International Swan Boat Races

Teams compete for prizes in the 21st annual swan boat races at the Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts and Craft Centre, 19 to 20 September.

Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Centre, Ayutthaya province, is worth visiting any time of the year, but it has a special fascination for visitors in September, when the riverside complex hosts the annual international swan boat races.Now in its 21st year, the dates were changed this year to 19 to 20 September moving back a week from its usual mid-month slot. But it still promises to be a tough, contested, series of races with nine international teams, mainly from around Asia, vying for the annual trophy.

Teams that have already confirmed their attendance include Penang Municipal Park Club Malaysia, Singapore Barbarian A, Singapore Barbarian B, Philippines National Dragon Boat Team, China Nanhai Zhonalian Dragon Boat Team, Dragon Boat and Boat Racing Federation of India and Thailand A, B, and C squads. Two teams surviving the knock-out races'll compete for the Prime Minister's Cup on the final day.

So what's the fascination for spectators who turn up in their thousands to enjoy the festive spirit and rivalry
For starters it is photogenic and amateur shutter bugs attend in the droves, determined to "catch the moment" in their fancy digital cameras equipped with enormous zoom lens.

Families dominate the spectator profile. They set out their mats on the banks of the river to enjoy a picnic lunch, or just lean back against the trunk of shady tree to watch the races.

They will witness the incredible enthusiasm and energy of the paddlers, who require considerable skill and teamwork to keep their boats stable enough to slice smoothly through the water at incredible speeds.

Swan boats defy the usual logic required to build race-fit craft. They are heavy and built to last. Their long, narrow, round-bottom hulls have high sweeping bows and sterns carved with the head and tail of a mythical swan.

There are actually two categories that able to be seen at the races.

The traditional version's hull is 29 metres long weighing 2268 kg and is often carved from a single trunk of a thakien tree. Manned by 50 paddlers and two helmsmen they are difficult to manoeuvre requiring exceptional navigational skills and team coordination to keep them on course.

International races use a modified version of the Swan boat, usually 15 metres long and powered by a team of 20 paddlers and a paddling helmsman, who uses a whistle to set the cadence rhythm, which can easily exceed 120 paddles a minute in the high temperature of a race.

The lighter craft weigh in at slightly over 900 kg. They usually race over a measured 650-metre course on rivers, but village races are often held on canals adjacent to temples.

Adding to the excitement, teams in the international races at Bang Sai face the swift flowing currents of the Chao Phaya River, in full flood.

Swan races are a traditional sport in Thailand and Southeast dating back 700 years. Youngsters race the boats during the rainy season on any accessible stretch of water in competitions that attract bigger crowds than seen at the country's football matches.

Linked to the Buddhist lent, the races continue through late September to the full moon celebrations in early October, when the three-month lent comes to a close.

Enthusiasts in Asia 'd like to see this authentic Asian sport in the Olympic and Asian Games. Until that happy day arrives, visit Bang Sai to experience a traditional sport that requires team spirit, endurance and precision completely of which guarantees unrivalled spectator appeal.

And for a bonus, hire a car and take the Michelin Map's green scenic route that follows the Chao Phaya River, just a couple of kilometres up Highway 347 from the junction with the Rangsit- Pathum Thani highway. You can make a interrupt at Wat Phai Lom, a refuge for migratory storks and follow the minor road that weaves under Highway 9 and brings you to Bang Sai's handcraft centre.

At the close of the races journey on for another 20 km to Ayutthaya to admire this World Heritage site in the evening as the temple and palace ruins are illuminated. It is the classic route for weekend cyclists who turn out in their hundreds to enjoy these quiet lanes. There are three-star hotels and riverside restaurants in Ayutthaya producing it an ideal stop on a tour northbound Thailand's heritage towns.

Race highlights:

# International Swan Boat Race: nine teams, each craft having 22 paddlers. The winning team will receive the Prime Minister's Cup.
# Thai Traditional Swan-boat Race: 12 teams, each with 55 paddlers. Paddlers come from various provinces around Thailand and compete for the Queen's Cup.
# Thai Traditional Swan-boat Race: 16 teams, each with 30 paddlers from four regions of Thailand, also competing for the Queen's Cup.
# Final rounds for each category will be contested 1600 to 1700, 20 September.

The 21st Thailand International Swan Boat Races will be held from 19 to 20 September at Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Centre, Ayutthaya province. Free admission. The event takes place from 0930 until 1700. Contact TAT Ayutthaya at 035 246 076 to 7

Tags: Swan Boat Races

Read more!

kanchanaburi travel...

Internationally famous The Bridge over the River Kwai was constructed by the Allied prisoners of war (POWs) as well as supervised by the Japanese army during WWII. The bridge was a section of the 'Death Railway' intended to link Thailand with Myanmar. Many Allied soldiers died due to the harsh conditions. The railway was never fully completed but is still in use today. Around town, there are numerous institutes erected to honor those who perished during the construction of the infamous bridge. The War Museum is located near the River Kwai Bridge and displays the collection of weapons, tools and utensils used by the Allied POWs and the Japanese during WWII. The JEATH War Museum, a collaboration among Japan, England, US, Australia, Thailand and Holland, resembles an Allied POW camp. The thatched huts contain bamboo bunks and memorabilia from the war. The peaceful and beautifully tended Kanchanaburi War Cemetery contains the remains of nearly 7,000 POWs who perished during the construction of the 'Death Railway'. The Chong Kai War Cemetery is located on the bank of the Kwai Noi River at the site of the former war camp. It is more peaceful, has a more scenic view and contains the tombstones of nearly 2,000 POWs.

The 7-tiered Erawan Waterfall, dropping through a series of cascades and shady rock pools, is regarded as one of Thailand's loveliest falls. It is located inside the lush forest of the Erawan National Park, the nearest park to the provincial capital. A pleasant, but strenuous 2-km hiking trail ascending beside the falls provides a challenging activity. A large limestone cavern, Tham Wang Badan, is situated on the west side of the park and contains many colorful stalactites and stalagmites. Camping facilities and trekking trails makes it easier to appreciate the local flora and fauna.

Sai Yok was the site of a large Japanese army barracks and POW labor camp during WWII. Nowadays, the Sai Yok National Park is renowned for its tranquil river scenery and impressive falls. The most fashionable attraction is Sai Yok Yai Waterfall where the water tumbles directly into the Kwai Noi River. The Sai Yok Noi Waterfall is closer and able to be reached by train from town. Simple park bungalows and houseboats are available for accomodations.

The Lawa Cave and Daowadung Cave are both situated beside the Kwai Noi River, accessible only by boat. The dark caves offer an exciting adventure and house numerous beautiful stalactites and stalagmites, as well as the world's smallest mammals, the 3-cm long bats.

Discovered by a Japanese soldier during WWII, the Hin Dat Hot Spring is a pond for bathing beside a stream. It is near the entrance of the Pha Tat Waterfall, a huge fall easily accessible by all, located north of the provincial town.

The Prasat Muang Sing Historical Park in Sai Yok District north of town is an ancient site on the banks of the Kwai Noi River. The main structure, the Khmer Prasat Muang Sing (Tower of the City of Lions) is believed to be the westernmost outpost of the Angkor-centered Khmer Empire. Temple carvings, religious statues and different artifacts indicate the city flourished during the 12th-14th centuries.

The main attraction of the isolated trading town of Sangkhla Buri is its serene lakeside location on the Thai-Myanmar border. The town is populated by Thais and Mon and Karen tribepeople. The northern shore is dominated by the uncommon chedis of Wat Wanwiwekaram. The daily market besides the temple sells interesting goods from Myanmar, Indonesia and other places early every morning. Slightly north of town is the infamous Three Pagoda Pass with 3 whitewashed chedis sitting right on the Myanmar border. During WWII, the Burma-Siam Railway passed through here. Nowadays, it exists as a trading and smuggling route between the Indian Ocean and mainland Southeast Asia. Visitors could usually obtain a one-day visa to visit the neighboring Burmese town.

Within town, the 2 adjacent temples of Wat Tham Sua (Tiger Cave) and Wat Tham Khao Noi (Small Hill) house beautiful Thai and Chinese style buildings and a huge Buddha image situated on the mount. Further upriver, Wat Tham Khao Pun overlooks the river and the Burma-Siam Railway. Within the temple grounds is a network of narrow passages that leads to a brightly lit cave system filled with Buddha images.

The beautiful and isolated Chalerm Rattanakosin National Park is one of the nation's smallest park. The main trail runs beside a stream which passes through the cavern Tham Than Lot Noi and emerges in a thickly forested, steeply sloped ravine. The path continues for 2,500 m, climbing steeply beside the Trai Trung Falls to another cavern, Tham Than Lot Yai, which contains a small Buddhist shrine.

Tags: kanchanaburi travel

Read more!

The sixth Bhumibol Dam International Mountain Bike Championship...

Bikers brave the rough stuff

Mountain bikers gather at one of Thailand's most scenic dams for a series of races and fun activities.

Bumping over rough trails's not everyone's idea of having fun, but medical science appears to support the idea that riding your mountain bike over a boulder-strewn course is actually great for building bone density.

If you need an excuse to join the sixth Bhumibol Dam International Mountain Bike Championship, 29 to 30 August, that might be it. But it is more likely to be that the venue, for this fun event, is the scenic Bhumibol Dam, surrounded by forest-covered hills, in Sam Ngao district, Tak province.
This weekend of fun rides and essential competition is a firm fixture in Thailand's annual sports events calendar. It is remarkably fashionable because it focuses on mountain bikes as opposed to the most of cycle-related events that are either a triathlon with competitors using triathlon or time-trial bikes, or the tradition road races that favour super light road bikes.

Most leisure cyclists own a mountain bike so here is an opportunity to take the family on an interesting trip to Tak province, a destination that has a reputation for serving up superb soft-adventure options as well as a famous dam where you able to relax and enjoy nature.

Backing the event are the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Sports Authority of Thailand. Created to promote an interest in outdoor sports and encourage ecotourism at both national and international levels, the races underscore the beauty of a province that is not on the main tourist trail.

For numerous mountain bikers and their families this is the highlight of the year, a reunion of friends from both Thailand and overseas, who share a passion for mountain bikes. Participants of completely ages gather at the starting line on the crest of the spectacular Bhumibol Dam for two days of fun activities and serious races.

This scenic location give s a variety of race routes that'll both challenge the semi-pro mountain bike racers and also please recreational riders.

It is really up the participants as to how far they wish to push their bikes and bodies. If they want the thrill of descending steep slopes through jungle terrain, or the steady pace of a trail over rolling hills that border the reservoir, the organisers have a choice of categories to deliver the right experience.

There are six categories to choose from :

* Long distance 60 km;
* family 16 km
* tour biking 10 km
* cyclo-cross on the dam's crest, five km.
* international race 39 km.
* amateur 24 km.

Just to ensure all the hard physical activity is balanced with lots of fun, the organisers encourage visitors and participants to display vintage two wheelers in an "ancient bike contest". The line up is impressive with some participants showing off bikes that have serious historical value, while others are more exotic, possibly bordering on weird.

On the sidelines, folk music bands entertain to make a family atmosphere, while here are even handicraft stalls supplied by shops under the One Tambon, One Product project, a national initiative to support village handicrafts.

To round off the fun, bike shops attend to sell equipment at discount prices. All this is part of a fit experience for biking enthusiasts, who usually discover that they need to make just one more purchase to round off the beauty, or technical excellence, of their prized bikes.

Bhumibol Dam is located in Tak province, 426 km north of Bangkok, just off Highway 1.
The race site, at the crest of the dam, is 60 km north of Tak provincial town, where most of the hotel accommodation is located.

Tags: thai travel

Read more!

Hua Hin Regatta 2009

Hua Hin Regatta 2009
Date : 30 July-3 August 2009
Venue : Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan

At the close of the month, 30 July, sailors gather for the annual Hua Hin Regatta 2008 that will test their skills over three days of competition. The coveted trophies are the Royal Vega Rudder trophy of His Majesty the King, Super Mod National Championship trophy from HM the King, OK Dinghy National Championship trophy from HM the Queen, as well as Princess Cup for Optimist Championship of the late HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana.



Hua Hin's considered the traditional house for the country's sailing community, due to HM the King's keen interest in the sport. A Southeast Asia Games winner in the sailing category, HM the King built his own racing dinghy and helped to establish the Super Mod class and is an enthusiastic patron of sailing resulting in this annual regatta being held in his honour off the coast of Hua Hin in sight of the palace.

Tags: Holiday, Thailand, Thailand Tour, Thailand travel, travel

Read more!

5 colors the way the Thai Festival in North...

Thai 5 project visit the Festival: 5 Region Thai Travel Fest from the East "festival of Thailand trip 5 @ the colorful East" Northeast "Thai Festival trip northeast border color 5 @ the" North "trip Thai Festival @ 5 colors in the northern" southern "trip Thai Festival @ 5 colors in the South" and the Central "Festival, visit the Thai @ 5 colors Paradise sector. medium "

To motivate and stimulate the decision to travel in groups. Ongoing It is publishing the image and tourism. . This will help encourage more tourists decide to travel and tourism is sustainable.

31 July - 2 August 2552 at 10.00-20.30 hrs

Note
A car service from every 1 hour (times 09.00-21.00 pm) - Send between cities phitsanulok To the University. The city has been sending the 7 points.
(Market share / Big C / Bks. - Passenger Transport / royal temple restoration / home crossway Canal / Wat Phra Sri Mhatatu the Ratn / postal)
The point has been sent to labels Festival Thai flight segments 5 colors .. @ northland
Shuttle Logo and name will be a trip Thai Festival @ the 5 colors .. northland stuck around cars.

Venue: Hall Sri Wchir Ochti area. Rajabhat University Pibol war. (Sea glass) Muang Phitsanulok Province.

Opening event: 31 July 2552 at 16.00-18.00 hrs
Time 17:30 am show five traditional Thai Party. (5 parade traditions sector)
(1) Lanna northern light procession.
(2) formation traditions merit ผะ chasm. North Eastern University
(3) a traditional procession Kwanykgaw Central
(4) train, potpourri เระ Southern
(5) colorful procession jewelry. Fruit well renowned East

Activities within the
(5 pal เจอ work in our ... Panda eyes pantomime ghost ไอ้ attractiveness of butterflies and sea Hnuman) Building auditorium, Sri Wchir Ochti (Level 2)

1 variety of travel products. By entrepreneurs from the region 5.

2 shows the many art crafts from around the identity 5 countries.

Northern provinces such as art Kasr phetchabun (He carved buffalo)
- Draw a line like polka LANNA (Participants may like to portray themselves. When finished drawing the picture is of a look. But apparel-style gesture is Lanna)
- กาด for more มั้ the kitchen environment (the market for sales of a broader buy everything has a) a presentation of the local market LANNA Speaking the Native popularity tally says court กาด available for มั้ the city กาด denote hand basket. To buy in this market with emphasis on กาด for มั้ that a food such as sesame, หนุ (glutinous rice soft. Knead on a sesame roasted pulp) ซะ patch (several combinations of fried) Knmesgn (Knmhin) wild eggs (raw eggs and seasoning. Put in banana leaf count. Then grilled on the hearth).

For example, the central Lopburi province, stinky white clay filler. (How to drop white clay filler. A spiral grain).
- Wood grain http://www.amd.com/breakfree Samut Sakhon. (Ruff of the artificial Then placing a toy like a Thai idiom Rakdihamhaew Rakchaewhamesa love love cow tied to a hit ball).
- Loincloth hundred colors. Kanchanaburi Province (take many textile fabric loincloth came to see live).

North Eastern University
- Worship พระอัฐิ element Luang Saturday grandfather inspired the colors of the logo and royal grandfather ทัต grown much confidence in his parents insight meditation To a fortune. (Movable throne a golden teak. Pinnacle gold genuine lacquer close)
- Learn the world with late Brrp black skeleton (simulation) of อิ builds a โน Russ and text Wipach ชิ Siam Tai Modugno run girl, loll อิ builds Cisco (named by excavations found that the northeast) and dig holes.
- Accessories insect wing leaning Sakon Nakhon Province. (Decorated with beautiful cameo)
East such as leaves weave patio (one of the plaza from forest in Southeast Asia) Prachinburi Province.
- Gold ring of Chanthaburi Province. (The only band in the world is comprised of a ring 4 band with the same dignity Figure 12 is a clam shrimp, crab, fish mangosteen)
- Movies ติ๊ก jump Bang Phra Chonburi Play away from the social current. (A trial court to fire skill)

For example, that the buffalo southern Satun Province (called a buffalo. Play with only the southern A variety of Satun)
- Marvelous mangrove Ranong Province (simulating the mangrove. Both seed (Prepared to deal and learn how to fish with artificial foot from toys such as mangrove จิ๊ a Tabon Salter.
- Writing and destroyed the boat cluster. Narathiwat. (Take a boat cluster size and 4 meters long, the real show).

3 shows the variety. (Stage in the auditorium of the building).
- Opglag jump on (July 31) applied arts, music groups Opglag folk culture. Represent a new and fun to implant a unique hunting led by อี๊ด La Jet Lube.
- "Al Casa" battle ", partly Pharos This" Top of the better shows in Pattaya. And special series. This partly Missouri, Pharos Ioniewirss 2009: appointment, Rwi, (brother jazz) (1-2 Date Aug 2552)
- Bartender Show Show is a mixed drink, Livermore Tel Aviv. (L. Goss no Hall) with a beautiful style that sway. Champion and has a bar, de 2007, International Year (Date 1-2 August 2552)
- Music Loktueg Thailand Tuegeslieim school from the attractions of Tamps. Sukhothai Province. Champion off the champ Ferris wheel from the list of year 2551 (dated 2 August 2552)

4 OTOP nationwide (Level 1 of the building, including an interesting example.
Northern hill tribes woven Mon, Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai Mon tea products, products from water hyacinth weave Mon Phichit etc.
Isan weave bamboo bucket less Sisaket Mon, ข้าวฮาง Nong Mon, Mon Chaiyaphum eat etc.
Central Mon bee products from Lop Buri, Chainat grapefruit Mon, Mon Samut products from the sea, etc.
Eastern Bamboo weave ceramic coating สระแก้ว Mon, Nakhon Nayok Mon bamboo products from isolation, etc.
Caramel southern Surat Thani, batik clothes Mon Narathiwat, Yala Ebtg coffee etc.

5 celebration of the good city river (Front building).
- ซั่ food such as rice noodle, dried banana
- Provincial Agricultural various vegetation types. Products free of errors. Agricultural tourism exhibition.
- Yellow tail, white chickens (fighting cock), dog breeds Bang Kaeo

Special Events 31 July - 2 August 2552 Time 19:00 - 20:30 am
Fountain light show and sound set of "good grace to call Tara of Siam" watch fountains dance style in line with the music teacher and band sponge Bruce edit สตัน Spirit of Thai foreign artists. Mind and forget about the 5 o'clock show dancer style and beautiful colors of fireworks Siam

The show divided into 7 series 1 series Open Media series of 5 unique region and a series of show close.
(1) prelude surf.
(2) thousand hand dance flick Chaipattana mighty Northern
(3) ระบำ Kinri exuberant worship fire วารี Southern
(4) Sudsacr Eastern origin.
(5) color harmony ... from day to night Isan
(6) water, stir อมฤต Central
(7) in water as a heart Stitis in December so all the Thai heart. Set the closing show.

Tags: Holiday, Thailand, Thailand Tour, Thailand travel, travel

Read more!