The Naka Island, a luxury collection resort & spa

The Naka Island, a luxury collection resort & spa, Phuket announces 2019 festive season offers


Its magical festive season offers for guests to join in the exciting festivities on the island this year-end, and make Christmas and New Year the most enjoyable. A wide range of dining and other celebrations will be on offer throughout Christmas and New Year, complemented by the resort’s idyllic ocean views, outstanding facilities and seamless services.

Christmas celebrations on the island

Featuring the Santa visit and the Christmas choir by his helpers, The Naka Island’s Christmas Eve celebrations begin with multiple celebrations across the resort’s restaurants and bar including all-day dining Tonsai restaurant, beachfront restaurant My Grill, scenic view Z Bar, the newly opened Rum Chapel and in-villa dining.

Tonsai – All day dining restaurant offers Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner priced at THB 3,200++ per person, featuring a wide array of local and international cuisine. (Food only)

Rum Chapel - New beachfront trendy dining venue with engaging ambiance and design presents its innovative 5-course Christmas set dinner priced at THB 4,500++ per person with welcome cocktail and wine pairing. In addition, guests can still enjoy a la carte dinner at the award-winning beachfront restaurant My Grill, Z Bar and in-villa dining, advanced reservation is required.



New Year’s Eve Dinner Party - Pirates of The Naka Island

On December 31, 2019, get ready to party in style with ‘Pirates of The Naka Island’ themed dinner party, and be entertained by live DJ, live band, talented dance shows and fire dance shows. A live DJ will also be playing everyone’s favorite hits all night long. Priced at THB 8,990++ per person including free flow beverages during 630 p.m. to 1 a.m., guests can start the year right and pamper with sumptuous buffet, drinks, entertainment plus a striking display of fireworks!

Guests can book the festive offers via the reservation desk available at Tonsai restaurant’s entrance during 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. from December 17, 2019 onwards. For more information, please call +66 76371400, email naka.reservations@luxurycollection.com or visit www.theluxurycollection.com/nakaisland

~Bangkok Post~

Happy Songkran 泼水节快乐

Provinces of Thailand 泰国各省

A colourful and distinctive festival of umbrellas

A colourful and distinctive festival of umbrellas



Witness the beauty of Thai culture at the Bo Sang Umbrella and Sankampang Handicrafts Festival

The annual Bo Sang Umbrella and Sankampang Handicrafts Festival celebrates and recognises the community that creates Thailand’s most famous umbrellas handmade from saa, or mulberry bark, paper.

This year the event takes place from 19 to 21 January, 2018.Legend has it that a monk travelled to neighbouring Myanmar, where he came across unique umbrellas made from saa paper that offered protection against both the sun and rain.

He returned with the production technique and introduced the umbrella to the elders of Bo Sang village, who added their own artistic skills to create distinctive and colourful, but very practical, umbrellas.At first it was just a profitable hobby that supplemented the villagers’ earnings from the annual rice crop.

However, with time, production of the saa paper umbrellas prospered, prompting villagers to establish a handicraft cooperative in 1941 that now organises the annual Bo Sang Umbrella and Sankampaeng Handicrafts Festival.

To-date, Bo Sang umbrellas are made from three different materials, including saa paper, silk and cotton.During the three-day festival, streets are illuminated by lanterns, while hundreds of umbrellas are hung from the rafters and beams of houses and shops. Bands play, while villagers compete to design the year’s most attractive umbrella.

The ‘Bo Sang Beauty Pageant Bike Parade’ presents local ladies with an umbrella in one hand riding a bike with another. Concerts and a food festival compete for the attention of the audience, a mix of both tourists and residents, who gather to celebrate Bo Sang’s innovative handicraft skills.

~The Nation~

Delightful flower festival at Bangkok's Rama IX Park

Delightful flower festival at Bangkok's Rama IX Park

Head for Rama IX Park in the eastern suburbs of Bangkok for one of the most delightful events of the year

One of the most delightful flower festivals in Thailand – the Suanluang Rama IX Flower Festival is taking place again this year from 1-10 December, 2017. As usual, there are many different flowers and blooms on display in all areas of Suanluang Rama IX Public Park.

Highlights also include an exhibition in remembrance of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and his royally initiated projects in all parts of the country. There are also booths selling flowers and plants as well as gardening tools.

In addition, there are cultural performances from four regions of Thailand, an ornamental plant contest, and a floating market selling food, arts and crafts, and souvenirs.Suanluang Rama IX Public Park was built in 1987 to commemorate the 60th birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. 

Covering an area of 500 rai, the park is divided into six sections: ‘Garden of the Great King’ which is home to the Ratchamangkhala Pavilion; ‘Botanic Garden’, the ‘Reservoir’; ‘Romanee Garden’; ‘Water Garden’; and ‘Sanam Rasdara and Sport Center’.

In addition, there is an international garden featuring arrangements from different regions of the world. For more information, please visit: www.tourismthailand.org (in English) or suanluangrama9.or.th (in Thai)The Suanluang Rama IX Public Park is located deep inside Bangkok’s Sukhumvit Soi 103 (Udomsuk) Road. It opens daily from 08.00 – 19.00 Hrs. Admission is 10 Baht.

~News courtesy of The Nation~

Central World Bangkok lights up for the holiday season

Central World Bangkok lights up for the holiday season

Festive season is (already) here once again, with decorations and lights going up in the areas around CentralWorld and Rajprasong

CentralWorld Shopping Complex in the heart of Bangkok is putting on its much-anticipated annual light displays for the holiday season, from now until 7 January, 2018.

Highlights for this year are more than 400 Christmas decorations, cartoon characters and art pieces, including the five-metre-tall sculptures of Santa Claus and friends, created by the famous Argentinian illustrator, Javier González Burgos, under the theme of “The Dazzling Celebration.”From 21 to 26 November, there’re daily light-and-sound shows at 19.00, 20.00 and 21.00 Hrs.

~News courtesy of The Nation~

Smoking ban on 20 popular tourist beaches

Thailand bans smoking on 20 popular tourist beaches



Tourists sunbathe at Phuket's Patong beach on Nov 30, 2014.

Thailand is to ban smoking on some of the country's most popular tourist beaches, with the prospect of up to a year in prison for those caught lighting up, according to reports by local media.

The move follows a recent survey of litter on Patong beach, Phuket - visited by millions of foreign tourists each year - which found an average of 0.76 cigarette butts per square metre in a sample area, which would amount to 101,058 butts on the 2.5km-long stretch of sand.

The survey was undertaken by the country's department of marine and coastal resources, which described it as a "serious problem". Discarded cigarette butts accounted for a third of rubbish collected by the department.

"Cigarettes have a direct effect on the natural environment," director-general Jatuporn Buruspat told the Phuket Gazette .

"The butts clog the drains contributing to floods. When the cigarettes stay under the beach sand for a long time, it also negatively affects the ecosystem. And then when the chemicals from the cigarette butts reach the water, it also releases cadmium, lead, arsenic and some acid from insecticide which are poison to the natural food chain."

The ban, which will come into play in November, will affect 20 beaches including Patong, Koh Khai Nok, Koh Khai Nai (Phuket); Hua Hin, Cha-Am, Khao Takiab (western province of Prachuap Khiri Khan); Pattaya, Jomtien, Bangsaen (eastern province of Chonburi) and Samila (Songkhla city).

After a trial period, the ban is expected to be enforced on all Thai beaches, as well as on passenger and tourist boats, to tackle the problem of butts damaging the underwater environment.

Anyone found to be breaking the law will face one year in jail or a maximum 100,000 baht (S$4,080) fine, or both.

The Bangkok Post also reported the news, adding that Thailand has the sixth most rubbish-strewn areas of sea in the world.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

Chiang Mai improves its connectivity in readiness for Asean Tourism Forum 2018

Chiang Mai improves its connectivity in readiness for Asean Tourism Forum 2018



The Wat Rajamontean Temple in Chiang Mai, which is home to more than 300 temples.

Chiang Mai continues to expand international direct flights to Thailand’s northern gateway city as it prepares to meet demand leading up to the Asean Tourism Forum 2018 (ATF 2018) in January next year.

Mr Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said: “The increase in international direct flights will support the ATF 2018 theme of 'Asean - Sustainable Connectivity, Boundless Prosperity.’

“Chiang Mai is a gateway to the north of Thailand. Delegates or tourists can enjoy their time in this northern city and then continue their journey to other parts of Thailand or within Asean via the many intra-regional and international connecting flights available.

“While flights are currently keeping up with demand, there is also available capacity to handle future growth as we expect hosting ATF 2018 will also result in more travellers wanting to visit Chiang Mai.”

He also noted that TAT has recently hosted several multi-country Asean familiarisation trips, linking Thailand with key commercial capitals around Asean to support intra-regional tourism growth.

In 2017, Chiang Mai is on track to welcome a total of 7,614 direct international flights and 567 indirect flights (via major destinations), with almost half coming from China (3,436 flights).

The top four cities of origin in China include Beijing and Shanghai (1,022 flights each), Guangzhou (664 flights), Kunming (450 flights) and Hangzhou (365 flights), with the remainder coming from Wuhan, Chongqing, Shenzhen, Haikou, Nanjing, Nanning, Qingdao, Xi’an and Chengdu.

Other international flights include from Hong Kong – 1,088 flights; Myanmar – 880 flights; Kuala Lumpur – 837 flights; Singapore – 489 flights; Macau – 365 flights; and Seoul with 242 flights (flight data from OAG).

The Bangkok to Chiang Mai domestic trunk route also continues to expand to meet the growing demand from Thai and international tourists.

Daily flight services from both airports are served by Thai Airways, Thai Smile Airways, Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air and other Thailand-based carriers, in addition to international direct flights.

Chiang Mai is also linked domestically with other major Thai cities, including Phuket, Ko Samui, Krabi, Chiang Rai, Pattaya, Surat Thani, Hat Yai and Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin).

Domestic flight services are also available between Chiang Mai and other secondary Thai cities, including Phitsanulok, Tak (Mae Sot), Ubon Ratchathani, Mae Hong Son, Khon Kaen and Udon Thani.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

Asean to open skies further

Asean to open skies further

Asean countries signed the protocol to put into place a package of commitments to further liberalise air transport services in the region.

At the 23rd Asean Transport Ministers Meeting, the countries also agreed to improve connectivity among member states.

Transport ministers and senior officials from Asean member countries attended the two-day meeting. Also present were dialogue partners from China, Japan and South Korea.

Among the highlights of the meeting was the conclusion of the “tenth package of commitments on air transport services under the Asean Framework of Services”.

Liow said the ministers also signed the protocol of domestic code-share rights, allowing code­-sharing arrangements between the marketing airline and domestic airline in Asean member countries.

“This would increase connectivity between Malaysia and other Asean member states.

“At the same time, it would enable designated airlines of Malaysia to offer their passengers a wide range of travel options which can extend beyond the airlines’ own network and route structure,” he added.

Liow said the ministers signed the Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Flight Crew Licensing, which would facilitate air services to complement liberalisation efforts in Asean, and ensure the highest degree of security in international air transport.

They also reached an agreement on the Facilitation of Cross Border Transport of Passengers by Road Vehicles.

“This is to promote seamless cross-border mobility of passengers between Asean member states,” said Liow.

He added that the ministers had concluded the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the authorities in charge of aircraft accident investigation under the Asean-China partnership.

“This agreement would further strengthen Malaysia’s cooperation with China in relation to aircraft accident and incident investigations, sharing experiences and expertise in various specialist fields, equipment and research,” he said.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Hotel

โรงแรม

rong raem

Hotel

旅店，饭店

Phuket’s captured croc sets off debate about tourism and wildlife

Phuket’s captured croc sets off debate about tourism and wildlife

A three-metre-long saltwater crocodile found swimming off a beach on the resort island of Phuket last week, which is now in captivity after being caught last Friday, has become the unwitting talk of the town regarding maritime safety and its own immediate future.

Tourists have been warned to stay out of the water at Phuket’s northern beaches after the reptile was spotted in the sea on August 28.

The crocodile, which is believed to be male, was spotted at Mai Khao Beach and a tourist used a drone to take photos to prove its presence at the beach, which is heavily populated with hotels, resorts and tourists.

The photos of the crocodile at the busy beach subsequently hit the headlines in both the local and international media.

The attention led to the capture of the reptile last Friday and its transfer to a holding tank at a fishery centre in Thalang district last Friday, but the story did not end there.

Many members of the public have since taken to online media to make their opinions known after Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong took an interest in the animal, telling local media that the Fisheries Department would decide whether relevant authorities would provide care for it, possibly at an aquarium or zoo.

Although it is still unclear whether the animal had escaped from captivity or was raised in the wild, people have clamoured for its “return” to nature, including on the public advocacy website change.org, with 5,463 people signing a petition of support as of yesterday afternoon.

The public concern reached a crescendo after the media reported that the crocodile was refusing to eat, signalling that it was feeling stress in captivity, with animal lovers expressing their opinions on social networks, saying the site where it had been found was its habitat, which humans had encroached upon.

Sasin Chalermlarp, president of the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation conservation group, proposed that the crocodile be moved to a new location before it is returned to nature.

Rangsarit Kanjanavanit, a member of the same foundation, said the crocodile should not have been captured in the first place, adding that it could live harmoniously with humans.

“It’s important to preserve this rare saltwater crocodile and let it live freely.

It should be released back to the sea as soon as possible.”

Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a noted marine biologist, said there should be a serious discussion about the reptile’s safety before it is released into nature. “It would not be good if the crocodile is killed after returning to the sea.”

~News courtesy of The Nation~

Phi Phi islands

Phi Phi islands

Phi Phi islands are considered to be one of the most enchanting islands of Southeast Asia.

These places are accessible through a 90 minute ferryboat ride either from Phuket or Krabi.

Offering both land-based and water-based activities, Phi Phi islands are renowned for their stunning tropical beaches.

Glowing and clear turquoise waters bustling with multi-colored oceanic life and massive yet staggering rock formations.

This archipelago of six islands magnetizes hundreds of tourists to behold its paradise perfect panoramas.

You can experience these things while being mesmerized with the beauty of these islands:

Take a visit to Phi Phi Leh hosting the world-famous Maya Bay.

Witness a tropical dream come true by holidaying in the Bamboo Island

Treat yourself to a once in a lifetime rock climbing experience

on the lofty limestone cliffs.

~Info courtesy of The Nation~

New complex at Thai-Malaysian checkpoint

New complex at checkpoint

A new complex for heavy vehicles passing through the Malaysia-Thailand border will be set up at the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) facility here.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who announced this after chairing a high-level committee meeting on the ICQS security here, said the new Heavy Vehicles Complex makes up 60% of Phase 1 of ICQS.

The remaining 40% comprises a Light Vehicle Complex, Operational and Administrative Office as well as public amenities.

“Five departments and agencies will start operating at the ICQS on Nov 1.

“This committee will visit the ICQS again at a later date to check on its operations,” Dr Ahmad Zahid told reporters after chairing the meeting at the Malaysian Border Control Agency Complex.

Also present were Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed and Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Johari Baharum.

The full handing over of the new RM425mil complex by the developer, Syarikat Northern Gateway Infrastructure Sdn Bhd, will be carried out at a later date.

The ICQS will open for 20 hours a day from Nov 1. From January onwards, it will operate around the clock.

Dr Ahmad Zahid expressed confidence that all issues and problems could be overcome in order to realise the aspirations of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to turn Malaysia into a transportation and logistical hub for the Asean region.

“We are serious in tackling any issues in order to realise what had been directed by the Prime Minister,” he said.

Commenting on the 24-hour operations for the ICQS, Dr Ahmad Zahid said he had met with Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan to discuss the matter.

~News courtesy of Bernama~

Ancient Thai city is protected but still crumbling

Ancient Thai city is protected but still crumbling

Sprawling urban growth and water management problems are threatening conservation efforts at Thailand’s ancient city of Ayutthaya, experts say.

The Unesco World Heritage site located some 80km north of the capital, Bangkok, was once among the world’s wealthiest cities and a major trading port from the 14th to 18th centuries.

Today, the city attracts tourists from around the world who come to admire the ruins and stone Buddha statues at Ayutthaya, once the ancient capital of Thailand, then known as Siam.

However, poor urban planning and its impact on water management in the low-lying area pose a threat to the historic park, said Montira Horayangura Unakul, National Professional Officer with Unesco’s Culture Unit.

“Half the island is protected as a historic park and is also a world heritage site and the eastern half is where a lot of the modern development has taken place,” Montira said in an interview.

Rapid development has fuelled concern over the area’s capacity to defend against floods.



A view shows the ruins of the ancient city of Ayutthaya.

Devastating floods in Thailand in 2011, which killed more than 900 people and cost billions of dollars, hit Ayutthaya. Dozens of temples were inundated for weeks, although most suffered little damage.

“Once the waters receded there didn’t seem to be too much damage,” said Montira.

“However, after that we found residual effects for example to mural paintings.”



The remains of a Buddha statue is seen in the ruins of the ancient city of Ayutthaya



A headless Buddha statue is seen in the ruins of the ancient city of Ayutthaya

 

 Headless Buddha statues sit among the ruins of Ayutthaya. 

 A lack of knowledge about traditional materials used at some sites is another problem that besets Ayutthaya and other heritage sites, including the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat temple complex in neighbouring Cambodia.

“An issue we are trying to address now is knowing what the ancient materials used in Ayutthaya were and what the composition of them was,” Montira said.

Thailand held an international conference, in collaboration with Unesco, in October to discuss conservation of brick monuments at the site.

~News courtesy of Reuters~

Laos, Thailand enhance tourism cooperation

Laos, Thailand enhance tourism cooperation

Laos and Thailand have agreed on enhancing their cooperation in the tourism sector, aiming to jointly promote the tourism potentials of the two countries and implement the connectivity plans of Asean.



Prof. DrBosengkhamVongdara and MsKobkarnWattanavrangkul shake hands after signing the MOU.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the cooperation plan was signed yesterday in Vientiane between Lao Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Prof. DrBosengkhamVongdara and Thai Minister of Tourism and Sport, MsKobkarnWattanavrangkul.

An official from the Lao ministry's Department of International Cooperation revealed that under the MOU, the two countries will assist each other in the development of tourism products and tourism services.

They aim to connect tourism programmes through joint tourism packages and market the two countries one destination model between the two countries, as well as enhance the exchange of information in the sector.

The idea of the cooperation is to strike for the tourists who enter Laos and attract them to also visit Thailand, as well as enticing those who visit Thailand to also visit Laos, encouraging longer stays in both of the countries he said.

According to the coo peration plan, the two sides will also advertise tourism destinations, tourism products and the services of the two countries internationally, which they will do together through regional and international tourism fairs, aiming to ensure the growth and sustainability of the tourism industry in the two neighbouring countries .

The cooperation will also involve tourism management and a tourism strategic plan, while tourism businesses from the two countries will be encouraged to enhance their cooperation.

More than 2.3 million Thai people visited Laos, and around 1.5 million Lao citizens went to Thailand last year. This number of Lao people visiting Thailand was just recorded through the first Lao-Thai Friendship bridge linking Vientiane and Nongkhai, Thailand.

Our general objective is to increase tourist travel between the two countries, as well as visitors from third countries, the official said.

Thailand also proposed the enhancement of tourism links with Laos at talks between the heads of the Lao and Thai governments during an official visit of a Lao high level delegation to Thailand led by Prime Minister ThonglounSisoulith in July.

As the outcome of the talks, the two countries will work on a joint master plan on tourism to boost the number of travellers to the region.

~News courtesy of Vientiane Times~

A slow boat to China

A slow boat to China



Asian cruise operator Pandaw is all set to launch the RV Laos Pandaw, a 10-cabin cruiser, on the Mekong River.

Asian cruise operator Pandaw is all set to launch the RV Laos Pandaw, a 10-cabin cruiser, on the Mekong River. 

Offering cruises on the upper and lower Mekong, the first trip through Laos, Thailand and Myanmar is sold out but bookings for its maiden excursion on the upper Mekong into China are now open. 

The expedition cover seven nights, beginning in Chiang Saen in Thailand's North. The journey continues and stops over along the border of Myanmar and Laos on its way to Jinhong in Yunnan Province. 

The Old Mandalay Road in Shan State, the Xiang Kok Akha Village in Laos and a tea plantation and botanical gardens are also on the itinerary. Visit www.Pandaw.com.

~News courtesy of The Nation~

Wonders in wax

Wonders in wax



Thailand marks the beginning of the Buddhist Lent with candle carving, merit-making and folk dancing

With the monsoon season now in full swing and the rains nourishing the delicate rice seeds sowed not so long ago, it's time for Thailand to mark the Khao Phansa Festival. Held across the country in the middle of July, this spiritual event sees devotees of the Buddhist faith offering beautifully carved candles to the temples in a gesture reminiscent of the days when the monks would use the candles to provide light as they chanted Buddhist texts throughout the night.

From Ubon Ratchathani to Nan provinces, from boats on the canals to rides on elephant-back, the festival is celebrated in many different ways with floats, cultural shows, folk music, traditional dance and parades forming the main theme.

We take a look at some of the most delightful candle festivals.

UBON RATCHATHANI

When: July 18-20

Ubon Ratchathani in Thailand's lower Northeast is the champion when it comes to candle carving and spectacular floats and parades. Tourists and devotees are lured to the provincial capital to admire the amazing wax and candle carvings, many of them shaped into Buddha images and angels. In more recent years, the festival has incorporated a candle contest, with international artists and college students competing to show off their artistic creations. This year's event kicked off at the beginning of this week and runs through July 20 with artists from Russia, the US, Taiwan and Spain exhibiting their works in Thungsrimuang square. A sightseeing tour of the candle-making communities of Wat Sripradoo, Wat Thungsrimuang and Wat Pholphaen allows visitors to watch as residents cut up and melt the beeswax then pour it into moulds to form components of the huge, elaborate candles. The event culminates on July 20 when thousands of spectators line the streets to witness the colourful candle float parade.

NAN

When: July 20

If extravagant candle floats are not your cup of tea, then check out the humble wax-offering rite in Wiang Sa, Nan Province. On July 20, two days after the full moon, residents of Wiang Sa district will offer small dice and sticks of candle and wax to the Buddhist monks at Wat Buen Yeun. Like almsgiving, this unique yet original candle offering has been an act of virtue since the early 1800s. With the monks staying in their temples for three months during the Buddhist Lent, the candles will be used for learning and practising Buddhism by night.

NAKHON PHANOM

When: July 20

Nakhon Phanom Candle Festival takes place at Phra That Phanom, one of the most revered pagodas along the Mekong River. As elsewhere in the country, the ceremony will be celebrated in a devout yet festive fashion. The colourful procession of exquisitely carved candles, Miss Candle Beauty Contest, classical dancing, a mass merit-making ceremony will take turns to brighten up the spirit of Khao Phansa on the river bank.

SURIN

When: July 18-19

Temple murals reveal a lot about the elephant's great contribution to Buddhism, and the pachyderms of Surin once again underline their important role in religion at the beginning of Vassa. Surin pays homage to its traditional beasts of burden with 100 elaborately decorated elephants carrying some of the city's most revered monks around the town in a unique and memorable ceremony. There's also a candle procession and an elephant-back merit-making rite at the Monument of Phaya Surin Phakdi Sri Narong Changwang.

SUPHAN BURI

July: 19-20

Suphan Buri Province holds its candle festival at Wat Pa Lelai Woravihara with a showcase of beautifully carved candles. The colourful procession along with performances of folk and traditional dance by local art students takes place on July 20 starting from the Clock Tower in Muang Suphan Buri District and continuing through the downtown area. The candle showcase and dance is staged at Wat Pa Lelai. Suphan Buri natives are famous for laying on good entertainment, so visitors to the festival won't be disappointed as folk dances add fun to the festival.

NAKHON RATCHASIMA

When: July 19-20

Nakhon Ratchasima Candle Procession Festival takes place at the Tao Suranaree Monument and promises a procession of floats bearing carved candles as well as a range of other merit-making activities. Ahead of the province's grand celebration, Phimai and Chokchai districts will hold the candle festivals to mark the start of the Buddhist Lent.

SARABURI

When: July 19-20

The annual Tak Bat Dok Mai, or Flower Offering festival, returns to Wat Phra Phutthabat in Saraburi to mark the beginning of the three-month-long rains retreat. Thousands of Buddhist monks, mostly from Phra Dhammakaya temple, are expected to attend this year’s event. The festival celebrates the bloom of the local flower known as Dok Khao Phansa at the beginning of Vassa. The flower offering takes place twice daily at 9am and 3pm on both July 19 and 20.

AYUTTHAYA

When: July 19

The riverside community of Ladchado, Ayutthaya Province, will be celebrating the annual Candle Festival along the river on July 19 and thanking the rain for replenishing its canal. Like many things in Ladchado, the candle festival is celebrated on the water with hundreds of small sampans decorated with flowers and colourful parasols making their way downstream from the far side of canal. Tucked away in Phak Hai district, Ladchado is about 40 kilometres west of downtown Ayutthaya.

~News courtesy of The Nation~

Hua Hin Railway Station 华欣火车站

Praying for rain

Yasothon - Praying for rain

In response to this year's drought and the higher-than-usual temperatures, visitors to the annual Rocket Festival in Yasothon can expect plenty of fast-flying missiles in the sky. 

Taking place on May 14-15, the Yasothon Rocket Festival serves as a wake-up call for the Rain God and pleads with him to give Earth more water so that the rice will grow. 

Led by monks, rural rocket engineers place gunpowder inside long plastic pipes of varying sizes. 

The rockets are then launched into the clear blue skies with varying degrees of success. 

The festive event always draws locals and visitors and you don't have to be a quantum physicist to enjoy the show.

~News courtesy of The Nation~

Koh Yor, Songkhla