HozNews

The 24th ASEAN Barred Ground Dove Festival
Date : 7 - 8 March 2008
Venue : Khwan Mueang Park, Mueang District, Yala

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 peach. 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 :
TAT Narathiwat Office, Tel. 66 (0) 7351 6144, 7352 2411
Yala Municipality Office, Tel. 66 (0) 7321 4898

Tourism Authority of Thailand, Phuket Office and Phuket Japanese Association will hold “The 4th Phuket Japanese Festival” on the 7th of March 2009 at Queen Sirikit Park in Phuket Town.

As we are one of the parts of Phuket, we would like to provide the opportunity to the local people who is working for the tourism and local students interested in Japan and Japanese people through the Japanese traditional festival which introduce the Japanese culture and foods, and we hope these experiences will help them to be familiar with Japanese tourists.

And also, we hope this festival make Japanese children in Phuket improve their knowledge of Japan.

Due to the economic crisis and the Bangkok Airport closed last year, it is very hard situation for Japanese market. So we hope this festival shows the good news of Phuket through the media to Japan and can be contributed to the tourism as we usually had done in the past.

This festival is supported by Tourism Authority of Thailand (Phuket Office), Japan Embassy in Bangkok, The Japan Foundation, Japanese Chamber of Commerce in Bangkok, and Japanese Association in Thailand, Fujifilm and Japan Airlines which are our special sponsors.

The highlights of the festival are “Free photo taken with Kimono by Fujifilm” and “JAL Air Ticket to Japan” for the lucky draw.

Also, In order to promote further exchanges between Japan and Mekong Region Countries (Kingdom of Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Union of Myanmar, Kingdom of Thailand, and Socialist Republic of Viet Nam), it was decided at the Japan-Mekong Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in January 2008 to celebrate the year 2009 as “Mekong-Japan Exchange Year.” By the government.

In this Japanese festival, it came to co-sponsor with The Japan Foundation, Bangkok, and to screen the movies as a film festival, and it is authorized as one of the events of the Japan - Mekong Exchange Year. Two movies will be shown (“YUKI NI NEGAUKOTO” and “BEAT KIDS”).

The movies will be shown at the Baan Kathu School one day before the festival on March 6, 2009 and it is also one of the promotions for the festival.

We will hold the first speech contest during the festival. We would like to provide the opportunity to the students who are studying Japanese hard, and we hope they use this event for the improved motivation to further studying Japanese.

In others, the Heisei Nozomi no Kai, Japanese acting volunteer group comes from Japan to show the Edo folk craft as same as the last time, and you will enjoy it. And also we will organize Thai Classical Dancing Performance to present Thai Traditional cultural for relationship between Thailand and Japan; such as local Thai dessert.

Additionally, we have much more things at the festival. Lucky draw free ticket and free gift will be distributed, first come and first served basis. We are waiting for many people coming on that day.

More information Contact: TAT Phuket Office Tel. 076 – 212213, 211036 or
Phuket Japanese Association Tel. 076 – 234446

Pattaya has a number of islands in its vicinity of which Koh Lan is the largest. The island is somewhat an extension of the mainland activities, featuring water sports such as diving snorkeling, windsurfing, waterskiing and para-sending. A key attraction is boats sailing around the island for sightseeing purposes. Some of the boats have glass bottoms enabling passengers to see coral and marine life at the bottom of the sea. The island has a number of beaches, the main beach hosting a number of excellent seafood restaurants selling dishes made from freshly caught seafood. The area also features deep sea fishing boats around Koh Lan’s neighbours, Koh Krok and Koh Sak.

Details: Koh Lan is 45 minutes from Pattaya beach by boat or 20 minutes by long-tail boat. Most of the tour boats make anchor to take advantage of the foodshops and stalls along these beaches. Facing Hat Thong Lang are coral ranges. Visitors can choose glass-bottom boats and surface-diving. Hat Samae is located to the southwest while Hat Ta Phan is to the west of the island.

How to get there: Ferries leave South Pattaya Pier daily from 10:00 to 18.30, the one-way fare being 20 Baht. The return ferry leaves Koh Lan’s Na Ban Beach at 12:00 and 14:00.

Wat Rong Khun (Thai: วัดร่องขุ่น) is a contemporary unconventional buddhist temple in Chiang Rai, Thailand. It was designed by Chalermchai Kositpipat. Construction began in 1998 and is expected to end in 2008.

Style and construction

Wat Rong Khun is different from any other temple in Thailand, as its ubosot (Pali: uposatha; consecrated assembly hall) is designed in white color with some use of white glass. The white color stands for Lord Buddha’s purity; the white glass stands for Lord Buddha’s wisdom that “shines brightly all over the Earth and the Universe.”

The bridge leading to the temple represents the crossing over from the cycle of rebirth to the Abode of Buddha. The small semicircle before the bridge stands for the human world. The big circle with fangs is the mouth of Rahu, meaning impurities in the mind, a representation of hell or suffering.

All the paintings inside the ubosot (assembly hall) have golden tones. The four walls, ceiling and floor contain paintings showing an escape from the defilements of temptation to reach a supramundane state. On the roof, there are four kinds of animals representing earth, water, wind and fire. The elephant stands for the earth; the naga stands for water; the swan’s wings represent wind; and the lion’s mane represents fire.

In 1977, Chalermchai Kositpipat volunteered his service to carry out the construction of the ubosot at his own expense as an offering to Lord Buddha, but he later altered the plan as he saw fit in such a way that Wat Rong Khun developed into a prominent site attracting both Thai and foreign visitors.

Nowadays, Wat Rong Khun is still being constructed. When completed, the construction project of Wat Rong Khun will consist of nine building: the ubosot, the hall containing Lord Buddha’s relics, the hall containing Buddha images, the preaching hall, the contemplation hall, the monk’s cell, the door fa?ade of the Buddhavasa, the art gallery, and the toilets.

Honda LPGA Thailand 2009
Date : February 26 – March 1, 2009
Venie : Pattaya’s Siam Country Club, Chon Buri

Following the successes of the Honda LPGA Thailand 2006 and 2007, Mr. Kenji Otaka, President of Honda Automobile (Thailand) Ltd. announces Honda’s continued support of the Honda LPGA Thailand 2009 “Since its inauguration in 2006, the Honda LPGA Thailand has now become one of the highlights in the LPGA Tournament, and forms an integral part of the LPGA calendar. The tournament was a huge success last year which attracted more than 25,000 spectators at the golf course and secured the participation of world-class LPGA golfers.”

It is indeed an honour for Honda, in its capacity as title sponsor, to team up with our partners in organizing this Honda LPGA Thailand 2009 which will be held at Siam Country Club, Pattaya. For fans and enthusiasts, they will be treated to four days of world-class golf, watching their favourite players in action as they attempt to beat their personal best scores to win the top cash prize from US$ 1.45 million prize purse.

As well as thrilling the golf fans with a keenly fought contest, the tournament allows them to see top-ranked professionals of the Ladies Professional Golf Association competing this year. Honda is delighted to confirm the participation of the world’s leading female golfers, Ms. Lorena Ochoa, and Ms. Paula Creamer, who will both take part in next year’s exciting tournament. The Honda LPGA 2009 will be spiced up with an additional Hole-in-one prize of the new Honda Accord 2.4 EL valued at 1.5 million baht.

The player field of Honda LPGA Thailand 2009 will comprise of 50 leading LPGA Tour players and 10 sponsor invites, competing for a purse of US$1.45 million over 72 holes stroke play with no cut in the field. The strong player field of Honda LPGA Thailand 2009 will ensure the Thailand crowds experience the most exciting actions at Pattaya in the weekend of February 26 to March 1, 2009.

For More Information
TAT Pattaya Office Tel. 66 (0) 3842 8750, 66 (0) 3842 7667
http://www.lpgathailand.com

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

19-25 February 2009
Venue: The ground near the Nakhon Nayok Provincial Administration Office

Nakhon Nayok Province, renowned as an agricultural area full of fertile soil and plenty of water, boasts several kinds of agricultural produce. Among them, the most popular is the marian plum.
The marian plum, an exotic fruit of Thailand, is in season only for a short period from January to March. Therefore, it is now time to visit the marian plum orchards in Nakhon Nayok and savour the freshly harvested fruit.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Nakhon Nayok Office and the Marian Plum Orchards Association of Nakhon Nayok are jointly planning to hold the Marian Plum and Best Products of Nakhon Nayok Fair 2009 from 19-25 February 2009 at the ground near the Nakhon Nayok Provincial Administration Office, Muang County.
The joyful fair features agricultural and other products of the province such as the high quality marian plums and marian plum saplings. Other activities include a marian plum contest, a marian plum arrangement contest and visits to the marian plum orchards.

For more information, please contact :
TAT Nakhon Nayok on tel. +66 0 3731 2282 or 0 3731 2284

Thailand Ladies Open 2009
Date : February 18 - 20, 2009
Venue : The Vintage Club, Samut Prakan

The 2009 Thailand Ladies Open is jointly organized by Thailand Ladies Golf Association and The Vintage Golf Club. It will be the 22nd occasion that TALGA has organized for the professional ladies with the challenge trophy from H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn for the professional winner and the challenge cup from the Governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand for the Amateur winner.

14 February — Valentine’s Day
Venue: Elephant Study Centre, Surin Province (457 km northeast of Bangkok)

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) invites you to join the ceremony of “Wedding on Elephant Back” at Surin Province. This year, there are 41 couples joining the ceremony.

As elephants and Thais have maintained a close relationship since ancient time, many of the creatures are domesticated mostly in the north and northeastern regions of Thailand such as in Lampang and Surin provinces.

Yearly on 14 February, the Elephant Study Centre in Surin Province holds a Wedding on Elephant Back” ceremony. The couples getting married in this style will go through the “sat-te” ceremony which is the traditional wedding ceremony of the kui* people, which is unique and full of meaning. On the wedding day, the brides and grooms will be traditionally dressed. The brides wear a crown made of palm leaf while the grooms wear a three-coloured auspicious rope.
Before the “sat-te” ceremony begins, the elephant processions of the brides will first arrive at the precinct. Then, the majestic elephant procession of the grooms will reach the ritual ground to start the engagement and wedding procedures. After that, the couples will continue the “sat-te” ceremony in cottages specially built. After finishing this stage, the couples will ride on elephants to register their marriages. The last stage is to joyfully feed the elephants.

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*Kui refers to the descendants of the Mon-Khmer people mostly live in Surin Province.

Couples interested in participating the ceremony can contact all district administrative offices in Surin.

For more information :

Surin Local Administrative Office, tel: +66 (0) 4451 1975, +66 (0) 4451 1599
TAT Surin Office, tel: +66 (0) 4451 4447 to 8

Trang Underwater Wedding Ceremony
Date : 13-15 February 2009
Venue : Ko Kradan, Sikao District, Trang

Now in its 13th year, Trang’s underwater wedding ceremony, 13 to 14 February, must be one of the most unusual ways to tie the knot.
This unique event is right at the top in the creative wedding category and has defied critics over the years to emerge as a firm favourite for those who want to make their Valentine day wedding extraordinary.

In 2000, it was declared the largest underwater wedding ceremony by the Guinness Book of Records, while more recently it opened the ceremony to physically challenged couples.

Its rise in popularity was not without obstacles, starting with the obvious objection that not everyone has the ability, or the desire, to stand on a sandy sea bed and utter their vows.

Created by Thai Airways International to draw attention to its daily flight to Trang town, the event has certainly put this southernmost stretch of Andaman Sea coastline on the map.
This attractive region lies 870 km from Bangkok and slightly more than 300 km south of Phuket. The town is served by a twice daily rail service direct from Bangkok. The trip takes 15 hours. A daily service on Nok Air, a sister company partly owned by THAI, completes the flight in one hour.

Trang is blessed with an amazing variety of unspoilt beaches and islands perfect for getaway honeymoons and even more perfect if they happen to love diving.

The ceremony is quite straightforward once the couple understand the basic scuba diving techniques and are certified by Naui or Padi, two internationally recognised dive training organisations.
In the presence of a witness, couples descend in clear blue waters to the sandy seabed to make legally binding vows using divers’ sign language. To ensure relatives and friends can share in the fun the wedding ceremonies are part of celebrations that cover three days on dry land.

Town residents come out in droves to make it a memorable and fun event. Hosted by the Trang Chamber of Commerce, in association with the municipality, provincial authorities and THAI the national airline, wedding fever is fired up with a lavish parade, led by over 100 couples, through the town’s centre to a street party venue. The town’s best cooks are there presenting an amazing display of Thai food dishes and fresh seafood barbecued made all the more delectable by the variety of spicy southern sauces.

Dressed in white wedding gowns, or national dress, brides are presented to their grooms at the wedding venue on Pak Meng beach, 15 km from the Trang town. Here the traditional Thai ceremony gets underway, 14 February, in the presence of friends and relatives before a fleet of boats transfer the couples to an idyllic Kradan Island, where they dive to the seabed for the official registration of their vows.
Looking back on this carefully managed scene, the happy couple will declare “it was unforgettable,” a conclusion helped along by a beautiful resort that incredibly still warrants the title “unseen Thailand” for most of the year.
Happy couples return for an anniversary, some even renew their vows at the same underwater spot. A few even return with small children and point proudly at the distant island, where mum and dad played out their romantic fantasies.

Supported by the community Tourism Authority of Thailand and the national airline, this single event has given Trang the right to claim a niche and secure many happy returns to its glorious beaches.

For more informations :
TAT Trang Office, Tel : 66 (0) 7521 5867, 7521 1058, 7521 1085
Trang Tourism Coordination Centre, Tel. 66 (0) 7521 5867-8
Trang Chamber of Commerce, Tel. 66 (0) 2545 3322
Website : www.underwaterwedding.com