Tuesday, November 18, 2014

If you're going to be in Thailand between Dec-Jan...

Kings Cup Regatta
Dates: November 30 – December 6
Venue: Kata Beach, Phuket

Phuket's famous international yachting event, The King's Cup Regatta, returns to the azure waters of the Andaman Ocean in December for a week of partying, sailing, beautiful people and great fun. This year marks not only the event's 20th year of prominence on the Asian yacht racing calendar, but also coincides with the auspicious Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Thailand's beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest reigning monarch.


The event was launched in 1987 to celebrate His Majesty the King's birthday on December 5. A yachting enthusiast himself, His Majesty King Bhumibol also happens to be patron of the King's Cup, making it a regal event in every sense of the word. To add further lustre to Phuket's prime international sporting event, the sailing regatta was named 'Yachting Event of the Year' at the Christofle Asia Boating Awards 2006. Its popularity has gained significant momentum on the international yachting scene, while media attention has grown steadily over the years.

The King's Cup Regatta attracts some of the world's best yachtsmen, 'yachtswomen' and their expensive boats to the waters of Kata Beach, off the island's west coast, where these local and visiting sailors vie for the coveted trophy, creating a truly spectacular sight in the process. Beginning on December 2, the races run until December 9. Thus far some 86 yachts from 18 countries have been entered, a figure that is certain to rise as the regatta date draws closer and many boats normally enter late.


This edition also marks the fifth year of the Phuket Dinghy Series which falls under the umbrella of Phuket King’s Cup Regatta. A fleet of over 20 Optimists and Laser will race the Phuket Dinghy Series 2014 during 1-2 November.

The Series race will start at Cape Panwa in front of the Sailing Club of the 3rd Naval Command Center on 1 November at 11.00 hrs.  Three back to back races are expected on 1 November and another three races on 2 November.

The next and final series for the year will be held at Kata Beach 29 and 30 November when a much bigger fleet of Phuket King’s Cup regatta gather for the week long race off the bay.

Qualified top sailors are expected to race the larger fleet of International Dinghy Class of the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta 2014. 

Trekking Season at Phu Soi Dao National Park
Date: Ongoing - until January 2015 
Venue: Phu Soi Dao National Park, Nampad district, Uttaradit 

The rainy season is the best time to take in the magical sights of the kingdom’s indigenous flowers in full bloom. Phu Soi Dao National Park, covering areas both in Uttaradit and Phitsanulok provinces, is abundant with natural flora and fauna. With its highest peak situated at 2,102 metres above the sea level, the mountain is considered the fifth highest in Thailand.

Highlights at this national park are the five-tier Phu Soi Dao waterfall, the seven-tier Sai Thip waterfall, and the trekking trails to see the pine forests at 1,633 metres above the sea level. The trekking route is 6.5 kilometre in distance and would take four to six hours on foot. At the summit is one of the largest natural flower fields in Thailand, boasting indigenous flowers including Dok Ngon Nak, Dok Soi Suwanna and Dok Ya Rak Hom.
Phu Soi Dao National Park provides standard accommodation and camping sites for nature lovers.  Near the park is the Ban Rom Klao Botanic Garden, a royal initiative project, which has the comprehensive collections of indigenous floras found in Thailand.

Outdoor ‘Candlelight Museum’ in Chiang Rai 
Date: Ongoing – until January 31, 2015
Venue: Mae Fah Luang Art & Cultural Park

Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park in Chiang Rai has scheduled to open the second Candlelight Museum, a magnificent exhibition where the Park will be beautifully decorated nightly with hundreds of lit candles from 1 December, 2014, to 31 January, 2015.

The two-month Candlelight Museum, inaugurated in December last year, is the first-ever exhibition of its kind. It features hundreds of candles that are lit to spectacularly illuminate the exquisite ancient wooden candlesticks, crafts and artefacts.
The Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park opens daily (except Monday) from 10.00-22.00 hrs. Between this December and January, the Candlelight Museum will start from 17.00 hrs. with special Lanna performances on weekends and public holidays at 19:30 and 20:30 hrs.


Visitors to Chiang Rai should not miss this one-of-a-kind exhibition. While marvelling at the many ancient artefacts of Lanna culture, visitors will also be impressed with the romantic atmosphere around the Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park as the candles are lit to illuminate the entire premises.

The 150-rai Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park is one of Thailand’s largest collections of ancient artefacts of Lanna culture, some aged several hundred years. The Park houses three main buildings: Haw Kham (Golden Pavilion), which displays a collection of ancient Lanna art and teak artefacts, Haw Kham Noi, which houses 19th-century mural paintings, and Haw Kaew and Sala Kaew, which feature permanent and rotating teak wood exhibitions.

Visitors can also visit nearby attractions under the Doi Tung Development Project including: Doi Tung Royal Villa, which was built in 1990 to celebrate the 90th birthday of the late Princess Mother; Mae Fah Luang Garden, which features a beautiful garden of cold climate flowers and indigenous flora of Doi Tung; and the Hall of Inspiration, where the exhibition covers the story of the Mahidol Family (of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej).

Chiang Rai is a land of outstanding cultural and natural wonders, and visitors should not miss the chance to explore the pristine natural beauty of the countryside, immerse in the indigenous culture, and check out the golden triangle, where Thailand, Lao PDR and Myanmar come together.

Chiang Mai’s We Love the King Day Parade 2014
Date: 3 December 2014
Venue: Chiang Mai

The 4th annual International We Love the King Parade and Concert returns on 3 December this year. This event is for people of all ethnic groups to gather together with Thai citizens to show their mutual respect and love for His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

A mini concert by the North Gate Jazz Band will start the festivities at JJ Market 15.00 hrs. At Tha Pae Gate, the candlelight ceremony followed by dances, performances and fireworks will start from 17.30 hrs. In 2013, over 1500 people of many different nationalities and ethnic groups joined in the festivities. 

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