Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2008

Note: Event dates and programme details may be subject to change. To ensure you have the most updated information, please reconfirm details prior to travel.
The Amazing Thailand Grand Sale, Thailand's annual 3 months shopping extravaganza from 1 June until 31 August 2008, offers world-class shopping, a diverse selection of quality products and services, special discounts of up to 70 percent and promotional offers being extended by participating department stores and retail outlets along designated 'Shopping Streets' in Bangkok and the popular tourist destinations of Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket and Hat Yai.The Shopping Streets provide a convenient opportunity to spot great buys in an exotic range of unique crafts and cottage industry products, including exquisitely hand-crafted decorative items for home and living and fashion accessories, available in the traditional as well as contemporary design.

Besides discount offers, our proud partners, Visa International offer special gift for visitors who shop using their Visa cards for 3,500 baht or more *get free natural soap at shops at Suvarnabhumi Airport and King Power downtown Duty Free Mall.

So, What else would be better than visiting Thailand during this time? Apart from great value shopping; Why not spare yourself some time to enjoy more of Thaialnd's beautiful nature, and explore her culture as well as people's way of life? With a vast array of Royal Orchid Holidays' flexible programme menu to major touris destinations in Thailand, your vacation planning in this special period will never be easier.

* Terms & Conditions may apply.

Thailand International Dog Show 2008

(26 - 29 June, 2008: Hall 5-6, IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center )

Note: Event dates and programme details may be subject to change. To ensure you have the most updated information, please reconfirm details prior to travel. Thailand International Dog Show 2008 will be bigger and better with more exhibitors, more activities and more fun for you, your family and your beloved dogs. This show is a special gathering place where you can find all the goods and services for your dogs in one place. You will also enjoy a host of exciting and entertaining activities, competitions, shows, clinics, seminars and workshops during the show. If you are a dog owner or dog lover, Thailand International Dog Show 2008 is a show that you cannot afford to miss out on. Entrance Fee: 15 Baht for Adult, Kids and Dogs/Pets enter for FREE **Fees will be donated to abandoned dog charities/associations**

3rd Laguna Phuket International Marathon

(15 June 2008:Laguna Phuket Resort)
The 3rd Laguna Phuket International Marathon will take place on 15 June 2008. After the huge success of the 2007 event with well over 3,000 participants, organizers expect more than 4,500 participants including 2,000 international runners from more than 45 countries.
Races:Marathon, Half Marathon, 10 Km Fun Run, 5 Km Walk, 2 Km Kids Run

Location:Phuket, Thailand

Start & Finish:Laguna Phuket Resort

Time Limits:Marathon 7 Hours
Half Marathon 4 Hours
10 Km Fun Run 2 1/2 Hours
5 Km Walk 2 hours

Course:The marathon course is an out and back course with a loop for the last 7 km. The course is flat for the first 11 km with some rolling hills between Km 11 and Km 15 and again between Km 23 and Km 28 and Km 35 and Km 37. The half marathon follows the marathon course and turns at Km 9 of the marathon course. It then follows the marathon course back to the finish line. The course is flat except for some rolling hills between KM 14 and 16. The 10.5 Km Run and 5 Km Walk are flat loop courses looping around Laguna Phuket. See the course map here.

Awards:There will be trophies for the top three of every age group and for overall winners.

Medals: Every finisher will receive a commemorative medal.

Registrations:For race only registrations.

Online registration will open on 1 October 2007 and close on 2 June 2008. Early bird entry fees will apply until 31 March 2008. Accommodation packages will also be available for booking. For more information, visit Phuket Marathon 2008

Blooming Krachiao Flower Festival

(June 1 - July 31, 2008:The Siam Tulip Festival of Chaiyaphum, Pa Hin Ngam National Park)

Note: Event dates and programme details may be subject to change. To ensure you have the most updated information, please reconfirm details prior to travel.

The Siam Tulip Festival of Chaiyaphum
The unique geographical landscape of Chaiyaphum Province in the northeast of Thailand gives rise to a range of natural attractions of exceptional beauty. Of these, the fields of pinkish-purple Siam Tulip, or "Dok Krachiao", come in to full bloom in the early part of the rainy season from June to August.
Also commonly called 'patumma', 'bua sawan' (heaven lotus), or 'bua bok' (the land lotus), the Siam Tulip is a member of the ginger genera - Curcuma or Zingiberaceae.
The unusual form, bright colour and long-lasting quality of the Siam Tulip has made it an increasingly popular choice for floral decorations. It is in high demand and is currently being cultivated in the form of cuttings or ornamental plants for local consumption as well as for export overseas, predominantly to Japan and the Netherlands.

The Pa Hin Ngam Rock Garden
The extraordinary 'rock-garden' of Pa Hin Ngam (forests of beautiful rock), located within a forested area in the Amphoe Thep Sathit sub-district is another place of interest.
Pa Hin Ngam consists of 10 sq. kilometres of impressive natural sandstone sculpture. Weathered by sun, wind and rain over thousands of years, the sandstone is worn into curious shapes, the names of which refect its form such as Nail Rock, Castle Rock, Elephant Rock and even Laser Rock.
In addition to this unusual rock formation, Chaiyaphum Province also has its share of spectacular waterfalls such as the Tat Ton and Pha Eang Waterfalls and the Tum Kaew Caves, and other breathtaking sights and vantage points.

Bun Bang Fai Rocket Festival

(6 - 11 May 2008 :Yasothon Municipal Office and Yasothon Provincial Office)

Note: Event dates and programme details may be subject to change. To ensure you have the most updated information, please reconfirm details prior to travel.

The sprightly "Bun Bang Fai" Rocket Festival, the most celebrated of Isan's merit-making rituals, has been strictly observed by the residents of Isan for generations. It is essentially an annual ritual to ensure that the seasonal rains fall at the appropriate time in the planting cycle. In this process, Buddhist merit-making traditions are also observed and reinforced. The festival which is held over a period of three days strengthens community spirit. The first day known as "Wan Sook Dib" features lively processions as rocket teams transport the rockets in a procession and perform a ritual to pay homage to Chao Pu, the spirit of the city pillar. Each is escorted by a colourful dance troupe. The second day is the rocket procession day. Modern-day rockets are mounted on vehicles or traditional carts to be drawn in the parade. The "Bang Fai" rockets come in different sizes. For example, the Bang Fai Kilo is packed with one kilogram of nitrate, while the Bang Fai Meun - 12 kilograms, and the Bang Fai Saen - 120 kilograms of nitrate. The rocket-making technicians play a vital role in deciding the right amount of nitrate to be mixed with the charcoal. With the wrong formula, a rocket could blow up prematurely before it is launched high into the sky. The rocket cylinders are usually made from the bottom half of the bamboo.

It is also a day for the ordination of novices with festive celebrations follows merit-making rituals. Dance, music, song and revelry are integral elements of the processions as the parade of beautifully decorated rockets wind their way through the village on their way to the temple offering an opportunity for the residents and visitors to admire the impressive works of art.

The rockets are finally launched on the third day in which various rocket contests are held. With the launch of the rockets, predictions are made with regard to the fortunes of the coming harvest. The Rocket Festival in Yasothon Province is spectacular and provides a tremendous opportunity to experience Isan-style festive fun.

The Rocket Festival stems from the belief that when this merit-making ceremony is held, gods and spirits will reciprocate with seasonal rain and a bountiful harvest.

The Royal Ploughing Ceremony

(May 11, 2008:Sanam Luang, Bangkok)

Note: Event dates and programme details may be subject to change. To ensure you have the most updated information, please reconfirm details prior to travel.

The Royal Ploughing Ceremony is an ancient Brahminical rite dating back to the Sukhothai period (1257 - 1350 A.D.) The ceremony, which heralds the start of the new rice-growing season, was undertaken to assure a successful planting season and an abundance of the nation's crops. Festivities were held to boost the farmers' morale urging them to strive for an abundant harvest for consumption and to ensure sufficient reserves for times of war and for export overseas.The practice faded out towards the end of the reign of King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) but was later revived by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1960 (B.E. 2503). Since then, it has been observed annually.

Today, the Royal Ploughing Ceremony consists of two ceremonies - a Cultivating Ceremony known as "Phraraj Pithi Peuj Mongkol" and the Ploughing Ceremony, "Phraraj Pithi Jarod Phranangkal Raek Na Kwan". Both royal ceremonies are state events with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives assuming the role of the Lord of the Harvest or Phraya Raek Na, while four single female officials of the Ministry holding positions of second rank and above in the civil service undertake the role of the Celestial Maidens or Nang Thepi, assistants to the Lord of the Harvest.

The Cultivating Ceremony is a Buddhist ritual performed one day before the Ploughing Ceremony. Paddy and the seeds of forty other crops and ceremonial items to be used in the Ploughing Ceremony are blessed. His Majesty the King (or a representative) presides over the religious rites which are performed in the Royal Chapel of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha within the compounds of the Grand Palace. With lustral water poured over his hands and his forehead anointed by His Majesty the King, the Lord of the Harvest receives the royal blessing. The four Celestial Maidens also receive similar blessing. The Lord of the Harvest then receives the ceremonial ring and sword to be used in the Ploughing Ceremony from His Majesty the King.

The Royal Ploughing Ceremony which is held the next morning at Sanam Luang - The Royal Ground - begins with the Lord of the Harvest performing a rite to predict the amount of rainfall in the coming season. This is done by selecting one of three pieces of cloth of varying lengths. At the auspicious time following the arrival of His Majesty the King and members of the Royal Family, the Lord of the Harvest begins to plough the field and sows the rice seeds from the baskets carried by the Celestial Maidens. At the end of the ploughing ceremony, the ceremonial bulls are led to troughs, each containing one of seven different offerings of food or drink namely, paddy, green beans, maize, hay, sesame seed, water and liquor. Predictions regarding the success of the harvest and the abundance of particular crops in the coming season are determined by the items selected by the bulls. Then as the barricades are removed, hundreds rush into the field hoping to gather a few sacred rice grains scattered by the Lord of Harvest. These are either mixed with the farmer's own rice stock to ensure a good crop in the coming year, or simply kept as a token of good luck.

Visakha Buddha Bucha Festival

Visakha Buddha Bucha Festival

Duration 15 – 19 May 2008
VENUE Sanam Luang, Phranakhon District, Bangkok

ACTIVITIES
Decorated processions on Visakha Bucha Day of government and private working units and exhibition about Visakha Bucha Day, contest of flower bush Trays, Contest of Soraphanya Reciting

For more information, please contact
Bangkok Tourism Division Tel. 0 2225 7612-4

Credit:www.tourismthailand.org

World’s Durian Festival

Duration May – June 2008

VENUE
Mueang District, Chanthaburi

ACTIVITIES
Decorations of fruits trays of government and private sectors, Trade Fair of Housewives, Local OTOP Food Fair, Fruit Decoration Caravan, Fruit and Processed Products Contest, Good Quality Jewelry/Accessories Fair
For more information, please contact

Office of Administration, Chanthaburi Tel. 0 3931 1001
TAT Central Part Office: Region 4 (Rayong) Tel. 0 3865 5420-1

credit : www.Tourismthailand.org