Contact
Thailand representative and event organizer
MobyElite
E-mail: ksr@mobyelite.com
Web site: www.mobyelite.com

Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day
Date : 11 May 2009
Venue : Sanam Luang, Bangkok

Signs of the times. A Brahmin ceremony seeks a sign to guide the nation to a healthy harvest. Economists have their own ideas on how 2009 will pan out. They take stock of the rice crop, the inbound flow of tourism and fluctuations on the foreign exchange market to provide a peep at where we might be heading. There is a much more colourful way to reach the same conclusions and it is at the heart of a century old custom, the annual Ploughing Ceremony.

Held at on the spacious grounds of Sanam Luang against the backdrop of imposing government buildings and the Grand Palace, this ancient Brahmin ceremony takes place 9 May at an auspicious time set even to the seconds hand of the clock by custodians of this custom.

Having their origins in India, the rites of the Ploughing Ceremony can be witnessed in Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia.

Once the Brahmin priests have set the auspicious time after consulting the stars and interpreting omens, the stage is set for Bangkok to turn the pages back from modern commercial endeavour to a ceremony that touches the soil and essence of life itself.
To the sound of tambourines and flutes the royal ceremony draws various players to a pegged area of “Sanam Luang” where omens will be interpreted to chart the course of the nation’s economy and wellbeing.


One of the players is a high ranking official of the Ministry of Agriculture dressed in ancient regalia -- a white tunic sparkling with precious stones and wearing on his head a long pointed crown.
Two oxen covered in scarlet and gold cloaks wait to be attached to a plough.
Brahmin guards dressed in green officiate over the first of three important ceremonies.

At the Royal pavilion, three golden Pa Nungs (sarongs) of different length are presented to the Minister. He dons one of them and his choice is considered an omen that gives the Brahmin priest a hint of the year’s prevailing weather and its impact on the harvest.
If the minister chooses the shortest of the Pa Nungs it suggests abundant rain, while the longest hints of drought and hard times. The medium length Pa Nung is considered the most appropriate for the economy. It suggests harmony in nature, perfect conditions for a bumper harvest.

Emerging from the pavilion the Minister is led to the two oxen tethered to the plough. In front of a vast crowd he carefully ploughs three circular furrows to the sound of conch shells and trumpets.
Four maidens carrying baskets with blessed rice, follow the Minister as he begins the ploughing of three more furrows. They sprinkle the rice seeds in the furrows, while Brahmin priest sprinkle lustral water.

As the Minister completes the third furrow the crowds burst through the flimsy barrier to snatch the seeds from the earth. Farmers believe that mixing them with seeds bought from the market will guarantee a handsome harvest.
Finally, the oxen are led to the pavilion where they are offered seven bowls full of rice, corn, millet, beans, grass, rice wine, and water. Their choice is considered a vital omen that will assist the Brahmin priests to divine the year’s outcome for the nation.
If the oxen choose rice, it signals a plentiful harvest. If they ignore the rice it hints of scarcity. If they lower their heads towards the bowls of water, this suggests abundant rain.

Wisely, there is no evidence that the oxen have ever sipped the rice whisky, but on many occasions, the oxen lose their appetites and have to be encouraged to lower their muzzles to the bowls. Once the oxen have made their choice, the Brahmin priest evaluate all the omens, which are then read to the representative of HM the King by a civil servant of the Ministry of Agriculture. As the crowds disappear some will remain to search the earth for a little longer in the hope of finding a blessed rice seed and possibly a promise of a better year to come.

Amarin Outdoor Unlimited Chiang Mai Challenge 2009
Amazing Thailand Adventure Race
Date : 9 May 2009
Venue : Chiang Mai

Adventure on the holiday menu

Taking up the challenge in Chiang Mai’s multi-discipline race requires team work.

Those who study travel trends up close, marvelling at the twists and turns, have concluded that sports sometimes called lifestyle tourism is now the cool holiday option. People are increasingly seeking an experience, or an opportunity to pursue a hobby, while on holiday.

There are plenty of examples of this trend in Thailand’s monthly calendar, so it comes as no surprise that Chiang Mai is the host of a fascination race and rigorous test of endurance, 9 May. The event gets underway during the one of Thailand’s public holidays that starts Friday 8 May with the Buddhist Visakha Bucha Day.

Enthusiasts from around Thailand and international participants will gather in this northern city for a fascinating test that focuses on fitness and relies heavily on team spirit

Tagged the Outdoor Unlimited Chiang Mai Challenge 2009, the day’s competition will start at the city’s landmark 700-Year Stadium, a popular venue for sports events and concerts.

But this all-day event spreads far and wide through the city and surrounding countryside, giving participants a completely different perspective on this northern heritage town.

Participants will bike on mountain trails, followed by woodland trail running, kayaking and swimming on a lake with a few obstacles thrown in to make the task even more challenging. Overall, the race runs from 0900 to 1400 covering around 35 to 50 km of trails plus the addition of the swim and kayak sections.

Chiang Mai’s outdoor challenge is actually part of a wider series of adventure style events in Thailand organised by Active Management Asia, a company that markets team building and sports events in the region.

Now in its second year, the Chiang Mai Challenge is based on multi-disciplines of biking, running, kayaking and swimming so it appeals to people with a high fitness level who are comfortable competing in triathlons, off-road bike races, orienteering and marathons. It’s not for the faint of heart, but the difference is the rules require teams of two to compete ensuring popularity with families and couples who can muster their team spirit.

The official contact location for the Challenge is at Green Lake Resort - Royal Thai Army's Lanna Recreational Home, Chollapathan Road, Chang Puek

For more information, Contact the organiser: Active Management Asia Company, at 02 718 9581-2 or visit www.chiangmaichallenge.com or www.active-asia.com

From : TAT

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

From : Tourism Thailand

Date : 25 April 2009 , 10.00 AM – 06.00 PM
Vwnue : 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.

Highlight of the event is the participation of more than 2,009 peoples to beat the largest Aqua aerobics Display of Guinness World Records Claim ID : 248850, this event will be held on 25 April 2009 , 04.00 – 06.00 PM at Pattaya beach Soi 4, Pattaya Ciy, Thailand to promote tourism of Thailand, Chonburi Province, Pattaya City too, many booths will be presented to assist the peoples to check their bodies, how to control body mass index by focusing nutrition, exercise and health behavior, all participants register at site, Pattaya beach Soi 4 on 01.00 PM with pink T – shirt dressing.

However the campaign of health promotion and to promote recycling, reusing, reducing and avoiding [3R 1A] for reduction of Global Warming that all activities in daytime started from 10.00 AM until 06.00 PM of the 25th of April 2009 and the campaign with bicycling team.

Contest for inventive reusable materials for floating supportive devise.
Prize 10,000 Baht with honorable shield
Criteria are the devise could support floating while standing in the sea, the materials should not disappear during floating, the materials should be reusable, modern forming, beautiful, natural not be foam depend on the initiative idea, suitable to the objectives and the devise could support more than 45 Kilograms of competitor

Contest for the best photo of the largest aqua aerobics display [LAAD].
Prize 10,000 Baht with honorable shield
Criteria are the photos from the largest aqua aerobics display on 25 April 2009, the initiative idea is suitable to the concept of this event depending on the form, position of picture and beauty.
Photos’ size should be minimally 11 inches, maximally 18 inches, only 1-2 photos/1 competitor and well-judged within 1 month after the LAAD event.

Come and join to aqua aerobic in the sea to hit the Guinness World Records of the largest Aqua aerobics Display [LAAD]

Please register online at http://www.rcpt.org , http://aquaaerobic.webs.com
any information from The Royal College of Physician of Thailand
Tel. +66 (0) 2716 6744 ext 25 , Fax. +66 (0) 2718- 652 or
Please contact Dr. Moryoon S. Preutthipan , Assistant hospital director ,
Bangkok Hospital Pattaya Tel. +66 (0) 8 1870 8333, e-mail : moryoon@hotmail.com until 15 April 2009,

Fishing makes friends

Game fishing competition in the Deep South attracts 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 neighbour.

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.

Pattani hosts this event, 24 to 26 April, at Wa Sukri Beach, 50 km from Pattani town. Talubun Municipality, in Sai Buri district, organises the annual event that features both on-shore fishing competitions for individuals and off-shore contests for teams with a maximum of three members per boat.

The on-shore contests require competitors to cast their reels to catch fish that dwell close to shore, or take shelter under rocky outcrops. In the off-shore team events, anglers travel some distance by boat to snarl game fish as large and marlin and tuna.

Depending on the swing of the monsoon season, the event has been held annually for 21 years, either in late April, or early May. Last year, it was held early May and welcomed 157 people for the on-shore competition and 38 teams for the off-shore boat game fishing competitions. Most of the participants at this competition are Thais, but there is also a strong representation in the team events from neighbouring countries such as Malaysia and Singapore.

The registration fee is Bt100 for individuals and Bt2,000 for a team including meals during the event. Participants have to bring their own fishing tackle, rods and reels, while teams rent fishing boats for the off-shore event at around Bt1,300 per day. Bait is provided.

The off-shore, competition starts at Wat Sukri Pier, with boats heading for fishing grounds near Losin or Laopi islands. Trophies and prizes are based on species and weight of the fish caught.

For more information, contact Talubun municipality in Sai Buri district at, Tel: 073 411 810 and 073 411 015.

Date : 25 Apr 2009 - 3 May 2009

The 1st Asian Martial Arts Games 2009 will be hosted by Thailand from 25 April to 3 May 2009 in Bangkok as well as Suphan Buri province of Thailand. Featured games including compulsory Martial Arts, namely Karatedo, Kickboxing, Wushu, Muay, Kungfu and Kurash, as well as optional Martial Arts namely, Jujitsu & Beltwrestling, Pencat Silat and Kaliripattu.

This event will see the participation from 45 countries with expecting more than 2,500 competitors around the world.

Competition Schedule


For More Information :
National Olympic Committee of Thailand Tel. +66 (0) 2281 1045
Website : www.bamag2009.com

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.



Phra Nakhon Khiri or Khao Wang hill has been the place of the annual fair of Phetchaburi continuously up to 22 times. In 2009 it will reach the 150th anniversary. The 2009 annual fair uses the concept of "150th Anniversary to Mark King Rama IV" scheduled to be held from April 10-19, 2009 at Khao Wang and around the city limit of Phetchaburi. It combines with the Phetchaburi Red Cross Fair for the public and tourists to participate in the activities and make merits with the Phetchaburi Red Cross Society.

Activities at Phra Nakhon Khiri - Phetchaburi City
The ceremony is to worship the city pillar shrine/the ancestral kings, exhibition to honor the ancestral kings and sustainable economy, the performances of Department of Fine Arts, a parade to honor the kings and the Phetchaburi way of life. Performances on the central stage, a contest of sweet Phetchaburi beauties, demonstration of foods and local sweets, ox chariot racing, decoration of lights and fairworks on Khao Wang each night. They will set up booths selling OTOPs at the fair, set up sales booths at the Red Cross fair and selling Phetchaburi Red Cross raffle to win the cup of HRH Princess Somdet Phrathep Rattanasuda Siam Baromratch Kumari.



Worshipping Ceremony
09.00 hrs. - Ceremony to worship the city pillar shrine at the shrine ground.
09.39 hrs. - Ceremony to worship the ancestral kings, the King Ramas IV (King Mongkut),
V and VI reigns at the yard in front of Phra Nakhon Khiri (Khao Wang)
Dress Code : Normal white dress

Opening ceremony at the yard in front of Phra Nakhon Khiri (Khao Wang)
09.00 hrs. - Honorable guests and ceremonial participants get together at the ceremonial area.
20.00 hrs. - Chairman arrives at the ceremonial area.
- Music band plays the propitious song.
20.09 hrs. - Phetchaburi governor addresses the audience to open the fair
and gives souvenirs souvenirs to the fair supporters.
- Ceremonial chairman performs the opening ceremony.
- Chairman reviews the honoring parade.
- Chairman visits the activities on Khao Wang.
Dress Code : Batik clothes.



Performances at the Central Stage
April 10, 2009 Performances by musical bands /
performances of districts & governmental agencies,
set off 600 fireworks at 20.00 hrs.
April 11, 2009 Performances by musical bands /
beauty contest of Phetchaburi sweet girls,
eliminating round (the 1st set),
set off 200 fireworks at 21.00 hrs.
April 12, 2009 Performances by musical bands /
beauty contest of Phetchaburi sweet girls,
eliminating round (the 2nd set),
set off 200 fireworks at 21.00 hrs.
April 13, 2009 Performances by musical bands /
performances of districts & governmental agencies,
set off 200 fireworks at 21.00 hrs.
April 14, 2009 Performances by musical bands /
performances of districts & governmental agencies,
set off 200 fireworks at 21.00 hrs.
April 15, 2009 Performances by musical bands /
performances of districts & governmental agencies,
set off 600 fireworks at 20.00 hrs.
April 16, 2009 Performances by musical bands /
performances of districts & governmental agencies,
set off 200 fireworks at 21.00 hrs.
April 17, 2009 Performances by musical bands /
performances of districts & governmental agencies,
set off 200 fireworks at 21.00 hrs.
April 18, 2009 Performances by musical bands /
beauty contest at the final round,
set off 200 fireworks at 21.00 hrs.
April 19, 2009 Performances by musical bands /
performances of districts & governmental agencies,
drawing of the Red Coss raffle,
and set off 600 fireworks at 21.00 hrs.



For more information :
TAT Call Center 1672
TAT Phetchaburi Office, Tel. 66 (0) 3247 1005-6

Variations on the Songkran theme

Pattaya celebrates Songkran a week later
Pattaya and its neighbouring 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.
Monks receive alms from residents at a beachside venue. Once the ceremonies are over beach sport competitions begin with a riot of water splashing between spectators.


Nearby, Si Chang, a small island close to the coastal town of Si Racha, is the scene of a sand pagoda competition, where local children patiently build their dream castles. Festivities include local sports and a beauty contest.
Sattahip, a naval base town 25 km south of Pattaya, also celebrates Songkran, 15 to 17 April, in a similar style with sand pagoda and beauty contests.

Further south, along the eastern seaboard, provinces such as Rayong, Chantaburi and Trat are all in sync with the rest of the country celebrating the festival 12 to 15 April.

For mor information
TAT Call Center 1672
www.songkran.net