The 27th ASEAN Barred Ground Dove Festival

The 27th ASEAN Barred Ground Dove Festival

March 1, 2012 - March 31, 2012


Event Details:

Thais have long believed that doves are creatures which bring good luck to those who rare them. They are also regarded as symbols of purity and peace. Those with qualities specified by ancient texts are believed to bestow great wealth and honor upon their owners. The ASEAN Barred Ground Dove Festival attracts dove-lovers from the southern part of Thailand as well as from neighboring countries. The major highlight is a dove-cooing and red-whiskered bulbul singing competition. Local products are on sale as well.


Contact Details:

102/3 Mu 2, Narathiwat-Takbai Road , Tambon Kaluwonuea, Amphoe Mueang,Narathiwat
Tourism Authority of Thailand Narathiwat Office
0 7352 2411

From: tourismthailand.org

Trang Underwater Wedding Ceremony

Trang Underwater Wedding Ceremony

Febuary 10, 2012 - Febuary 12, 2012

Event Details:
The Trang Chamber of Commerce in association with the Trang Province, Trang Municipality Tourism Authority of Thailand as well as other participating local authorities and private sector organisations - have cooperatively launched the 16th Anniversary of "Trang Underwater Wedding Ceremony 2012" event to promote tourism opportunities in the province. The event will be held during 10-12 February 2012 at Trang, Thailand-one of the best Known sand beaches with the peaceful atmosphere. The project is aimed to further promote the truly spectacular natural seaside and marine resources - with the warm atmosphere of love giving to each other under the concept of "Romantic Destination", as well as the beauty of a symbolic flower of the province named "Sri-Trang", whose pale violet blossoms in season are pleasantly ubiquitous everywhere.

Contact Details:
199/2 Wisetkul Road, Amphoe Mueang, Trang
Tourism Authority of Thailand Trang Office
0 7521 5867 , 0 7521 1058 , 0 7521 1085

From: tourismthailand.org

Samui Food and Products Fair

Samui Food and Products Fair

July 5, 2010 - July 9, 2010

Enjoy palatable food of various choices in a seaside laidback and relaxing environment. Witness the contest and sales of fresh seafood and local products, and agricultural produce.

Contact

0 7728 8818-9

For more information
tourismthailand

Tao island

Tao island

Tao island , in the past is regarded as are uncivilized territory , be an island almost lack of the people lives , will have villagers from shed island stuned to come to migrate come to settle down long ago.

Again one picture of Tao island , at ever the place detains political prisoner , will have a prisoner from revolt the power , include a prisoner who move to is from Tarutao island , a picture and sorrow story of a prisoner at must die with the starvation and the malaria fever , there is record take keep give the new generation has recalled a picture of Tao iceland in that time.

Arrive at today , Tao island has modified to go to quickly and exceed more that expect , become tourist famous attraction , from coconut garden becomes to block a crow , oval , a lot of food shop stores , the facilities on Tao island has completely , type area oval beach become tourism centre almost doesn't differ from Pattaya or milled rice road , the area everywhere is the treasure trove that is valuable immense , from the past almost is abandoned island , a picture has for the first time at us comes to visit Tao island when , year 2529 be , islanders is ordinary , generous villagers is kind , we still remember with friendship friendship of village headman Kamnan on Tao island where testifies to welcome of the visitor well , and when we go to Tao island, as a result , must visit go to visit you always.

From the land worthless almost , although , island this land have will no the title deed anything , whole , because of , be the real estate of inventories fungus , Treasury Department , but villagers has changed hands to trade , until change to become the part of a capitalist and the foreigner go to a lot of , still have the some part that tortoise islanders still uses the right of Tao island person looks after to take keep , beauty picture of Tao island exists to follow bay all court , beach oval area , a beach reign , ever the way of life like, villagers , now become travel or the residence has blocked to estimate go to is finished already , even if , follow his hillock , on the stone , as a result , still can transmute come to be block can estimate , and again one island where everybody must is well-known arrive at the beauty be an island Mrs. is provocative , be trilateral island , at have white beach links up to each other , arrive at today the change of an island Mrs. can is provocative change to very , as a result , be regarded as get into trouble ordinary at everything should can change to , we no adhere to , because the trend and tourism direction should grow up to go to follow the time , from the past that us must travel to Tao island must take time about 4-5 hour , early this a boat takes tall speed at takes time to Tao island about hour a half.

Begin from milled rice alley where have to serve sell the ticket travels to Tao island , both of a bus regulates the room temperature and a boat to Tao island where us choose to use of wind Phya boat , the price goes to get back to that 1,500 baht , if be day ordinary be attractive for was have this more , while for a exceed moment wait for , a boat takes , come to moor the handle Mrs. is provocative , for send a passenger one , after that , enter moor tortoise handle , go up an island then , meet with the thing serves of the tourism is , the sale serves the residence , or a car is , at a car the majority is an automobile propels four a wheel , for go to send still oval all residence , for we pick and choose rent the one motorcycle comes to itch , for patrol tour take photographs area all bay , residence part , choose rest like to be simple , not far from many harbours extremely , because , our purpose emphasizes about the photography , more to than come to relax travel.

The information division of Tao island , there is the bow surely a map distributes to give us comes to study , by have the motorcycle drives to go to follow all route , beg for emphasize that , don't speeding , otherwise , already we might lose all one's money because , the motorcycle all right , the sheet glass stares broken back beside one , must change new a pair , his shop sells to are a pair , the price in a city about 100-120 a baht , on Tao island 180-250 baht , but the penalty is but will change area a shop on an island , can change , but shop way knows to are the hired car , he does will not change to give , with way shop hired car reason will come to is boisterous insult him , then get around problems don't agree change give , but shop hired car his way will think damages that 500 baht , seep go to an elder brother.

First route that us chooses , be , the route goes to still , a bay is deep and palmyra bay , be same route , but deep bay will separate right down go to , if drive not hard TRUE motorcycle , don't risk drive down go to , park a car straight the entrance then to walk down go to better , when arrive at oval seashore area , we will see sea light blue clear water in bay court of deep bay , be regarded as sea beautiful many waters , a picture from tall corner will can see bay deep court beautifully and have the dimension , will see drive away water sea color that chase the level follows the depth of the water , see the guava comes to have a swim and lie down sunbathe , which , be a picture that is accustomed to for a group of islands travels these , from deep bay has gotten back to upward then travel to palmyra bay , on the way will have the view point from food your shop , hundred thousands kindhearted owner again lay one can give us enters to take a photograph in shop area , which will see bay palmyra court has divisibly , in addition still tell from oval his can see the sun has gone up in bay palmyra court beautifully.

When down go to still below we will meet sea light blue pretty clear water , encircle with hillock his tall line which , there is block a crow constructs to chase the level goes up , then choose can take photographs satisfiedly , walk take photographs throughout until beach sweats to flood , from that time , travel get back to , until arrive the crossroad reaches the elder brother abundantly the scenery , go up already must go to meet the checkpoint saves the value changes his area , think the head vacates 50 a baht , about money please it sticky particularly only , decide get back to , because think straight area this land are not of Tao island person , we should go to seek for what , good the elsewhere better , one day for the tourism takes photographs on Tao island still not just , fall cold we come to watch see the sun falls at the front area harbour beach , or mother beach bay , including a beach reign , a beach is oval will the corner sees the sun can fall well , especially at the front the harbour will see long tail stops to line , be the addition decorates to have a story more and more.

The next our day has chosen to travel scenery picture on Tao island , by choose beach oval route , at we have seen the atmosphere doesn't differ to from Pattaya or milled rice road , how many is the time not year , Tao island can can change to too…to , The this when , depart oval our beach chooses to go to the route to , stone bay route state , difficult for a person who can ride the motorcycle not hard enough , when , arrive at slope slanting dot , we do not risk , park a car keep the top , then walk go to better , route of long descent goes to until the plain below , as a result , stay close stick bay court , sea light blue needle water , will have no a beach , will have a little rock big line stays middle light blue water , see tiny bridge that fry on the rock , for convenient in walking.

Afternoon we have appointmented the long motor boat for whirls round an island , because , dot car some can not can appreciate , we then must use the travel with a boat , whirl round an island arrives light-colored beach , gold beach before arrive at keen table our eyes , meet big waves , poor must go to stop avoid waves stays long , then leave next , the weather still is regarded as bad , there is rain poor clouds must change to pass by many a bay , until arrive , a bay is purple as a result , stop a boat goes up to take photographs on oval , which , rhythmically one at the weather opens , the sun light then until see sea clear water , if , the weather has the sunlight like this , Nag yone island , do not be attractive for be defeated , we whirl the long motor boat arrives an Nag yone island , go up an island must lose one's money a person vacates 30 a baht , distinct most , Nag yone island be a picture from tall corner that the view point on top him , but we have chosen the corner turns back still the peak sees the scenery , because side sky aforementioned , be pregnant bright sky , beg for press corner side this stump gives with full speed first ahead ,
from that time then walk go up he sees the scenery , see bay court and sand group of islands trilateral bar at link up with the sand bar are clean , be beautiful picture always , although , will have or not is the building ? have the building , an Nag yone island , be very small heaven , at calmly with rules of person hold the rule where everybody differs to admit for what exist.

We choose to take photographs an Nag yone island in corner all angle , but still have rear corner that us must climb a stone goes up once more , stare turn back go out will see Tao island , at the front see oval beach , a beach reign and mother beach , be curve a bay where enfold light blue sea is roomy , the corner like this must use corner wide lens are worthwhile most , come back Tao island, as a result , still have the prominent point that can give us travels to take photographs a lot of again , corner tall dot many again the corner that us s try to seek , while , limit , which as a result regard as worthwhile with the travel to island heaven tiny location not far exceed territory dreams.

Arrive at today , Tao island everyone as a result can go to.

Visit Ranong along Andaman Festival 2009 - "Hot Spring City Healthy Town"

Visit Ranong along Andaman Festival 2009 - "Hot Spring City Healthy Town"

Date : 13 - 19 March 2009

Venue : Ranong Municipacity

Village tourism activities at 14.30 - 21.30 hrs.

Experience the atmosphere tourism activities. And interesting attractions of Ranong Province. In a show like.

- Raft bam boos downstreaming simulation, Simulated firefly tour.

- Simuleted local Attractions, Pa-yam Island, Elephant Island and beautiful waterfall

- Seeing crafts demonstrations from local sources.

- Meet the travel services agent and promotion packages from them.
- Demonstration of Thai ancient market at 14.30 - 21.30 hrs.experience the local ancient market and Ranong dressing

- sales of local products and enjoy with local foods

For more information

TAT Call Center 1672

Phuket International Blues Rock Festival

Phuket International Blues Rock Festival
Date : 19 - 22 February, 2009
Venue : Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa, Phuket

The 2009 Phuket International Blues Rock Festival promises to be bigger than ever with at least 12 acts performing on stage during the two-night event. Now a firm fixture in Phuket’s annual entertainment calendar, the festival attracts top blues bands from around Thailand, while two popular bands from Australia and the US return once more.
Ricky Zen will once again MC the event which will have a minimum of twelve acts total with five international bands, and its headliner will be none other than Eric Bibb! Eric is a New York native but has lived in Europe most of his adult life. He is one of the greatest contemporary bluesers and tours constantly all over the world. We are very pleased to have been able to secure this wonderful artist for the 2009 show. Next on the big newcomer list is California’s Mitch Woods and his Rocket 88s. Mitch is a world class New Orleans style boogie-woogie piano man and has set crowds abuzz around the world for 30+ years. From Europe comes Bert Deivert & Janne Zander, a top rated blues duo from Sweden. The OZ contribution to the festival this year is a beautiful lady from the city of Perth in Western Australia. Her name is KNIKI and her voice is grunty, strong and sexy. Having listened to her just released second cd, "JUST", we just felt compelled to invite her to the 2009 show.

The 2009 festival will see a tribute act for the first time: "Chasing Jimi" - a Tribute to Jimi Hendrix featuring Jimmy Fame (USA).By popular demand Rich Harper will return along with The Blues Machine and Bangkok’s Cannonball. Our very own Groove Doctors fronted by Tony ’Hacksaw’ Wilson will also be back for some on-stage surgery. See The Bands page, and more coming – stay tuned!

Established to support local charities, this year’s event will donate funds to charities that organise education for young children -- the Phuket International Women’s Club and the Phuket Has Been Good To Us Foundation.

For more information
www.phuketbluesfestival.com

Phuket International Blues Rock Festival

Now in its third year the Phuket International Blues Festival gets underway, 22 to 23 February, at the beachside Hilton Phuket Arcadia on the island’s west coast Karon Bay. It promises to be bigger than ever with at least 12 acts performing on stage during the two-night event. Now a firm fixture in Phuket’s annual entertainment calendar, the festival attracts top blues bands from around Thailand, while two popular bands from Australia and the US return once more. Bangkok’s popular blues bands take centre stage with performances from Cannonball, Georgia, Full House and Soi Dogs beating out the rhythm to a packed house of blues fans.

For more information:
Hotline: 086-682 2639
International: +66 86682 2639
e-mail: info@phuketbluesfestival.com
phuketmusic@yahoo.com
www.phuketbluesfestival.com

The Yara Bangkok Challenge 2008

Saturday, November 15, 2008
Minsiri Resort, Nong Chok (located north-east of Bangkok, between Min-buri and Chachoengsao) All new course! Combines a challenging 1 day race with the magnificent beauty of Nong Chok district. Disciplines include biking, running, kayaking and swimming. The race route travels along scenic trails,paddy fields, lakes, canels,temples and farmlangs of eastern Bangkok.

The Amazing Thailand Adventure Race Series is brought to you by Active Management Asia (AMA), leaders in the fields of corporate teambuilding and management training. AMA is based in Bangkok, and is hte leader in the field teambuilding in Thailand. AMA also offers exciting school camp programmes with their own educational programme content. Please take a moment to visit the AMA home page by following the link. www.active-asia.com

For more information: http://www.bangkokchallenge.com/index.php

Laguna Phuket Triathlon 2008

Date : Sunday, 7 December 2008begining at 7.00 am Registration open 1 April 2008
Venue : The upscale Laguna Phuket Resort occupies 600 acres of tropical beachfront parkland on the northwest coast of Phuket island in Southern Thailand.

The competition among the "iron men" from Thailand and international countries includes swimming, cycling and marathon racing. Also, there are activities to encourage the participants to experience the adventure routes along Phuket’s tourist attractions.

COURSES
1.8k Swim
The swim course comprises two bodies of water. Starting on the beach between the Dusit Laguna Resort and Laguna Beach Resort near the LBR Marine Centre, competitors swim 1,180 metres in the sea before sprinting 100 metres across the beach to swim the last 620 metres in a lagoon finishing at the Laguna Beach Resort Y-junction. Wetsuits are not allowed.

55k Bike
The bike course takes competitors out of Laguna Phuket onto narrow, winding roads. The course will be the same as in 2007, with some steep hilly sections on the road to Naithon Beach north of Laguna Phuket. Drafting is illegal. Suggested equipment includes a minimum of two water bottle cages. Athletes should consider a 24-28 tooth rear cassettes to ease the difficulty of hill climbs. Some of the road surfaces may be rough and athletes should use durable tires. The bike course will have 2 aid stations.

12k Run
The run course will be similar to the 2007 course. It is flat and leads runners north through the Laguna Phuket resort complex and onto the award-winning Laguna Phuket Golf Course, before looping back past the Wedding Chapel through Canal Shopping Village and finishing at the Laguna Beach Resort Y-junction. The course will have three aid stations approximately 2km apart that runners pass twice.

COMPETITOR INFORMATION
PRE-RACE INFORMATION Registration - 6 December 10:00am - 3:00pm, Saturday, 6 December (See schedule for venue details). Please bring proper identification and a 500 Thai Baht deposit for your timing chip with you to claim your race kit.Your race kit will include:
- Race number for bike & run
- Race belt
- Swim cap
- Competitor’s T-shirt
- Numbered bag for race gear
- (1) Invitation to the Pasta Party

Race Briefing - 1 DecemberA mandatory course briefing in English and Thai will be held on Saturday 6 December. See Race Week Schedule for details. There will be 3 sessions conducted in English as follows:
4:00pm-5:00pm for relay teams and first time triathletes
5:00pm-6:00pm for individual triathletes
6:00pm for professional triathletes

Awards and Professional Prize Purse
Equal men’s and women’s prize money will be awarded as follows:
1st US$ 3,000
2nd US$ 2,500
3rd US$ 2,000
4th US$ 1,500
5th US$ 1,000
All contestants wishing to race for prize money must register as "pro" at race registration. Contestants registered as "pro" are not eligible to win age group awards. Contestants registering as "pro" are advised to check with their country’s national triathlon governing body to determine the impact of racing "pro" on amateur standing.

Thai Athlete Prize Money
The first Thai male and female amateur athletes will each receive 10,000 baht in prize money. Trophies will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place Thai male and female athletes.

Age Group Awards
First, second and third finishers in each age group category will receive a trophy at the Awards Banquet.

Label Gear
Label every piece of clothing and gear, including both shoes, before coming to Laguna Phuket.

Weather Conditions
Average air temperature for December in Phuket is 27°C/81°F with 85% humidity. Contestants MUST hydrate properly during race week, race morning and throughout the race. Bikes should be equipped with at least two water bottle cages.

Personal Safety
Always train with another person, especially in the water. While in the water, please wear a brightly coloured swim cap. When biking and running, please take precautions as Phuket drivers and motorcyclists are unpredictable. Take extreme caution when biking on ALL public roads. On Thursday and Friday of race week, organised rides on the bike course will depart from the Laguna Beach Resort Y-Junction at 8:00am, led by a police escort vehicle. It is strongly recommended that contestants train on the bike course only during one of these organised rides.

Pasta Party
Triathletes and relay teams are invited to attend the Pasta Party free of charge, upon presentation of an invitation please remember to bring your tickets to the event. Additional tickets for family and friends will be on sale during Registration on 1 December (Saturday). Ticket cost Baht 600.

Awards Banquet
An Awards Banquet will be held after the race. Tickets will be pre-sold online - please remember to bring your tickets to the event. If not sold out, additional tickets will be on sale at Registration on 1 December (Saturday). Ticket cost Baht 1,000.

Bike Storage
Bikes will be permitted to be stored in athlete’s hotel rooms. However, all maintenance must be done in hotel car parks in order to prevent damage to room furnishings.

Bike Shop / Bike Mechanic (4 December - 7 December)
It is NOT possible to rent racing or mountain bikes in Phuket. CYCLISTS MUST BRING BIKES WITH THEM. Athletes are encouraged to bring spare bike parts with them. A bike mechanic will be stationed at the Y-junction from Thursday, 4 December to Sunday, 7 December. The bike mechanic opens at 7.00am on Thursday and Friday, at 9.00 am on Saturday and 5.30 am on Sunday.

RACE DAY
Parking - 7 December
Competitors and spectators driving to Laguna Phuket on race morning should follow all signs and volunteer directions for available parking areas. Please arrive no later than 6:30am.

5:30am-6:45am - 7 December
Transition Area opens at Laguna Beach Resort Y-junction for check-in, numbering and placing equipment.
From the Transition Area at the Y-junction, athletes will be transferred to the Swim Start. Free shuttle buses will circulate every 10 minutes between the hotels. Fill bike bottles from your hotel room or home before arriving at Transition. Pre-race aid stations will be available at the Transition Area and the Swim Start. In addition, there will be 2 aid stations on the bike course, 3 aid stations on the run course and a post-race aid station and medical facilities at the finish area.

Race Start - Triathlon Wave #1 and Wave #2
7:00am and 7:10am - 7 December
Please see maps for course details.

Finisher Medals
Will be presented to every athlete who completes the race at the finish line.

Athlete Hospitality & Massage
09:30am - 1:00pm
Post race hospitality shall include a lunch box and a complimentary 15-minute massage behind the finish line. Note: Massage services are only available for triathletes.

Medical Tent
6:00am - 2:00pm
A Medical Tent will be located in the Finish Area at the Y-junction for athletes who require medical attention before and after the race. This area will be closed at 2:00pm. Any athletes in need of medical attention after 2:00pm should go to the Bangkok Hospital Phuket clinic at Canal Village shopping centre.

Post Race Equipment Pick-Up
In your registration pack, you will receive one numbered bag to be used for gear after the completion of the swim and the bike. Numbered bags will also be available at the Swim Start if you want to leave warm-up gear. This bag will be collected after the swim start and deposited at the Equipment Check-in/Information tent at the Athlete Only area at the main Transition Area.
All bags, equipment and bikes must be claimed and removed from the Transition Area by 2:00pm on race day.
To claim left items show race number which must correspond to the number on the bag(s). You will be responsible for transporting your own gear back to your hotel after the race.

Lost and Found
This will be located at the Transition Area at the Y-junction and will be open until 2:00pm on race day. After this time, any remaining lost property items will be transferred to the race office. Please remember to label all of your equipment before the race.

Finisher Certificates
A desk will be set up at the Awards Banquet for athletes to pick up their finisher certificates. Certificates will not be posted to athletes.

Pre-Awards Cocktail Party
5:00pm - 6:00pm - 7 December
Outside the marquee at the Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket beach garden.

AWARDS BANQUET
6:00pm - 11:00pm - 7 December
The Awards Banquet will be held in the marquee at the Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket beach garden. All athletes are invited to attend by purchasing tickets in advance online. Tickets must be presented to gain entry to the Banquet. If not sold out, tickets will be sold at Registration and possibly at the door.

Privacy Contact Information
If you have any questions, concerns, or comments about our privacy policy you may contact us using the information below:
By e-mail:webmaster@lagunaphukettriathlon.com
By Phone: +66 76 362 300
Website : www.lagunaphukettriathlon.com

Kamalaya Koh Samui Voted Best Wellness Retreat

Kamalaya Koh Samui, the Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa, was the winner of the Best Wellness Retreat category in last week’s Spa Asia Crystal Awards. The awards were announced at the Wellness Summit Gala Dinner in Kuala Lumpur on 16 October, which was attended by over 220 industry people and media. Kamalaya was one of 8 finalists in the category, which included wellness destinations from Asia and one from Australia. This was the first year that Kamalaya, which opened in November 2005, had entered the awards.

The Spa Asia Crystal Awards is an annual event to honour and recognise the ‘best of the best’ in the spa and wellness industry. A rigorous judging process includes the evaluation and scoring of submissions by a panel of industry judges (30% of total score), a secret shopping audit conducted by SpaAudit.com (60% of total score) and votes from Spa Asia readers (10%).

The Best Wellness Retreat category is awarded to the destination that best embraces Spa Asia’s definition of ‘spa’ across the operation and offers guests a personalised experience of holistic treatments that deliver wellness of body, mind and spirit. To make the nominations list, businesses must give evidence of their forward thinking approach to wellness, structured training programs and how they embrace a broader wellness concept that considers the environment, the staff and the host country.

Kamalaya Koh Samui is a Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa located amid a tropical landscape on the southern coastline of Koh Samui, Thailand. Kamalaya integrates healing practices and treatments from East and West, a beautiful natural environment, inspired healthy cuisine, customised programs and wellness retreats to offer a unique concept in personal wellbeing and holistic lifestyle possibilities. For more detial : http://www.ftnnews.com/content/view/3733/30/lang,english/This is our website : http://www.kamalaya.com

Phuket Vegetarian Festival

Date : 28 September – 7 October 2008
Venue : Various Chinese shrines, Mueang District,

Phuket The Thai-Chinese in Phuket have long passed on the vegetarian festival to purify mind and soul by refraining from meat consumption and meditating. Symbolising the presence of the deities throughout the festival are 9 lanterns lit up and placed aloft on Ko Teng poles. On the 6th day of the festival, there will be religious processions and incredible displays of face-and-body piercing. On the last day, there will be a “Koi Han” ceremony to exorcize ill fortune and a farewell ceremony for the deities at night.

Contact:
TAT Phuket, Tel : 66 (0) 7621 1036, 66 (0) 7621 2213
Website : www.tourismthailand.org

Hat Yai, Songkhla Thailand

Songkhla / Hat Yai has fine beaches, enchanting waterfalls, and a tranquil lake - a manifestation of its abundant natural resources. While Songkhla is noted for its fishery industry, Hat Yai, the major district of the province, serves as a transportation and communications hub of the South, with this bustling town linking with various destinations in the neighboring provinces and in Malaysia. Only 30 kilometers apart and with contrastive characteristics.

Phang Nga, Thailand

Phang Nga is a primarily agricultural province in the south of Thailand. Total distance is 788 kms. and travel time to Phang-Nga Town is approximately 12 hours. From Phuket, use route 402, pass the parallel spans of Sarasin and Thao Thep Krasatri Bridges. You are now in Phang-Nga province. Its large part is forest. One of the major tourist destination is Khao Lak.

Koh Samui, Suratthani Thailand

Koh Samui The most popular island where the long shores and number of attractive resorts belong.Thailand’s 3rd is a palm-fringed paradise with coastal roads encircling the whole island. Aside from the lovely beaches and coral beds, it is plentiful in coconut plantations and forested hills. The more popular beaches are on the northern and eastern coasts, namely Chaweng Beach, known for its party scene and combination of luxury resort and Lamai Beach. Many international diving schools have been established an nearby Koh Tao because of its pristine beaches and abundant coral reefs whichcontribute to its reputation as the best scuba diving spot in the Gulf of Thailand.

Krabi, Thailand

Krabi One of the most attractive destinations in Thailand covers an area of 4,709 sq kms. And is located 814 Kms. South of Bangkok. Krabi's major attractions are located largely along its extensive coastline with several well-known beaches and bays, and numerous offshore tropical island. Krabi's mountainous physical landscape is broken only by appearances of highlands and plain on the mainland. Natural firest cover is chiefly Mangrove and Cassia trees. The Krabi River flows 5 kms. Through the town and falls into the Andaman Sea at Tambon Pak Nam.

Krabi has some of the most attractive scenery in southern Thailand

Krabi

Krabi has some of the most attractive scenery in southern Thailand: stunning limestone cliffs fronting on fine white beaches, coupled with fascinating islands in the Andaman Sea.
Phra Nang Beach is considered the most beautiful, rivalled only by neighbouring Railay. Here steep limestone cliffs have isolated fine sandy coves that provide a haven for tourists. Thailand's climbing industry has sprung up around these cliffs, with companies offering instruction and equipment for climbers of all levels.Further north, Nopparat Thara is along sandy beach lined with pine trees, popular among Thais.
Offshore the uninhabited islands of Poda, Rang Nok and Hua Kwan offer opportunities for sea canoe expeditions, snorkelling and diving.However, it is the renowned Phi Phi islands that attract tourists to marvel at glistening white sands, towering cliffs and blue waters. Diving is one of the major attractions to explore the offshore coral reefs.

Further south the Lanta islands, with their unspoilt beaches, are preparing to be the next big destination, with numerous resorts now under construction.

Phuket pearl of Andaman

Phuket

Phuket pearl of Andaman. Famous for its beautiful beaches, excellent offshore dive sites and superb sailing opportunities, Phuket is Thailand's and Asia's premier holiday resort. The best beaches are on the west coast, facing the Andaman Sea, with fine sands and clear water. Patong and Kata/Karon are the most popular, thanks also to numerous resort hotels, fine restaurants and an extensive nightlife.
The west coast is also home to many dive companies which arrange expeditions to a wide variety of offshore diving areas, including the Surin, Similan and Racha island groups that are rated world-class for theircolourful corals, clear waters and myriad sea creatures.
Phuket is also a regional centre for yachting, while the annual King's Cup Regatta is a top international event. Other activities include sea canoeing among the rock formations in Phang-nga Bay and windsurfing.

Koh Samui

Koh Samui Back in the halcyon days of the 1960's, there were no Lonely Planets to guide the trickle of adventurers travelling overland between Europe and Asia. Unlike today's pampered and ubiquitous backpackers, yesterday's intrepid young explorers had to rely on word of mouth advice about the route lying ahead. Amongst other essentials, this included "approved" lodgings, where kindred spirits globe-trotting in opposite directions congregated, and exchanged information about rutted roads already endured.
One such hostelry was the legendary Thai Song Greet Hotel, (alas, gone forever) near Bangkok's central Hualumpong railway station. At 20 baht (then worth US$1) a night, it was still considered "expensive" for it had grimy rooms, and guests shared a small, smelly toilet-cum-bathroom at the end of each cluttered and humid corridor. Those who could not afford the hotel's dubious luxury nevertheless came here to obtain that precious intelligence essential for their onward journey.
If Koh Samui is well known today, the first reverent mention of the name was most likely heard in the packed downstairs restaurant of that dirty but charismatic tryst. Amongst the pungent smoke billowing from the cook's wok, word frequently passed around about an idyllic island in the south east of Thailand, very difficult to reach, a place with only walking tracks, and as close to being paradise as Mother Earth can possibly provide. Furthermore, this was no tiny islet, but a large and mountainous tropical haven with rushing streams, thick forests, and dozens of deserted pristine palm-fringed beaches, the stuff of dreams and fantasy.
Born therefore - like so many other resorts - of backpackers' private discoveries, Samui forty years on boasts a network of roads, an entire tourism infrastructure, and almost-hourly flights landing at the picturesque airport. If purists might lament this transformation, the island nonetheless retains much of its magic, and international tourism has done little so far to mar the intrinsic tropical beauty. Development has affected mostly the coastal areas, and much of the mountainous interior remains untouched. Up here, the friendly inhabitants carry on their lives cultivating coconuts, banana, durian and paddy just as before, accepting sun-lotioned foreigners as an inevitable result of progress, like telephones and television.
Today, plump middle-aged codgers, who, as slim pimply-faced youths might have lounged under Samui's swaying palms in 1962, can still relive that lost island feeling today, albeit with luxury hotels and the conveniences of the 21st century all around, and the sense of real adventure long since gone.
Roughly 250 square kilometres in size, and rising to a height of 635 metres, this rugged granite island is almost the size of Penang, and Thailand's third largest after Phuket and Ko Chang. ("Koh"is Thai for island) Settled originally by Malaysian and Chinese fishermen, it is thought that the name Samui derives from the Chinese word Saboey, meaning safe harbour. Less developed than Phuket, it boasts its own distinct personality, and the proud native population of around 50,000 speaks its own distinctive southern dialect.
It has an enjoyable but often unpredictable mix of tropical weather conditions, the sunniest months falling between January and August, with occasional refreshing downpours. More frequent rainstorms arrive in September/October, lasting through to December. The hottest months are from March to June. The sea temperature averages 29 degrees Celsius year round.