Monday, November 23, 2009

Lopburi, Monkey town


Lopburi.

When talk about Thai cities, most tourists will be thinking of such popular cities as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket. Little tourists knows or ever heard about a province called "Lopburi".

Lopburi is located in Central part of Thailand. Its neighboring cities are Phetchabun, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Saraburi, Phra Nakorn Sri Ayutthaya (Ayutthaya), Ang Thong, Sing Buri and Nakhon Sawan.

Lopburi is a province that has very long time history, probably dates back to prehistoric times.
Lopburi province offers not only historical attraction, but also eco-tourism attraction.



Beside Phrapang Samyod (A Khmer temple) which is the symbol of Lopburi province, it cannot be refused that another symbol of Lopburi is "Monkey". An upcoming event in the end of November is "Monkey Banquet". The only place on earth that the party is held for monkeys.



The 21st Monkey Party, 29 November, at Phra Prang Sam Yod, Mueang district, Lopburi province.
This is perhaps the most comical event you could witness on holiday, a claim that can be attested by the video clips that have found a place to park even on You Tube. A local businessman started this bizarre grand bash in the small historical town of Lopburi that stands on the northern rail line, about 150 km from Bangkok.
He was concerned about the welfare of the town’s monkey population residing in one of town’s historical pagodas. But he was also wondering why this town that played a prominent role in the country’s history in the 17th century is largely ignored by international tourists.
So he set about organising a grand party for the monkeys that roam freely around the town’s historical centre near the railway station. Of course, the monkeys take the buffet spread in their stride feasting with great relish on the finest Chinese cuisine the town can provide, all under the spotlight of TV channel crews, who run in circles trying to gain the best angle possible.
They have to be quick. Monkeys are not well known for table etiquette and despite the fact that this annual party is now in its 10th year, they haven’t learned any manners at all.


It is all part of the local’s community scheme to get some attention for a “living museum” town centre, where visitors can visit former palaces and buildings that were once used by one of the country’s revered monarchs during the golden Ayutthaya period.
Although the city dates back 1,000 years or more, to when it was simply called Lavo, it is best known as Thailand’s second capital. In 1666, King Narai, the Great, built a summer palace and resided in the town for around eight months of the year. It was here that the King granted an audience to the French Ambassador as well as other foreign dignitaries who travelled by boat up the Lop Buri River from Ayutthaya, the formal seat of government. Including temples and government administration buildings, the palace was used until the King passed away in 1688. In the early 60s the complex and gardens was renovated and turned into an interesting museum.
Today, very few foreign tourists spare an overnight to explore the town’s historical assets. They usually visit on day trips, many of them arriving on the early morning train from Bangkok. They tour the sights and catch the train in the evening on an overnight trip that takes them to Chiang Mai.
Lopburi, from a historic perspective is worth more than an afternoon peep and that is apparently why the monkeys are treated to a party to give this largely forgotten destination a plug in the media.
At least that way we get to see what we have missed both in historical attractions and the Chinese delicacies that are served by the town’s best kitchens.
Information from TAT website
Discounted Thailand Hotels  
Promotion Pattaya Hotels
Samui Hotel Super Deals


MISS BELGIUM 2010 Pageant to visit Phuket




Phuket, 20 November 2009 — Twenty contestants in the Miss Belgium 2010 beauty contest are to visit Phuket during 16-23 November, 2009, as part of the efforts by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to generate publicity and attract more visitors from Belgium and other countries of the European Union.

The TAT Paris office together with BEST Tours, a major Belgian tour operator, won the support of the organizer of the beauty pageant to select Phuket as the backdrop destination for the various fashion and other film-shoots featured in the beauty pageant.
The contestants, along with organisers and accompanying media members, will travel to Phuket by XL Airways, a charter flight operating from Brussels to Phuket.

Mrs. Juthaporn Rerngronasa, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing said, “TAT will organise a welcome reception which will be based on the Loi Krathong theme. The beauty contestants will be provided with traditional Thai costumes which they can wear and join the Loi Krathong event, after which they can participate in activities like elephant riding, Thai cooking demonstration, spa treatment, etc”.

Belgium is one of the major sources of visitors from Europe. In 2008, arrivals from Belgium totalled 75,223 up 8.95% over 2007. In January – September 2009, Belgian visitor arrivals to Thailand at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport totalled 42,317, a decline of 5.95% over the same period of 2008.

Belgian visitors to Thailand can obtain a visa-free entry at all international airports and stay up to 30 days
On 19 October, 2009, Mr. Pisan Manawapat, Thai Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, together with Mrs Pataraporn Sithivanich, Director of TAT Paris, attended the press conference of Miss Belgium 2010, organized by Miss Belgique 2010 Company in Antwerp.

Over 300 participants attended the press conference, including media, politicians, designers, movie stars, and executives from major sponsors of Miss Belgium 2010. A fashion show by Miss Belgium 2010 contestants saw them on the cat-walk carrying traditional North Thailand umbrellas, followed by a Thai cultural show which was widely covered by hundreds of media.
Thailand, particularly Phuket, will get widespread media coverage via the Miss Belgium 2010 pageant for at least 1-2 months before and after the finals. The pageant is expected to be promoted and broadcast by TV Channel Club RTL and RTL TVI in French and JIJF TV Station in Flemish. It will show the contestants visiting major Thai tourist attractions and otherwise having a nice time in Thailand.





The final round of the pageant will be held in Knokke town, a major beach attraction in Belgium (same as Saint Tropez in France). On 10 January, 2010, it will be broadcast on VIJF TV channel and RTL Channel during the prime time 20.10-23.30 hrs with a projected viewership of over 1 million in Belgium, Luxemburg, and surrounding countries.


Thailand has hosted several beauty pageants in the past and itself has two Miss Universe titles to its credit. Associating itself with beauty pageants generates widespread publicity, especially for the key target, women travellers.

Previously, TAT Paris office has supported the Miss France 2009 pageant, also using Phuket as a backdrop. In early 2008, the Miss Czech 2008 contest highlighted Thailand as the backdrop destination for the various fashion and other film-shoots featured in the TV campaign.

Miss Poland 2009 contestants also visited Thailand during the first two weeks of October 2009. The 24 beautiful ladies from different cities in Poland visited Pattaya and Phuket as a part of their “Polonia Preparation Camp”. They enjoyed seaside activities that were showed during the Miss Poland television pageant on 24 October, 2009.

Contact information:
International Public Relations Division
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48
Fax: +66 (0) 2253 7419
E-mail: prdiv3@tat.or.th
Web site: http://www.tatnews.org

Friday, November 13, 2009

Que Sera Sera , Whatever will be will be..



Que Sera Sera.. Whatever will be will be



You know the song well but you will know more about the meaning of this song by watching this commercial that I'd like to share it with you. A very touching and brilliant commercial, it is one of the best commercial I've ever seen.

The ad belongs to an insurance company in Thailand. Nothing much I should explain as the ad itself is self-explanatory.

In one life, things might not go as well as it is expected. I hope this ad lighten your spirit and cheer you up.

Que Sera Sera...Whatever will be will be...




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