Including a Marathon, Half Marathon, Mini Half Marathon, Wheelchair
Marathon and Jogging for Health event, the Songkhla International
Marathon has a category for all ages and abilities. Some of the world's
most experienced runners take part in this event which offers the
biggest marathon prize money in Thailand. The event begins and ends at
the spectacular Songkhla Provincial Hall.
An alms-giving ceremony in the morning is followed by a huge festival
of music and culture at Sanam Luang in Bangkok to celebrate Her Majesty
the Queen's birthday. You can also appreciate the beauty of the
decorations along Ratchadamnoen Avenue.
Healthy recreational sports are fast filling up the Thailand events calendar.
Now in its fifth year, the Bhumibol Invitation International Mountain
Bike is one example of the many popular sports events that attract both
locals and overseas visitors to test their skills and enjoy a healthy
pastime. 
Backing the event are the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand,
Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Sports Authority of Thailand.
Created to promote an interest in outdoor sports and also encourage
ecotourism at both national and international levels, the races
underscore the beauty of Tak province, particularly the attractive
scenery that surrounds one of the country's largest dams
Mountain
bikers and their families will gather at the starting line on the crest
of the spectacular Bhumibol Dam for two days of races from 29 to30
August.
This very scenic location provides a variety of race
routes that will both challenge the semi-pro mountain bike racers and
also please recreational riders.
It is really up the participants as to how far they wish to push their
bikes and bodies. If they want the thrill of dropping down steep slopes
through jungle terrain, or the steady pace of a trail over rolling
hills that border the reservoir, the organisers have a choice of
categories to deliver the right experience.
In fact, there are six categories to choose from: Long distance 60 km;
family 16 km; tour biking 10 km; cyclo-cross, on the dam's crest, five
km; international race 39 km; and amateur 24 km.
Just to ensure all the hard physical activity is balanced with lots of
fun, the organisers encourage visitors and participants to display
their two wheelers in an ancient bike contest. The vintage line up is
impressive with some participants showing off bikes that would do
justice to a museum.
To round off the fun there are booths selling bike equipment at
discount prices. All this is described as a heavenly experience for
biking enthusiasts, who always discover they need to make just one more
purchase to round off the beauty or technical excellence of their
prized bikes.
Bhumibol Dam is located in Tak province, 426 km north of Bangkok. The
race site, at the crest of the dam, is 60 km north of Tak provincial
town, where most of the hotel accommodation is located.
Other activities:
Including a Marathon, Half Marathon, Mini Half Marathon, Wheelchair
Marathon and Jogging for Health event, the Songkhla International
Marathon has a category for all ages and abilities. Some of the world's
most experienced runners take part in this event which offers the
biggest marathon prize money in Thailand. The event begins and ends at
the spectacular Songkhla Provincial Hall.
Hatyai Running, Tel. 66 (0) 8 1959 8461, 8 1898 1989
SEPTEMBER 2009
5th HEALTH CUISINE & BEAUTY FESTIVAL
Date: September 2-6, 2009
Venue: Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Bangkok
The grand fair for all health enthusiasts organized by Health &
Cuisine, Cheewajit and Shape Magazine under the aegis of Amarin
Printing & Publishing PLC.
Tel: +66 (0) 2 422 9999 ext 4350, 4551-5
Website: www.healthandcuisine.com/Activity/HCBF5/default.html
21ST THAILAND INTERNATIONAL SWAN BOAT RACES AND LONG BOAT RACE CHAMPIONSHIP THAILAND
Date: September 12 - 13, 2009
Venue: On the Chao Phraya River
At the Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Centre, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
Admission is free
International boat races have been widely promoted in Asia, Europe,
the Americas, Australia, and other parts of the world. The races are
seen to be important vehicles in promoting cultural exchange and
strengthening friendly ties between countries and are actively
supported by the participating countries. Boat teams from Thailand have
competed in several international boat events since 1985.
Recognizing the importance of preserving Thailand's river-based
cultural traditions, the Tourism Authority of Thailand initiated the
kingdom’s first long-boat race contest in 1986. Since 1988, a series of
long-boat race contests have been held on the local and national level.
With the growing popularity of the event, in September 1999, the first
international boat race was held on the Chao Phraya River near the Rama
IX Bridge in Bangkok. Since then, it has become an annual international
event drawing the participation of boat teams from around the world.
The international long-boat races have also evolved into an
important vehicle for the preservation of Thai culture and traditions
and the promotion of tourism to Thailand. There’s more to these
boat-races than just the thrill of the race itself. The event is as
much a colorful spectacle to experience.
THE THAILAND INTERNATIONAL SWAN BOAT RACES AND LONG BOAT RACE CHAMPIONSHIP THAILAND
The 2009 Thailand International Swan Boat Races and Long Boat Race
Championships Thailand will be held on September 12-13, 2009 on the
section of the Chao Phraya River at the Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts and
Crafts Centre in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province.
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF DANCE AND MUSIC
Date: September - October, 2009
Venue: Thailand Cultural Center, Bangkok
Designed to position Bangkok as a cultural center for world-class
performing arts in Asia, the capital will be hosting the International
Festival of Dance and Music for the ninth consecutive time this
September.
Each year, the star-studded festival presents an impressive program
of world-class dance and musical performances bringing together the
finest international artists and dancers from countries around the
world like Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Russia, and France, as well
as celebrated Thai artists and performers, many of whom have gained
international fame.
Contact information:
Thailand Cultural Centre
Ratchadapisek Road, Huay Kwang,
Bangkok 10310
Tel: +66 (0) 2247 0028
Fax: +66 (0) 2245 7747
Email: thaicultural@hotmail.com www.bangkokfestivals.com/
FISH-FLOCK-SHELLFISH FESTIVAL 2009
Date: September 27 to October 6, 2009
Venue: At the Viewing Terrace, Cha-am Beach, Phetchaburi Province
The district authorities of Cha-am, with the support of the local
traders’ society and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), will be
hosting the Fish-Flock-Shellfish Festival 2009 from September 27 to
October 6.
The festival promises to be a seafood lover’s delight, with a range
of beachfront food stalls offering a tantalizing assortment of
delicious dishes featuring a variety of fresh shellfish, fish, and
seafood, prepared by chefs from more than 50 leading hotels and
restaurants in Cha-am between 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm.
Contemplate catching fresh squid after dark when they venture close
to the surface of the water in search of food. Squid are attracted by
light so to lure the squid to the fishing vessel, the craft is
decorated with bright green lights.
For the adventure seeker, a squid-fishing trip is one of the
festival highlights. No prior experience is needed; just learn by
example. The local fishermen will show you the ropes.
The trips will depart from 18:00 onwards. Participants set out from
the shore in small fishing boats, in parties of 7-10 persons per boat,
to board a larger squid-fishing vessel anchored out at sea. A fee of
200 Baht per hour per person includes squid-fishing equipment and bait.
Additionally, nature lovers can join bird-watching expeditions to various sites within 10 to 15 km of Cha-am Beach.
Festival activities and entertainment features sales of local
products under the "One Village One Product" (OTOP) theme and much
more.
Besides tasting a wide variety of good quality fresh seafood at very
reasonable prices, experience a great variety of interesting activities
on one of Thailand’s most famous beaches.
44TH BANGKOK GEMS AND JEWELRY FAIR 2009 (GEMS)
Date: September 15-19, 2009
Venue: Impact Challenger 1-3, Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi
For more than two decades, Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair has
continued to establish itself as a professional trade event of choice.
Thailand has had a reputation for its craftsmanship and the ability in
applying an ancient traditional with modern technology to achieve
perfection in the production of impressive jewelry and jewels this
easily proves Thailand status to be The World’s Gems & Jewelry Hub.
Indeed, the best place to explore the good part of Thailand's
distinctiveness is at the bi-annual Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair. Yet
it is a superb location to see the latest and unique collections, find
couture designers and producers in a venue alive with multimedia
presentations, dazzling fashion shows, design awards, and other special
events.
For more information, please visit: www.bangkokgemsfair.com/
OCTOBER 2009
KIDS OF THE WORLD 2009
Date: October 1-5, 2009
Venue: Impact Arena, Hall 5-6, Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi
“The largest learning playground in Thailand” - The event features
educational fun and many kid-related activities. A great event for a
family day out with your kids coming to touch, feel, and experience
with edutainment themes, such as dinosaur adventure, sports zone,
cheerleading contest, fun land, and many more. Over 400,000 attendees
are welcome by exhibitors with an assortment of toys, stationery, back
to school products, games, hobbies, gifts, apparel, schools, tutor
institutes, medical products, travel service, hotel and accommodation
service, and insurance. All are available at once on a grand scale. It
is the event you can’t miss!
www.kidoftheworld.net/?p=home&lang=en
CHON BURI BUFFALO RACES
Date: October 4, 2009
Venue: At the City Hall, Chon Buri
The water buffalo has always played a significant role in agriculture in Thailand.
In this yearly event, the creatures are seen in more unusual and
entertaining ways than plowing fields. They take part in buffalo races
and contests pitting buffalo against man.
Beauty pageants and various other fun-filled activities are part of the attractions presented.
LOI KRATHONG – FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Date and Venue: In Bangkok, October 29 - November 2, 2009
Nationwide: October 29 - November 2, 2009
As the full moon of the twelfth lunar month (usually in
mid-November) lights up the night sky, throughout the Thai kingdom,
hundreds of thousands of ornately-decorated krathong or traditional
banana leaf floats are set adrift in rivers and waterways in a
spell-binding ritual called "Loi Krathong" - the “festival of lights."
This is one of the kingdom's oldest and best-preserved traditions.
The Loi Krathong tradition we know of today has evolved from the royal
rituals of the early Rattanakosin period in which several types of
lanterns were set afloat in the Chao Phraya River and its waterways.
LOI KRATHONG SAI ON THE PING RIVER – NIGHT OF A THOUSAND FLOATING LANTERNS
In Tak province, the banana-leaf floats are replaced by coconut
shells which are threaded together and launched simultaneously so they
appear as long chains of hundreds of glittering lights on the Ping
River, hence the origin of its name, "Loi Krathong Sai."
YI-PENG FESTIVAL IN NORTHERN THAILAND
In the Northern Thai provinces that were once part of the ancient
Lanna Thai kingdom, the Yi-peng Northern Lantern Festival is still
being celebrated. Tubular lanterns, resembling hot air balloons, are
lit and released into the night sky as an offering to the Lord Buddha.
As hundreds of illuminated lanterns drift into infinity, this conjures
the same sense of wistful closure as the krathong float downstream.
NOVEMBER 2009
RIVER KWAI BRIDGE WEEK
Date: November 24 - December 5, 2009
Venue: Kanchanaburi
Each year in late November to early December, the world famous River
Kwae Bridge built by Allied prisoners-of-war during World War II,
becomes the focal point of celebrations.
Event highlights include historical and archaeological exhibits, a
carnival, folk and cultural performances, rides on World War II vintage
trains, and a spectacular light and sound presentation re-enacting the
bridge's World War II legacy.
2009 PHUKET KING'S CUP REGATTA
Date: November 2009
The Phuket King's Cup Regatta is Asia's biggest and most popular
regatta. More than a regatta, the week-long event consists of great
parties, great sailing, and lots of fun.
Inaugurated in 1987 to celebrate the 60th birthday of His Majesty
the King of Thailand, the event has been held every year since during
the first week of December. In 2006, the event was voted as Yatching
Event of the Year at the Christofle Asia Boating Awards. This honor
follows a record year in December 2006 with over 100 boats entering the
event and with a record media turnout. It is the second consecutive
year the Phuket King's Cup Regatta won this prestigious award.
With the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King, the Regatta is
organized by the Phuket King's Cup Regatta Organizing Committee under
the auspices of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, in conjunction with the
Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, the Royal Thai Navy and the
Province of Phuket.
For general information on the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, contact Regatta Secretary at info@kingscup.com or +66 (0) 7627 3380. For racing inquiries, contact Simon James on racing@kingscup.com. The regatta website is www.kingscup.com where further information and Notice of Race can be found.
DECEMBER 2009
H.M. THE KING’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
Date: December 5, 2009
Venue: Nationwide
On December 5, 2009, His Majesty the King will celebrate his 82nd
birthday anniversary. His Majesty has, therefore, announced that this
special event be known as "the Celebrations on the Auspicious Occasion
of His Majesty the King 82nd Birthday Anniversary 5th December 2009."
An alms-giving ceremony in the morning is followed by a huge
festival of music and culture at Sanam Luang in Bangkok to celebrate
His Majesty the King’s birthday. You can also appreciate the beauty of
the decorations along Ratchadamnoen Avenue.
Contact: Foundation of King Rama 9 Tel: 66 (0) 2356 0050-2, 66 (0) 2356 0203 Fax: 66 (0) 2356 0051-2
Website: www.belovedking.com
Email: foundation@au.edu
LAGUNA PHUKET TRIATHLON
Date: December 6, 2009
Venue: Hat Bang Tao, Thalang District, Phuket
The competition among the "iron men" from Thailand and international
countries includes swimming, cycling, and marathon racing. Also, there
are activities to encourage the participants to experience the
adventure routes along Phuket's tourist attractions.
Contact: TAT Phuket Office
Tel: 0 7621 1036, 0 7621 2213
Web: www.lagunaphukettriathlon.com or www.tourismthailand.org
PHRA NAKHON SI AYUTTHAYA WORLD HERITAGE FAIR 2009
Date: December 11, 2009 – December 20, 2009
Venue: Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Histirical Park, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya was once the glorious capital of Thailand.
It was also a center of trade and government, and possessed a long
period of prosperity. Be amazed by the light-and-sound show, the
exhibitions on Ayutthaya as a World Heritage Site, as well as the
cultural performances. Having fun shopping for a variety of OTOP
product is another activity.
Contact:
- TAT Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Tel : 66 (0) 3524 6076-7, 66 (0) 3532 2730-1
- Provincial Public Relations Office, Tel. : 66 (0) 3533 6550
Website: www.tourismthailand.org
THE MEKONG RIVER OF FAITHS – CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS
Date: December 24 – 25, 2009
Venue: Bangkok – Nakhon Phanom – Sakhon Nakhon – Bangkok
See the Sparkling Star Procession at Tha Rae, the largest Christian
community in Thailand and visit Wat Song Khon, the beautiful Roman
Catholic Church in Nakhon Phanom.
THAILAND'S NEW YEAR COUNTDOWN CELEBRATIONS 2009/2010
Venue: December 21, 2009 – January 1, 2010
Thais know how to party. Some might say at the drop of a hat. A
party brings out the best in national identity – a broad genuine Thai
smile. So should we be surprised that Thailand is a favored venue to
celebrate New Year? This is the land of smiles and “sanook”.
Whether the countdown is in Bangkok, Phuket, or a far northern
destination, the celebrations will carry the hallmarks of fun and
genuine hospitality that make the country such a rewarding destination
to visit.
Of course, Bangkok has a mission to fulfill. It aspires to make its
2010 New Year Countdown a mega-celebration, on par with the biggest and
brightest in Asia Pacific.
The spotlight is on the “Hands Bangkok Countdown” where more than
200,000 New Year party-goers will mingle in the downtown CentralWorld
Square. Festivities begin December 21 and culminate in the countdown on
New Year’s Eve extending through New Year’s Day.
Concerts and live on-stage performances, the informal atmosphere of
beer gardens, and light and sound shows support a theme of peace and
joining hands across a multitude of cultures and races.
For More Information, please call 1672 or Events Planning Division, TAT Tel. 66 (0) 2250 5500 ext 3465-3468.
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