Introduction
Pai district is situated about halfway between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Sorn, the misty town on the Burmese border. At about 600 meters above sea level, surrounded by high mountains. Pai offers one of the most fertile and beautiful nature in the North of Thailand, clean air and no pollution. People from many different tribes live here peacefully together and still maintain their traditional way of living.

The serene Pai river runs from the northern border with Burma through Pai town and along virgin jungle to Mae Hong Sorn. Hardy adventurers use this route for exciting rafting.

How to get there?
Start from the main tourist hub: From Chiang Mai on route 1095 towards Pai it is 132 kilometer. The bus from Chiang Mai Arcade bus station takes about 4 hours.

Weather in Pai
cold season: 12º C - 28º C from November - March
hot season: 24º C - 35º C from April - June
rainy season: 24º C - 32º C from July - September

Activities in Pai

• padelling rubber boat along Pai river


• adventure rafting and canoe along Pai river


• explore caves or go mountain trekking


• elephant riding through jungle


• mountain bike cycling or motorbike-trekking (Nop's bike shop offers 2 - 3 - 4 days motorbike trekking with 250 ccm trail bikes around northern part of Mae Hong Sorn province. Guide available or on your own. Also available Honda Dream, good maps and other information.)


• jungle-treks: Pai is well known as a base camp for trekks to hill tribes.


• Walk through green jungle and spend the night in a hill tribe village to experience their traditional way of life. In Pai there are local or hill tribe guides and porters available.


• Herbal Sauna and Thai Traditional Massage as well as herbal medicine or Burmese Massage


• Reading (Nop's book shop)


• Thai cooking course at Peter's and Wandee's Hut in Mae Yen

Pattaya is a popular tourist resort in Thailand located about 150 km south of the capital Bangkok. Although Pattaya has become notorious as an adult playground for men, there are a few interesting attractions that can be enjoyed by couples and families.

Pattaya Elephant Village
Pattaya Elephant village is home to a few dozen elephants that are trained to do all sorts of tricks including playing football. There are daily shows held for the tourists at the village every day at 2.30pm. There is also the opportunity to do a spot of jungle trekking on elephant back which costs 500 Baht for 30 minutes for adults, 200 Baht for children.

Pattaya Mini Siam
Mini Siam is an interesting place to come to if you want to know about all the major sites and landmarks in Thailand without actually having to go to them. Mini Siam has scale replica models of all the most important features in Thailand, both natural and man made. Mini Siam is open to receive visitors from 7am until 8pm daily. Entrance costs 200 Baht for adults and 100 for kids. Mini Siam is best reached by car as it is a short drive north of Pattaya city.

Pattaya Go Kart
Pattay has a good Go karting track which is about 400 metres long and available for use by adults and kids alike. The cost for hiring a go kart to go round the track is 100 Baht for ten minutes.

Nong Nooch Garden
Nong Nooch is a giant botanical garden situated about 18km outside Pattaya city. Aside from the vast array of plant life there are also some elephants that are resident here and daily shows are put on for the benefit of tourists. The show is a real crowd drawer as in addition to the elephants there are dancers, acrobats and even Thai boxing demonstrations.

Wat Khao Prayai in Pattaya
This is a Buddhist temple located high on the hills to the south of Pattaya. In addition to the great views of Pattaya and the sea that can be had from here, there is also a 10 metre statue of Buddha facing the sea that makes for a good photo opportunity.

see also :
Pattaya Night Life
Buffalo Racing in Chonburi
Loi Kratong : The Festival of Light
Koh Samui
Koh Chang

1. Universal energy healing at Wat Jedi Luang (half day)
   
2. Have a 2 hour traditional Thai massage, with or without oil
   
3. Take a 2 hour traditional herbal sauna
   
4. Learn the secrets of Thai massage. Course can be arranged locally at the Old Medicine Hospital. Courses are conducted in English and last for ten days (5 hours a day). At the end of the course there is an examination and those who pass receive a certificate.
   
5. Take a dinner cruise on the Ping River, passing by temples. In addition there is an on-board cultural show (3 hours).
   
6. Take a trek in the nearby jungles with an English speaking guide. Treks last one to three days and include meals and accommodation (either in a tent or a local village depending on the tour).
   
7. Go to see an elephant show at Chiang Dao. As well as seeing elephants at work, you can take a hours elephant ride and visit orchid and butterfly farms (half day).
   
8. Experience a jungle adventure with elephant and ox cart rides and bamboo rafting down the river at Mae Tamarn (full day)..
   
9. Learn the art of Thai cuisine. Take cooking classes or fruit and vegetable carving classes at the hotel. Courses can be a half day or full day, including a market visit and lunch).
   
10. Visit the hilltribe museum, stopping off at handicraft centres set up by local NGO's to enable the hilltribe people to benefit from selling their crafts at a fair price (half day).
    
11. Take a mountain bike ride around the city or go "off road" on one of the many jungle tracks.
    
12. Hire a motor bike and drive the popular Samoeng loop to see some of the countryside around Chiang Mai.
    
13. Vist the McKean Rehabilitation Centre which is nearly 100 years old (half day).
    
14. Take a trip to Chiang mai zoo.
    
15. Bath in the hot spring at Sankampaeng (full day).
    
16. Decorate your bag wiht hand painting in the hotel lobby.
    
17. Plant a tree in the hotel garden to celebrate your stay in Chiang Mai. Each tree has a name sign so that you can find it again when you return to visit.
    
18. Learn the art of meditation at Wat Run Pueng or Wat Umong (half day).
    
19. Get married with a traditional Thai weddings ceremony. The ceremony takes a full day and bookings need to be made 10 days in advance).
    
20. The ultimate honeymoon package in Chiang Mai
    - A welcome from the airport in our "just married tuk tuk"
    - A suite at the Amari Rincome hotel for 3 nights including breakfast
    - Sunset cocktails at Doi Suthep
    - Monk merit making
    - Tree planting in the hotel garden
    
21. Visit Mae Hong Song. The trip takes a day and includes round trip airtickets, lunch, a city tour and a visit to see the long neck Karen hilltribe by long tailed boat. This is particularly beautiful in November during the BuaTong flower season.
    
22. A full day trip to Chiang Rai taking in the sights of the Golden Traingle and Mae Sai. The tour includes a longtailed boat ride on the Mae Khong River and lunch.
    
23. Drive three hours to Doi Angkhang and visit hilltribes, follow a mountain trek, go mountain biking or mule riding! The area is also famous for bird watching. Overnight accommodation to be arranged in the Angkhang Nature Resort (2 days).
    
24. A visit to the traditional silver smiths in Wualai (half day).
    
25. Visit the "wet markets" of Chiang Mai - Ton Lam Yai market and Warorot to experience the liefestyle of the local people (half day).
    
26. Take a day trip to the Lampang Elephant Camp and Hostipal. The tour also includes stops at ceramic factories and a city temple and includes lunch (full days).
    
27. Visit Chiang Mai's famous celedon factory for an excellent choice of the blue and green ceramics at reasonable prices (half day).
    
28. Learn about traditional silk weaving at the Naen-Na Studio.
    
29. See how local sausages are made at the Naem Pa-Yon factory.
    
30. Get an insight into the Buddhist religion and attend a funeral or another religious ceremony (half day).
    
31. Have an early start and offer alms to monks "Sai Baht" at the "Ta Pae Gate" or at Wat Sri Soda, where there are 500 monks.
    
32. Share a little happiness by visiting the HIV positive children in the Wiangping Children's home (half day).
    
33. Go back to school! Visit some of the local universities, including:
    - Chiang Mai General University
    -Payap (the Baptist University)
    - Mae Jo (the agricultural University)
    - Rajabhat Institute
    The trip includes lunch (full day).
    
34. Make a visit to the schools which teach the blind and deaf.
    
35. Take a trip to Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Chiang Mai. The tour will also include a stop at a Royal Project, a waterfall and a wood carving village.
    
36. Go golfing at the following clubs:
    - Chaing Mai - Lamphun Golf Course
    - Royal Chaing Mai Golf Club
    - Green Valley Golf Club
    - Lanna Golf Club
    - Gymnkhana Golf Course which is 100 years old (9 holes)
    
37. Listen to a talk by John Shaw, the Ex Honary Consul for the UK, about how Chiang Mai was 30 years ago.
    
38. Learn about rice farming, with a lesson on how rice is grown (half day).
    
39. Make a vist to a unique holiday retreat at Mae Ngat Dam. You can have a picnic on the floating bamboo huts and enjoy bird watching or fishing (full day).
    
40. Go on a days eco adventure. A day trek through the jungle including absailing and a "bamboo cooking" lunch. You'll really get a chance to "get back to nature".

24 November 2007

Venue: Nationwide Happened to be in Thailand in November, you will experience the most spectacular Loi Krathong Festival. The festival is a tradition has been observed for no less than 700 years since the Sukhothai period (1238-1438), in the reign of King Phra Ruang (1347-circa 1374). It is traditionally performed on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month, which falls on 24 November this year.

17-18 November 2007

Nagas’ Fireballs 2007: The End of the Buddhist Lent Festival

The fireballs emerging from the Mekong River and shooting up into the sky about 50-100 metres high before vanishing into thin air, is an unexplainable phenomenon that happens annually on the evening of the full moon of the 11th lunar month. This year it falls on 26 October.

The reddish-pink elliptical fireballs are believed to belong to the Nagas who live beneath the waters of the Mekong River. During the period of the end of the Buddhist lent each year a flock of tourists travel to Nong Khai Province to witness this eerie phenomenon.

Activities to be held in the period are as follows:

- Thevorohana merit making- A ritual of worshipping the Nagas

- A procession in celebration of the end of the Buddhist lent

- Thai-Laos royal trophy long-boat races

20 kilometres south east of Phuket, Phi Phi Islands are the most visited and most famous, no less so than after the filming of The Beach on Phi Phi Ley, the smaller island of the two, starring Leonardo Di Caprio. The scenery is literally spectacular, and this is forseeably the most popular of all the full day excursions. Renting your own boat is a desirable option if you want to explore beyond the set tour itineraries, and beat the crowds. This option also allows you to visit many of the smaller and idyllic islands offshore, and a friendly boatman who knows the best spots and the hidden beaches can make for a truly memorable experience.

At one point on the drive between the airport and Phuket town, the Heroine's Monument dominates the road. The two female figures, swords drawn, commemorate the successful defence of the island in 1785 against the invading Burmese led by these two brave ladies, Chan and Mook.

Phuket town can be enjoyed comfortably on foot, and one pleasant spot to begin your meandering (early morning is best) is Khao Rang, the hill above the town, which affords excellent panoramic views, plus gives a good idea of the general layout before you descend to explore.

Interesting sights in the town itself include the 200 year old Taoist temple of Put Jaw, and the adjoining Jui Tui Temple dedicated to a vegetarian god, and centre of many festivities during Phuket's famous Vegetarian Festival.

Also worth visiting is the shrine of Sanjao Sam San, devoted to the safety to boats and all those at sea. Many of the town's old colonial style buildings are absorbing, as is the Phuket Provincial Court, and Government House, the latter doubling as the French Embassy in Phnom Penh in the film The Killing Fields.

Nature lovers should not miss out on a visit to the 22 square kilometers of virgin forest that make up the Khao Phra Taeo Wildlife Park, a spectacularly verdant home to many rare plants, birds and animals and declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1969. There is a small waterfall at the park headquarters and marked trails assist trekkers discover the jungle magic. Mangrove swamps are one interesting aspect of Sirinat National Park located at Phuket's northern tip, covering 90 square kilometres, and rich in flora and fauna. Sapan Hin is an area of parkland and sporting facilities sporting a monument to Captain Edward Thomas Miles, who brought the first tin dredger to Phuket in 1909.

Thalang National Museum contains interesting artefacts and exhibits from Phuket's history, worth visiting to glimpse the island's past. Wat Chalong, dedicated to two revered monks, is the largest and perhaps arguably the most photogenic of the island's temples. Wat Phra Nang Sang is the island's oldest temple dating back over 200 years, and contains a number of interesting relics, statues and murals, including Thailand's longest Lai Tong an accordion-like religious manuscript. Wat Pra Tong encloses a curious half buried statue of Buddha made of gold, but still encased in the plaster used to conceal it from the invading Burmese.

Phuket Sea Shell Museum near Rawai beach houses a huge and fascinating display of over 2000 species, including many rarities, and is reputedly one of the world's best collections. The Thai Village and Orchid Farm has dozens of rare orchid species and puts on two cultural shows a day.

Phuket Zoo is home to over 3000 animals from all over the world, including 600 species of birds. The exhibits include an aquarium and a 'nocturnal house' the latter devoted to insects, beasties and other creatures that may bump into you in the night. Phuket Butterfly Garden & Aquarium boasts a wide range of magnificent butterflies, interesting insects, and fascinating aquatic life.

The Marine Biological Research Centre located at Cape Panwa rewards visitors with a memorable close up of more than a hundred sea creatures. The Pearl Farm on Naga Island opposite Phuket town offers an opportunity to learn the methods of culturing these lovely treasures.

For sports enthusiasts, Phuket offers a huge choice of activities, including 4 top-class golf courses one of which, the championship Blue Canyon Country Club, was the venue for the Johnnie Walker Classic Tournament, in 1994 and 1998. Amongst the long list of sports, there is Rock-Climbing, Elephant Trekking, Mountain Biking, Go-Cart Racing, Mini Golf, Horse Riding, Shooting, Paintball, Bowling, Thai Boxing, and Bungy Jumping, to mention a few.

Located just under 900 kilometres Southwest of Bangkok, it is similar in area to Singapore, measuring 54 kilometers north to south, and 21 kilometers east to west at its most distant points. About 70 percent of the land area is mountainous, with the highest elevation at 529 meters. The terrain is richly varied, with rocky headlands, numerous beaches of differing sizes and character, limestone cliffs, jungle-clad hills, small estuaries, lagoons, and tropical vegetation of all kinds. It is surrounded by over thirty smaller islands of similar topography, many of them prime tourist attractions in their own right. The permanent population is estimated at roughly a quarter of a million, and Phuket is the only island in Thailand to have full provincial status.

Have you ever tried Thai food? Do you like it? Thai food is one of the things that every foreigner should try when they come to Thailand.

Khao Sok National Park in Southern Thailand is an amazing place. It is covered by the oldest evergreen rainforest in the world, huge limestone mountains shooting straight up in the air, deep valleys, breathtaking lakes, exciting caves, wild animals and much more.

Khao Sok is a fantastic place to go on vacation. Elephant trekking, trekking on foot, canoeing and jeep safaris are all possible activities, which will give you the experience of a lifetime. Khao Sok is perfectly situated on the mainland between Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak and Koh Samui, the most popular destinations in southern Thailand.

There are many ways to get to Koh Chnag, but they are all very similar. The cheapest way to do it is by taking the public bus from Bangkok to Trat and from there take the ferry to Koh Chang.

One of the main attractions of going to Thailand is therapeutic Thai Traditional Massages. There are various kind of massages (of the non-sexual kind) in Bangkok.

One of the most recommended original massage in Bangkok is at very famous Wat Pho Thai Traditional Medical School, where a lot of Traditional Thai Masseuse and Masseurs learnt their craft from.

It was really fantastic massage! After enjoying an 1 hour session of the Traditional Thai Massage with Ayurvedic Herbs, you will feel very relaxed and calm. Also, the massage will melt away most of your fatigue after a full day of tiredness.

The steamed Ayurvedic Herbs are quite hot though and after compressing your skin with it, it leaves a liquid residue that turns cold really fast due to the air-con blowing on it. (1 hour session, Baht 480)

If you think you will be uncomfortable with this, then just try the Traditional Thai Massage (without the Ayurvedic Herbs) at 350 baht.. Do note that the school has two massage centers, one within Wat Pho itself, and another air-conditioned one a short walk away in Sanamchai Road, behind the Wat Pho temple by the river. This school run by Wat Pho where you can learn the following massage courses:

- Thai Body Massage (30 hours, Baht 7,000)

- Foot Massage (30 hours, Baht 5,500)

- Oil and Aromatherapy Massage (30 hours, Baht 5,500)

- Therapeutic and Healing Massage (30 hours Baht 7,700)

On the day you wish to start, go very early around 0800AM to register. Classes are normally from 0900AM to 0400PM daily. Bring photocopy of your passport and three photographs 2" each.

You will be assigned a teacher and a massage buddy. Also, you can be in a group of 4 or 5 students per teacher. The teacher speaks English.

Directions:
Wat Po Thai Traditional Medical School
2 Sanamchai Road, Pranakorn, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Phone: +66 2-221-3686, +66 2-221-2974

Your spa experience may be more relaxing and leisurely when you're there at a less crowded time.

2. Explore the possibilities

Ask for a full description of any treatment that sounds intriguing. Be open to experimentation. That's how youl'l find new treatments to enjoy.

3. Get advice regarding scheduling

If you plan on having more than one treatment, ask if the spa has recommendations regarding the order in which you receive them. Choosing the right sequence may enhance your pleasure. Some facials are more suitable before a body treatment, and some are more appropriate afterward. Many spas will have packages that give you the treatments in the most appropriate order.

4. Share your personal health history

The spa can help you plan accordingly. If you have conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or lupus, you should get your doctors okay for any treatment youd like to try. People with high blood pressure or a heart condition may want to avoid body wraps or any treatment that involves heat or detoxification.

Those with varicose veins may want to avoid heat treatments to those areas, and people with iodine allergies should avoid marine products such as seaweed.

Pregnant women should avoid essential oils and anything that could raise body temperature, such as body wraps, saunas/steambaths and Jacuzzis.

Mention any prescription drugs you are using in order to avoid any services or products that might irritate your skin or otherwise be harmful.

5. Anticipate how the treatment will fit into your other plans

For example, if youre having a facial treatment that may leave your skin temporarily irritated or blotchy, you may not want to go to a romantic dinner afterward.

6. Allow enough time for your visit

Plan to spend a least 15 minutes sipping a beverage, relaxing, and chatting or enjoying some solitude. And try not to rush yourself at the end of your visit. This way you wont have to be concerned if your visit takes a little longer than you anticipated, and youll prolong the pleasure of relaxation.

Special notice :

The person providing treatment may not be fluent in your language. Be sure that any questions or concerns you have are communicated clearly and understood before any treatment begins.

Some spa staff, especially at the cheaper, more informal shops, may have had minimal training in massage and other techniques. If anything feels uncomfortable, painful or otherwise undesirable, ask to stop the treatment immediately.

Pattaya Night Life and bar girl, one of the most reputation in attraction of Pattaya. Come to Pattaya and enjoy nightlife with bar girl in walking street.

Walking Street
The Walking Street is the center of Pattaya's nightlife, with hundreds of bars, Go-Go clubs and dancings. Other areas are in Soi 7, Soi 8 and Soi Yamoto, in Soi Praisanie (around the post office), along Pattaya's 2nd Road and in Soi Buokhaow.

A new growing area is at the 3rd Pattaya Road, from North Pattaya Road to the South Pattaya Road as well as in Soi Chayaphoon and Soi Lengkee, both between Soi Buokaow and the 3rd Road.

Another large Beer Bar area is located in Soi 2, across BigC's Shopping Center. Pattaya Naklua has a large area with bars too. It starts at the North Pattaya Road.

Pattaya Cabarets (lady boy show)
Pattaya is famous for it's transvestite (katoey) cabaret shows. Lavish productions with amazing costumes and massive sets. A night at a cabaret show will set you back around 500 baht. These shows are well worth a visit even if it does not sound like your sort of thing. They are not at all sleazy and the whole family will be amazed.

Alcazar
78/14 Moo 9 Second Road, North Pattaya
Tel 038-428-746, Tel 038-429-212, Fax 038-424-939

Book for this one. It's often full even in the low season. They bus in hundreds of Chinese tourists everyday and the supply seems to be never ending. The cost is 500 baht for unreserved seating and 600 baht for reserved places. Many booking agents around town or book at the theatre. There are 4 shows every night, each one lasting around 1 hour 10 minutes

The production values are very high and the show is spectacular. There is no hint given that the performers are actually men, and the whole thing is played very straight.

This place is widely acknowledged as the best of type in Pattaya.

Tiffany's Show
464 Moo 9 Second Road, North Pattaya
Tel 038-421-700/3, Tel 038-429-642, Fax 421-711

Very similar to Alcazar but perhaps a little more raunchy. More silicon on display than you need to see in one life time. Tiffany's is the home of the famous Miss Tiffany Thailand contest which is broadcast on national TV in Thailand. reservations also are essential.

These 20 tips will not only save you money, you will have a richer travel experience in Asia as well.

#1 Bargain! In most Asian countries bargaining is customary. Start low because tourists are always quoted a higher price than locals.

#2 Use trains or buses for long trips between cities. Hiring taxis can end up costing you more and they are usually less reliable.

#3 Make friends with locals. Free meals, rides and a place to stay are benefits that can save you a lot of money and not to mention give you a more memorable travel experience.

#4 In Singapore and South Korea you can take advantage of Global Refund, a VAT tax claim system. A 9.9% tax (20% for some items) at over 600 retail outlets can be reclaimed with proof of purchase in South Korea. The GST tax in Singapore is 5% and can be reclaimed on all purchases of goods and services by tourists. Look for the Tax Free Shopping logo.

#5 Track the dollar. The dollar has held steady in China, India and Taiwan and it is fixed in Hong Kong so the deals are still the same. Southeast Asia is generally always a good value and Japan is usually the worst. By researching where your dollar goes the furthest, you can plan accordingly and save.

#6 Use the Cathay Pacific All Asia Airpass. It includes roundtrip airfare from New York or Los Angeles plus 21 days of travel to 18 Asian cities starting at $999. Open only to US residents, it is a great way to see all of Asia without spending a fortune on airline tickets.

#7 When shopping for souvenirs like handicrafts and clothing stay out of tourist shops in airports and shopping centers. Try local markets and small shops where there will likely be the same souvenirs (or better) at far lower prices.

#8 On Singapore Airlines, be sure to take some free postcards while on board. They’ll even pay the postage and mail them for you.

#9 Take advantage of free offers like Tai Chi lessons in Hong Kong. Under the Tsim Sha Tsui clocktower near the Star Ferry every Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 8 a.m. Offers like this can often be found in English newspapers and at tourist centers.

#10 Find package deals that include airfare, accommodation and tours. Not only do they usually save you money, they offer peace of mind with knowing you can sit back and relax and everything is taken care of.

#11 Get outside of the big cities and tourist spots. Consider staying on the outskirts of a city or even in a nearby town or village. Rates are far cheaper and it allows you to immerse yourself more deeply into the culture.

#12 Students and senior citizens can receive discounts all over Asia with international ID cards. Many places won’t have this discount posted, so be sure to ask.

#13 If you are planning on traveling extensively in Japan, a rail pass can be purchased before you leave the states. It can save a ton of money compared to individual train tickets.

#14 If you are on a really tight budget, you might just want to skip Japan altogether.

#15 Theft prevention! An often overlooked, but very necessary budgeting tool is precaution. Money belts, locks and a watchful eye can prevent a theft that could put a major dent in your travel funds. Places like Japan and Singapore generally have very little petty theft, but in poorer countries like those in
Southeast Asia more caution is necessary.

#16 Plan your day and how you’re going to get where you’re going. Unnecessary transportation costs because of poor planning and indecision can really add up, so plan a logical route for your day and how you’re going to get from place to place.

#17 Hotels in large tourist cities like Beijing and Tokyo offer convenient sightseeing tours, but shop around first. Often the same tours can be found nearby for half the price.

#18 Be a thorough reader and ask questions. Read hotel contracts, rental car agreements, and tour information carefully before you sign anything. Tiny clauses in the contract can turn into huge charges if you don’t pay attention.

#19 Instead of eating at nice restaurants every meal, try noodle stands on the street. They are very cheap and can be just as good as restaurant food. Most are clean, but be careful with any meat you eat.

#20 Prioritize sights and attractions. Decide which ones you absolutely can’t miss then see how much money you have left to use for others.

An overview of Chaing Mai, written as an introduction for people wishing to learn more about this rich and vibrant capital of the North of Thailand.

When thinking of Thailand, many of us immediately think of its hectic capital city, Bangkok. A city overflowing with so many people, traffic, fumes, sights and sounds, that all to often it can be an incredible assault on the unsuspecting tourist's senses. Yet Thailand is a country of overwhelming diversity, and thankfully located in its far north is a capital city that is light years away from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok.

I am of course referring to the delightful Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai is the capital of Northern Thailand, and it boasts a pace far more relaxed and tourist friendly than its Southern counterpart. You'll find the traffic and city pace far less frantic, and the streets a lot less confusing than Bangkok. In fact, one of the best ways for a tourist to find their way around Chiang Mai and get to know this delightful city is to hire a bicycle for the day. A most enjoyable way to see the city first hand, since everything is located in such close proximity.

11-19 October 2007

The Ceremony of Immersing a Buddha Image, Um Phra Dam Nam
10-14 October 2007
Venue: Wat Trai Phum, Phetchabun Province


The ceremony of immersing a Buddha image or locally called Um Phra Dam Nam is a unique ceremony that cannot be found anywhere in the world but here at Phetchabun Province, 346 km north of Bangkok. The ceremony is held every year to coincide “Sat Thai” Day, i.e. the full moon day of the 10th lunar month, the day the Thais believe all spirits are released to receive the food dedicated by their relatives. This year, the celebration will be held from 10 to 14 October with the ceremony on 11 October at Wat Trai Phum, which houses a Buddha Image called Phra Buddha Maha Thamma Racha.


There is a folktale telling the origin of this odd ceremony. The story has it that one day about 400 years ago, there was a strange incident in which fishermen in the Pasak river in the area of the present Phetchabun province couldn’t catch any fish as if there were no more fish in the river. This caused puzzle to everyone.

What was even more amazing, the current of the river became still and then gradually sent up more and more bubbles as if it were boiling. Finally a big and deep whirling current was formed. This miracle startled everyone when a Buddha image emerged above the water going up and down as if the Buddha were enjoying himself in the water. Realizing the sacredness of the Buddha image, people of the region brought it up to be kept in Wat Trai Phum for worship.


Then another miracle happened on Sat Thai Day the next year, when the Buddha image vanished from the temple and was found floating in the same position of the Pasak river where the image appeared last time. Since then, on Sat Thai Day of every years, a ceremony of immersing the Buddha image has been held in Phetchabun in accordance with the belief that if the ceremony were not held in any year, the Buddha would disappear, resulting in drought and a crop failure in the province. The ceremony also serves to celebrate the holiness of the Buddha image, to help spread Buddhism, and to promote tourism in the province.

Usually on this day, people in large numbers will come to worship the Buddha image at the temple and cover it with gold leaf. And there will be a procession going round the city (10 October), led by the Buddha image, which is placed on a butsabok, a small movable pavilion, and followed by traditionally dressed dancers, as well as ordinary people.

The highlight of the ceremony takes place when the sacred Buddha image is put onto butsabok by the provincial governor and carried in a barge in which there are other officials of high ranks and some monks from Wat Trai Phum (11 October).

The barge then glides down to the landing stage of Wat Trai Phum where Phra Phutta Maha Thamma Racha is put into the water by the governor. The water there, as is believed by Phetchabun people, then becomes holy. And happy scenes of people jumping into the water swimming, dipping up a little of it, or even grasping floating bits of golden leaf coming off the Buddha, are witnessed by visitors.


More about the northern region of Thailand
For more information, please contact:
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Northern Office: Region 3
Tel: +66 (0) 5525 2742 to 3

Finding cheap, nice hotels

If you are going on vacation, chances are, you are looking for good deals on a number of things, including hotels. There are great deals out there; you just have to know how to find them.

First of all, go to a general internet travel site – choose any one. Select your criteria and search for hotels. You should get a list of what’s available for the dates you plan to travel, and what amenities the hotel offers.

If you know for sure what you’re looking for – a particular type of room, certain features, a particular location – make a list of these requirements before you go on the site. If you’re not sure yet, take a look at several of the hotels and see which interest you the most. Take note of which features you enjoy most about the hotels you’ve found, as well as what company the hotel is.

Then, go to several other travel sites and cross-check prices. Don’t ever accept one website’s price as final. Different sites may list different prices, and they may have different specials on hotels. If your travel dates are flexible, check several different options on each site; this can make a significant difference in price

As you search the different sites, narrow down your list of hotel choices. It’s best to ultimately select which hotel or company you would like to go with, and concentrate on checking the prices for that hotel.

When you’re doing this, don’t forget to check the company’s website or even call them directly. Sometimes the lowest rates are through the company itself, because there is no “middle man” to go through. Other times, the “travel giant” websites can offer you lower prices. Check both to see what’s available.

If you have an AAA/CAA membership, make sure to look for hotels that mention a discount for membership, or call the company and ask if you can get a discount for it. Many hotels will accommodate you there. If you’re a member of the military or another organization that could offer a discount, check on that too. It may not be mentioned outright, but if you inquire, you could end up with a discount.

If you’re checking far in advance of your vacation, especially if you plan to go during peak times, you are likely to get better rates than if you are checking closer to the date you plan to go. So, once you find the hotel you want, book it as soon as possible so that you’re guaranteed a room at the offered price.
Don’t book the hotel until you’ve checked several major chains whose rooms are similar; their prices can differ by a lot. Don’t book the hotel until you’ve cross-checked prices on different sites.

If you’re not sure what sites to look at, ask around. There are several available and many people have used them before. You can also go on any search engine and type in “hotel prices” and come up with several sites. These are worth it to check out. Even if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for, many will allow you to select a hotel near a place or attraction. Some will let you choose the type of room and features you want. Each site has its own ways of finding your hotel rooms.

If you make use of this modern convenience, and you don’t book too quickly, you can find great hotels at great prices.






Written by Catherine Hillard - Pagewise

When you buy a plane ticket keep in mind that airline travel and pricing can be complicated. You can make things as simple and easy as possible while searching for the best deal.

Buying a plane ticket doesn’t have to be a stressful occurrence. Unfortunately, with the mysterious method of pricing that airlines use, along with the countless deals, discounts, and small print, you may find it hard to put your credit card down not knowing what else may be out there. Here are some tips for buying airline tickets, and where you may find the best deals.

First, let’s talk about travel agents. There are positive and negative aspects to them. If you have a travel agent that you know you can trust, and works hard at finding you what you want, then by all means stick with them. Searching for the lowest fares does take time, and knowledge of the industry doesn’t hurt. Travel agents will know who flies where, who flies non-stop, who offers discounts, who is running a special, so on and so forth. A travel agent can save you a lot of time and money. So, what is the downside to travel agents? They work on commission. Enough said about that.

If you decide to go the road to buying a plane ticket alone, here is what you need to do. First, get a timetable from all of the carriers that fly out of your city. You can go to the airport and pick them up from the ticket counter, or call the reservations department and have one sent to your home. A timetable will tell you where the airline goes, days and times, and if they fly non-stop, direct (a stop without deplaning), or connection. Don’t forget to look into smaller, less well-known carriers. These airlines sometimes have the best deals, and their safety standards are the same as everyone else’s. After determining who is available for your travel needs, you can get to work on finding the best price.

Most airlines offer on-line pricing and purchasing. You will usually find your best deals here. Customers’ booking their own flights saves the company a lot of money; so many times they pass the savings on to you if you purchase on-line. However, you must be ready to purchase when you find a good deal on the Internet, usually airlines don’t offer holds on-line. You may not feel comfortable with this method of purchasing airplane tickets.

If you choose to handle your reservations with an airline sales representative, be prepared to say “No” to purchasing right away. As part of the recently installed customer service plan that most airlines are complying with, they must hold and guarantee a fare for you for a minimum of 24 hours. Also, if the fare goes down in that 24-hour period they are obligated to let you know when you call back. The customer service plans that airlines have created are a wonderful thing for their customers. The airlines have promised to offer the lowest fares possible, but this does not mean they will tell you everything you need to know.

So, be flexible with your travel dates, and do not give them specific travel dates. Also, ask what discounts they offer. Asking open-ended questions, allowing the sales agent to answer your questions to the fullest, is the best way to finding what you want. Call an airline back two or three times to make sure you have been given the best offer.

The airline pricing system is a complicated one and some agents may work harder at finding you a deal than others. Last but not least, be pleasant when dealing with your reservationist. After all, they are human beings, and they may work a little harder at finding you a good deal if they think you are deserving.

6 October 2007
Venue: The City Hall, Chonburi Province, Thailand




Buffalo Racing is a spectacular festival in Thailand that is unknown to most foreigners and even some Thais, because of its inadequate promotion. But it is so exciting, joyful and unique that is really worth seeing. Locally called Ngan Wing Khuai, the festival is annually held only in Chon Buri province. This year, it is held on 6 October in front of the Chon Buri City Hall, which is only an hour's drive from Bangkok or 45 minutes drive from Pattaya City.

When this festival began is uncertain, but according to records, it must have been observed for at least 70 years from the reign of King Rama VI who once saw it. The origin of the festival is as follows. In former times, buffaloes which were useful for farming were rarely found in Chon Buri. So the farmers in this province had to buy the beasts from other farmers who brought them from the Northeastern region for sale after the harvest.

In view of the high value of the beasts and their usefulness and rarity, the Chon Buri farmers competed with each other in raising buffaloes in their home province. During the buying and selling of the beasts, a kind of fun fair, featuring buffalo races, buffaloes' health contest, a contest of decorated buffaloes and a farmers' sweetheart contest, was held to coincide with the celebrations of the harvest season. These activities were observed annually until it became a tradition.



For more information, please contact:

Tourism Authority of Thailand Central Office: Region 3
Tel: +66 (0) 3842 7667, +66 (0) 3842 8750
Fax: +66 (0) 3842 9113

The Municipality of Chon Buri Province
Tel: +66 (0) 3828 5436
Fax: +66 (0) 3828 7035