Loi Krathong Festival 2008 - Date : 8 - 12 November 2008
“Loi Krathong” is traditionally performed on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month, which usually falls on some day in November. The floating of a ‘Krathong' – a banana–leaf cup – is intended to float away ill fortune as well as to express apologies to Khongkha or Ganga, the River Goddess. Some believe that the ritual is meant to worship the Buddha's footprint on the bank of the Narmada River, while others say that it is to pay respect to Phra Uppakhut, one of the Lord Buddha's great disciples.
The Loi Krathong Festival is celebrated nationwide in Thailand, especially where there are rivers, canals or sources of water, with different unique characteristics.
This year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has joint with Educational Institution and Thai Baot Association to present the Electric Float Procession from Taksin Bridge to Krungthon Bridge and the 12 lighten up buildings and historical sites along Chao Praya River during Loi Krathong Festival.
View the illuminated boat procession , Loi Krathong activities as well as illuminated buildings and historical sites on both sides of the Chao Phraya River.
Venue : Santi Chai Prakarn, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
Events Planning Division, Tourism Authority of Thailand
Website : www.loikrathong.net, www.tourismthailand.org
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Loi Krathong Festival 2008
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Festival & Event at Thailand in May 2008
Yasothon Bun Bangfai Rocket Festival
Annual ritual to ensure that the seasonal rains fall at the appropriate time in the planting cycle. In the 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 Suk |Dip” features a ritual to play homage to Chao Pu, the spirit of the city pillar. The second day is the rocket procession day. Each is escorted by a colourful dance troupe. The rocket are finally launched on the third day in which various rockets and beauty contests are held. It is also a day for the ordination of novices with festive celebrations following merit-making rituals.
Contact :
TAT Northeastern Office : Region 2
Tel : 0 4524 3770-1
Yasothon Municipality Office
Tel : 0 4571 1397 Ext. : 112
Website : www.tat.or.th/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
Thursday, March 27, 2008
About Songkran or Thai New Year’s celebration 2008
Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year’s celebration, also known as the “Water Festival”, and one of the more light-hearted aspects of the festivities is throwing water at each other. Thai people believe that water, as a symbol of cleansing and renewal, will wash away bad luck.
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Songkran Festival
Date: 13 – 14 April 2008
Venue: Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park, Wihan Phramongkhon Bophit, and around the island city, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
Activities : Making merit to the monks, releasing of birds and fish, paying homage to the elderly.
Hi-Light: on 13 April 2008
06.00 hrs. : Making merit to the monks at the front of Wihan Phramongkhon Bophit
14.00 hrs. : the grand procession of the Songkran tradition, enjoying splashing water with elephants at the old city.
Further Information : Education Division, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Municipality Tel. 0 3525 2168
TAT Central Region Office : Region 6 (Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya) Tel. 0 3524 6076-7, 0 3532 2730-1
Sari New Year Festival of Chiang Mai city, Chiang Mai
Date: 12-15 April 2008
Venue: All around in Chiangmai city, Chiangmai province
Activities: A procession and bathing of the Phra Phuttasihing, paying homage to elderly, local traditional shows and local artistic game demonstration , splashing water around the city ditch, walking street and all international food.
Hi-Light: 12 April 2008, at 7.00 hrs. in Royal Flora Garden (Ratchaphruek), there is a piling rice to 99 monks and grand opening Songkran festival by the Minister of Tourism and Sport Ministry.
: 13 April 2008, at 14.00 hrs. a procession and bathing of the Phra Phuttasihing and Miss Songkran parade from Naowarat bridge to Wat Phra Sing.
: 14 April 2008, at 16.00 hrs. a parade of sand-carrying back to temple & Mai Kham Sari from Saphan Lek (Iron bridge) to the temple on Tha Phae Street.
: 15 April 2008, 13.30 hrs. a parade of paying homage for Chiang Mai Governor from Three Kings monument to the Governor’s Office.
Further information : Municipality Tel: 0 5325 9000
TAT Northern Region Office, Region 1 (Chiang Mai) Tel: 0 5324 8604, 0 5324 8607
Website : www.songkran.net, www.tourismthailand.org
Pattaya Songkran Festival (Wan Lai Fair)
Date: 18 – 19 April 2008
Venue: Pho Na Kleua Public Park, Chon Buri
Activities : Procession of the Buddha image for the people to bathe, along the Pattaya beach, local games, various arts and cultural performances, piling rice tradition, paying homage to the elderly, Miss Songkran Beauty Contest and enjoy splashing water along the beach of Pattaya.
Hi-Light: on 19 April 2008 at 08.00 hrs. : Procession of the Buddha image for the people to bathe and enjoying splashing water along the Pattaya beach.
Further Information : Pattaya City, Tel. 0 3837 1116-9
TAT Central Region Office : Region 3 (Chonburi), Tel. 0 3842 7667, 0 3842 8750
www.songkran.net
The Great Songkran Day 2008, Suphanburi Province
Water festival : Songkran festival
Date : 13 April 2008
Venue : Nane Keaw Road, Muang, Suphanburi Province
Activities : Giving alms to monks, Procession of the Buddha image for the people to bathe, Paying homage to the elderly, Procession of Songkran tradition, Cultural Performance and enjoy splashing water.
Further information : Suphanburi Tourism Coordination Centre Tel. 0 3553 6030
www.tourismthailand.org
Nakhon Phanom Songkran and Lao New Year Festival
Date: 12 – 15 April 2008
Venue: Mueang District and Renu Nakhon Municipality, Nakhon Phanom
Activities: bathing ceremony of the birthday Chedi; participate in making the sand Buddha image that is believed to bless people with good health, as well as living longer
Hi-Light: Tying the holy string around the 2000-year-old Chedi that is revered by the people of Thailand and Lao PDR. and is located in the middle of the Mekong river to pray and bless for both Thai Lao neighbors.
Further information: Cultural Center Ranu Nakorn, Ranu Nakorn District Office Tel: 0 4257 9240
TAT Northeastern Region Office, Region 4 (Nakorn Panom) Tel: 0 4251 3490-1
website : www.tourismthailand.org, www.songkran.net
Hat Yai Midnight Songkran Festival, Songkhla province
Date: 11 – 14 April 2008
Venue: Niphat Uthit Road, Sanehanusorn Road, Hat Yai
Activities: 12 April 2008 at 18.00 hrs. a procession of Songkran festival.
13 April 2008 Miss Songkran Beauty Contest and various forms of entertainment and local games as well as playing splashing water in the evening.
Further information : Hat Yai Municipality Tel: 0 7424 4777
TAT Southern Region Office, Region 1 (Songkhla) Tel: 0 7423 1055
website : www.tourismthailand.org, www.songkran.net
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Thailand Songkran Festival - 13-15 April 2008
Chiang Mai Songkran Festival
Date : 13-15 April 2008
Venue : Chiang Mai
Partake in this ancient spectacle in Chiang Mai with merit-making activities, a procession of Buddha images and bathing rituals, the sprinkling of lustral water to seek the blessing of elders, sand-stupa building, folk games, Lanna cultural shows and water throwing.
Contact:
TAT Northern Office : Region 1
Tel : 0 5324 8604, 0 5324 8607, 0 5324 1466
Chiang Mai Municipality Office
Tel : 0 5325 2478
Hat Yai Midnight Songkran Festival
Date : 13-15 April 2008
Venue : Niphat Uthit 1 Road and Sanehanuson Road, Hat Yai, Songkhla
Come and splash water to celebrate Songkran and see a pageant of beauty queens. Witness a breath taking procession. Enjoy the fire show, culture performances and all kinds of entertainment during the festival.
Contact:
TAT Southern Office : Region 1
Tel : 0 7423 1055, 0 7423 8518, 0 7424 3747
Hat Yai Municipality Office
Tel : 0 7424 4777
Phra Pradang Songkran Festival
Phra Pradang Songkran Festival
Date : 18-20 April 2008
Venue : Phra Pradaeng District, Samut Prakan
The Phra Pradaeng Songkran Festival, formerly known as the ‘Pak Lat Songkran Festival’ , with the notable addition of a colourful and elaborate Songkran procession staged by the Mon, or Raman, residents of Phra Pradaeng.
You will enjoy the Songkran procession of decorate floats and a procession of birds and fish. View the exotic game of “Saba” played by the Mon descendants. Also check out the Beauty Queen and King Pegeant.
Contact:
TAT Central Region Office : Region 8
Tel : 0 3731 2282
Phra Pradaeng Municipality Office
Tel : 0 3841 0200
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Thailand has further extended a national ban on smoking in public areas to include pubs, restaurants, discos and market-places, both open-air
NATIONWIDE BAN ON SMOKING IN PUBS, CLUBS, TAKES EFFECT
Thailand has further extended a national ban on smoking in public areas to include pubs, restaurants, discos and market-places, both open-air and air-conditioned.
Previously, the regulations applied only to public buildings and closed air-conditioned areas. The regulations took effect February 11, 2008.
Individual violators can be fined as much as 2,000 baht (US$65). If any public places violate the rules, they will be warned but after May 31, 2008, they will be fined 20,000 baht.
However, smokers are permitted to smoke in designated areas which the affected places will have to set aside.
Numerous public places in Thailand are planning to distribute brochures and post signs in at least five languages such as Thai, English, Korean, Chinese and Japanese to inform tourists of the new regulation.
Thailand is estimated to have over 11 million smokers nationwide and over 40,000 restaurants, pubs, bars and marketplaces.
The initiative comes in the wake of a report released by the World Health Organization (WHO) calling on countries to strengthen tobacco control measures as a means of preventing tens of millions of premature deaths by the middle of this century.
The report recommended a package of six policies called MPOWER for countries to implement, such as: monitoring tobacco use and prevention policies; protecting people from tobacco smoke; offering help to quit tobacco use; warning about the dangers of tobacco; enforcing bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; and raising taxes on tobacco.
The MPOWER package is designed to help countries meet their commitments to the widely embraced global tobacco treaty known as the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which came into force in 2005.
The report contained a very specific warning to the developing world, where 80% of the more than eight million annual tobacco-related deaths projected by 2030 are expected to occur.
The global analysis, compiled by WHO with information provided by 179 Member States, gives governments and other groups a baseline from which to monitor efforts to stop the epidemic in the years ahead.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Thailand Travel : Information Packages & Promotions, Thailand Amazing
Packages & Promotions
72 Hours Amazing Thailand
The Tourism Authority of Thailand together with MasterCard has launched “72 Hours Amazing Thailand” – a dedicated campaign presenting a host of exciting activities and special privileges exclusively for MasterCard cardholders visiting Thailand.
Mrs. Juthaporn Rerngronasa, Deputy Governor for International Marketing, Tourism Authority of Thailand, said, “72 Hours Amazing Thailand offers a new way for tourists to explore the beauty of Thailand within 72 hours. The campaign introduces customized travel routes and activities for MasterCard cardholders, as well as showcases a collection of Thailand’s newest and most stylish resorts and hotels, hip shopping destinations, luxurious pampering hideaways, chic dining outlets and top golf courses.”
“We are targeting the 72 Hours Amazing Thailand campaign at the mass affluent consumer, aged over 25 years old, who enjoys traveling and experiencing new places which are in vogue in Bangkok and its surrounding areas,” Mrs. Rerngronasa added. As part of the campaign, an English language guidebook - “72 Hours Amazing Thailand” - will be produced for tourists.
According to the latest MasterIndex of Travel (H2 2007) by MasterCard Worldwide, Thailand is among the most preferred personal travel destination for Singaporeans. Ms. Eileen Wee, Vice President and Country Manager for Thailand, MasterCard Worldwide said, “The 72 Hours Amazing Thailand campaign launched by Tourism Authority of Thailand enables visitors to fully enjoy and experience the natural beauty of Thailand, as well as the many attractive offerings and exceptional service that this tourism paradise has to offer to the sophisticated, style-conscious traveler of today. The campaign is an example of how Thailand constantly refreshes itself as a travel destination.”
Until the end of August 2008, customers making transactions with their MasterCard cards will receive up to 50% off their purchases at over 200 leading hotels and resorts, shopping centers, beauty and nail spas, fine dining restaurants, golf courses and retail outlets in Thailand, in addition to a range of other privileges.
MasterCard cardholders can also indulge in the best spa destinations such as S Medical Spa – one of only two medical spa retreats in the world with the Hydrotherapy 7 in 1 with Shirodhara – an integrated treatment that cares for the mind, body and soul. Services include purification programs, holistic massage and body work, hydrotherapy and full-day wellness programs. MasterCard cardholders also receive VIP treatment at the Banyan Tree Spa at the Banyan Tree Hotel Bangkok - an ideal sanctuary for physical and spiritual well-being.
More Information:
Website: http://www.thailand72hrsamazing.com
Best Paradise in Thailand
Best Paradises in Thailand, the latest promotional campaign and guide book, jointly launched by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and promotional partner, AIG Card (Thailand) Co., Ltd., showcases 70 of Thailand’s finest hotels and resorts and raises the visibility and awareness of participating properties.
Best Paradises in Thailand invites visitors to “explore the captivating splendour of 70 of the finest resorts in prime locations throughout Thailand.”
For more info. Please visit
http://www.tatnews.org/tat_corporate/3558.asp
TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND (TAT) ADOPTS E-MARKETING STRATEGY FOR ‘AMAZING THAILAND’
TAT ADOPTS E-MARKETING STRATEGY FOR ‘AMAZING THAILAND’
With an ever-increasing number of individual travellers worldwide planning and purchasing their trips online, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is preparing to launch a multi-sectoral e-marketing campaign targeted at a number of key customer segments worldwide. The intention is to significantly increase Thailand’s online presence and the country’s share of tourism revenue generated online.
TAT recently hosted an exclusive trade launch to unveil “e-Marketing for Amazing Thailand 2008” — Thailand’s latest destination marketing initiative which incorporates the use of the e-marketing channels to promote ‘Amazing Thailand’ online. Members of the Thai travel and tourism industry were briefed on the campaign and invited to provide appropriate product information, package deals and updates of their rates, services and special offers for inclusion in the upcoming mini-web sites being developed.
According TAT Governor Mrs Phornsiri Manoharn, “In 2007, TAT developed an e-marketing Road Map for 2008-11 to establish a framework and set the direction for TAT’s online marketing efforts. This ensures that we successfully achieve marketing effectiveness for both TAT as well as the Thai tourism industry overall.
“Key elements of this roadmap are now being implemented under the ‘e-Marketing for Amazing Thailand 2008’ project. It will help strengthen the ‘Amazing Thailand’ brand online; support Thai tourism operators, especially SMEs; increase our international competitiveness; and significantly increase Thailand’s share of the lucrative global tourism business/revenue.”
The TAT now plans to make innovative use of online marketing channels such as e-brochures, online advertorials, CRM-based e-mail marketing, the development of blog sites and encourage the active involvement of web visitors in contributing to user-generated content as novel ways to promote “Amazing Thailand” online.
According to Mr Auggaphol Brickshawana, Deputy Governor for Policy and Planning, “TAT’s e-marketing roadmap fully reflects Thailand’s five-year tourism plan (2007-11) including all the objectives and policies established by TAT, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports; and as outlined in the National Economic Social and Development Board (NESDB) plans.”
Once “e-Marketing for Amazing Thailand 2008” is fully launched, web visitors will be able to find amazing deals, access information about Thailand and post articles, videos and photographs. The TAT will be able to dispatch information about special packages and deals, monitor feedback, interact with visitors and potential visitors online, and correct misinformation on other popular websites.
A key element is targeting one of the fastest growing segments of visitors to Thailand, women travellers. Other critical customer segments include young people, families and “green season” travellers during the off-peak months. This is in line with the desire to generate higher spending and longer length of stay. At the introductory launch, Thai tourism private sector executives were briefed on the concept and given clear guidelines on how to use it to promote their products, packages, services and deals. They also have opportunities to advertise on the site in order to maintain a more permanent presence.
The project partners are: Thai Airways International’s frequent flyer programme Royal Orchid Plus; Advance Info Service (AIS); Chulalongkorn University; Rangsit University; www.youtube.com; and Software Park Thailand. Major travel industry associations of the hotels, travel agents, guides, exhibitions and spa sectors are also participating in force.
The five key components of the “e-Marketing for amazing Thailand 2008” project are:
Thailand Amazing Deals
amazingthailand.TourismThailand.org
To promote Thai travel products to global travellers, buyers, media and travel bloggers via a mini-site: http://amazingthailand.TourismThailand.org. This offers product information in various travel categories. It also allows the TAT to launch e-mail campaigns to a quality database of 1.1 million e-mail addresses of travellers, buyers, media and travel bloggers all around the world.
Her Own Way: “Thailand - The Woman’s Paradise” Project
HerOwnWay.TourismThailand.org
To promote travel products for women such as golf, shopping, beauty and spa
via a mini-site http://HerOwnWay.TourismThailand.org. The primary focus will be women travellers in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Middle East. Targeted e-mail marketing campaigns will directed at women frequent-flyer members of Royal Orchid Plus as well as over online chat-rooms for women in the focus countries.
Thailand Portfolio Project
To promote information about tourism in Thailand (presented as photos, videos and travel articles) through some of the world’s most popular User Generated Media websites such as:
Photo sharing sites: www.flickr.com, www.ringo.com, www.pickle.com
Video sharing sites: www.youtube.com, www.creackle.com, video.google.com
Travel article sharing sites: www.iexplore.com, www.bootsnall.com, www.igougo.com
Amazing Shot…Amazing Experience Contest
Online activities will be organised to persuade both domestic and international travellers to submit VDOs about their travel experiences in Thailand under the concept of “Amazing Shot…Amazing Experience!” and get a chance to win prizes.
WIKI Mission for Thailand Tourism Project
www.wikipedia.org, www.WIKITravel.org
To edit and improve information about Thai tourism on www.wikipedia.org
and www.WIKITravel.org to ensure it is accurate and up-to-date. Students and faculty members at Chulalongkorn University and Rangsit University will be responsible for editing and improving the English version of these online encyclopedias.
http://www.tourismthailand.org/news/release-content-466.html