The 8th Hua Hin/Cha-Am Golf Festival 2009

The 8th Hua Hin/Cha-Am Golf Festival 2009
1 Aug 2009 – 30 Sep 2009
The festival for golf lovers at the heavenly seaside resorts of Hua Hin/Cha-am, Thailand

The Tourism Authority of Thailand Phetchaburi Office, together with the Phetchaburi- Prachuap KhiriKhan Golf Course Association, invites all golf lovers to join in the fun during the Hua Hin/Cha-am Golf Festival throughout August and September 2009.

Promotional offers include:

An offer to play golf at the Springfield Village Golf and Spa throughout August for only 800 baht — the lowest green fees of the year.

Invitations to apply to compete in organised tournaments every Sunday for just Baht 1,200 (Fees include caddy and dinner), with lots of lucky prizes. The player achieving a hole-in-one at designated holes will win a car on the last day of the festival. Prizes presented for the 'longest drive' contests. An opportunity to browse and shop for a wide range of specially-discounted golf products with 10-30% reduction on Pro Shop products at all courses. After tournament you can relax at Huahin Beach or Cha-Am Beach.

Further information can be obtained from TAT Phetchaburi on +66 (0) 3247 1005 - 6 during office hours or from any of the following 7 participating golf courses.

For additional information, please contact:
TAT Phetchaburi OfficeTel: +66 (0) 3247 1005 - 6
Fax: +66 (0) 3247 1502
E-mail: tatphet@tat.or.th

IMPORTANT
Event dates and programme details may be subject to change.
Many of the festivals and events listed on Thailand's official calendar of annual events are traditional Buddhist or folk festivals, the date of which is either determined by the Buddhist lunar calendar and waxing and waning moon. These are not staged events. The festivals reflect the rhythm of life in rural Thai villages and local traditions as observed in times past. To ensure you have the most updated
information, please reconfirm details prior to travel.

Contact:
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Email: info@tat.or.th
Website: www.tat.or.th
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 (120 automatic lines)
Fax: +66 (0) 2250 5511 (two automatic lines)

FOR EVENT INFORMATION,
please call 1672.

Address:
1600 Petchaburi Road, Makkasan, Rajatevee
Bangkok 10400
Thailand.

Source from: TourismThailand.org
http://58.147.84.34/learning/0012005/sec4/50010912814/tour.html

NORTHERN THAILAND CHIANG RAI

PICTURE : WAT PHRA SINGH


BLESSED ROUTE OF NINE SACRED STUPAS (PHRA THAT)

Many chedis or stupas contain holy relics, pieces of bone of the historical Buddha. In Northern and Northeastern Thailand, these chedis are called ‘phra that’.

In Thai culture, nine is considered to be an auspicious number. Residents of the ancient city of Wiang Yonnok Nakaphan in the ancient Lanna Thai kingdom of Northern Thailand and their descendants believe that a merit-making pilgrimage to the following nine sacred sites with the word ‘chom’ in their name will bring good luck. Individuals who complete the journey will be blessed with success in work, prosperity and a good life.

• Phra That Doi Chom Thong, Chiang Rai district
• Phra That Chom Mok Kaeow, Mae Lao district
• Phra That Chom Phor, Wiang Pa Pao district
• Phra That Chom Chaeng, Mae Ruay district
• Phra That Chom Wae, Paan district
• Phra That Chom Chor, Toeng district
• Phra That Chom Kitti, Chiang Saen district
• Phra That Chom Chan, Mae Chan district
• Phra That Chom Sak, Chiang Rai district

NINE SACRED TEMPLES OF CHIANG RAI

• Wat Klang Wiang temple
• Wat Ngam Muang
• Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong
• Wat Phra Kaeow
• Wat Phra Singh
• Wat Ming Muang
• Wat Moong Muang
• Wat Sriket
• Wat Sriboonruang

Contact information:
TAT Northern Office – Region 2
Areas of responsibility: the provinces of Chiang Rai, Phayao, Phrae, Nan
Tel: 053 717433, 7446745
Fax: 053 717434
E-mail: tatchrai@tat.or.th
Source from: TATNEWS.ORG
TOURISMTHAILAND.ORG

THE WONDERS OF WAT PHO

THE WONDERS OF WAT PHO
At Wat Pho – Temple of The Reclining Buddha
Koh Rattanakosin (Rattanakosin Island) Bangkok

Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimonmangklaraam Rajwaramahaviharn, a first grade royal monastery which was regarded as being the most important one during the reign of King Rama I of the illustrious Chakri dynasty, is more widely known to visitors as “Wat Pho”.

Phra Buddhasaiyas (Viharn Phranorn) or The Viharn of the Reclining Buddha

The Vihara (pronounced Viharn) of the Reclining Buddha houses the Reclining Buddha of the reign of King Rama III. This is the largest and one of the finest Buddha images to be found in the kingdom. The mother-of-pearl inlay at the feet of the image is of the Thai-Chinese style, as indicated by 108 auspicious signs portraying natural scenes of both Indian and Chinese influences.

Sala Rai or Satellite Pavilions
The North Pavilion is a library of inscriptions on Thai traditional massage.
Thirty-two drawings of massage techniques are depicted on the ceiling of the veranda. There are also inscriptions of the first Thai proverbs known as Supasit Phra Ruang, Thai literary works called Kritsana Sorn Nong, and a portrait of the Royal Kathin Procession.

Phra Maha Chedi Si Rajakarn
This consists of a group of four huge pagodas surrounded by a white wall with sheltered gates built in the Thai-Chinese style and decorated with colour-glazed tiles and Chinese rockery guardians. The pagodas consist of Phra Maha Chedi Sri Sanpetdayarn, Phra Maha Chedi Dilok Dhammakaroknitarn, Phra Maha Chedi Muni Batborikharn, and Phra Maha Chedi Song Phra Srisuriyothai.

The Legend of Songkran
The Nang Songkran legend involves King Kabilaprom and Prince Thammaban. These characters are depicted on the inner walls of the porticos constructed during the reign of King Rama III.

The World Heritage Inscriptions
Wat Pho and the Fine Arts Department have worked in cooperation to establish a museum of Buddha images in the different art styles. The images are classified into three major categories including Buddhist Art, the Buddha's Marks and the Buddha's Attitudes.

Wat Pho has been included in the UNESCO Memory of the World (MOW) Programme for 2009. The temple was recognized for the historic inscriptions and hermit statues teaching traditional Thai yoga housed inside it.

Wat Pho Giants
The outer walls of the Phra Mondob feature a collection of famous Thai proverbs called Kloang Lokaniti and scenes from the legend about the fight between the giants of Wat Pho Giants and Wat Jaeng that resulted in the emergence of Tha Tien pier.

Sala Karn Parien
The Sala Karn Parien pavilion was built in the Ayutthaya period as the main chapel of Wat Phodharam and was later restored during the reign of King Rama III. The principal Buddha image of Wat Phodharam named "Phra Buddha Sassada" was once enshrined here.

Phra Buddha Deva Patimakorn
The main chapel was constructed during the reign of King Rama I in the Ayutthaya style. The principal Buddha image is Phra Buddha Deva Patimakorn in the gesture of a seated Buddha on a three-tiered pedestal called Phra Pang Smardhi.

Contorted Hermit Mount
The Contorted Hermit Mount was built during the reign of King Rama I. It was the centre of medical science and knowledge from the Ayutthaya period, reflected by statues of hermits or Rishi practicing physical exercises.
Wat Pho is also winner of the Award of Outstanding Performance in the 7th Thailand Tourism Awards 2008 in the Cultural Tourist Site – Central Region award category.

In ancient times, not only did Wat Pho serve as a centre of religious instruction, the royal monastery also served a centre of history, literature, art and culture, as well as medical science, physical therapy and other forms of traditional Thai healing. Considered to be the first open university providing education in traditional Thai medicine and traditional Thai massage, the temple is home to the Wat Pho Thai Traditional Massage and Medical School, which offers traditional Thai massage. The service is available from 08.00 – 22.00 daily.
Pricing:

Traditional Thai Massage: 220 baht for 30 minutes or 360 baht per hour
Foot Massage: 360 baht for 45 minutes
Traditional Thai massage using steamed herbal poultices: 480 baht per hour

If you interest to study theory and practice Ascetic self-stretching (Rue-Si Datton) or Thai Massage You able to contact Watpo Thai traditional Medical School.To book a session, or for further details, please call:
Tel: +66 (0) 2221 2974 (press O), +66 (0) 2225 4771
Cellphone: 084 206 3580

Contact:
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Email: info@tat.or.th
Website: http://www.tourismthailand.org/
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 (120 automatic lines)
Fax: +66 (0) 2250 5511 (two automatic lines)

FOR EVENT INFORMATION,
please call 1672.

Address:
1600 Petchaburi Road, Makkasan, Rajatevee
Bangkok 10400
Thailand
Source from:
Web site: http://www.tatnews.org/
http://www.watpho.com/en/home/index.php
http://www.watpomassage.com/2009/

Ayutthaya Songkran Festival (Old Capital's Songkran)

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Songkran Festival

Date
12 – 14 April, 2009

Venue
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park, Wiharn Phra Mongkol Bopit and Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park.

Activities
13 April, 2009
- Offering alms to monks in front of Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit.
- Pouring water on the hands of elders to receive their blessing.
- Admire the beautiful procession from 16 districts.
- Water splashing with elephants.

12 – 14 April, 2009
Around Bang Ian Road (in front of the TOT Public Company Limited), Ko Mueang, Phra Nakhon Si

Ayutthaya province
- Enjoy the Thai Classical Music Competition and cultural Performances.
- Experience the atmosphere of the ancient city’s food avenue.
- Buy OTOP food products.

Wat Thong Bo, Tambon Sao Kradong, Amphoe Bang Pa-in
- Offering alms in accordance with the Mon tradition, and bathing the Buddha image by pouring water through a bamboo gutter.
- Admire the procession of traditional Mon flags.
- Dress in Mon costumes and try Mon traditional cuisine.

The Statue of King Naresuan the Great, Thung Phukhao Thong
- Pouring water on the hands of 800 elders to receive their blessing.
- Sand Pagoda Competition.
- Admire traditional plays and performances.
- Water splashing in the refreshing water curtain.


For more information
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Municipality Office
Tel. 0 3525 2168

TAT Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
Tel. 0 3524 6076-7, 0 3532 2730-1

Ayutthaya Tourist Centre
Tel: 0 3532 2730 - 1

Source from: Songkran.net

Chonburi Pattaya SONGKRAN Festival2009

CHON BURI PATTAYA BANG SAEN SONGKRAN SAND-STUPA BUILDING FESTIVAL
APRIL 16 - 17, 2009
On the beach in Bang Saen, Siracha district, Chon Buri province

Highlight on 16 April 2009.
Sand-stupa building contests

With no shortage of sand to build sand-stupas, the stupa building contest is a predominant element of the Songkran festivities in Chon Buri Province.

Residents of the each of the villages in the district gather together to take part in community Buddhist merit-making. Monks are invited to conduct merit-making ceremonies and rituals, whilst local residents present merit-making offerings and sprinkle scented lustral water on Buddha images in a Songkran Thai New Year bathing ritual. Families pay respect to elderly relatives and other respected individuals by pouring scented lustral water over the hands.

Festival highlights include the 'Kong Kao' religious ritual, rarely seen folk games and traditional Thai sports, cockfighting — a popular local sport, the Siracha Miss Songkran beauty pageant and Siracha Songkran Parade.


PATTAYA-NA KLEUA SONGKRAN FESTIVAL
APRIL 18 - 20, 2009

‘WAN LAI’ SONGKRAN CUSTOMS IN PATTAYA, CHON BURI
Larn Po Park, Na Kleua sub-district in Pattaya

Except the building of sand stupas on the beach and the local landscape, Songkran Thai New Year rituals and celebrations in Pattaya are similar to those performed in other parts of the country.

Activities A procession of the Buddha image along the Pattaya beachfront road offering local residents and visitors an opportunity to participate in the ritual bathing of a revered Buddha image.

Buddhist merit-making and the ritual bathing of Buddha images at temples
Rot nam dam hua ceremony, Scented lustral water is poured over the hands of elders and individuals held in high esteem in a gesture of respect.
The observance of the ‘Kong khao’ ritual, The building of sand stupas and the performance of consecration rituals. Traditional folk games such as ‘sharp-shooting’ with elastic bands, and traditional folk sports played on the beach such as beach-tug-of-war, hoop takraw and muay talay boxing matches.
Cultural presentations and performances
Miss Songkran beauty contest
Songkran water-splashing by the beach



SI MAHARAJA SONGKRAN FESTIVAL IN CHON BURI PROVINCE
APRIL 19 - 21, 2009
At Koh Loi Park, Si Racha district, Chon Buri province

Highlights and Activities The observance of the ‘kong kao’ religious ritual and other customs related to the celebration of the Thai New Year
Procession of Buddha images and the ritual bathing of Buddha images
Procession of ‘kong kao’ floats
Sand-stupa building contest
Thai cultural performances and folk games
Sales of local food and desserts
Miss Songkran beauty contest
Water-splashing


KOH SI CHANG SONGKRAN FESTIVAL
APRIL 13 - 19, 2009
Koh Si Chang and Koh Khaam Yai Island

Highlights and Activities Buddhist merit-making and the ritual bathing of Buddha images at temples
Scented lustral water is poured over the hands of elders and individuals held in high esteem in a gesture of respect.
The building of sand stupas and the performance of consecration rituals Traditional folk games native to the island of Koh Si Chang such as the ‘Chinese-wok-boat’ races, boat-tug-of-war, and ‘tub jaak’ boxing, dart contests and hoop takraw competitions — a traditional Southeast Asian sport that is a cross between soccer and volleyball and is one of the most spectacular pastimes.
Witness a rarely seen traditional courtship tradition on the island of Koh Kaam Yai, approximately 1 km from the island of Koh Si Chang. The men of the village invite eligible young ladies to join them for water-splashing in the sea. If consent is granted, the man carries the young lady down the beach to the sea and then carries her back to shore again, after which the couples take part in the traditional ram wong circle dance.

Contact information:
Tourism Authority of Thailand, Pattaya Office
Tel: +66 (0) 3842 3990, (0) 3842 7667, (0) 3842 8750
Fax: +66 (0) 3842 9113
E-mail: tatchon@tat.or.th


IMPORTANT
Event dates and programme details may be subject to change.
Many of the festivals and events listed on Thailand's official calendar of annual events are traditional Buddhist or folk festivals, the date of which is either determined by the Buddhist lunar calendar and waxing and waning moon. These are not staged events. The festivals reflect the rhythm of life in rural Thai villages and local traditions as observed in times past. To ensure you have the most updated information, please reconfirm details prior to travel.
Contact:
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Email: info@tat.or.th
Website: www.tat.or.th
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 (120 automatic lines)
Fax: +66 (0) 2250 5511 (two automatic lines)

FOR EVENT INFORMATION,
please call 1672.

Address:
1600 Petchaburi Road, Makkasan, Rajatevee
Bangkok 10400
Thailand

Source from: Tourism Authority of Thailand

Trang Underwater Wedding Ceremony 2009

On Valentine's Festival, We invite you travel to trang province at Southen of Thailand and Welcome you to

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

The brides and grooms parade through the city streets and attend lavish parties. The wedding ceremony will be held on the beach in a traditional Thai style while the registration procedure will take place underwater off Ko Kradan.

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
Article Source: Tourismthailand.org

Snorkeling & Diving in Koh Chang, Thailand

Snorkeling & Diving in Koh Chang, Thailand

The best diving season is between October, November, and April. The best sites are on the west and the southern tip of the island, between Koh Chang and Koh Kood. There you can see soft corals, anemones, myriad reef fish, and sometimes eel. Hin Luk Bat and Hin Lap both have coral seamounts. Further south, white-tip reef sharks can be found near Hin Phrai Nam.

In addition, there are two wreck dive sites. The Koh Chang Wreck is a Thai warship sunk by the French navy in 1941. The wreck is only 15 metres deep in the Salakphet Bay on the southern tip of the island. The other wreck is the Pak One Wreck which sank after hitting a coral reef in August 1996 on its way to Vietnam. It resurfaced almost 8 years later. The 900-ton sunken tanker posed a danger to ships on international waters. The Royal Thai Navy drained off its 600 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas and resank it between Koh Chang and Koh Samet. It now lies horizontally in 35-meter deep waters.

There are a few diving centres on Koh Chang such as the Ploy Scuba Diving in Bang Bao. Following the standards of the sister centre in Koh Samet, this is the premier diving operator in Eastern Thailand.

The Dolphin Divers at the Amari Emerald Cove Resort offers free trial in the resort’s swimming pool. For those who prefer fun dives without a long boat trip Dolphin Divers operate speedboats from the resort’s beach to the nearest dive sites in only 15 minutes. Others include the Koh Chang Dive Centre on Kai Bae Beach, Paradise Scuba Divers at the Klong Prao Resort and Koh Chang Divers on Had Sai Khao (White Sand Beach).

The Dive Adventure Koh Chang has claimed to be the only PADI 5 star IDC center in Koh Chang with its multilingual instructors and divemasters. It is advantageously located at Bang Bao fishing village with it own resort.

A few dive centres operate out of Koh Mak. Boat trips to various dive sites range from 1,800 to 3,000 Baht depending on distances, and typically include two dives, full equipment, transportation, food, drinks and a divemaster.

Article Source: By: Nichapat
Articlesbase.com

Picture Source:
Kohchang.in.th