Join the alms-giving for Asalha Puja and the Khao Phansa Buddhist ceremony. Participate in the ceremony of welcoming His Majesty the King’s royal candle and the international candle-carving competition from various countries, as well as taste “Pha Khao Laeng” , a local food especially prepared for tourists.

Contact: TAT Northeastern Office : Region 2
Tel : 0 4524 3770-1
Ubon Ratchathani Provincial Office
Tel : 0 4525 4827
Website : www.tatuboon.org ,  www.guideubon.com ,  www.tat.or.th/festival

The Pattaya International Marathon is one of the most famous marathons in Thailand that is organized yearly. Every year, there are many runners participating from various countries.
In all, there are three races ;
- The full marathon (42 Km),
- The half marathon (21 Km)
- The quarter marathon (10 Km).

Contact: TAT Central Region Office : Region 3
Tel : 0 3842 7667, 0 3842 8750
Pattaya City Office
Tel : 0 3873 1169
Website : www.tat.or.th/festival

According to legend, Phimphisan, king of Ratchakhrue received 8 handfuls of jasmine from Malakan, everyday. In return, Malakan was appropriately awarded. One day, while picking jasmine, Malakan saw the Buddha with his disciples going about their alms round. He also noted the 6-coloured aura (black, peat, crimson, Otard, bright red, praphatson) emanating from the Buddha.

On seeing the aura, Malakan was filled with faith in the Buddha, and, not fearing the consequences of not having the requisite jasmine for Phimphisan, proceded to throw two handfuls into the Buddha's path. On the strength of his belief, the flowers circumvented Buddha's head three times and hovered in a sheet above Buddha's right hand. He threw another two handfuls, and the flowers once again circumvented the Buddha's head, this time coming to rest in a hover behind him. The last two handfuls came to rest above the Buddha's left hand. All the flower tips pointed towards the Buddha himself.

Filled with rapture, Malakan paid his respects to the Buddha and developed a five-tiered aura, to the amazement of those around him. Those seeing the miracle then proceeded to follow the progress of the Buddha.

On learning of the Buddha's approach from Malakan's wife, who was asking for a divorce from the latter lest she be punished alongside him for his lapse, King Phimphisan rushed forth to pay his respects to the Buddha, and followed him in all his faith. He also granted Malakan 8 each of elephants, horses, slaves, jewellery, thousands of kasapana, and maidens of good household with dowry, and houses. As a result of throwing the jasmines in the Buddha's path in worship instead of alms giving, Malakan was able to live peacefully thereafter.

The legend has given rise to the tradition of Tak Bat Dok Mai to this day.

The Festival is divided into three parts –

In the morning we have traditional folk shows on the grounds of Wat Phra Phutthabat including concerts, Klong Yao competition, Krabi Krabong, Takro, etc. In some years there may also be an orchid contest and a flower-arranging contest.

In the afternoon, the offering, Ram Thoet Thoeng Klong Yao, and agricultural produces processions move from Wat Phra Phutthabat School to Wat Phra Phutthabat.

During the Tak Bat Ook Mai ceremony, the attendees flock to both sides of the path leading up to the spire in the North, each readying flowers to be offered to the monks. The monks are preceded by a Klong Yao procession that allows the gatherers the opportunity to offer the flowers to the monks as they move towards the spire.

The crowd would then move to the Southern side of the spire connected to the Study Hall with bowls of water filled with bullet wood or jasmine flowers for washing the monks' feet. The flower offerings are taken by the monks to the Roi Phra Phutthabat, in worship. They then walk down in single file. Those gathered then use the leftover water in the bowls to cleanse their feet before entering the Study Hall to continue in their worship, in this instance, inviting positive criticism by others.

More detail: http://www.tat.or.th/festival

Once again, the Royal Thai Government and the Tourism Authority of Thailand are delighted to welcome film-makers from all over the world and international performing artists, especially from Hollywood. At the Bangkok International Film Festival not only will major studios and independent film enterprises premiere their films for Asia, but they will also attend the exhibition of “Location Thailand and Film Tech.” Here, marketing and business opportunities await those in the competitive film industry.

Viewers will enjoy an exciting exhibition of spectacular posters that will be available along with seminars and conferences related to motion pictures. Special tours will be offered, while music fans will be enchanted by jazz concerts which add a special flavour to the event.