thailand New Year is one of the biggest events in Thailand each year. Songkran is a Thai word which means “move” or “change place” as it is the day when the sun changes its position in the zodiac.

Thailand New Year is all fun and frolic with parades, shows, music, lots of people having fun and the biggest water fight in the world! There are 2 main parts of the Thailand New Year water plays: Water of course and white powder that people will put in your face. When you are going out during the festival then wear the worst clothes or buy a cheapest one because you are going to be wet for sure. People usually don’t bring their mobile phone and camera when the celebration is on the peak then its very difficult to safe all these things.

On the streets, there are stalls selling water guns of all sizes for 100-about 800 Baht for the biggest ones. Songkran is a traditional festival and before it comes people concern upon environment with cooperation such as to clean houses, public places, temples and official buildings.

Songkran is a nice time to be in Bangkok but since it is also the time when workers in Bangkok from outside of town, head back home in droves, you need to get your reservations done well ahead because all forms of transport are booked months in advance.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand organizes the walking streets in front of Central World Plaza, one of the big Thailand property, all the way through Silom Road and up to Siam Square where another event will be held the platform at Sanam Luang near the Grand Palace.

‘Shop Full Blast’ from Best Western International

Now you have a special package to have a shopping spree in the top tourist destinations of Thailand including Bangkok, Pattaya and Chiang Mai from the world’s largest hotel chain, Best Western International (BWI). The “Shop Full Blast” promotion features a special rate as low as US$66 for a three-day/two-night stay in any participating Best Western hotels and is available until February 28, 2009.

The package includes: three day/two-night accommodations for 2 persons; welcome drink upon arrival; one hour Thai massage for 2 persons; and a free shuttle bus service to downtown. Guests can also enjoy a privileged 10 % discount coupon for shopping at the King Power Downtown Duty Free Mall located on Sri Ayuthaya-Rangnam Road in Bangkok.

For a stay in the Best Western Mayfair Suites, package rate is at US$120.  The new hotel is located within close proximity to Bangkok’s leading shopping centers: Gaysorn Plaza, Central World Plaza and Pratunam.

In Pattaya, Best Western Bella Villa Cabana Hotel and Best Western Pattaya Hotel offer US$169 package rate for an option to choose from its varied room accommodations: deluxe, deluxe ocean view or the poolside room.

At Chiang Mai, Best Western presents an attractive package rate of US$66 for superior room accommodations.

Rice goddess worship gets revived in Thailand

The relationship between rice and the Thai people is inextricable. In fact it has been grown in the kingdom since ages. According to many, growing rice is more than a crop or a livelihood. It gives rise to culture and traditions. Thus, it came as a pleasant surprise to most of the Thais, when the country announced the revival of the ceremonial worship of the Rice Goddess.

To boost the morale of the country’s 3.7 million rice-farming families, and to commemorate the queen’s upcoming birthday on Tuesday the 12th of August, The Ministry of Agriculture on Saturday held a ritual to worship Mae Phosop, or the Rice Goddess, at a demonstration farm in Ang Thong province. The ceremony was presided over by Queen Sirikit, the royal consort of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej

Worship of Mae Phosop was once common among Thai rice farmers, but the practice had greatly waned in recent years as Thailand’s rural population had become more modern and educated. The resurgence of the ceremony clearly portrays the strong undercurrent of Hindu and animism that suffuses Thailand’s traditional belief system and ceremonies.

Agriculture Minister Somsak Prissananatakul said the last time a Rice Goddess ritual was performed in front of a royal audience was in 1961. According to him the practice will help heighten the self-esteem of rice farmers all over the country.

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!

Your comprehensive guide to Thai holidays 2008-2009

National holidays in Thailand are celebrated with great pomp and show. Whether it’s the King’s birthday or the Songkran [traditional Thai New Year], the entire county is adorned like a bride. All the shops and offices are closed down. So, it is extremely important for you to know which dates fall on Thailand’s national holidays, so that you can avoid traveling at those times. Here is a list of all the national holidays from July ‘08 to May ’09.

18th July: Buddhist Lent [Friday]

This day marks the beginning of a time when monks are supposed to retreat to their temples while new life springs forth.

12th August: Queen’s Birthday [Tuesday]

Also celebrated as Thailand’s Mother’s day.

23rd October: Chulalongkorn day [Thursday]

Celebrates the birthday of one of Thailand’s most revered kings.

13th November : Loy Kratong [Tuesday]

An evening when Thais pay respect to the goddess of the waters by floating candlelite. Not exactly a national holiday.

5th December : King’s Birthday [Friday]

Also serves as the nation’s Fathers Day.

10th December: Constitution Day [Tuesday]

Celebrates the date in 1932 when the country was granted its first constitution.

31 December 2008 : new’s year’s eve (Wednesday)

1 January 2009 : new year day (Thursday)

The beginning of the western new year is a national holiday in Thaland.

26 January 2009: Chinese New Year (Monday)

The beginning of the Chinese lunar year is celebrated in the Chinatowns of every city throughout Thailand.

9 February 2009 : Makha Bucha (Monday)

Celebrates the Buddha’s first sermon given to his disciples.

6 April 2009 : Chakri Day (Monday)

Day commeorates the founding of the current dynasty, Rama I.

13 – 15th April 2009 : Songkran (Monday)

Thai new Year

1 May 2009 : Labour Day (Friday)

5 May 2009 : Coronation Day (Tuesday)

Celebrates the day in 1949 when the current king was crowned.

8 May 2009 :Visakha Bucha (Friday)

Celebrates the birth, enlightenment and entry into nirvana of the Buddha.

The list has been prepared to the best of our knowledge. Do remember to re verify before planning your trip as the religious festivals are determined by the Buddhist lunar calendar and therefore are difficult to predict.

Classical Thai Dances

Khon, Lakhon and Fawn Thai are three distinct types of classical Thai dance forms which are extremely popular with the Thai audiences. While each of them has a style of its own, the common string attaching all these dance forms is that they are a mixture of dance, play and dramatizations.

Khon, is a unique dance style wear the performers wear elaborate costumes, masks and often use swords an shield as props. Khon characters are usually demons, monkeys and celestial beings depicting instances from Ramakein, the Thai version of the Indian epic, Ramayana. The uniqueness lies in their emoting strong messages without a single dialogue.

Lakhon has dance movements more subtle than Khon. The performers do not wear masks and the stories are taken from mythological Jataka tales (stories of life of lord Buddha). Usually female dancers carry out the Lakhon, emoting gracefully.

The Fawn Thai is a folk dance form of Thai culture and the main feature here is not the story but folk music which is greatly inspired by Burmese songs and dance.

There are five distinct kinds of Fawn dances. They are:

1. Fawn Leb (Fingernails Dance from Chiang Mai)
2. Fawn Ngiew (Scarf Dance from Chiang Rai)
3. Fawn Marn Gumm Ber (Butterfly Dance)
4. Fawn Marn Mong Kol (Happy Dance)
5. Fawn Tian (Candle Dance)

All these types of dances are performed throughout the year for those interested in exploring Thai culture. There are other types of Thai dances as well adhering to religious beliefs and regional influences. Keep watching this space for more on Thai dances and where in Thailand can you see them.

Meditation in Thailand

If work load, stress and peer pressure has been taking a toll on you lately, its time you indulge in some soul searching. Thailand is a land of Buddhist meditation, with more and more people flocking from different parts of the world to find answers to the most difficult questions of existence.

Buddhist meditation is of two types: the Vipassana or the insight, stressing more on mindfulness and Samatha or calmness and concentration. Both of them are inter related and train one’s mind to attain eternal peace. As a part of Vipassana sessions, an opening ceremony ensues where the student offers incense sticks, flowers and candles as a mark of respect to the masters. Thanking the teacher at the closing ceremony is equally important too.

Mantra meditation is yet another form of Thai meditation. In this, one has to chant “Buddh” while inhaling and “Dho” while exhaling. The sole purpose of this is to increase concentration of the mind thereby enhancing the person’s focusing abilities. Kasinas is yet another technique where the meditator is asked to concentrate at an external object

Before you enroll yourself for a long mediation session, try out the 1 or 2 day classes to understand what kind of meditation will suit your needs. Buy yourself white pair of clothes beforehand. Food and accomodations are usually provided free at the monasteries.

Blooming Krachiao Flower Festival in Chaiyaphum

If you are a sucker for greens and delicate flowers, then this is the best time for you to visit Pa Hin Ngam National Park and Sai Thong National Park in Chaiyaphum Province of Thailand. Chaiyaphum Province (342 km northeast of Bangkok) from 1 June to 1 August has the seasonal flower “Krachiao” in full bloom.

Krachiao or curcuma is in the ginger family and is widely found in Pa Hin Ngam National Park of Thep Sathit County and Sai Thong National Park of Nong Bua Raheu County. During the rainy season, the flower blooms in abundance and carpets the forest in Pa Hin Ngam National Park with its mauve and pinkish colours. Known as the “Siam tulip”, the sight of these pinkish-purple flowers in bloom is a wonderful spectacle. Held over two months each year, the Blooming Krachiao Flower Festival celebrates the blooming of this flower in rainy season.

Getting to Chaiyaphum province is not a big problem. From Bangkok, drive along Highway 1 and go past Saraburi. When you reach Ban Phu Khae Village, turn right onto Highway 21. When you arrive at Chai Badan County, continue driving on Highway 205. You will go past Sonthi Sub-county. Before getting near Thep Sathit County, turn left onto Highway 2354. Drive for 17 km and turn left onto an asphalt road. Go on for about 13 km. The park office will come in sight. There are also regular bus services from Bangkok to Chaiyaphum.

The unique geographical landscape of Chaiyaphum Province in the northeast of Thailand gives rise to a range of natural attractions of exceptional beauty. Besides enjoying the flowers and beautiful surroundings, travelers can visit the Phang Hoei viewpoint, which commands a fine panoramic view of the Central Plains and the Northeast. Lan Hin Ngam, is a nearby area full of beautiful stone formations in different shapes and sizes. The rocks are in many different shapes resembling castles, animals and the FIFA World Cup.

Sai Thong Waterfall is also worth visiting. You should not miss walking along the natural trail to the “end of the land” viewpoint which is a cliff at the edge of the mountain range. Standing there and looking down, you will get a fine panoramic view of the Central Plains and the Northeast.

Thai boxing aka Muay Thai

Muay Thai or Thai Boxing matches have always been related with Thailand’s culture. With powerful boxers weighing almost 200 pounds, it makes for an interesting game for both the locals and the tourists alike.

A typical boxing match includes two fighters with specific tactics of kicking, punches, standing grappling to knock out the opponent. Being accompanied by typical thai music, makes it all the more fun to watch.

Though these matches get violent at times, these matches are quite entertaining for the audiences. It includes ten bouts of five three-minute rounds of the match and the tickets are available on the spot an hour before the event.

Muay Thai is also considered to be an act of self defense and the methods include superb cardio vascular endurances with is good for both the body and the soul. It is held almost every night thanks to its popularity. So if you are in Bangkok and want to witness this form of Thai culture, then some of the venues are:

The Lumpini Stadium: Rama IV road

International Stadium:Amphoe Muang, Chachoengsao.

The Tickets are also reasonably cheap ranging from 200 Baht to 1000 Baht, depending on where you want to be seated. Remember that only adults are allowed to enter the stadium. So keep your children engrossed in other activities while you enjoy the Thai boxing match.

Phuket regatta race week

One of the most fascinating events in Phuket Island’s marine sporting calendar is definitely the “Sixth Sense Phuket Race Week”. Scheduled to begin on the 23rd of July, 2008, this 4 day long event is strongly recommended for those of you looking for a relaxed yet fun filled yatching regatta.

The Phuket Race Week begins from the eastern coast of the Phuket island and is a professionally run, international standard racing experience. Attracted by excellent sailing in reliable breezes of 15 knots, this year, there is an event within an event. For the first time the NRG Cup will also be a part of this festival honouring those in the oil and gas industry.

News is that for the very first time, again, the entire competiton will be closely covered by the electronic media and will be broadcasted in Eurosports, Star Sports and CNN Main Sail with an expected viewer ship of more than 140 million!

With only a few weeks more to go before the competition, the registration response has been more overwhelming than ever. So if this sounds like what you always wanted to do, then don’t miss this life time experience. Just register online before July 9th and avail special entry discounts too!

The Thailand Grand Sale

If it is shopping that turns you on, then this is the best time for you to plan your trip to the Thailand which gets transformed into a shopper’s paradise for a full three month stretch with its Grand Sale. During this annual three-month shopping extravaganza, Thailand offers a diverse selection of quality products and services, special discounts of 10 – 70 per cent and promotional offers being extended by participating department stores, shopping complexes and retail outlets along designated ‘Shopping Streets’ in Bangkok and the popular tourist destinations of Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket and Hat Yai. In addition to discounts, there are also special promotional offers like free gifts, gift vouchers and lucky draws by the retail and service outlets. This year the Thailand Annual Grand Sale is from 1 June to 31 August, 2008. So, what are you waiting for? Get your bags packed before you miss the opportunity.

Phuket – Month wise events and festivals at a glance

Phuket is undoubtedly a happening place in Thailand – always on celebration, be it the traditional Thai festivals or wet, wild and bizarre celebrations. With Phuket, you will never have to wonder what to do and what is on… With a variety of tournaments and festivals each year featuring international competitors in surfing, volleyball, rugby, jazz and blues festivals, boat shows, art exhibits, there is always enough to keep you as busy as you want to be.

January

January is happening with colorful and lively New Year celebrations with decorations and fireworks as well as shows all the month round.

February

The large Chinese population of the island celebrates its new year this month. The Chinese shrines are decorated and there are food festivals, and again fireworks and decorations. Also Phang Nga Bay Sailing Regatta falls in this month.

March

March 13 is the commemoration of an important historical event in Phuket history, when two sisters led the defense of Phuket against Burmese invaders in 1785.
The Phuket Gay Pride Festival, comprising of lively parties and events for gay locals and visitors, is held here at the end of March and beginning of April. This flamboyant festival began in 1999 and has grown each year as word spreads. Ao Yon Sailing Event also often takes place at the end of March.

April

Songkran, the wet and wild Thai New year celebration is held in April. On this day the baby sea turtles are released on many beaches throughout Thailand.

May

The Phuket International 10s Rugby Tournament is held each year in May at Karon beach.

June/July

The Amazing Thailand Grand Sale is held for two full months and features deep discounts at hundreds of shops throughout the island with special discounts on goods made in Thailand. Phuket Race Week in late July is a week full of international-standard yacht racing. Parties every night are open to all.

August

There is the three-day Kata Surfing Contest in April. The Por Tor Festival is a 15-day festival celebrated at the Chinese shrines on the island. Chinese make offerings to the spirits of the dead who are released from the underworld during this time. Cakes in the shape of turtles are a popular offering.

October

The Vegetarian Festival, held over nine days in October, is the largest and most colorful of all the year’s festivals. This celebration features daily processions at the many Chinese shrines throughout the city and features vegetarian food and ancient rituals by devotees.

November

The first week of November holds the annual Phuket Carnival with parades, activities, and nightly entertainment light up Patong. The festival of Loy Krathong is held on the full moon night in November. Thai people send their bad luck out on lotus-shaped floats (krathongs) made from banana tree trunks and leaves and decorated with flowers, candles, and joss sticks.

December

On December 5, the island celebrates the birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The annual Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, an international sailing event that attracts the world’s best yachtsmen, is held the week of December 5. The party scene is in high gear every night after the races.

With this annual calendar at your help, you will definitely be able to plan your trip to Phuket in a better way.