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

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Date:	25 April 2009 , 10.00 AM. - 06.00 PM.
Venue:	Pattaya beach Soi 4, Pattaya Ciy, Thailand

The festival, promoted by the Royal College of Physician of Thailand, Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Naval Medical Department, Chonburi Province, Chonburi Provincial Administrative Organization, Pattaya City, Burapha University, The Tourism Authority of Thailand and supported by many sponsors, Rotary International, Lions international, Pattaya Business & Tourism Association, Thai Hotels Association Eastern Chapter, Thairaipoong network, many local administrative organizations, public hospitals in Chonburi Province and private hospitals as Bangkok Hospital Pattaya.

The day will consist of instruction to promote aqua aerobics as another sport for everyone can do that with oneself and suitable for patients with musculoskeletal problems by activities on central stage with health talk group.

Date:	24 - 26 April 2009
Venue:	Pattani

Fishing makes friends

Game fishing competition in the Deep South ttracts teams from Singapore and Malaysia. Sports events are few and far between in April, possibly due to soaring summer temperatures.

Schools are on holiday to give children a break from the heat, while Thailand’s most important festival, Songkran, the celebration of the traditional New Year, has a practical application too. It’s the one time in the year when it’s cool to throw a bucket of water over your neighbor.

But for the hardy go-any-where fishing community it appears the heat of the summer sun is not a deterrent, nor apparently is the sensitive security issues surrounding the event’s venue in the Deep South province of Pattani. Both local and foreign anglers, many from neighbouring countries, meet in Pattani province and make friends at one of the oldest sports fishing events in the country, the 22nd Sai Buri Fishing Competition.

Date:	17 - 19 April 2009
Venue:	Tonsai Beach and Poda Island, Krabi

Krabi province in cooperation with Krabi Provincial Administration Organization, Krabi Tourist Association, TAT Krabi Office and Railay Rock Climbing Club, is going to co-organize "Krabi International Rock Climbing 2009". This event aims to publicize rock climbing activity in Krabi Province and to push rock climbing activity as annual tourism promotional event of the province.

In addition, the image of Krabi will be projected as "Rock Climbing Destination", as it is renowned among the rock climbers that Krabi is a not-to-be-misses destination with its world renowned cliffs, beautiful nature and fully equipped facilities. Krabi has world-class rock climbing sites, with more than 600 rock climbing routes. The rock climbers are able to select their own levels and challenges. Another outstanding point is that beautiful scenery of Krabi province can be viewed from the top of the cliffs, such as limestone mountains shaped like boot, junk ship and bird's head. as well as some islands like Koh Poda, Koh Tab, KohKai. etc.

Date:	15 - 19 April 2009
Venue:	Phuket

Anyone for cricketω

A fast forward version of cricket showcases at the annual Phuket Sixes, 15 to 19 April. Cricket is not exactly a sport that we would associate with Phuket, but a mini-version, fast and furious, is now a fixture on the resort island’s annual calendar.

Phuket Cricket Sixes 2009 will see approximately 26 cricket teams compete for honours on the grass at Karon beach’s stadium, 15 to 19 April. Three days of cricket will eliminate club teams for a final battle at the stumps to claim a charity trophy. Launched in 2004, the tournament attracts club teams from Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, India, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Korea, Borneo, Bahrain, Australia and the UK. Calcutta Cricket & Football Club, from India won the trophy last year.

Date:	10 - 15 April 2009
Venue:	At The 9 Sacred Places and Rattanakosin Square, Bangkok

Experience the demonstration of the Songkran Festival in 4 regions at Wat Pho as well as enjoy demonstrations of Thai food and local desserts, feast your eyes on cultural performances.

Moreover, in the Songkran Festival, TAT would like to invite you to dress Thai attire, visit and participate in the event of "the 9 Sacred Places". the 9 royal temples in the Rattanakosin Square. To experience the wonderful treasure and enjoy the Songkran Festival in authentic Thai style.

Date:	14 April 2009
Venue:	Lake View Dance Arena, Koh Samui, Surat Thani

14th April 09. Lake View Dance Arena, Koh Samui. The very 1st Songkran International Dance Music Festival ever. Be there!!! This Songkran, come and Join 5,000 raves at the largest outdoor venue in South East Asia.

Featuring DJ Judge Jules, other DJs’ on the night will include Graham Gold, Gary Gecko, Asambai, Simon Solo, Adam Matson, David Sambor and DJ A.

Alongside inflatable water pools, foam machines and a waterproof VIP area, travelers can also enjoy traditional Thai and European food, plus a fun cabaret and casino.

Date:	13 - 15 April 2009
Venue:	-

Here are some tips on where to enjoy Songkran and chill out at the same time. Songkran, 13 to 15 April, is a national festival best known for the copious quantities of water thrown from buckets on unsuspecting passers-by, who quickly appreciate how cooling this fun-filled festival really is especially during the peak of the summer heat wave.

There are serious elements, too, such as the annual bathing of Buddha images carried out at temples and homes across the country. Children sprinkle water on the heads of elders to pay respect. In this gentle incarnation, the festival reflects the time-honoured traditions of a nation that respects age and the role of seniors in a family environment.

Date:	16 - 18 April 2009
Venue:	Chonburi

Pattaya celebrates Songkran a week later Pattaya and its neighboring resorts in Chonburi province celebrate Songkran a week later than the rest of the country, which gives the festival’s hardcore followers a second round of fun if they are still on holiday. In Pattaya, the festival is officially called Wanlai and starts in Naklua a village community at the northern tip of the resort and continues in unabated enthusiasm, all week throughout the resort, from the Naklua tip to the Jomtien toe.

However, the more traditional elements of the festival are best witnessed in Naklua, 18 April, when residents turn out for a parade of Buddha images and an image bathing ceremony. About 20 km north of Pattaya resort, residents in the beachside town of Bangsaen start the festivities on 16 April, with a grand competition to build more than 100 sand pagodas on the beach.

Date:	2 - 3 April 2009
Venue:	Prasat Phanom Rung

A splash of sunlight penetrating an ancient temple cloister signals a distinctive celebration at Prasat Phanom Rung. Knowing the exact moment to witness a spectacular sunrise through the doorway of an ancient Hindu temple requires a detailed calculation.

The amber sun is perfectly aligned in the centre of the main doorway to a temple standing on a former volcanic mountain in northeast Thailand.

Actually, the sun rays pass straight through 15 perfectly aligned doorways of Prasat Phanom Rung, a revered and ancient Hindu monastery, just four times a year two sets of sunrises, in April and September, and two sets of sunsets, in March and October.

These spectacular solar-related events, that also bear religious significance in the Hindu faithful, span just three days 2, 3 and 4 April. The second day is considered the most auspicious as the sun is visible dead centre of the outer doorway of this Khmer Hindu temple. Sun rays cast light through 15 aligned doorways that span 75 metres of the temple’s inner courtyard illuminating a revered lingam deep in the main sanctuary. On the other two days, the sun passes one of the corners of these doorways.

Date:	10 - 19 April 2009
Venue:	Khao Wang and Around the City Limit of Phetchaburi

"Khao Wang" is a hill located in the heart of Phetchaburi city, it is the location of frist hill palace of Thailand. "Phra Nakhon Khiri" palace was built by King Chomklao (Mongkut), or the Rama IV reign, in 1859, with Chao Phaya Sri Suriyawong Chuang Bunnag) was the chief architect. It was builtl with a palace temple, Wat Phra Keo Noi, a stupa, to contain the relics of Lord Buddha named by the Kings as Chompetch relics and planted temple trees on both sides connecting the three hills and the group of the throne halls.

Phra Nakhon Khiri is a main tourist attraction of Phetchaburi with importance in history, culture and natural beauty. In 1935 it was registered as a historical place and in 1979 was declared as a national museum of the monument type. every year from Febuary through April the temple trees on Khao Wang hill almost 200 years old numbering 1,263 trees all showed off more than one million flowers.

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.

Date:	31 March -  3 April 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.

The Poi Sang Long ceremony is unique to Mae Hong Son province. A colorful spectacle to witness, it is perhaps one of the most delightful festivals in Mae Hong Son, attracting people from far and wide.

Date:	10 January / 14 February / 14 March /11 April 2009
Venue:	Chiang Rai Social Development Centre 12 on the Doi Mae Salong road in Pa Sang Sub district of Mae Chan, Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai province hosts its annual light and sound show that presents insights into the culture and daily life of the Aka hill tribes, resident in hilltop villages in Mae Chan District.

First introduced in 1999, the show is now staged once a month during the tourist high season from January to April.

This month, the show will be presented, 10 January, 14 February, 14 March and then finally on 11 April, at the Chiang Rai Social Development Centre 12 on the Doi Mae Salong road in Pa Sang Sub-district of Mae Chan.