An elaborate network of canals known as khlongs gave Bangkok the nickname "Venice of the East" at a time when most transportation was by boat. Today, nearly all of the canals have been filled in and converted into streets. While many khlongs still exist with people living along them and markets often being operated along the banks, most are severely polluted. A notable khlong market is the floating market in Taling Chan district.
Pattaya is a tourist city with beautiful sights of many together. It also supports various festivals many conveniently close to Bangkok. Pattaya Traditional Long Boat Race Festival will be held at the Mabprachan Lake. Reservoir over the weekend of the 20th and 21st of November. The event,the Pattaya Longboat Racing competition with the Princess Sirindhorn Trophy as the main incentive, although the 500,000 baht in prize money might also be of some interest. There will be competitors from seven countries including Burma, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau and of course Thailand There will also be a special Tak Raw and big drum (or, as it is known in Thai klong yao) competition. Entry for spectators will be free. The Longboat competition is organized by Pattaya City Hall, Nongprue Municipality and the Pong Sub-District Administration.
Students of Music Business Department, College of Music, Mahidol Universirty proudly present “Cleopatra The Musical in Concert “ The story of one of the most well-known Egyptian queen who was the lover of the 2 greatest warrior : Juliet Caesar and Mark Anthony. All of the music in this musical are composed by students in Composition Department, one of those : Mr.Morakot Cherdchoo-ngarm, just received The Grand Prize Award from Young Thai Artist Award 2010. Pattarasuda Anumarnrajthon, a well – known opera and musical’s stage director will direct this show
Showtime: January 12-15, 2011 at 7.00 p.m. plus January 12 and 15, 2011 at 2.00 p.m. Tickets price: THB 250/350/500/1000 Ticket Information: 083-2388917, 085-559-6524, 089-831-3984 or Mahidol University
The Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra (TPO) under the patronage of the Royal Thai Government and a part of the College of Music, Mahidol University proudly presents the concert “New Year´s Concert 2011.” TPO’s Chief Conductor Gudni Emilsson and solo soprano Marie Fajtová help us to celebrate the arrival of 2011 with a night of overtures, arias, and waltzes from famous composers like Georges Bizet, Carl Maria von Weber, Giuseppe Verdi , Rossini, Johann Strauss II
Venue: Music Auditorium, College of Music, Mahidol University, Salaya Campus, Nakhon Pathom Date & time: Jan 7 (Fri) at 8 p.m. and Jan 8 (Sat) 2011, at 4 p.m. Ticket price: THB 500, 300, and 100 (for students) Shuttle Service: The College of Music, Mahidol University provides a “Salaya Link” shuttle bus service from Wongwianyai BTS Station directly to Mahidol University. The bus stops at exit no. 4 of Wongwian Yai BTS Station. The ticket is only 25 baht. Please check the shuttle schedule at www.music.mahidol.ac.th/salayalink More info or reservation, please call 0 2800 2525-34 ext. 153-154
Location: Just next to Hat Kai Bae is smaller and sharter than the frist two beaches,the atmosphere proves to be more peaceful. You may enjoy swimming, Sunbathing,watching the fantastic sunset, kayaking, or buying diving package to Koh Yuak from the resorts very well. Map
White Sand beach or (Hat Sai Khao) as it is called by the locals,The most popular located end of White Sand Beach,
Location: Hat sai Khao is a beautiful sandy beach at the northwest of Koh Chang. It is about 2.5 kilometres long and lined by rocks, over-hanging palms and broad-leaved trees,the beach front is packed with concrete bungalows and upmarket resorts.
White Sand beach
At night time,alot of seafood restaurants on the sand, some with European menus, bars, supermarkets, small shops and massage-shops. Besides some internet cafes there is also a bakery.
Sunbathing,swimming,kayaking to the northern cape,diving,riding motorcycle,watching sunset at the beach or enjoying tasty seafood,beer bars.
The Ko Lae boat (or 'yo kong' in the local dialect) are small fishing boats commonly seen in the fishing villages of southern Thailand. especially around Narathiwat province. The Ko Lae and long boat races on the Bang Nara River have been organized annually in Narathiwat Province since 1976 in honour of Their Majesties the King and Gueen and members of the Royal Family during their visits to the South. These colourful boat races held around The royal Pavilion near the estuary of the Bang Nara River are now one of the main attractions of the province. Vessels particpating in these boat races must be Ko Lae boats that are built the traditional way with twowoden planks. The sides of the boats are paintd and bright colours and feature my thical characters from ancient folklore such as Naga,the dragon, Hanuman, the monkey and singha, the lion. Traditional boat races have inpired a greater interest and appreciation in folk expertise and indigenous skills. this has led to the growth of a collage industry in the production of hand - cralted miniature the Ko Lae boat. Though renewed interest, an ancient folk art and culture is preserved.
River, the land they nurture, people,religion,culture,tradition,and king, were once elements inextricably intertwined.Together, the entities formed the basic of the way of life and an ancient civilisation dependant on the river for a myriad of needs. The river provided drinking water, a source of food, water for crop cultivation, for washing, cleaning and transportation. Life evolved around the river and the earliest settlements in the Thai kingdom were invariably established along the river with traditional homes bult on the river-banks. Traditional long boat races, tha legacy of this thriving river-based civilisation,are still held in many parts of Thailand today. The international and traditional long-boat races in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, the Thai-lao traditional long-boat races held on the Mekong River in the northeastern provinces of Nong Khai .Nakhon Phanom and Mukdahan, the Pichit and Nan long-boat races in northern Thailand . Thailand and the Ko lae boat races held in the southern provinces are among the country's most spectacular events.These colourful regattas depict a way of life that varies from community to comunity and are of great cultural interest as they offer insight into local traditions. The traditional log boat races originated from an elaborate water-borne procession called "Thod Kathin" ceremoney, a Buddhish ritual designated one of the 12 official royal ceremonies at which the king presides. the practice was subsequently adopted by common folk and has been observed throughout the four eras of Thai history namely Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, Thonburi and Rattanakosin. During the rainny season from September to December, residents of traditional village communities take a break from their farming routine and engage in merit-making activities. New monk robes and other sacred offerings are conveyed to temples along the river in traditional long boats and presented to the monks. Once the oferings have been made, the strengthen ties within the local community. The long-boat races have remained a core element of these celebrations.
The Bhumibol Bridge, also known as the Industrial Ring Road Bridge is part of the 13 km long Industrial Ring Road connecting southern Bangkok with Samut Prakan Province. The bridge crosses the Chao Phraya River twice, with two striking cable-stayed spans of lengths of 702 m and 582 m supported by two diamond-shaped pylons 173 m and 164 m high. Where the two spans meet, another road rises to join them at a free-flowing interchange suspended 50 metres above the ground.
Bhumibol Bridge At Night
The bridge opened for traffic on 20 September 2006, before the official opening date of 5 December 2006. It is part of the Bangkok Industrial Ring Road, a royal scheme initiated by King Bhumibol Adulyadej that aims to solve traffic problems within Bangkok and surrounding areas, especially the industrial area around Khlong Toei Port, Southern Bangkok and Samut Prakan Province.
According to tradition, all the bridges over the Chao Phraya in Bangkok are named after a member of the Royal Family. In October 2009, it was announced that both bridges would be named after King Bhumibol Adulyadej, with the northern bridge officially named "Bhumibol 1 Bridge" and the southern bridge "Bhumibol 2 Bridge".The unofficial name "Mega Bridge" was also widely used. The bridge was featured on Discovery Channel. Panoramic view of both bridges Infromations Wikipedia
An elaborate network of canals known as khlongs gave Bangkok the nickname "Venice of the East" at a time when most transportation was by boat. Today, nearly all of the canals have been filled in and converted into streets. While many khlongs still exist with people living along them and markets often being operated along the banks, most are severely polluted. A notable khlong market is the floating market in Taling Chan district. Through downtown Bangkok runs the Khlong Saen Saeb, which has a canal boat service. The wide river Chao Phraya, flowing through the city, has several cross-river ferries and the Chao Phraya Express Boat with as many as thirty stops along the both banks extending as far as the northern suburb of Nonthaburi.
The TPO conducted by Capt Prateep Suphanrojn plays the King’s Melodies and Sibelius 3rd 7 PM, 4th 4 PM, Music Auditorium Mahidol University Salaya
The Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra (TPO) under the patronage of the Royal Thai Government and a part of the College of Music, Mahidol University proudly presents the concert “King’s Birthday”. Come celebrate the birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej in a concert featuring many of the King’s well known musical compositions such as Candle Light Blues, Near Dawn, Love at Sundown, Kinari Suite, Pra Maha Mongkol, No Moon, Falling Rain, H.M. Blues, Rao-Soo, and the Royal Guard March. These pieces were performed in front of His Majesty the King and Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhorn by the same musicians, soloists, and singers on September 29, 2010. Captain Prateep Suphanrojn leads the TPO in these popular and moving melodies that are sure to inspire concertgoers of all ages. Also on the program is Symphony No. 2 in D major op. 43 composed by Jean Sibelius.
Venue: Music Auditorium, College of Music, Mahidol University, Salaya Campus, Nakhon Pathom Date & time: Dec 4, 2010 (Sat) at 4 p.m. Ticket price: THB 500, 300, and 100 (for students) huttle Service: The College of Music, Mahidol University provides a “Salaya Link” shuttle bus service from Wongwianyai BTS Station directly to Mahidol University. The bus stops at exit no. 4 of Wongwian Yai BTS Station. The ticket is only 25 baht. Please check the shuttle schedule at www.music.mahidol.ac.th/salayalink 3-4, 11-12 & 17-18 December – Stage
The largest island in the Gulf of thailand, koh chang,is at the nearest from Trat coast, only about 8 km southwest of laem Ngob Cape. At the heart of the island are high mountains and tropical rain forests which are the source of rivers and waterfalls, whereas the beaches are also attractive with various activities to enjoy. Located not far from Bangkok and can be visited in any seasons, the island has been a popular tourist destination for more than 10 years, because of the ferry service that enables tourists to bring their vehicles to the island,and the good conditioned roads to most of the areas on the island. The tourist who pay visit to Koh chang can have many optional activities and nature singhts. They can enjoy skin diving to appreciate coral riffs. Dayak canoeing, mountain bicycling,motorcycling around fruit orchards, bird observing, fishing,Elephant Trekking,Nightlife & Drink or riding on elephant to explore nature as well as relaxing by taxing traditional massage service. To take a trip to Koh Chang is very convenent,since the road around the archipelage,74 kms.long,has been contructed with good condition. Hundreds of accomodation service along the beaches: bungalows, guesthouses, big resorts, are offered,especially along Hat Sai Khao and Kai Bae Beaches. However, Alot of hotels and resorts as well as bungalows are found anywhere and will increase very soon including complete facilities such as shops,restaurants,filling stations,internet service,beauty sallons etc.
To get there: There are large ferries leaving Center Point Port at Trat to Koh Chang as well. It will be faster, around 20 minutes, and you can also load your vehicles to the island. The rate is 60 Bath per person, and 150 Bath for a car.
Trat is last Thailand's Eastern Province that owns a number of islands and long coastlime Due to its fascinating beauty,Trat is called"the Andaman of Eastern Sea"Although it is only tricts and 2 sub-districts.Trat's outstanding sea and nature enhance the province to the hight business grow.Nevertheless.Trat still has many pristine attractions that are not yet popular among tourists.
Located not very far from Bangkok,located about 315 kilometers from Bangkok.
Trat has over fifty large and small islands under its umbrella which features long white-sand beaches and amazing coral. Of particular interest to visitors are the islands Ko Chang, Ko Kham, Ko Mak, Ko Phi.Ko Rang, Ko Laoya, Ko Phrao and Ko Chang Noi. .... ......
The Cardamom mountain range forms the boundary to Cambodia in the east of the province, where Trat has borders with three Cambodian provinces: Battambang, Pursat and Ko Kong.
The third biggest island of Thailand is Ko Chang,after Phuket and Koh samui] belonging to the province. The island, together with more than 40 surrounding smaller islands, forms the Mu Ko Chang Marine National Park.
...From Bangkok, take Highway No. 34 (Bang Na-Trat) or Motorway to Chonburi, then use Highway No. 344 (Ban Bung-Klaeng) Arriving at Klaeng, turn onto Highway No. 3 and proceed to Trat. The total distance from Bangkok to Trat is 318 kilometers. .... .....
By Bus
Both air-conditioned and non air-conditioned buses depart from Bangkok's Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekamai) to Trat every hour from 6 a.m. to midnight. From Bangkok the buses to Trat cost 169 baht for 1st class air-conditioned buses (132 baht for 2nd class) and 197 baht for 24-seat VIP air-conditioned buses or 113 baht for regular buses. The trip takes five to six hours by air-conditioned bus or about eight hours by regular bus.
For more information, contact Transport Co. Ltd at Tel: 0-2391 -4164, Choet Chai Tour Tel: 0-2391-2237, Chok Anukun Tour Tel: 0-2392-7680 and Suppharat Tour Tel: 0-2391-2331.
Several non air-conditioned buses leave daily, starting from 07.00a.m.-11.00p.m. Fare is 78B (Tel.02 391-2504). Air-conditioned buses leave every 1.30 hours, starting from 07.00a.m.-11.00p.m.. Fare is 140B (Tel. 02 391-4164).
From Chanthaburi to Trat, the regular bus takes about 30 minutes. If one goes by taxi from Chanthaburi to Trat, it takes around 45 minutes.
By Van There are many vans plying between Bangkok and Ao Thammachat, Centre Point or Laem Ngob. They are found on Khao San Road near the Vieng Tai Hotel, departing daily at 8:00 a.m. and leaving Laem Ngob at 11:00 a.m. The one-way fare is 500 Baht per person depending on the season.
By Air Bangkok Airways (www.bangkokair.com, e-mail : reservation@bangkokair.com, Tel.1771) flies thrice daily to Trat. The flight time is 50 minutes. Transfers from Trat Airport to Koh Chang is 280 to 350 Baht per trip depending on the hotel where you stay.
Sam lors around town should cost about 10 baht per person. Small song taews cost about 5 baht per person on a share basis or 20 baht to 40 baht for the whole vehicle. ..... Getting to Islands
Ferries Ao Thammachat (Thammachat Bay) has 2 piers. Koh Chang Ferry (Tel: 039-518 -588) and Ferry Koh Chang (Tel: 039-518-528) operate from 6:30 a.m. till 7:00 p.m. The ferries depart every 1/2 hour during the high season (November to April) and on long weekends landing at Ao Sapparos (Sapparos Bay). Both charge 60 Baht per person and 100 Baht per car for a one-way trip. Travelling time is approximately 25 minutes. Centre Point Ferry (Tel: 039-538-196) starts at 6:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Travelling time is about 40 minutes and it lands at Dan Kao Cabana. The ferry fare costs 50 Baht per person, and 70 Baht per person for those who come with their own cars. The frequency lessens during other times of the year depending on the crowd and weather. On arrival at Koh Chang, you will find some Songthaew ready to take you anywhere on Koh Chang, for 40 to 80 Baht per person depending on the distance. This applies to other piers as well.
After 5:00 p.m., songthaews are available from the Ao Thammachat pier only, but not going to the pier. Passengers taking the last public ferry at 7:00 p.m. from Koh Chang may find it difficult to get to Trat town. However, if there are enough passengers, people who work at the pier with private cars may be willing to charge a fee for bringing people to Trat. (Table)
To Other Islands About 25 km from Trat town is Laem Sok Pier, also called Siriwhite Pier (Tel: 086-126 -7860), serving taxi speedboats to Koh Kood only. Carrying up to 30 passengers, they leave daily at 1:00 p.m., and arrive Koh Maak at 1:50 p.m. and then Koh Kood at 2:20 p.m. The fare is 400 Baht to Koh Maak and 550 Baht to Koh Kood. The fare between Koh Kood and Koh Maak is 300 Baht. You can also charter a speedboat at 8000 Baht to Koh Maak and 9000 Baht to Koh Kood. Return trip from Koh Kood is at 10:00 a.m. and Koh Maak at 10:30 a.m. It arrives at Laem Sok at about 11:15 a.m. It is advisable to check the rate and schedule of the ferry services before embarking on the trip because of possible changes due to the season, passenger load and competition amongst the ferry and boat operators. The rates and schedules supplied here is effective at the time of writing and should serve as a guide only.
Distances from Amphoe Muang to Other Districts Khao Saming 16 kms. Laem Ngop 17 kms. Bo Rai 59 kms. Khlong Yai 74 kms. Ko Chang 27 kms. Ko Kut 82 kms.
Distances from Trat to Neighboring Provinces: Chanthaburi 70 kms. Rayong 179 kms. Chon Buri 234 kms.
Thai Culture and Heritage from the four regions of Thailand
Pattaya Floating Market was opened to the public in November 2008.The area of Pattaya’s latest attraction, which is situated on almost100.000 square meters, is divided into 4 separate parts, each with its own unique location, represents the four regions of Thailand: Northern -, Central -, North-Eastern and Southern region and offering a special blend of differing traditions.
More than 80 paddle boats are on standby to ferry visitors around the compound along many Thai style teak wood buildings, linked by a network of canals, bridges and a number of different sized islands with exotic plants and trees.
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The boat trip will slowly expose the richness of the surrounding architectural and cultural river side living. Water vendors moving with their paddle boats from dock to dock and offering their unique range of freshly cooked delicious dishes.
Pattaya Floating Market provides daily several cultural performances, nativeto the four regions of the country, like Thai classical dance, martial art demonstrations,as well as water boxing, where the fighters perform on a horizontal pole above the canal. Painters do show their artificial work, like umbrella and portrait painting.Pattaya Floating Market will provide shortly Amphibian-boat rides, an agricultural rice field demonstration and authentic House-boats for home stay.
More than110 boutique-shops presenting wooden hand carvings, silks and cloth weaving, special Thai herbs, many OTOP products and other native items from all over Thailand.readmore....
Pianist Mami Hagiwara won the top prize at the Geneva International Music Competition in Switzerland on Thursday. This makes her the first Japanese citizen to win the contest’s piano division.
Hagiwara took the jury’s first prize, worth nearly 21 thousand US dollars, with her performance of Maurice Ravel’s Concerto for Piano in G major.
With the Ravel concerto, the 23-year-old Hagiwara chose a demanding piece, where the piano is matched against swelling jazz references in the first movement and the military gallop of the last.
The Geneva competition, launched in 1939, is one of the most prestigious on the international circuit. Pianists Martha Argerich and Maurizio Pollini are among its laureates.
In this year’s piano section, by far the biggest number of the 41 entrants came from East Asian countries.
South Korea’s Hyo Joo Lee and Russia’s Maria Masycheva, shared the second prize.
Chopin Society (Singapore) & Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts
present
First International Chopin Piano Competition Singapore
2010 marks the 200th anniversary of Chopin’s birth. To commemorate Chopin’s bicentenary, the Chopin Society (Singapore) and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts will be hosting Singapore’s inaugural International Chopin Piano Competition. more
Koh Kudi is a small island in the Koh Samed-Kao Laem Ya National Marine Park of Rayong province.This island is on the east of Ko Samet.six kilometres from the mainland. Ko Kudi totals an area of 63 rai. A nice beach and coral reefs make it a nice place for a hideaway. Nearby islands are Ko Thai Khangkhao and Ko Tham Ruesi.
The sea floor comprises solid rock which gently slopes into deeper water (going down to a maximum depth of 20 metres). The site offers splendid marine life which includes batfish, reef fish, black coral and seafan. Underwater visibility is maintained at around 12 metres on most occasions. The site is suitable for beginners.
Without accommodation, the national park office on the island offers a tent for rent at 200 baht per person/ night. Pitching a private tent requires paying a fee of 20 baht per person/night. For more information, call Tel. 0 3865 3034, or in Bangkok at Tel.0 2561 2919 and 0 2561 2921.
Ao Phrao is a clean sandy beach with clear water nice for swimming. As the only western beach of koh Samet, it is the most beautiful sunset view spot of the island.
Although Ao Phai is just next to Haad Sai kaew with only a rock in between,it is much more peaceful without any sea activities.Yet the beach is also white, clean and nice for swimming.
Crystal Clear Water
Ao Phai(Bamboo Bay) is quite different from the spectacular beach Sai Kaew entirely. Because the Gulf is filled with bamboo trees and rock is not just sand alone. And that's because the trees on rock make this beach is more attractive in itself. I chose to stay near Ao Phai. Because beauty. And living away from many sources.
This is the beach that gains popularity not less than Haad Sai Kaew.Haad Wong Duen is of the crescent moon shape,with reddish brown sand and crystal clear water nice for swimming and various sea activities.
