Thailand hotels and travel guide. Hotel reservation for Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Samui, Krabi and Pattaya.

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Date:	23 - 30 March 2009
Venue:	Anantara Golden Triangle Resort, Chiang Rai

Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas have announced the 2009 dates for the King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament. The highly popular event will take place from March 23 to March 29 in the northernmost region of Thailand known as the Golden Triangle.

A blessing ceremony will be held before the opening match where monks sprinkle holy water over both players and animals to ensure a successful tournament. In addition, a parade of northern traditional-style dancers, hill-tribe villagers in traditional costume, elephant spirit men (Khru Ba Yai), colorfully decorated pachyderms and teams holding up their respective country flags will kick off the weeklong competition held on the banks of the Ruak River which divides Thailand from Burma.

Date:	26 March 2009
Venue:	-

State Railway of Thailand rolls out an historical steam engine for an anniversary celebration, 26 March. Ever since the first train huffed and puffed its way along a track, there have been spotters and enthusiasts in love with railway folk lore.

Thailand has its own love affair with trains, too, that dates back to the first service chugging its way north on a 60-km track from Bangkok to Ayutthaya on 26 March, 1894. Founded by HM the King Chulalongkorn, 9 March, 1891, the State Railway of Thailand took just three years to lay the first track on what is now the trunk route to Chiang Mai.

Date:	27 - 29 March 2009
Venue:	Along the Mekong river, Amphoe Mueang Nong Khai, Nong Khai

Sports enthusiasts travel to a Mekong river border town to compete for glory and a handsome purse. Triathlon enthusiasts are a healthy and resilient bunch. They travel far and wide, against all odds, to participate in their favourite three-discipline sport. That was very apparent when just days after Bangkok’s airports reopened, following a week of down time, late last year, the Phuket Triathlon hardly missed a beat in attendance.

New Mini-Light-and-Sound Presentation
Date:	27 September 2008 - 6 April 2009
Venue:	At Wat Pho - Temple of The Reclining Buddha Koh Rattanakosin (Rattanakosin Island) Bangkok English version at 18.30/19.30/20.30 and 21.00 daily

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”.

The 9 Wonders of Wat Pho, a newly-launched mini-light-and-sound multimedia presentation, helps visitors gain a better understanding and deeper appreciation of the centuries-old cultural heritage, traditional Thai values and beliefs, folk knowledge and way of life encapsulated by this historic landmark.

Unlike other mini-light-and-sound shows, the version being presented at Wat Pho from 27 September 2008 through to 6 April 2009 is the first of its kind. The presentation consists of nine separate stage sets; each highlights one of the following nine wonders of Wat Pho.

New Mini-Light-and-Sound Presentation
Date:	31 March - April 3, 2009
Venue:	In Mae Hong Son Municipality, Mae Hong Son province

The Poi Sang Long ceremony in Mae Hong Son is a Buddhist novice ordination ceremony, but it is unlike any other ceremony of its type in the country. Young boys aged between 7 and 14 are ordained as novices so they can spend time studying Buddhist doctrines. It is believed that by pursuing ordination for their parents, they gain merit.

The origins of this festival lie in Buddhist legend. It is believed that the tradition follows in the footsteps of Prince Rahula, the Buddha's own son, who gave up his worldly life to follow his father's spiritual teachings. Prince Rahula became the youngest ordained monk and the first novice in Buddhism.

Subsequently it became a tradition for young boys to be ordained so they can undertake the study of Buddhist teachings. With deep reverence for the Buddhist religion, the local residents in Mae Hong Son province are of the view that the celebrations should be as grand as possible.

Date:	13 - 19 March 2009
Venue:	Ranong Municipacity

Thai Cultural Shows at 14.30 - 21.30 hrs. along with the other forms of entertainment. at 18.00 - 24.00 hrs.

Village tourism activities at 14.30 - 21.30 hrs. Experience the atmosphere tourism activities. And interesting attractions of Ranong Province. In a show like.

- Raft bam boos down streaming simulation, Simulated firefly tour.
- Simulated local Attractions, Pa-yam Island, Elephant Island and beautiful waterfall.
- Seeing crafts demonstrations from local sources.
- Meet the travel services agent and promotion packages from them.
- Demonstration of Thai ancient market at 14.30 - 21.30 hrs. experience the local ancient market and Ranong ressing.
- sales of local products and enjoy with local foods.

Date:	20 - 22 March 2009
Venue:	Pattaya

Cool music to beat summer heat.

Pattaya International Music Festival gets underway 20 March to help residents and visitors to beat recession blues. The grand Pattaya Music Festival is back in town to entertain music lovers. This is an unrivalled opportunity to enjoy a weekend of listening and dancing to beautiful music performed by more than 100 musicians. Fun awaits everyone, 20 to 22 March.

Postponed last year, the festival is back and promises to be an annual event. According to Pattaya’s city hall it was revived to lighten the mood to give residents and tourists all the more reason to smile and enjoy the resort. It echoes the sentiments of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night - " if music be the food of love play on"

The event is also part of a wider nation-wide campaign " Amazing Thailand Amazing Value " managed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand to deliver events and value-for-money features to Thai and international travelers.

CELEBRATION NAIKHANOM TOM DAY ASSOCIATION INSTITUTE OF THAI MARTIAL ARTS & WORLD MUAYTHAI FEDERATION Wai - Kru Ceremony Muay Boran & Krabi - Krabong Seminar Nai Khanomtom Pro / Championships Belt
Date:	15 - 17 March 2009
Venue:	City of Ayutthaya Stadium, Ayutthaya, Thailand

In Muay Thai, the boxer will always preface the fight with Wai Kru and this tradition is still practiced nowadays. This ceremony is usually performed to rousing Thai music from pipes and drums, and with the initial Ram Muay (the boxing movement).

The Wai Kru & Ram Muay are useful, since the Boxer gains encouragement from paying homage to his Teachers and feels that he is not on his own: he has his Teacher & the other Teachers of the Muay Thai discipline to support him.

Date:	9 - 15 March 2009
Venue:	Srinagarindra Park, Si Sa Ket College of Agriculture and Technology, Mueang District, Si Sa Ket Province.

Featuring the numerous of Lamduan Flower, Buddhist seermon and meditation, a light and sound presentation, enjoy cultural performances and local entertainment during the fair.

Date:	12 March 2009
Venue:	Thai Elephant Conservation Centre, Lampang

Thailand’s most noble beast, the elephant is the star of two important events this month. In the northern province of Lampang, people interested in the welfare and care of these noble animals gather for Thai Elephant Week, 12 March at the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre.

The scene of documentary films made for worldwide TV audience, the conservation centre, located in Hang Chat district in Lampang province, is a renowned refuge where elephants, both healthy and invalid, can be cared for and respected.

In this day visitors can learn from mahouts about the traditions and practices that help to maintain an elephant’s health and well-being. On the lighter side, visitors can also join the mahouts, feeding the elephants in the style of the northern Khantok dinner.

Considered an ancient royal tradition adopted by princes and high-ranking officials of the Lanna Kingdom, the Khantok dinner is at the pinnacle of traditional northern cuisine.

Date:	7 - 8 March 2009
Venue:	Khwan Mueang Park, Mueang District, Yala

Thais have long believed that doves are creatures which bring good luck to those who rare them. They are also regarded as symbols of purity and peach. Those with qualities specified by ancient texts are believed to bestow great wealth and honor upon their owners. The ASEAN Barred Ground Dove Festival attracts dove - lovers from the southern part of Thailand as well as from neighboring countries. The major highlight is a dove-cooing and red-whiskered bulbul singing competition. Local products are on sale as well.

Date:	7 March 2009
Venue:	Phuket

Tourism Authority of Thailand, Phuket Office and Phuket Japanese Association will hold "The 4th Phuket Japanese Festival"on the 7th of March 2009 at Queen Sirikit Park in Phuket Town. As we are one of the parts of Phuket, we would like to provide the opportunity to the local people who is working for the tourism and local students interested in Japan and Japanese people through the Japanese traditional festival which introduce the Japanese culture and foods, and we hope these experiences will help them to be familiar with Japanese tourists. And also, we hope this festival make Japanese children in Phuket improve their knowledge of Japan.

Date:	14 - 15 March 2009
Venue:	Thongsala beach, Koh Phangan, Suratthani, Thailand

Koh Phangan Tourism Promotion association, Koh Tao Tourism Association and Phangan Triathlon Association are hosting the Second Phangan Triathlcn to help build a reputation as attractive triathlon destination.

Date:	18 - 20 February 2009
Venue:	The Vintage Club, Samut Prakan

2009 Thailand Ladies Open is jointly organized by Thailand Ladies Golf Association and The Vintage Golf Club. It will be the 22nd occasion that TALGA has organized for the professional ladies with the challenge trophy from H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn for the professional winner and the challenge cup from the Governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand for the Amateur winner.