What makes the annual Laguna Phuket International Marathon, 14 June, different from most other races is the variety of categories that encourage all family members to join in the fun. Sure there is a serious side to the run, particularly, when last year’s winners in the men and women’s categories are keen to keep their crowns and better last year’s course times.

But alongside the serious are the fun runners, even children who jog the most scenic route that takes them around the Laguna’s lake and tropical gardens. Kids get to run 2 km, while the morning is still fresh. Grown-ups have to slog it out for the honour of completing 42 kilometers, perhaps even beating their own record on this very attractive, but tough course.

They can down-size their objectives too by enrolling in the half-marathon, a 10-km fast run, or a very leisurely 5 km walkathon.  A festival atmosphere prevails particularly as hotels and local clubs enter teams to compete and have fun at the same time.

Laguna Phuket has been hosting this family event for four years through thick and thin. Even during political crisis, it still attracted a fine crowd of friendly runners, who clearly had their priorities in order.

The route is one of the finest a marathon runner could hope to find.  A fresh sea breeze sweeps in from the Andaman Sea to cool runners. Then, the course passes through spectacular landscaped gardens in the resort before joining a coastal lane to neighboring bays, with some steep headland inclines to challenge runners. Professionally monitored with ample water stations, runners appreciate the effort that has gone into making this a memorable race that attracts familiar faces year-after-year.

Go Adventure Asia organizes the 4th Laguna Phuket Marathon, while Nike acts as the main presenter.  Approximately 4,450 runners, from 40 countries, are registered representing a 10% increase over last year’s event.

Organizers say it is an anecdotal sign that Thailand’s tourism appeal is resilient and in recovery mode.
Prior to the event, runners can browse through a sports expo. Open for two days, the expo stalls offer bargains in sports shoes, clothes and other items that keep runners jogging happily.

The trick to enjoying this resort-style marathon is to make a family holiday out of a favorite sporting hobby. Laguna Phuket packages special rates for runners who extend their stay. The fun starts with the carbo-loading dinner prior to the race, then in the evening after the race, everyone meets in the Laguna’s grand marquee, pitched on the beach and fully air-conditioned. In between excursions to the sumptuous buffet, runners enjoy a well deserved glass of cold ale or wine. TV screens, positioned throughout the marquee, depict race-day fun, tears, agony and the joy of beating a best time, or just finishing. Finally, winners in each category are honored on stage.

As waves roll up the sandy beach to serenade the party, marathon runners say their farewells, many of them with a promise; “see you next year.”

For more information, click www.phuketmarathon.com

The World Comedy Film Festival is to be staged as part of a public relations campaign to promote Thailand as a country where hospitality and smiles comes naturally, helping to boost Thailand’s image as an established industry hub for filming in Asia. The World Comedy Film Festival attracts a group of people in film industry and all interested parties including Thais and foreigners, building trust and confidence to invest in Thailand.

The World Comedy Film Festival 2009 features national comedy films which shares common feelings to different cultures over the world, under the theme “A day without laughter is a day wasted- Charlie Chaplin.. So Come Laugh with Us”. The activities include an opening ceremony, 10th June, 2009 at 7 p.m. at the Infinicity Hall, 5th Floor, Paragon Cineplex, Siam Paragon. The red carpet is an important welcoming for guests from various foreign and Thai film industries. There is a Stand up Comedy night which is the hi-lighted activity of the international leading comedians on the 11th.. The closing ceremony is on 16th June, 2009, 4p.m. at SF World Cinema at Central World. It is a Gala night for comedians and festival participants, joining to pay tribute to many of the world’s renowned film comedians with an honorary award ceremony and to close with lasting impression. Approximately 50 qualified and famous international comedies and short movies will be on the screen at the festival.

The festival was co-coordinated with public and private sectors, Siam Paragon Cineplex, Siam Paragon and SF World Cinema, Central World and comedy association in Thailand which has colored this World Comedy Film Festival 2009.

For more information:  Federation of National Film Associations
Tel: 02 641 5917 Fax: 02-641 5919
www.thailandworldcomedyfilm.com

Mum and Dad, Lin Hui and Xuang Xuang, have lived at the northern Thailand zoo for the last six years, under a loan agreement with the Chinese Government that lasts just 10 years.

TV cameras from all major channels focused on the tiny tot made all the more famous because it was conceived by artificial insemination and marked a first for the Thai veterinarian team. Thailand joins the US and Japan as the only countries to breed pandas in captivity.

Born 27 May, after six years of almost comical efforts to get the female panda pregnant, the birth surprised even zoo officials. It turned out to be the month’s good new story rising above the usual negative news that swamps TV viewers.

It was all the more fascinating in the context of past efforts by zoo officials to get the two Chinese pandas to mate naturally. Zoo keepers arranged a mock wedding and even showed them porn movies of other pandas mating. It was a dismal failure, until medical science came to the rescue.

Overnight, the baby was a world celebrity and the only sad note was news that within two years the baby panda would have to return to its homeland.

The panda family is the biggest draw at Chiang Mai Zoo, earning a treasure chest in gate fees that have reached an astronomical figure. You would have to be a football star to attract a fan club of the size the panda family has drawn to the zoo.

Tourists and residents flock to this northern zoo to watch these rare creatures in their posh quarters.

Leading the family’s admirers, Thailand’s Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjaijiva, says he will check out if China might be prepared to relax regulations and allow the baby to stay beyond the two years stated in the loan contract.

If successful, the baby could possibly remain with mum and dad until their stay in Thailand concludes in another four years.

While sensitive talks between PMs unfold the zoo is planning to celebrate the panda’s birth in style.
Thousands of visitors are expected to visit the zoo just to see this tiny tot a rare site for travelers interested in these cute and iconic creatures.

Since the grown-up pandas arrived, the zoo’s gate rose to around 3,000 visitors on a weekend. But there is a good deal more to see at this zoo. It is credited with being probably the best in the country and even has a night safari zoo.

There are various activities arranged by the zoo to attract visitors. This month, 12 to 21 June the zoo hosts the World Animal Art and Photo Gallery, that encourages visitors and residents to enter their favorite animal photos in a contest. They have to depict animals smiling, not an easy task if the subject is a crocodile.

This new service links Sathorn Road, one of Bangkok’s prime business districts, to Thonburi on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The extension is the first of its kind across the Chao Phraya River and provides commuters with a welcome alternative to having to drive bumper-to-bumper across the bridge during the rush hour.

The service to and from Krung Thonburi Station and Wong Wian Yai Station operates from 6 am till midnight daily. The Wong Wian Yai station is the last station on the Silom Line.

During this initial three-month period, passengers will be able to travel on the new extension of the BTS free-of-charge from now through to August 12, 2009. Fare collection will start on August 13.

Krung Thonburi Station and Wongwian Yai station in the Khlong San District of Bangkok are both on the Silom Line of the Sky Train service.

Krung Thonburi Station is located on Krung Thon Buri Road and is surrounded by residences, small shops and office towers. It is the first station of the rapid transit rail system on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River.

Wongwian Yai station is located on Krung Thon Buri Road to the west of Taksin intersection, about 20 minute walk from Wongwian Yai where the statue of King Taksin is situated.

According to BTS sources, between 430,000 to 460,000 commuters currently use the Sky Train on weekdays and 300,000 a day on weekends. The opening the 2.2-kilometer extension over the Taksin Bridge is expected to boost the estimated number of SkyTrain trips by an additional 50-60,000 trips per day.

Anat Arbhabhirama, adviser to the BTS board of directors, also indicated that BTS is in the process of constructing the 6.7-kilometer extension from Onnuj station to Sukhumvit 107. This is expected to be ready within two years. Another section of 12.8-kms to connect to Bang Pu district in Samut Prakan province has also been planned for a later stage. Additionally, a 4.5-kilometer route from Taksin Bridge to Nong Khaem district is also expected to begin service within two years.

Skytrain
Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS)
Web site: www.bts.co.th
Tel: +66 2 6176000

For safety reasons, specific areas within the national parks on the following list issued by the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department will be closed from the date specified until the end of the southwest monsoon season. This also provides a much-needed break from tourism activity and allows the natural environment, flora and fauna to revive and regenerate.

Marine National Parks

All areas within the Mu Ko Similan and Mu Ko Surin marine national parks will be closed to tourist traffic from 16 May through to 15 November. Mu Ko Rok Nok-Nai and Hin Muang-Hin Deang Rock in Mu Ko Lanta Marine National Park and the islands of Mu Ko Adang-Rawi in Tarutao Marine National Park will also be closed during the same period.

For the latest update on national parks closed for the rainy season, please visit
www.dnp.go.th/parkreserve/close_np.asp?lg=2

It started off as a local contest, a natural extension of the fantasia that acts out, nightly, on the stage of the Tiffany theater. But largely due to the attention it gained from the likes of CNN and BBC it quickly grew into a well organized beauty contest.

TV channels love it for its obvious shock and entertainment value. It’s a reality show that takes our minds off an otherwise slate of bad news. Miss Tiffany Universe is on the map and it helps to provide Pattaya with miles of media promotion.

The five-day contest plays out with elements of grandeur that could justify comparisons with global mainstream contests such as Miss Universe or Miss World. Contestants spend nearly a week in the warm up stages struggling to be noticed and eventually it all narrows down to a single evening of entertainment and extravaganza on stage, 15 May, that continues well past midnight.

While its organizers claim the event champions the rights of people who have crossed the line to a transgenders or transvestite lifestyle, visitors to Pattaya view it as superb entertainment and choreography, spiced with comedy that would be at home on the stages of Las Vegas.

Tiffany Show has been entertaining tourists in Pattaya for over 35 years with more than 1000 visitors a night enjoying the three nightly performances. Over 100 performers dance and lip-snyc their way through popular songs from musicals and international pop charts.

From this make-believe world a brainwave emerged to go a step further and organize a Miss Tiffany’s Universe contest. Now it is one of the highlights of Pattaya’s annual calendar with an estimated live audience of 15 million viewers glued to their televisions as the pageantry unfolds.

Miss Tiffany’s Universe winners have even visited the US to participate in the “Miss Queen of the Universe” contest and came home with the first prize. With such worldwide media coverage, Tiffany’s viewers and the live audience, attending the final rounds of the contest, marvel at the achievements of medical science and the cosmetic industry. Some will even be tempted to question their ability to discern between genders as the contestants strut their stuff on the runway.

This year’s event will again support the Royal Sponsored AIDS Foundation; a charity programme, which Tiffany’s Show has been part of for many years.

Held at the Tiffany Show Theater, Pattaya II Road, Pattaya City, the final round of the contest will run from 2030 to 0030.

Judges will first select Miss Congeniality, Miss Best Costume, Miss Photogenic and finally Miss Tiffany Universe 2009. In between the rounds, the Tiffany Shows will perform. Tickets are priced at Bt2,000 for VIP seats and Bt1,000 for Mezzanine seats.

For more details visit www.misstiffanyuniverse.com or www.tiffany-show.co.th

The underlying logic and science behind the famous rocket festival, scheduled for 8 to 10 May, in the unassuming northeast town of Yasothon, is not to be found in a chemistry laboratory.

While the rocket owners pack as much as 25 kg of black powder into plastic or bamboo pipes to give their homemade missiles take off, the blueprints for this exceptionally noisy festival are traced in the mystical skies ruled by gods.

Approaching rain clouds signal the start of the rice planting season, but according to northeastern folklore the first raindrops fall only when the gods are in the mood for love.  They need encouragement hence the importance of the Bun Bang Fai, or rocket festival, to stir the mythical community, resident in the heavens, to bless earth with fertility and rain.

Date : 8 - 10 May 2009
Venue : Phaya Thaen Park, Mueang District, Yasothon

One mother of all rockets shoots high into the sky possibly for a kilometer or more stimulating the gods to action. Its vapor trail and height is seen as an omen. The higher it goes, the more rain will fall on the northeast plateau bringing good fortune and a bumper rice harvest.

None of these lofty goals prevent Yasothon’s residents and thousands of visitors from the more earthly pleasures of merry making associated with their homemade rockets.

All sizes and shapes are built around a simple plastic or bamboo pipe packed solid with black powder and fuses. They can be up to 10 meters, or more, in length, as long as they are capable of powering into the skies at blast off. Anything short of that spectacle prompts a chorus of laughter from the crowd and even a few missiles of mud aimed at the head of the hapless rocket owner.

While the rockets compete, the crowd is entertained with comedy, often bawdy with a smattering of dirty jokes and raucous country music. It’s a genuine farming community excuse to have fun and get the planting season off to a good start.

Accidents are few and far between, but as the beer and rice whiskey flows, missiles may stutter, wobble or even do some low flying antics over the tents and entertainment stages.

Rocket festivals are held throughout the region and in neighboring Laos, but Yasothon residents, noted for their sense of humor, inspire an event that draws international visitors attracted by a hilarious three-day party. It embodies I-san’s ability to rise above the hardships of tilling the land.

Ironically, at any other time of the year, Yasothon is a sleepy northeast town that hardly warrants a second glance. Rarely visited by tourists, it is overshadowed by its neighbour Ubon Ratchathani, 98 km to the southeast. Considered the prime tourism gateway to the lower I-san region, Ubon Ratchathani’s airport is served by both the national airline, Thai Airways International, and low-cost airlines. It is possible to hire a car at the airport and drive northwest on Highway 23 to Yasothon.

The town’s hotels are full during this short festival and hotels will double their rates to cash in on the festival’s popularity. There are also hotels in Roi-et, 60 km northwest of Yasothon, while some visitors may decide to stay in Ubon and embark on a daytrip returning after sunset.

The unique marine ceremony takes place at the world renowned dive site near Koh Tao island, just a short trip by speedboat across the beautiful waters of the Gulf of Thailand from Koh Samui. The bride and groom will descend into their marine paradise and after a short, bubble-blowing ceremony culminating in the exchanging of rings, the newly weds will ascend back to the surface and board the speed boat where cocktails and champagne are prepared and the cake-cutting takes place.
The underwater wedding can be organized for both certified divers and those who have never tried scuba diving before. However, the non-certified divers will be asked to have an introductory diving lesson before the wedding day without extra charge.

Package includes:

• Transportation to Koh Tao Island (round-trip)
• Silk floral arrangement on the speed boat and underwater site decoration
• 2 full scuba equipment rental
• Dive master fee
• Lunch
• 1 extra dive
• Underwater celebrant fee and keepsake marriage slates
• Dive discounts for all guests

Prices:

• Low season 1 April – 15 July, 16 September – 22 December THB 77,890
• High Season 23 December – 31 March, 16 July – 15 September THB 87,826

Please note:

• Cancellation may occur due to weather conditions.
• All prices are listed in Thai Baht and are subject to 10% service charge and applicable government tax.
• Accommodation is not included in the package.

Have a memorable and unique wedding experience with Anantara Koh Samui where experts are more than delighted to make every couple’s dream come true. For further information or reservation, please contact samui@anantara.com or telephone +66 77 428 300

The interviews are taken on April 2009, from international tourists at Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket regarding the political situation. Upon interview, tourist states the situation has not affected their visit to Thailand.

Songkran is without doubt the most popular of all Thai festivals and rightly so. It marks the beginning of a new astrological year and its exact dates are determined by the old lunar calendar of Siam.

This year the three-day festival falls on 13 to 15 April.

Traditionally, April 13 is known as “Maha Songkran Day” and marks the end of the old year, April 14 is “Wan Nao”, while April 15 is “Wan Thaloeng Sok” when the New Year begins.

While the festival has its roots in Buddhist heritage, the washing of Buddha images, merit making, traditional family values and the sprinkling of water in respect for  elders,  it is best known for the fun and “sanook” everyone gains from splashing copious quantities of water on all who happen to pass by.

Songkran is celebrated with gusto by young and old, throughout the country. City communities and villages in rural Thailand forget their troubles and concentrate on the serious of business of having fun as well as cooling off, during the height of the summer’s scorching tropical temperatures.

Probably of all the national festivals, this is the one that foreigners love to experience the most. They will come across water splashing festivities wherever they travel giving them an opportunity to share in a festival that is immensely popular, while still retaining a link to its traditional roots and values.

One of the traditional values points to the Thai family and the opportunity for family members to express their respect for their elders. Younger members of the family pour scented water on the hands of their parents, and grandparents. They may present them with gifts or tokens of their love. In return, elders wish youngsters good luck and prosperity.

In temples, elder members of the family gather to make merit, offering alms to the monks. They may help clean the temple courtyard, or perform bathing rites for Buddha images

In by-gone days, the fun of splashing water on friends or strangers had to wait until the late afternoon when the religious duties and ceremonies were over.

Today, the lines are often blurred with the younger generation making the most of the three-day opportunity to splash water on everyone in sight.

Possibly the most famous of the Songkran celebrations takes place in Chiang Mai. It attracts thousands of visitors, from all over Thailand as well as international tourists determined to share in the fun.

Often simply called the Chiang Mai Water Festival, the core of the celebrations will be held, 13 to 15 April, at the city’s main irrigation canal, with parades and cultural performances as well as arts demonstrations.  The actual opening ceremony will be held 12 April, at the Royal Flora complex when the Minister of Tourism and Sports will declare the festival open.

There are other opportunities to join in Songkran festivities regardless of where you are traveling.

In the North:

Chiang Saen Water Festival runs from 13 to 21 April, in Chiang Saen district of Chiang Rai province. In the Golden Triangle area, where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet, a ceremony, during the day, will pay homage to the town’s Buddha image. In the evening, the visitors can join a Lanna-style dinner, known as Khan Tok, or shop for handicrafts on a street closed to traffic, also the venue for folk dance performances.

Si Satchanalai Water Festival, from 13 to 15 April, at Si Satchanalai district, Sukhothai province, features parades and water splashing in the Si Satchanalai Historical Park.  The town is 67 km north of Sukhothai and is a popular stop on Around North Thailand tours.

Northeast

Thai-Lao Water Festival, from 13 to 17 April, plays out on the banks of the Mekong River in Nong Khai town that faces Laos and its capital, Vientiane. Sports competitions will be organized in the week preceding the festival.

Koon Flower and Sticky Rice Road and Water Festival  in Khon Kaen province, features parades, performances and water splashing on Si Chan Road, known as sticky rice road for its profusion of vendors selling this staple northeast food.

Ubon Ratchathani Water Festival, in the city centre, will feature a Thai-Indochina Food Festival at Thung Si Mueang Park, which will sell speciality dishes and food items representative of Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Nakhon Phanom Water Festival has an unusual theme of noodles.  The main event will be held on Sinthorn Vichit Road or Khao Pun Road (rice flour noodle road) where booths will sell products and dishes made of rice flour noodles, the speciality of this province.

Central

Bangkok Water Festival gets underway,12 April, with a sound and light show at  Arun Ratchawararam Temple, from 1800 to 2100. This year, the city will focus on a traditional style Songkran Festival by supporting and inviting people to make merit at temples and return to their villages up-country to be with their families. Water splashing on streets in the business district will be discouraged.

However, the city is promoting its “Passport to nine royal temples” for those who visit temples during the festival, with an incentive to win prizes. Water splashing will be encouraged only in specific areas such as Khao Sarn Road.

Phrapadaeng Water Festival, which follows different dates than most of the celebrations, will be hosted, 18 to 20 April, in front of Phrapradaeng district office, Samut Prakarn province. There will be parades, Thai-Mon traditional sports and performances.

Eastern seaboard

Bangsaen Water Festival, 16 to 17 April, is held a week after national celebrations at Bangsaen beach in Chonburi province. A competition to determine the most artistic sand pagoda takes centre stage with more than 100 miniature pagodas sculptured from the sand.

Pattaya Water Festival follows on from Bangsaen, 17 to 20 April. The water splashing celebration first moves to Na-Klua, a  village just north of Pattaya, 18 April, Pattaya beach, 19 April and finally moving, 20 April, to  Sattahip, a fishing and Naval town on the eastern seaboard.

South

Ranong Mineral Water Festival runs from 12 to 15 April, at Raksawarin Public Park in the centre of Ranong town, located on the Andaman Sea coast, some 300 km north of Phuket.

Here, people will enjoy the luxury of splashing mineral water on one another following the style witnessed in Myanmar’s traditional festivities. Also, during the four days, there will be booths selling tourism products and packages to Ranong province and other Andaman coast destinations.

Hat Yai Midnight Songkran, will be hosted 12 to 14 April, at Nipat Uthit Road in Hat Yai district, Songkhla province. The water splashing will start from 2200, 12 April to midnight on 13 April. Ceremonies to sprinkle water on the town’s Buddha images will be conducted on the mornings of 13 and 14 April.