NAKHON SAWAN CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2007

NAKHON SAWAN CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2007
THE FASCINATING REALM OF THE GOLDEN DRAGON
FEBRUARY 11 – 12, 2007

Chinese New Year festivities will be held along the banks of the Chao Phraya River at Sawan Nongsomboon Park and Kosi Road in the city centre.

The Chao Por-Chao Mae Pak Nam Pho fair and procession, organised by Thais of Chinese ancestry in Nakhon Sawan Province during the Chinese New Year, is held in honour of Chao Poh Pak Nam Pho, a highly revered deity, hence the origins of its name. The event has been held annually.

This famous festival and grand celebration with the procession of a statue of Chao Por Pak Nam Pho, impressive displays of dragon and lion dances, cultural performances such as the Chinese opera and acrobatics, offers a colourful spectacle and is a popular attraction among Thais and foreigners.

The dragon and the lion, both considered to be symbols of good luck and good fortune and prominently featured as the royal regalia in the imperial courts of ancient China, are deemed to be central elements of auspicious rituals and events. The practice vividly demonstrates the faith and unity of local people and long-established cultural ties.

In addition to providing an opportunity for shopping, the Chao Por Pak Nam Po Fair offers insight into the local way of life.

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

Festivities held in honour of His Majesty the King to mark the auspicious occasion of the Diamond Jubilee or the Sixtieth Anniversary Celebration of His Majesty the King of Thailand's Accession to the Throne
Live demonstration of Tai khek

12 nightly Chinese operatic performances in Chinese and Thai presented by three opera houses

Journey Back In Time
An exhibition on the Nakhon Sawan Chinese New Year Tradition

Demonstration of Chinese customs, traditions and way of life including the presentation of ritual offerings at the family altar

Cultural presentations highlighting the folk tales of Chao Phor and Chao Mae Pak Nam – the guardian spirits of the Pak Nam estuary

Lion Dance, Dragon Procession, Procession of the Chinese Deities consisting of the Por-Chao Mae Pak Nam Pho Procession, Procession of Goddess Kuan Im, other colourful festive processions and parades and traditional Chinese New Year festive celebrations

Presentations of Chinese art and culture

Exhibitions highlighting the origins and legacy of Chinese family names

source : tatnews.org

Artistic Performances in 3 Cities of Thailand

• The Fine Arts Department arranges artistic performances in 3 cities
During the year 2007
Venue: the National Theatres in Bangkok, Suphan Buri, and Nakhon Ratchasima

Thailand is not only recognized by people around the world as a beautiful country, but also well known for its abundance of exquisite arts. This is because by nature the Thais love and appreciate the beauty of things, which has resulted in the creation of a large number of valuable art forms, including performing arts.

In order to revitalise, conserve, and promote the knowledge of all such arts, the Fine Arts Department has collected all kinds of artists and materials needed in performing these arts and arranged a series of performances all year round. Apart from conserving Thai Arts, the shows are valuable sources of knowledge for those who want to study Thai Arts and Culture.

Theatrical and music performances are being held in the afternoon and the evening of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of each week consecutively in the year 2007 at the National Theatres in Bangkok, Suphan Buri and Nakhon Ratchasima. Examples of interesting performances are khon, jataka plays, Thai historical plays, Thai musicals, and traditional dances.

For more information about the performance schedules and tickets, please contact the Office of Performing Arts, The Fine Arts Department Tel. +66 (0) 2224-1342, +66 (0) 2222-1092 or visit website – finearts.go.th/~opa

TIPS AND ADVICE ON SHOPPING IN THAILAND

TIPS AND ADVICE ON SHOPPING IN THAILAND

Enter a shopper's paradise. Avid shopaholics agree that the vast range of products available in Thailand is overwhelming and the prices, in most cases, quite competitive. If you can’t find it – have it made. This in itself presents an endless spectrum of possibilities.
Even with China gaining strength in the export/wholesale markets, it is generally recognised that Thailand’s excellence in quality of materials and craftsmanship far surpasses its rivals.

While some Asian countries concentrate on mass-producing souvenirs, Thailand is rapidly becoming known worldwide for its strength in well-designed, distinctive products made with traditional techniques. Choose not only fine traditional handicrafts, but also an expanding variety of beautifully styled and crafted contemporary items including furniture, soft furnishings, textiles, clothing, jewellery, fashion accessories, ceramics, basketry, metal-ware and paper products.

As experienced shoppers know – shop around, compare prices. Many smaller shops are as reputable as the larger, established department stores. In any case, be sure to obtain receipts for your purchases. If jewellery is your passion, you should receive a certificate of guarantee of its content. For example 95 per cent silver is common for hilltribe silverware pieces.

Many antiques and Buddha images of Thai origin fall under the watchful eye of the Fine Arts Department. Prior to your departure from Thailand, check with the department, not just the seller, on what other paperwork, in addition to an authenticity certificate from the vendor, may be required to avoid disappointment at customs.

With your chosen treasures, a richer understanding of Thai culture and fond memories will linger with you long after your stay in Thailand. It is a world constantly awakening to finely designed, ever-changing works of art.

Awaken your world by enhancing it with Thai treasures.

Ferry Service Between Trang and Langkawi

South Thailand: New Ferry Service Between Trang and Langkawi

A ferry service has been launched between the southern Thai province of Trang and the Malaysian resort island of Langkawi, opening up access to some of the region's best beaches and diving spots. Presently, the service is open only to Thais and Malaysians but ferry operators are hopeful of international traffic being allowed if the route proves successful.

The Thai-Langkawi Ferryline Ltd. inaugurated the route on 7 December, 2003. The ferry, which has a seating capacity of 150+, operates one round-trip per day only on weekends. The two-hour trip departs from Ta-se Pier in Trang at 08.00 hrs. and returns from Langkawi Island at 15.30 hrs.

Round trip tickets are 660 baht for adults and 460 baht for children aged 3 - 12 years old. One-way tickets are half those prices. All fares exclude a 100 baht border-crossing levy. Travellers have to send a copy of their national ID cards to the company two days in advance of the trip.

The company also offers two tour packages include a return one-day trip for 1,900 baht per person and a two-day one-night trip for 2,300 baht per person.

Langkawi and Trang are two of the most beautiful coastal areas in the Andaman Sea. With a well-developed tourist infrastructure, Langkawi is a popular holiday resort for domestic Malaysian travellers, who can now cross over into Thailand as a result of the new ferry service.

In turn, Trang is rapidly emerging as a popular Thai resort, especially the 50 or so small islands off its western coast, known for their pristine coral reefs, and rich bird and mammal wildlife. The best time for sea travel is during October to May. Thai Airways International serves Trang with daily flights, and three extra flights on weekends.

In 2002, domestic Thai visitor arrivals to Trang rose by 8.48% to 440,798 person-trips with an average length of stay (ALS) of 2.78 days and an average expenditure of 1,621 baht per person per day. International visitor arrivals to Trang in 2002 were up by 26.68% to 49,505 person-trips with an ALS of 3.65 days and an average expenditure of 1,932 baht per person per day.

Langkawi is also accessible by boat from Satun province in Thailand, a shorter trip of only 45 minutes.

Bangkok - Hua Hin Air shuttle

A newly-launched Bangkok-Hua Hin air shuttle service offers travellers the option of flying between Bangkok and Hua Hin in only 40 minutes. The air shuttle service, operated by SGA Airlines/ Siam General Aviation, reduces the travel time between Bangkok and Hua Hin by more than two hours.

With a steady increase in the number of luxury resorts and spas and prime properties opening in the ‘royal paradise’ of Hua Hin, Thailand’s first seaside resort is attracting an ever-increasing numbers of affluent international travellers. This, according to SGA, has led to a demand for an air shuttle service that provides a convenient and welcome alternative to the three-hour drive from Bangkok to Hua Hin.

The Bangkok-Hua Hin air-shuttle service essentially provides an express transfer service for hotel guests, particularly for travellers arriving on long-haul flights from Europe. In operating its air-shuttle service, SGA works in close cooperation with several leading hotels in Hua Hin.
Siam General Aviation received ISO 9001:2000 certification in September 2004 and has been operating four daily flights between Bangkok and Hua Hin since November 1, 2004.

The route is serviced by a Cessna 208B Caravan aircraft, with a seating capacity for 12 passengers. The aircraft has been fitted out with plush leather seating. The Cessna is a light aircraft well-suited to low-altitude flights. This offers passengers an opportunity to enjoy an aerial view of the landscape along the route which passes over Bangkok, Samut Prakarn, the Gulf of Thailand, the Chao Phraya River and Petchburi province before touching down in Hua Hin.

With such a short flight, there is no inflight service. However the airline has its own lounge in Bangkok and Hua Hin, where passengers are able to relax and enjoy light snacks and beverages.

Destination Air Shuttle in Phuket, Thailand

Destination Air Shuttle in Phuket, Thailand

Destination Air Shuttle, Thailand’s only seaplane shuttle service officially launched services from Phuket International Airport on February 1, 2007. Offering 12 flights per day, leaving every 2 hours from Phuket International Airport, Destination Air Shuttle will serve Phi Phi Island, Krabi and Koh Lanta. Further landing locations are planned for Similans, Koh Racha, and Khao Lak.

Destination Air Shuttle provides reliable, safe and regular air shuttle services that will connect with international airlines by providing door to door service to most major hotels and resorts in the various islands when guests arrive to Phuket. This significantly reduces the travel time to these resort destinations from the usual half day overland trip to less than 13 minutes to Koh Phi Phi, 20 minutes to Krabi, and 30 minutes to Koh Lanta giving better accessibility in the region. Destination Air Shuttle departs from Phuket International Airport and lands directly in the waterfront of most major hotel resorts.

As the only seaplane shuttle service in Thailand, guests can expect Service Reliability by reserving their flights on Destination Air through travel agents or directly through the Destination Air Shuttle website (destinationair.com). Upon arrival, Destination Air Shuttle staff will take transfers from international and domestic baggage claim area to the Destination Air Shuttle terminal, a short 200 metres, adjoining the main terminal.

Passengers will board one of Destination Air Shuttle’s passenger amphibian aircraft that take off from the runway and land in front of their Island resort. Destination Air’s fleet includes Cessna 208 and 206 aircraft, which are rated as the safest aircraft in the world. Aircraft are flown by experienced international pilots individually selected for their many years of safe flight experience and friendly customer service capabilities.

Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) President and CEO Mr. Peter de Jong said: “Accessibilty is a key success factor for any destination. The Thai Andaman region already enjoys international and domestic accessibility via Phuket International Airport, however, Destination Air Shuttle's local service will distribute the benefits of international and domestic travel much more broadly. Destination Air Shuttle will open up new markets and opportunities for local people and the travel and tourism industry across a much wider geographic area. That's great news for Thailand. We're proud to have Destination Air Shuttle on board as a PATA member, and wish it and the region it serves a most prosperous 2007.”

Capt. Nithit Kesangam, CEO of Destination Air Shuttle says “This is an outstanding service to hotels and tour operators in the Phuket area. This is a fantastic shot in the arm for hotels and tourists going to Phi Phi, Krabi, and Koh Lanta.”

About Destination Air Co., Ltd.
Destination Air Co., Ltd. is the owner and sole operator of Destination Air Shuttle – Thailand’s only seaplane shuttle service based at Phuket International Airport that flies to various destinations in the Andaman Sea. It is a member of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). More details can be found at www.destinationair.com

KOH TAO Scuba Dive Season 2007

KOH TAO DIVE SEASON KICKS-OFF WITH UNDERWATER WORLD 2007

The island of Koh Tao, Thailand’s most popular diving destination for dive beginners, accounts for approximately 30 per cent of all dive certificates issued around the world. Koh Tao also ranks among the world’s top 10 dive sites.
Known for its picturesque tropical coastal landscape and spectacular underwater world with coral reefs teeming with a tremendous variety of colourful marine life, the island attracts more than 300,000 visitors each year.

The opening of Koh Tao Underwater World 2007 during February 10-11 marks the beginning of the island’s travel and dive season. Following a short break during the November-December monsoon season, Koh Tao and its neighbouring island of Koh Nang Yuan offer year-round diving opportunities.

Some of the key activities being organized such as the Underwater World 2007 ‘save the seas’ and ‘clean beaches’ campaigns, tree-planting, the installation of mooring buoys for vessels to protect shallow-water reefs and other environmental protection initiatives, are designed to encourage local residents, as well as visitors, to take part in community efforts to protect the island’s delicate coastal and marine environment and rich eco-systems. It is hoped that participation in these environmentally-friendly activities will foster increased environmental awareness and promote responsible tourism.

These environmental protection and marine conservation efforts are being jointly spearheaded by the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Southern Region 5 office which oversees the provinces of Surat Thani, Chumphon and Ranong; the Surat Thani Provincial Administration Office (Or Bor Jor), the Koh Tao Sub-District Administration Office (Or Bor Tor), Koh Tao dive clubs and societies, the Royal Thai Navy Region 1, Koh Tao community and PADI.

Designed to be a fun weekend with family and friends, Koh Tao Underwater World 2007 also features a light-and-sound presentation and contests such as the Miss Dive Shop beauty contest and the Creative Costume contest. Winners will be judged for their creativity in designing extra-ordinary costumes made from re-cycled items salvaged from the OTOP and Food Festival.

KOH TAO (Turtle Island) AND KOH NANG YUAN

The islands of Koh Tao - Turtle Island, and Koh Nang Yuan offer experienced divers virtually year-round diving opportunities with the exception of the November-December monsoon season.

Koh Tao, a bean-shaped island, has 11 bays, beautiful beaches and crystal clear seas with an 8-km. long coral reef teeming with marine life. At dive sites just 1 km. from the island, you'll be swimming in the midst of pelagics, barracudas, big-eyed jacks, tuna, giant travellys and the colourful clown fish. This proximity to the "underwater classrooms" for diving courses makes Koh Tao ideal for beginners.

The renowned diving site at Kong Hin Wong is adorned with huge sea fans, Cetmocella, sea whips and other soft corals.

Whale sharks are often spotted off Ko Hong Sai Daeng.

Hin Tung Ku and Kong Hin Khao are also interesting deep-sea diving sites, thanks to a myriad of marine animals and rare black coral.

HOW TO GET THERE
A 2.5 hours boat trip from Ko Pa-ngan to Koh Tao operates daily. The daily trip from Chumphon to Koh Tao takes 6 hours by ordinary boat and 2 hours by express boat.

Scenic Ko Nang Yuan is 15-minutes from Koh Tao.

ACCOMMODATION
Houses and resorts for tourists are available in every bay area, fully equipped with boats, cars and diving gear for rent.

Contact information:
TAT Southern Office – Region 5 (Surat Thani)
Tel: +66 (0) 7728 8817-9
Fax: +66 (0) 7728 2828
E-mail: tatsurat@tat.or.th