Amazing Thailand is indeed amazing to many who travel there. As one of the few countries in the region that was never colonised by Western powers, Thailand’s heritage and culture remains pure and uncompromised. Ruins, temples and deserted cities are all part of Thailand’s allure. Don’t forget it’s world famous beaches of which there are many – Pattaya, Phuket, Krabi, Ko Samui are just some of the more noted. Thailand is easy to travel within. Efficient transport, cheap and plentiful accommodation and the now world famous cuisine. Airport taxes: Bt500 for all international departures. Transit passengers and children under two years of age are exempt. Airport transfers: Bangkok International (Don Muang) is 22km (14 miles) north of the city (travel time - 40-60 minutes). There is a 24-hour bus service to the city centre. Trains also run to the city centre (travel time - 30-45 minutes). Limousines are available at all hours: service is every 20 minutes depending on flights. Taxis are also available. There is a direct coach service to Pattaya at 0900, 1200 and 1900, returning at 0630, 1400 and 1830. Currency matters: Baht (Bt) = 100 satang. Notes are in denominations of Bt1000, 500, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of Bt10, 5 and 1, and 50 and 25 satangs. In addition, there are a vast number of commemorative coins which are also legal tender. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks (which have the best rates), hotels (which charge high commissions) and, in larger towns, bureaux de change (generally open from 0800-2000). Outside large towns and tourist areas notes higher than Bt100 may be difficult to exchange and visitors are advised to carry small change. The import and export of local currency is limited to Bt50,000 per person or Bt100,000 per family. The import and export of foreign currency is unlimited. Drinking water: food and water-borne diseases are common. Use only bottled or otherwise sterilised (eg boiled) water for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice. Dress code: light and cool clothes are suitable. For business, meetings, dining in top restaurants and some social functions, a jacket is appropriate. A light jacket or sweater is always advisable for Northern Thailand. Modest dress is required in temples and shrines.

Dates: 1st May – 30th June 2008 Venue: Mueang District, Chanthaburi Held at a time of the year when the fruit crops are at their best, visitors can enjoy a great range of succulent fruit that have been grown in Thailand’s eastern provinces which have collectively earned the nickname as the 'fruit bowl of Thailand'. The annual Chanthaburi Fruit Festival held at the Chanthaburi Sports Stadium offers a fantastic selection of fruits to try with favourites including sweet rambutans, pomelos and the unusual durian fruit. There are prizes for such things as the best fruit display and the best tasting fruit and there is a full entertainment programme on offer too. Each year at harvest time Chanthaburi town has a colorful 10-day fruit fair and celebration at the time of peak fruit harvest season. There are traditional fruit competitions among farmers, arts and crafts displays, entertainers, sporting events, a temporary marketplace of all kinds of things (including of course much fine tropical fruit), and much more, but the highlight - is always the fantastic parade on the opening morning. f you've been to or seen photos of Thai temples or the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thai people love to make colossally intricate and flamboyant monuments of creative artistic genius. These vibrantly colorful parade floats are perishable wonders of the world, awesome scenes and statues and designs all decorated almost entirely with thousands of tropical fruits and many vegetables too. Seeing these parade floats alone would be worth a trip to Thailand!

First time i went to Wat Suan Dok, widely area, I do remember that there the big monarchy that I never seen before. The monarchy is quite difference from general temple monarchy; no wall and window. So there is o­nly the bars surround the monarchy for preventing criminals.

In the past, Prachao Gawilla Period (98 years ago), "Na Chiang Mai" Family moved their "Ku" or "Chedi" that contained ashes of a cremated dead of their forefather from pine trees nearby the Ping River to this temple. And then they donated for Wat Suan Dok every generation. So as we known this temple is temple of "Na Chiang Mai' Family.

Moreover inside this wat, there is English Education Centre for people and also the monks, teaching by both Thai and Europian teachers. It is quite famous as quailiy of study and the cheaper price than every English education centre for Thai people. While each course took time for almost three months.

So we usually see the monks in this temple talk to tourists that who visit the temple with excellent English. They can talk about religion or general story such as the monks give an advice how to pray or how to behave in temple and also tips for travel within Wat Suan Dok or Chiangmai.

More over this place provide the sport filed that everyone can excersice there; playing football, aerobic dancing and etc.

"Ku" or "Chedi" that contained ashes of a cremated dead of "Na Chiang Mai" Family's forefather	Lovely kid enjoy playing around the big Chedi.
The monk talking to the visitors, they called themselves "Monk Chat".	Lovely kids

Cultural venue & Candle Market at Thaphae Gate

Loy Krathong is the most popular festival for everyone to join at November. Chiang Mai Municipality provided varied 6 days activities for both Thai and foreign travelers. The Loy Krathong Celebrations 2006 were started from November 1 to 6. There are several performance and Mahachard sermon at many places. During this festival, Chiang Mai people hold the performances o­n stage and OTOP market at Thaphae Gate and they name it as Cultural venue & Candle Market. The most popular significant activities are hold here; Thai Lukthung music contest, Miss Yi Peng contest, Krathong making contest, the semi-carnival and also the Giant Krathong Parade o­n full moon day.

Eldest song by Sansai Wittayacom School Band

The other popular places are beside the Chiang Mai City Hall, White Chedi (Stupa) and along the Ping River. There are many activities such as Local Water Sport Competitions, The praying for the guardian spirit inhabiting of White Chedi and Apologize Ceremony for the Ping River. o­n the full moon day of November, most of Chiang Mai people would like to float Krathong at the Ping River especially beside the Nakhongping and Nawarat Bridge. A lot of Bendors for Krathong selling are here.

Chiang Mai people floated Krathong for apologizing Water Goddess

Chiang Mai Grand Loy Krathong Ceremony 2006 was opening o­n November 4, 2006 about 6 pm at Thapahe Gate by Mr. Suwat Tantipat, the governor of Chiang Mai province. And the report announcer was Mr. Boonlert Buranaprakorn, Chiang Mai lord mayor. Before the opening, Chiang Mai Cultural Club provided the Northern Thai Classical dancing performance “Kulaab Wiang Ping”. “Kulaab” means rose and Wiang Ping is the other name of Chiang Mai. After the ceremony opening was finished. There are the big crackers and “Yi Peng” lamp’s parade was started. At the same time the “Phon Proy Dok” performance was beginning for welcome the guest to Chiang Mai. And then they performed “Yi Peng Festival” Dancing.

Thai classical dancers performed “Phon Proy Dok” for welcome guests to Chiang Mai

The most impressive show for travelers is Thai Lukthong Singing by Sansai Wittayakom School Band. They performed the interesting and amusing Thai eldest song. They made us be enjoyable. Many Foreign travelers were dancing around the stage.

On November 5, 2006 the performances were started by Wattanothai Payup School, Thai eldest song. And then Miss Yi Peng Contest, the second round, was started that the girls dressed long evening dress. During the break, there are “Welcome to Chiang Mai” Thai classical dancing by Satit Chiang Mai School. After the show, semi-final round, the girls that dressed Northern Thai costume to answer the questions from a committee. Before announced girls who were passed to the final round, they provided Lanna show for the King, “Puang Pracha Lanna Maha Piti” and farewell speech from Miss Yi Peng 2005. The announcers announced the Miss Photogenic, Miss Popular and Miss Yi Peng 2006.

Miss Yi Peng 2006

On November 6, 2006 the last day of Loy Krathong Ceremony, Chiang Mai Province holds the Giant Krathong Parade. That a reason why there are so crowd. People came to join the beautiful parade. After the parade we floated the Krathong for apologizing Water Goddess, “Phra Mae Kong Ka” and to release the bad luck also. Our Krathongs were made from the natural material (stem, leaf of banana and flowers) and also the decomposable material such as the bread-made Krathong. So we can preserve our Ping River and keep the good culture from generation to the next generation. And the good ceremony like this will lead us to meet each others o­n the next year. See you again at Chiang Mai when the Loy Krathong Festival 2007 comes.

 

 

Thai eldest song by Wattanothai Payup School Band	OTOP for sale at Cultural venue & Candle Market
Thai costumed guy spit fire in Giant-Krathong parade	Lanna costume-dressed girls in semi-Krathong parade
Northern Thai girl performed Lanna Thai classical dancing o­n the decorated float	Varied design types of natural material Krathongs that won the Krathong making contest were showed at Thaphae Gate
Original & Applied northern Thai classical dancing named as “Welcome to Chiang Mai”	Lanna show for the King, “Puang Pracha Lanna Maha Piti”
One of beautiful girls in Giant-Krathong parade	One of our beautiful Miss Yipeng
A tourist releasing a hot-air balloon which floats away into the night together with his bad deeds and ill fortune	Farewell speech from Miss Yi Peng 2005
Another beautiful decorated float	Great beautiful decorated float by Mae Jo University that usually win first award of Loy Krathong decorated float contest

We love the king.

This year Thais are celebrating H.M. the King's 60th anniversary o­n the throne. This makes him the longest serving monarch in the world. Today has been made a public holiday so that the entire nation can come together to celebrate this achievement. At Thaphae Gate, Chiang Mai, June 9th 2006, we held a special ceremony to honor the beloved king and share with everyone the local celebration.

The ceremony was led by Mrs. Suwat Tantipat, the Lord Mayor of Chiang Mai province.

He led the parade that started from Nawarat Bridge and he also pledged allegiance to H.M. the King at Thaphae Gate, Chiang Mai. This was followed by singing of patriotic songs honouring H.M. the King.

During ceremony, thousands of people joined together waving flags while saying “Long Live the King” all the time. All of the people had a good time with their happy face as they love their king so much.

Thais and foreigners write congratulation cards to the King.	My farang boyfriend also loves my Great King.
Little Thai classical dancing girls show their honor to the King.	The parade led by Lord Mayor, member of the House of Representatives of Chiang Mai