Showing posts with label Celebration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Celebration. Show all posts

Tuesday 2 June 2020

#Thailand may hold a July Songkran event if Covid-19 situation remains stable


Thai citizens are being dangled a carrot – the chance to celebrate Songkran in July. Usually the annual water festival, traditionally the end of the dry season and the start of the wet season, is held on April 13. The event has become a big tourist magnet over the past decade as it’s morphed from traditional Buddhist festival into organised water fights in the streets of Bangkok and tourist towns.

This year it was cancelled as the country was busy being not busy; locked down in their homes instead of outside splashing water everywhere. But the government says they may still hold a Songkran festival in July instead IF the third phase of the easing of lockdown restrictions goes smoothly this month.

'Phase 3’ started rolling out yesterday and opens up just about everything excepting bars and pubs, and some other entertainment venues. 16 business types and leisure activities resumed yesterday. The curfew has also been reduced to 11pm to 3am daily.

Phuket seems to be trailing behind the rest of the country with a ban on its beaches and airport still in place.

CCSA spokesman Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin says the Government might declare special public holidays in July to celebrate Songkran. The festival, apart from all the water splashing, is the biggest family get-together of the year when people head back ‘up country’ for large family celebrations. The festival is also the most dangerous time on Thailand’s roads each year.

Dr. Taweesin says the CCSA will assess the results of phase three relaxations this month, adding that…”if the Covid-19 situation improves satisfactorily and people strictly observe the basic guidelines of social distancing, regular hand washing and face mask wearing, it might ask the Government to declare special public holidays in July”.

We’re not sure what “improves satisfactorily” means given that there have no recorded local transmutations of Covid-19 for over a week. All the latest cases are from Thais repatriating on specially organised charter flights from overseas whereby all arrivals must spend 14 days in supervised quarantine.

There is still a state of emergency in effect until at least the end of the June which provides Thai PM Prayut and his appointed committee in the CCSA sweeping powers to address the Covid-19 situation in Thailand without consulting parliament.

Source - The Thaiger

Monday 1 June 2020

#Thailand - Officials in Pattaya launch campaign to mark city’s phased re-opening

.
Pattaya launches the “Pattaya is brighter together” campaign, meant to signify the ongoing and gradual re-opening of the city
.
The mayor of Pattaya has led officials in launching a campaign to mark the phased re-opening of the famous tourist hotspot. Well more of a celebration! Normally hosting millions of tourists every year, Pattaya has been through a tough time during the last few months, with businesses, beaches and all nightlife and hospitality venues shut down due to the impacts of the Covid-19 virus.

Now, through the “Pattaya is brighter together” campaign, Mayor Sonthaya Khunpluem and other city officials are hoping to bring hope to residents and encourage visitors to return as Pattaya gradually re-opens and the journey back to some sort of normality gets underway.
.
.
The event kicked off last night when city officials and members of various tourism bodies, as well as local media, attended an opening ceremony on Pattaya Beach. At the event, officials took part in coconut painting, using coconuts bought from local farmers. Even Mayor Khunpluem painted a coconut, with all artwork then exhibited at Pattaya and Jomtien beaches to signify that brighter times are to come.

 To date, Pattaya has gone around six weeks without a case of community transmission of the Covid-19 virus. The latest re-opening comes as the country enters Phase 3 of a nationwide easing of restrictions in light of a nominal number of new virus cases nationally, most of which are being detected in repatriated Thai citizens in state quarantine.

Source - Pataya One News
.
 


Monday 11 November 2019

#Vietnam - Pink grass festival to be celebrated in Lam Dong


Lam Dong —The pink grass in the area surrounding Dankia-Suoi Vang Lake in Lac Duong District, Da Lat City in the central province of Lam Dong is in full blossom at the end of November, marking the beginning of a festival in the province.
 
Celebrated from November 16-30, the Langbiang Pink Grass Festival 2019 will feature a variety of exciting activities like horse racing without saddles – a traditional sport of the K’Ho ethnic people, photo contests, gong performance and traditional games of the local ethnic minorities.

Particularly, this is the first time that the traditional wedding ceremonies of K’Ho ethnic people in the area will be revived via the notes and memories of the village patriarchs and artisans from Dung K’Si Village, Da Chais Commune.

According to Cil Poh, the vice chairman of Lac Duong Commune’s People’s Committee, K’Ho people follow matriarchy, meaning that K’Ho woman will “catch” her own husband and the men must live with their wives’ family.

The traditional wedding ceremonies of K’Ho people will take place in Dung K’Si, an ancient village located by the foot of Bidoup - Nui Ba, the highest mountain in the south of the Central Highlands.

According the organisation board, Langbiang Pink Grass Festival 2019 is a typical cultural activity oriented towards the 8th Da Lat Flower Festival that will be held in Da Lat City at the end of this year.

It is also aimed to enhance the attractiveness of pink grass hills in Lac Duong Commune among tourists and promote the upcoming launch of the construction of the Dan Kia – Suoi Vang National Tourism Site by 2030. 

Pink grass is a wild plant. It is common in forest areas, especially those with pine trees. When the plant is in full blossom in early winter, it carpets the whole area with tiny flowers which bloom into a collection of soft pink snowflakes.

The stunning view of a natural wonderland in Vietnam makes it a magnet to many photographers and tourists to Lang Biang Mountain in Lam Dong Province to capture such special moments of the year. 
 
Source - The Nation / Viet Nam News

Monday 10 July 2017

#Indonesia - Talaud Islands regency celebrates anniversary on uninhabited island.


Talaud Islands regency in North Sulawesi held a festival on Monday as part of its 15th anniversary celebration.

The Sara Island Festival reportedly attracted some 5,000 visitors, who participated in the event’s various activities, such as tug of war and ship decorating competitions.


 “The festival aimed to boost tourism in the region as Talaud has many potential tourist attractions that are unique and enchanting,” said Talaud Islands Regent Sri Wahyumi Maria Manalip.

To travel to the uninhabited Sara Island, a destination popular for its underwater paradise, white sand beaches and three-colored seawater, visitors need to take a 30-minute ride on a small boat that can be rented for between Rp 300,000 ($22.36) and Rp 400,000.

“Several cottages and clean water facilities have been built on the island, but we’re keeping it uninhabited because the atmosphere feels different if nobody permanently lives on it,” Sri added.
 
Source - TheJakartaPost

Thursday 6 April 2017

Laos - Pi Mai Lao Anticipated to Draw Another Big Crowd This Year

.
 With officials announcing Pi Mai Lao (Lao New Year) extended to five days this year, people nationwide are eagerly anticipating the festival to begin next week.
.
In preparation for the widely celebrated holiday, Vientiane has assembled a variety of fun activities for locals and visitors to enjoy and partake in, including a Miss Vientiane contest on April 8, an arts show, a sandcastle building contest, and sports competitions on the sandy shores along the Mekong.
.
However, due to lack of preparation for the equipment needed by relevant authorities, Pi Mai Lao will be excluding the most iconic parade this year in Vientiane, Miss Lao New Year (Nang Sangkhan), as stated by  Chanthabouly district Governor, Ms Bualon Vongdalasaen.
.
Instead, the highlight will be a parade of Buddha statues that will give bystanders the chance to pour water over the sacred relics.
.
.Traditionally, Lao households celebrate the new year by blessing their homes and family members with a Baci ceremony to bring good luck, prosperity and good health for the upcoming year.
.
A Baci ceremony is considered a bedrock for tradition to Lao people, and is an essential part of any housewarming party, New Year festivities, wedding day, baby shower and farewell gatherings, amongst a plethora of other celebrations.
.
With Luang Prabang being the favored town for visitors during Pi Mai Lao, the quaint little city will be going all out, with a festival on April 10, a Miss Lao New Year contest (Nang Sangkhan) on April 11-12, a Miss Lao New Year parade on April 15, and additional activities planned for April 19.
.
All other provinces across Laos are also busy preparing for the holiday by planning events that they anticipate will be entertaining to visitors, including the tourist hotspot of Vang Vieng where visitors will be met with a traditional dancing and singing contest on April 13.
.
Authorities nationwide have assigned a special task force to ensure the safety of visitors during the festival, while business owners in every province are preparing hotels, guesthouses, resorts and restaurants to welcome the influx of people who are anticipated to visit during the long holiday and generating a healthy income for locals.
.
Source -  Laotian Times
.
.


Thursday 9 June 2016

Thailand - His Majesty the King’s Accession to the Throne


His Majesty the King’s Accession to the Throne. The year 2016 will go down in Thai history as one of the nation’s most significant years, since it marks the auspicious occasion of the 70th anniversary of His Majesty the King’s accession to the throne. The occasion has special significance for several reasons.
.
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej currently enjoys high honor and distinction as the world’s longest-reigning monarch. Few monarchs have ever attained such longevity on the throne. His Majesty is widely known as one of the hardest-working monarchs on earth. He occupies a special and revered position in the hearts and minds of the people.
.
The Government has set the period from 9 June 2016 to 9 June 2017 for the celebrations of this occasion. People have been encouraged to display on their premises the royal ceremonial emblems, in commemoration of this special occasion. Various projects and activities have also been carried out as part of the celebrations.
.
His Majesty assumed his kingship, succeeding his brother as head of state, on 9 June 1946. He was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Monday, 5 December 1927. He is the third child and second son of His Royal Highest Prince Mahidol of Songkla and his consort, Mom Sangwal. His Majesty is a grandson of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), the great reformer King, who strived to modernize his kingdom and improve the lives of his subjects. 
.
Following the death of his father, His Majesty lived mostly in Switzerland with his mother, sister, and elder brother. After one official visit to Siam accompanying King Ananda, in 1938, the family remained cut off from their homeland during World War II. Prince Bhumibol had a relatively ordinary youth, displaying notable talents both in music and engineering, and obtaining fluency in three European languages – French, German, and English – as well as being at ease in different cultures.
.
During the royal family’s first post-war visit, in 1946, his brother, King Ananda, passed away, and Prince Bhumibol suddenly found himself in accession to the throne as the ninth Chakri King, Rama IX.
.
His Majesty returned to Switzerland to complete his education, changing from engineering to political science and law in recognition of his new role. During the course of this visit he met the beautiful, young Mom Rajawongse Sirikit Kitiyakara, daughter of the Thai ambassador to France. They were married in Bangkok on 28 April 1950, and seven days later His Majesty was officially crowned in ancient ceremonies held at the Grand Palace.
.
Thai people are keenly aware of the fact that throughout the 70 years of his reign, His Majesty the King has conducted himself firmly in accordance with the Kingly Virtues. Above all, he has been working tirelessly for the peace and happiness of the land and the people.
 
His Majesty the King’s Accession to the Throne

Sunday 6 December 2015

Thais celebrate their love for nation's father


MILLIONS of Thais nationwide wore yellow shirts yesterday as they joined various activities to mark the birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, whom they regard as the country's unifying figure and father. 

 His Majesty's birthday has also been celebrated for decades as Father's Day.

Yellow is the traditional Thai colour for Monday, the day the King was born.

Avenues in the capital and main streets in the provinces were decorated with lights and festooned with the King's image.

On this auspicious day, Thais went to temples to make merit, give alms, donate money and items to the less privileged and carried out charitable acts in honour of the highly revered monarch.

"I have a deep love for the King and want him to be healthy," said Suchada Charan, a retiree from Bangkok, after giving alms to Buddhist monks in honour of the King’s birthday. "Father's Day in Thailand is the King's day. He is our father," she said.

In Kanchanaburi's Sangkhla Buri district, a village of 150 Karen sang a song specially written by a teacher in the Karen language to wish the King continued longevity and good health.

In Chiang Mai, more than 500 people donated blood at the Red Cross.

In Phetchaburi, revellers took free boat trips to catch a glimpse of bruda whales as part of the charitable "Boat for Dad" event.

In many provinces "Bike for Dad" T-shirts were handed out ahead of Friday's staging of the nationwide cycling event honouring the King.

At the Police General Hospital, five poor people were given renal replacement therapy for free to mark the day.

In Phitsanulok, more than 60 food stalls provided free vegetarian meals.
 Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha chaired the candle-lighting ceremony at Sanam Luang last night.

Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn |yesterday led a number of religious and |royal ceremonies to mark the King's birthday. He will lead more than 600,000 people in |the "Bike for Dad" event next Friday (December 11).

A similar cycling event was held in August to honour Her Majesty the Queen's birthday.

The King did not make a public appearance on his birthday as he normally would. He was last seen in public on September 1. He cancelled a public appearance to mark his birthday last year on medical advice.

The King has spent the past few months at Siriraj Hospital, where he was treated for "water on the brain", or hydrocephalus, a build-up of cerebro-spinal fluid that surrounds the brain.

A large number of people gathered at the hospital yesterday to offer their good wishes to the King on his birthday. Many of them shouted "Long live the King" near the building where he now lives.

His Majesty is the third oldest monarch in the world, after Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, who is 89 years old, and Malaysia's King Abdul Halim, who turned 88 last week.

The King's reign of 69 years is the longest for a living monarch, followed by Elizabeth II and Abdul Halim, who have ruled for 63 and 57 years respectively.
Source: The Nation
*****

For the Best #Hotels and #Resorts
We help you with your
#Bookings 
BOOK NOW SIMPLE CLICK ON THIS LINK ON OR THE BANNER
ASIAN-BESTHOTELS   
EUROPEAN-BESTHOTELS   
VIP-BESTHOTELS 
HOLLAND-BESTHOTELS
PLANET-ASIAN   
GERRIT-TIENKAMP   
TRIPADVISOR
.

Wednesday 4 November 2015

'Bike for Dad' booked out for riders in Bangkok


Worldwide cycling events to celebrate King's birthday

THE "BIKE FOR DAD" cycling event in Bangkok has been fully booked after only the second day of registration, the event organizers said yesterday.

  The Bangkok event, organised in tandem with various other cycling events across the country and around the world to celebrate His Majesty the King's birthday, had targeted 100,000 participants when registration opened on Monday.

Participants had until November 10 to register online at the bikefordad2015.com website. District offices yesterday said they had assisted 14,499 residents to sign up for the event, which will be held at the same time everywhere on December 11. Dusit District notched up the most applicants with 654.

Meanwhile, thousands of prospective participants queued up to register for the cycling event in their respective provinces.

In Nakhon Ratchasima province, 14,919 people have registered for the event so far - the reported largest number in the Northeast.

Ongart Piromkraipak, 81, a retired civil servant, said he would participate in the ride to express his loyalty to His Majesty and to keep healthy. He said he loves exercise and has participated in 430 marathons in his life as well as the "Bike for Mom" cycling event in August in honour of Her Majesty the Queen.


Source: The Nation
 *****

.