Sukhothai Loy Krathong and Candle Festival 2010

Sukhothai Loy Krathong and Candle Festival 2010
Nov 20, 2010 - Nov 22, 2010

Although the holiday of Loy Krathong is now celebrated throughout the kingdom, Loy Krathong originated in Sukhothai, the first Thai capital. While particularly popular with couples who head down to any nearby body of water to light the candles and incense on their floating Krathongs, visitors can best appreciate Loy Krathong by heading to the ancient capital of Sukhothai, where the holiday was first celebrated. Highlights of the Sukhothai Loy Krathong celebration include displays of lighted candles and fireworks, folk dancing and a spectacular light & sound presentation.At the Sukhothai Loy Krathong festival, visitors will be dazzled by the float procession of large krathong from 17 Northern provinces. The procession will consist of krathongs from government agencies, state enterprises, private sectors, and the general public. There are also a Krathong design contest, the Miss Noppamas Beauty Contest, and Sukhothai arts and culture performances.

By Bus
Air-conditioned buses depart from Bangkok's Mochit 2 Bus Terminal to Sukhothai daily between 9.45 a.m. and 10.20 p.m.,frequently during the morning. The journey takes 7 hours. Call 0 2936 2852-66 or visit www.transport.co.th for more information. Private bus companies which operate daily bus services to Sukhothai are such as Win Tour (Tel: 0 2936 3753 or 0 5561 1039), Phitsanulok Yan Yon (Tel: 0 2936 2924-5, 0 5525 8647) Sukhothai Bus Terminal (Tel: 0 5561 3296)

By Train
There are no trains going directly to Sukhothai. One may travel by train to Phitsanulok and then take a local bus to Sukhothai, about 59 kilometres away. Contact Bangkok Railway Station Tel. 1690, 02223 7010, 0 2223 7020 or visit www.railway.co.th for more information.

By Other
Bangkok Airways flies from Bangkok to Sukhothai daily for 1-hour journey. Sukhothai Airport is about 40 kilometres north of the town. For more information, call 0 2265 5678, 0 2265 5555 or 0 5564 7224-5 or visit www.bangkokair.com

For more information
tourismthailand

Hua Hin Regatta 2010

Hua Hin Regatta 2010

Aug 3, 2010 - Aug 8, 2010

At the end of each July, sailors gather for the annual Hua Hin Regatta that will test their skills over three days of competition. The coveted trophies are the Royal Vega Rudder trophy of His Majesty the King, Super Mod National Championship trophy from HM the King, OK Dinghy National Championship trophy from HM the Queen, and Princess Cup for Optimist Championship of the late HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana. Hua Hin is considered the traditional home of the Thailand sailing community, due to HM the King’s keen interest in the sport. A Southeast Asia Games winner in the sailing category, HM the King built his own racing dinghy and helped to establish the Super Mod class; he is also an enthusiastic patron of sailing, which has resulted in this annual regatta being held in his honor off the coast of Hua Hin in sight of the palace

By Bus

Buses from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal cost 110 bahts for 1st class (air-conditioned), 85 bahts for 2nd class (air-conditioned) and 61 bahts (ordinary). The trip takes about 3 1/2 to 4 hours. Various agencies on Khao San Road in Bangkok operate minivans to Hua Hin for 150 baht per person. The bus leaves for Bangkok from a station next to Siripetchkasem Hotel. In addition, there are air-conditioned buses leaving for Chumpon Province (125 baht, 4 hours), Surat Thani Province (210 baht, 7hours), Phuket Province (305 baht, 10 hours) and Krabi Province (280 baht, 9 hours)

By Other

Drive along Highway No. 35 (Thon Buri-Pak Tho) passing Samut Sakhon and Samut Songkhram Provinces and then take Highway No. 4 to Hua Hin Total distance is 123 kilometers. Alternatively, it is possible to travel via Nakhon Pathom and Ratchaburi Provinces.

For more information
tourismthailand

Dok Krachiao Blooming Festival

Dok Krachiao Blooming Festival

Jun 1, 2010 - Aug 31, 2010

See Blooming white green and pink Krachiao across the national parks, a parade, musical performance, walking competition and rock climbing rally at “Pha Kor - Rak”. Walk in the million – year stone garden that changed by the force of nature. Admire the natural beauty of nearby tourist attractions such as Sai Thong waterfall and Pha Ham Hod viewpoint in Sai Thong National Park including the display and sales of famous local product.

Contact

0 4421 3666, 0 4421 3030

For more information

tourismthailand

Pattaya Marathon 2010

Pattaya Marathon 2010

Jul 18, 2010 - Jul 18, 2010

Pattaya city , a popular tourist destination that is full of beautiful natural scenic spots. Every activity listed on the tourism calendar of Pattaya is interesting and attracts a lot of people to visit Pattaya. One of the most exciting and impressive activity is PATTAYA MARATHON at Pattaya city, Chonburi which is held annually by the cooperation of Tourism Authority of Thailand and Athletic Association of Thailand. The marathon date will be on the 3rd week of July in every year. The purpose of the competition is to emphasize the feeling of tourism and sports city in Pattaya, to stimulate local economy, and to be one of the first choice for tourists.

On 18th of July You can be a part of Pattaya Marathon 2010 history by joining the competition. these races will provide a great day out for spectators. There are numerous opportunities for spectators to cheer the competitors alongside. The Pattaya International Marathon is one of the most popular of the annual Thailand marathons. Each July, runners from a multitude of countries compete in three races: a full marathon (42 Km), a half marathon (21 Km) and a quarter marathon

By Bus

The 1.5-hour journey from Bangkok can be made on regular buses originating from the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai). Air-conditioned buses leave Ekkamai every 40 minutes from 5.30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tel: 0 2391 9829. Non air-conditioned buses leave Ekkamai every 30 minutes from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tel: 0 2391 2504.,There are also air-conditioned buses leaving the Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (Mochit 2 Bus Terminal) on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road from 6.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. Call: 0 2936 2852-66 for more information. In addition, Si Racha Tour, Tel: 0 2936 4029 operates air-conditioned bus services to Chon Buri and Bang Saen.

By Train

The State Railway of Thailand offers a daily train service departing Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Station at 06.55 a.m., tel. 0 2621 8701. It takes about 5 hours to reach a station located near the Siam Country Club.

By Other

Chon Buri is a one-hour drive from Bangkok along Highway No. 34 (Bang Na-Trat). Alternatively, taking the Motor Way (new Bangkok-Chon Buri Route) will reduce travel time.,Pattaya can be reached in a 2.5-hour drive along Bangna-Trat Highway via Bang Pakong, Chon Buri and Si Racha. However, visitors can avoid Chon Buri by opting for Highway 36, the new Chon Buri - Pattaya - Rayong route or taking the motorway from Rama 9 Road.,

from tourismthailand

International Wax Sculpture 2010

International Wax Sculpture 2010

Jul 1, 2010 - Jul 31, 2010

Green season travel in the Northeast should include a trip to Ubon for its famous candle festival. The green season months of July to September are great months to explore this less travelled region of Isan or Northeast Thailand. The dry Isan plateau quickly transforms into a lush carpet of snooker-green rice fields, lush forests and orchards as daily rainstorms sweep the region. Typically, rain clouds roll from the southwest at the same time every day providing a spectacular tropical downpour that moves on in less than an hour, leaving the countryside fresh and a mite cooler for travellers to enjoy. Probably the most popular area is lower Isan where travellers follow a heritage trail through Buriram, Surin, Si Sa Ket provinces all the way east to Ubon, just 100 km west of the border with southern Laos marked by a meandering Mekong River. Ubon is the commercial hub of lower Isan, a thriving town with a substantial university population, a bustling commercial centre and even department stores of the size seen in Bangkok. Standing on the banks of the Mun River, the town is steeped in religious heritage and that is no more evident than in July when the town folk gather for the annual candle procession. Temple communities in the city spend months creating elaborate candles from traditional bees wax. Their works of art are paraded through the town’s centre on Asamha Bucha Day, 26 July and Khao Phansa that marks the start of the three-month Buddhist lent, 27 July. Rightly so, communities are extremely proud of their candle designs and the painstaking work required before they can be displayed for all to see. They vie for recognition from their peers who judge which one of the temple candle sculptures will win the top award. There are literally hundreds of sculptures many of the so large they require an eight-wheel motorised float to carry them through the streets. Musicians march, while classical dance troupes entertain the crowds that turn out in their thousands for the two-day parade. But if the itinerary cannot be tweaked to ensure you are there for the actual parades, you can still admire the works of arts at the International Wax Sculpture 2010, 1 - 31 July 2010 at Thung Si Mueang District, Ubon Ratchathani. Now in its fifth year, the exhibition is part of the celebrations marking Asamha Bucha and Khao Phansa, but it extends for the entire month with candle wax sculptures presented by artists from around the world. The list of international artists who sculpture in candle wax and exhibit in annually in Ubon is very impressive, especially the modern exhibits sculptured by artists, worldwide However, for many visitors His Majesty the King’s royal candle is the signature exhibit. Artists participating in the exhibition stay in Ubon and attend the exhibition until 11 July to discuss with visitors the finer points of art and religious interpretation. Ubon is 629 km from Bangkok and can be part of a fascinating self-drive holiday starting in Bangkok with stops in Nakhon Ratchshima and Buriram provinces to explore historical sites, the elephant village of Surin and the fruit orchards of Si Sa Ket province on the way to Ubon.

By Bus

Buses depart from Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal (Mochit 2 Bus Terminal) to Ubon Ratchathani every day. Contact Transport Co. Ltd at Tel: 0 2936 2852-66 for more information.

By Train

Regular trains depart from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Railway Station to Ubon Ratchathani every day. Call 1690, 0 2223 7010-20 for more information.

By Other

a)From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 to Saraburi and Highway No. 2 to Nakhon Ratchasima, then use Highway No.226 and proceed to Ubon Ratchathani via Buri Ram, Surin and Si Sa Ket, for a total distance of 629 kilometers.,b)From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 and Highway No. 2 unil arriving at Sikhio, then turn into Highway No. 24 and proceed to Ubon Ratchathani via Chok Chai, Nang Rong, Prasat, Det Udom and Warin Chamrap.

from tourismthailand