Thailand International Swan Boat Races

Racing the graceful oriental Swan Boats has become an international sport with more than 20 teams, including England, Australia and the United States, participating in the annual world championships held in November in Bangkok, on the river near the ancient capital of Siam, Ayutthaya. The elegant swan boats are long, narrow round-bottomed boats with upturned bows intricately carved that resemble swan heads, while the stern represents a flowing tail.

Venue: The Bangsai Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Centre on the Chao Phraya River
Date: September 2009 TBA
Website: www.swanboat.org

Songkran Festival

The traditional rites of Songkran involve dousing everyone around you in water as a symbol of cleansing and purification at the start of the Thai New Year. Songkran is celebrated nation-wide around Thailand with great gusto, and equally enthusiastically in the capital city, Bangkok. The fun-filled festival is held for about three days, centred on wats and temples where images of Buddha are bathed and the elderly in the community are symbolically washed by the youngsters. After the ceremonials, most people take to the baking hot streets for a merry, wet free-for-all. In Bangkok the best places to experience the festivities are on the square in front of the Grand Palace where the Phra Buddha Sihing is bathed; the Wisutkasat, where a Miss Songkran Beauty pageant is held; and Khao San Road in Banglampoo where jovial water-throwing reaches new heights in battles between locals and tourists.

Venue: Citywide in the streets, temples and wats
Date: 13 - 16 April 2009
Website: www.songkran.net

Hi,

Will you love me?

Winlei Ponthap

(13 - 19 December 2008: The Ayutthaya Historical Park, Ayutthaya )

Formally known as Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, the ancient city of Ayutthaya, was founded in 1350 by King U-Thong and remained the capital city of the Kingdom of Siam for 417 years, from 1350 to 1767.

During this time, 33 kings of various Siamese dynasties reigned in Ayutthaya, each contributing to the the Kingdom's many cultural treasures. However it was during the reign of His Majesty King Narai the Great that the Kingdom of Siam established international diplomatic and trade ties with many western countries such as France, Holland, Portugal and Spain.

During its heyday, international trade flourished with Dutch, Portuguese, French, English, Chinese and Japanese sea-faring traders sailing up the Chao Phraya River, the River Of Kings, to this ancient capital. Ayutthaya was one of Asia's most prosperous cities with a proliferation of magnificent temples, palaces and pavillions signifying its wealth and properity.

This impressive heritage has become the bedrock of Thai society and has shaped the Thai way of life as it exists today.

With a culture and civilisation so outstanding and timeless, Ayutthaya was designated a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site on 13 December 1991.

Each year, Ayutthaya celebrates its glorious past with displays of traditional culture and lifestyle, numerous forms of entertainment amid the ruins of this ancient city.

Contact information:

TAT Central Office - Region 6

Tel: +66 (0) 3524 6076-7

Fax: +66 (0) 3524 6078

E-mail: tatyutya@tat.or.th

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

Link to the Tourism Authority of Thailand

Credit :http://www.thailandgrandfestival.com/

 2008 Phuket King's Cup Regatta 

(29th November - 6th December, 2008: )

The Phuket King's Cup Regatta, Asia's biggest and most popular regatta, is the jewel in the crown of the Asian Yachting Circuit, a circuit of the leading regattas in Asia including the Raja Muda International Regatta, the Singapore Straits Regatta and the China Sea Race. More than a regatta, the week long event consists of great parties, great sailing and lots of fun.

Inaugurated in 1987 to celebrate the sixtieth birthday of His Majesty the King of Thailand, the event has been held during the first week of December every year since. With the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King, the Regatta is organized by the Phuket King's Cup Regatta Organizing Committee under the auspices of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, in conjunction with the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, the Royal Thai Navy and the Province of Phuket.

For more information, please visit www.kingscup.com

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