Colorful Water – Loi krathong Great Festival

Colorful Water – Loi krathong Great Festival
21-24 November 2007

“Loi Krathong” is traditionally performed on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month, which usually falls on some day in November. The floating of a ‘Krathong' – a banana–leaf cup – is intended to float away ill fortune as well as to express apologies to Khongkha or Ganga, the River Goddess. Some believe that the ritual is meant to worship the Buddha's footprint on the bank of the Narmada River, while others say that it is to pay respect to Phra Uppakhut, one of the Lord Buddha's great disciples.

The Loi Krathong Festival is celebrated nationwide in Thailand, especially where there are rivers, canals or sources of water, with different unique characteristics.

This year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has joint with Educational Institution and Thai Baot Association to present the Electric Float Procession from Taksin Bridge to Krungthon Bridge and the 12 lighten up buildings and historical sites along Chao Praya River during Loi Krathong Festival.

Highlight

Loi Krathong Festival : The Delightful Color of Streams
Bangkok

Date: 21 - 24 November 2007
Place:Banks of the Chao Phraya River (King Rama IX Bridge – Krung Thon Bridge), Bangkok

Activitie: Enjoy viewing the illuminated float procession to commemorate the celebrations on the auspicious occasion of His Majesty the King’s 80th Birthday Anniversary and the contest of Loi Krathong traditional boats, with more than 1,500,000 Baht prize money.  Admission free.

Remark:
Enjoy Light Up and nightlife tour throughout the month.

Loi Krathong and Candle Festival Sukhothai

Date:  22 - 24 November 2007
Place: Sukhothai Historical Park, Tambon Mueang Kao, Mueang District, Sukhothai
Activitie: You will be dazzled by the float procession of large krathong from 17 Northern provinces.  The procession will consist of  krathongs from government agencies, state enterprises, private sectors, and general public, including hanging lanterns, Krathong design contest, and Miss Noppamas Beauty Contest, light and sound presentation, firework displays, Sukhothai arts and culture performances, and the activity of “Dawn of happiness”.

Yi Peng Festival Chiang Mai

Date: 23 - 25 November 2007
Place:Tha Phae Gate, banks of the Ping River, Chiang Mai Municipal Office, Chiang Mai
Activitie: An amazing procession of hanging lanterns, Krathong design contest,  Miss Yi Peng beauty contest, light and sound presentation in Ping River, the ancient Thai Lanna Krathong activities, local cultural performances, and local handicrafts market in Lanna style.

Loi Krathong Sai FestivalTak

Date: 23 - 27 November 2007
Place: Banks of Ping River, Tak.
Activitie: An exceptional opportunity for you to experience the atmosphere of joining the Krathong Sai  (floating coconut-shell krathong in line) contest, in order to win His Majesty the King’s trophy.  Other remarkable activities will include  the floating lanterns of the Royal Family, the procession of the Royal Krathong and lantern, the illumination of Krathong Sai, light and sound presentation, fireworks, water curtain presentation in “the Legend of Krathong Sai”, the longest Krathong Sai, local cultural shows, food and OTOP products.

Loi Krathong at 4 Corners of the Old City (Ayudhya)
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

Date: 23-24 November 2007
Place: 4 corners of Ayudhya, i.e.  under Pridi - Thamrong Bridge; Pom Petch; in front of National Museum-Chandrakasem; and in front of Chedi Si Suriyothai.

Activitie: This is a memorable event for you to experience the contest of hanging lanterns, small-size Krathong contest, Miss Noppamas (international) beauty contest, Noppamas kids contest, singing contest, cultural performances, and OTOP products.

Royal Celebration Lantern Festival: the Color of the South
Songkhla

Date: November 23 – December 5 , 2007
Place: Bueng Si Phuwanat Park, Hat Yai District, Songkhla
Activitie: The most unique opportunity to experience the Royal Celebration Lantern on the auspicious occasion of His Majesty the King’s 80th Birthday Anniversary, December 5, 2007. The event will focus on Thai and international lanterns’ displays and exhibitions, and cultural performances.
For further details, please contact TAT Office, Southern Region, Area 2,
Tel: +66 7534 -6515 – 6

“Colorful Water – Loi Krathong Great Festival” Tassana Pirom Yard, at Naval Assembly, Royal Thai Navy, BKK Only 999 tourists per day available with only 1,200 baht ticket. Reservation : Tel. 0 2250 5500 ext. 2115-7

MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT TO www.loikrathong.net

Jim Thompson's House: The House that was the Talk of the Town

Jim Thompson House was the home of James H.W. Thompson, a self-made American entrepreneur and the founder of the world renowned Jim Thompson Thai Silk Company. The house consists of a complex of six traditional Thai-style houses, teak structures that were purchased from several owners and brought to the present location from various parts of Thailand. Construction of the Thai house was completed in 1959. With his natural flair for design and color, and driven by his single-minded dedication to reviving the craft, Thompson soon gained worldwide recognition for his success in rebuilding the industry, for generating international demand for Thai silk. For his invaluable contribution to the growth and development of the Thai Silk industry, Jim Thompson was awarded the Order of the White Elephant, a decoration bestowed upon foreigners for having rendered exceptional service to Thailand. Thompson's success story in Thailand has become one of the most popular postwar legends of Asia. During the Easter weekend in 1967, Thompson disappeared while on holiday with friends in Cameron Highlands, a northern Malaysian resort. There he set out for a walk in the surrounding jungle but never returned. An extensive and extended search failed to reveal any clues about his disappearance. Thus began the Jim Thompson legend. The current Jim Thompson House serves as a showcase of how he had lived while in Thailand. Originally trained as an architect, Thompson fell in love with the rustic design of the Thai House and built his own quarters in a similar style, although there is a distinct fusion of traditional American living as well. The museum is open from 0900-1700 (last guided tour starts at 1630 though) daily. The admission fee is 100 baht and you will need to join the guided tour as you are not allowed to freely wander within the house. They have some of the best guides around and the tour was a very pleasant as well as being enlightening. Do note that indoor photography is not allowed, as with shoes.

Information form  http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/6818a/

Erawan Shrine In Thailand

Those who have visited Thailand will admit that there are many facets to the spiritual Buddhist life in this beautiful country.        

      Hinduism and Animism have integrated themselves and are very much part and parcel of spiritualism in Thailand. This spiritualism has nothing to do with Buddhism but is embraced by all.

       A look around Bangkok will reveal many shrines in front of nearly all big buildings. These shrines are nothing but spirit houses to protect the building from any harm. Offerings of food and drinks are regularly made and Thai people pay homage and respect to the shrines while passing by.

       One such spirit house was built in the 1950s in front of the Erawan Hotel. It is known as "Erawan Shrine In Thailand". However, the shrine did nothing to protect while the hotel was being constructed. Many accidents occurred during the construction. So the people consulted some spiritual advisers who asked them to relocate the spirit house to its current location. The Erawan shrine was relocated and thereafter the construction went off smoothly with no accidents or mishaps.

       Story has it that an old lady prayed for help at the shrine since her business was not doing well. She promised to dance all the way to the shrine if her wish was granted. It so happened that the lady’s business started doing well and she kept her promise.

        Today, thousands of people visit the Erawan Shrine wishing for luck in business and love. They make small offerings while wishing and once their wish is granted, people return to the shrine with classical Thai dancers who perform before the shrine.

         Erawan Shrine is located at a busy intersection of Bangkok and the skytrain runs overhead in two different directions. The shrines is gilded and features four faces and four arms> Over the last decade or so, it has become busier with garland sellers lining the sidewalk close to the shrine.

        A visit to Erawan Shrine is well worth the time and it is located close to Chitlom skytrain station. After visiting the shrine, one can stop at the many shopping centers located in the vicinity.

Source http://www.thailandbuddy.com

Bangkok Pride Festival 2007 ( November 3 - 11, 2007)

Bangkok Pride Festival is a number of community events held throughout the year and culminating with a parade and a community day. Bangkok Pride Festival strives to engender a sense of community among the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Trans gender(GLBT) population in Thailand, and to empower everyone with a stronger sense of pride. Over the years, the Bangkok annual event has undergone organizational changes, resulting in a current focus on the long-held goal that the Bangkok events and parade be created by and for members of the Thai GLBT community, with support from gay and gay-friendly business and civil society sectors—Thai and foreigners alike.
History of Bangkok Pride Festival
Pride celebrations started in Thailand in the late 1990’s and were first organized by Khun Pakorn Pimton with the support of several Thai gay businesses. Under the name of Bangkok Gay Festival, they presented Thailand’s first gay pride parade in the Silom business district in 1999. This parade attracted representatives from Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and other Asian, as well as Western, countries and subsequently led several other countries to follow with their own events. [Source from; pridefestival.org]