Amarin Outdoor Unlimited Chiang Mai Challenge 2009

Amarin Outdoor Unlimited Chiang Mai Challenge 2009
Amazing Thailand Adventure Race
Date : 9 May 2009
Venue : Chiang Mai
The second year of the Chiang Mai Challenge!
Disciplines include biking, running, kayaking and swimming. Race through the mountains surrounding Chiang Mai.
Backing the event are the Tourism Authority of Thailand and North Face, while the actual running of the event comes under sports activity specialist, Active Management Asia.
Another challenging 1 day race in the Amazing Thailand Adventure Race Series.
There are three signature events in the 2009 series. The season kicks off with the River Kwai Trophy in Kanchanaburi, followed by the inaugural Chiang Mai Challenge, 10 May and the second Bangkok Challenge, hosted in Nong Chok district, on the outskirts of the capital, this November.

5 Region Thai Travel Fest

"Thieo Thai Kruk Kruen, Setthakit Thai Kuek Khak" (Enjoy a wonderful travel in Thailand for the better Thai economy) is a newly domestic campaign that Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched to express an invitation to tourists to experience the wonderful country, visit the beautiful tourist attractions both natural and historical sites and participate in various kind of cultural activities and events. Moreover,it also stimulates economy through shopping the OTOP ; products of the Thai wisdom or tasting regional delicious food and fresh fruit.
In this connection, 5 Region Thai Travel Fest is organized to promote "the Best" of each region i.e. the outstanding tourist attractions as well as magnificent cultural performances. Furthermore, the consumer fair ; where special price of accommodation, package and spa from tourist private sectors, are avialable in the events of 5 Region Thai Travel Fest 2009, which is held in the major cities of each region :
5 Region Thai Travel Fest @ Season of The East
1 - 3 May, 2009
at Pattaya, Chon Buri
5 Region Thai Travel Fest @ Amazing Mythical I-san
17 - 19 July, 2009
at Thung Si Mueang, Ubon Ratchathani
5 Region Thai Travel Fest @ The Charming Serene North
13 July - 2 August 2009
at Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University, Phisanulok
5 Region Thai Travel Fest @ The Zestful Splendid South
21 - 23 August, 2009
at Suan Somdej Phra Si Nakarindra 84 (Thung Tha Lad Park), Nakhon Si Thammarat
5 Region Thai Travel Fest @ The Central Paradise
18 - 20 September, 2009
at The SUPPORT Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand (Public Organization) - SACICT,
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
For more information, please call
- Tourist Hotline Tel. 1672
- Events Department, (Events Planning Division & Events Promotion Division)
Tourism Authority of Thailand Tel. 0 2250 5500 ext 3464-3468
- TAT offices nationwide
(N.B : The information is subject to change without prior notice. To ensure you will experience the wonderful event, kindly check before going, For more information, please call Tourist Hotline Tel. 1672 or Events Planning Division, Tourism Authority of Thailand Tel. 0 2250 5500 ext 3464-3468

Pattaya A great getaway

Just two hours from Bangkok is the beach resort of Pattaya-at once busy and quiet. Spend some time here and you'll discover that pattaya is really a great getaway. From a small fishing village to a major tourist resort, Pattaya has certainly changed colors. It got of a US base at nearby Sattahip. Now the resortcan lay claim to the same range of seaside attractions, the same diversity of recreations as this one. Food is great here, especially seafood which you have to try at a beachside restaurant for the sheer atmosphere. This seaside town also offers great international dining experience with restaurants catering to every taste, in every lane and by-lane. The beach is, of course, one of its main attractions. But those looking for peace and quiet could head for nearby Hat Jomtien and Wong Amat witch more than make up for the hustle and bustle of Pattaya.
Tours to nearby islands, beaches and sightseeing points abound. In addition there is a full-range of activities for sports enthusiasts-snorkeling, scuba diving, shooting, bowling and great golfing.
At night the city comes alive and is ablaze with lights. There is plenty to choose from-restaurants, beer bars, cabarets, pubs, discotheques and tranquil beaches (at night they are tranquil).
GETTING THERE
Pattaya is easily accessible from Bangkok by car taking only two hours along Bangna-Trad Highway via Bangna, Bang Pakong, Chonburi and Si Racha.
Eastern Bus Station at Sukhumvit Soi 63 (390-1230) has air-conditioned coaches leaving Bangkok every half hour from 5 am to 11 pm and retaining from Pattaya every half hour from 5am to 9 pm Bht 77 one way.
Hualamphong Train Station on Rama IV Rd (223-0341-8) has a daily train service departing Bangkok at 7am. The train departs Pattaya for Bangkok at 2:50 pm daily. Bht31 one way.
WHERE TO GO
Beaches. As beaches go there are several-from Na Klua to Jomtien. The most famous is the one bordering Pattaya Beach Road and is packed with hotels, restaurants, shopping plazas, and bars. Jomtien Beach is relatively quieter and offers windsurfing, jet skiing etc.
Coral islands. Close by are three small islands popular for the clear blue water, the largest of which is Hoh LAN. Motor boat trips to the island take 45 minutes, and often include viewing corals from glass bottomed boats, The other two islands are Ko Sak and Ko Khrok> also nearby are Ko Lin and Ko Phai
Elephant Kraal. At the Pattaya Elephant Village, entertaining demonstrations of elephant training, racing, and round-ups can be seen.
Mini Siam" The first miniature town in Southeast Asia, Mini Siam is at Km 143 on Sukhumvit Highway, Phra Pathom Chedi, Victory Moment, and Wat Phra Kaeo.
The Million Years stone Park&Pattaya Crocodile Farm, A magnificent natural garden. Forty acres of gigantic, grotesque stones Thai Bonsai over 200 years old and a zoo. Just 15 minutes from North Pattaya. 249347-9
Nong Mooch Tropical Garden. 20 minutes from Pattaya on Km 163 is this 500 acre park with Thai-style houses, orchid and cactus gardens, and a large artificial lake. If time permits, catch the daily cultural and elephant shows.
Phra Tamnak Hill. Phra Tamnak Hill is at the southern tip of the bay, and offers the most panoramic view of the curved Bay of Pattaya.
Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum. A fantastic place for the family. It boasts over 300 fascinating exhibits including the SOS messages from the ill-fated Titanic. It also includes Motion Master, Moving Theatre, two motion picture cinemas plus a Lazer Tag game and a hitch bumper car ride, 3rd floor, Royal Garden Plaza. The entrance fee is Bht 150 for adults and Bht 100 for chidden. Open daily from 10 am till midnight.
Sriracha Tiger Zoo. The zoo has over 80 tigers besides other animals, Open daily 9.30 am - 6.30 pm. 341 Moo 3 Nongkham, Sriracha, Chonburi. 296556-8.
Snake Show. For a really thrilling and interesting experience, visit Pattaya's Snake Show. Pythons, cobras and kraits are on show. Open daily 8.00 am -9 pm. 10/20 Moo5, Soi Noenphapwan, Nongprue. 945-297-8
Tiffany's Show. Asia's most spectacular stand-in cabaret comes to life every night at Tiffany's Sixty transvestite dancers in stunning costumes and in memorable song and dance sequences perform with a touch of flair and comedy. Dailyashow time: 7 pm, 8:30 pm and 10 pm. North Pattaya, 2nd Road. Tel 429-642, 421-700-3
Shopping. Pattaya Beach road is jammed with several shops for beachwear, souvenirs, liquor, jewelry, silks, Thai handicrafts and just about everything else. Or you can shop at department stores and shopping plazas like Royal Garden Plaza, Central Shopping Center, Mike Shopping Mall, Lotus Supermarket and Big C.

Amazing Kayak Rally Family Aoluk Krabi

Amazing Kayak Rally Family Aoluk Krabi
Date : 3 May 2009
Venue : Ao Ko Ngam, Tambon Lamsak, Ampur Aoluk, Krabi
Krabi Province, in cooperation with Office of Tourism and Sports – Krabi Province, Aoluk District, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Krabi Office is going to co-organise “Amazing Kayak Rally Family Aoluk Krabi” on 3 May 2009 at Ao Ko Ngam, Krabi
Aoluk has variety of tourism destinations, such as cave, waterfall, national park, ancient mural painting, as well as marine tourist spots. Aoluk plans to organize “Amazing Kayak Rally Family Aoluk Krabi” with an objective to promote tourism destinations in the area through Kayak Rally. The competitors will have to pass by the area of long range limestone mountains lying in the Andaman Sea, with the pre-historic mural paintings. They will also be impressed with the beauty of Ao Ko Ngam, this activity will enhance good relationships among the family members.
The application limits to 50 teams, with application fee of 2,500 bath/team. The applicants will get t-shirt, cap, lunch and dinner.
For those who are interested, please contact
Ampur Aoluk, Tel. : +66 (0) 7568 1892
TAT Krabi Office, Tel. : +66 (0) 7562 2163
or please download the application form at www.tat.or.th/krabicenter

Yasothon Bun Bangfai Rocket Festival

Yasothon Bun Bangfai Rocket Festival
Date : 8 - 10 May 2009
Venue : Phaya Thaen Park, Mueang District, Yasothon
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.
One mother of all rockets shoots high into the sky possibly for a kilometre or more stimulating the gods to action. Its vapour 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 metres, 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 whisky 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 neighbouring Laos, but Yasothon residents, noted for their sense of humour, 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.
Contact :
TAT Ubon Ratchathani Office
Tel : 66 (0) 4524 3770-1, 66 (0) 4525 0714
Yasothon Municipality Office
Tel : 66 (0) 4571 1397 Ext. : 112

THAI FOODS

Thai food is known for its enthusiastic use of fresh (rather than dried) herbs and spices as well as fish sauce.
Thai food is popular in many Western countries especially in Australia, New Zealand, some countries in Europe such as the United Kingdom, as well as the United States, and Canada.
Instead of a single main course with side dishes found in Western cuisine, a Thai full meal typically consists of either a single dish or rice khao with many complementary dishes served concurrently.
Rice is a staple component of Thai cuisine, as it is of most Asian cuisines. The highly prized, sweet-smelling jasmine rice is indigenous to Thailand. This naturally aromatic long-grained rice grows in abundance in the verdant patchwork of paddy fields that blanket Thailand's central plains. Its aroma bears no resemblance to the sweet smell of jasmine blossoms, but like jasmine flowers, this rice is precious and fragrant, a small everyday delight. Steamed rice is accompanied by highly aromatic curries, stir-frys and other dishes, incorporating sometimes large quantities of chillies, lime juice and lemon grass. Curries, stir-frys and others may be poured onto the rice creating a single dish called khao rad gang , a popular meal when time is limited. Sticky rice khao neow is a unique variety of rice that contains an unusual balance of the starches present in all rice, causing it to cook up to a pleasing sticky texture. It is the daily bread of Laos and substitutes ordinary rice in rural Northern and Northeastern Thai cuisine, where Lao cultural influence is strong.
Noodles, known throughout parts of Southeast Asia by the Chinese name kwaytiow, are popular as well but usually come as a single dish, like the stir-fried Pad Thai or noodle soups. Many Chinese cuisine are adapted to suit Thai taste, such as khuaytiow rue, a sour and spicy rice noodle soup.
There is uniquely Thai dish called nam prik which refers to a chile sauce or paste. Each region has its own special versions. It is prepared by crushing together chillies with various ingredients such as garlic and shrimp paste using a mortar and pestle. It is then often served with vegetables such as cucumbers, cabbage and yard-long beans, either raw or blanched. The vegetables are dipped into the sauce and eaten with rice. Nam prik may also be simply eaten alone with rice or, in a bit of Thai and Western fusion, spread on toast.
Thai food is generally eaten with a fork and a spoon. Chopsticks are used rarely, primarily for the consumption of noodle soups. The fork, held in the left hand, is used to shovel food into the spoon. However, it is common practice for Thais and hill tribe peoples in the North and Northeast to eat sticky rice with their right hands by making it into balls that are dipped into side dishes and eaten. Thai-Muslims also frequently eat meals with only their right hands.
Often thai food is served with a variety of spicy condiments to embolden the dish. This can range from dried chili pieces, sliced chili peppers in rice vinegar, to a spicy chili sauce such as the nam prik mentioned above.

Khao Yai Wine Region – wine appreciation tour 2009

Wine Appreciation Tour at “ Khao Yai Wine Region – wine appreciation tour 2009” is offered for wine lovers at any level of expertise and nature lovers to be in touch with the wonderful wine country and the beauty of the Vineyards and Wineries.
You will enjoy the soft adventure tour with charming nature of Khao Yai Region. Taste the wines at wineries of up coming world class from Thailand’s premier wine region (Village Farm Winery, GranMonté Estate, and PB Valley Khao Yai Winery).
This exclusive program will be held on April 25th – 26th 2009, for two days and one night trip with a special tour price at 4,500- baht net per person (including transportation, accommodation, meals and tour guide.)
The wonderful and enchanted trip of three Vineyards will be in your memory forever…
For more information, please contact PR Department of PB Partners Group of Companies or Sales Department: Tel: 02-262-0030 ext. 107, 283,109,118, and reservation, please contact Khun Bow, Tel: 081-877-3711