NOVEMBER 2008
LOI KRATHONG – FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
In Bangkok: November 8 - 12, 2008
Nationwide: November 12, 2008

As the full moon of the twelfth lunar month (usually in mid-November) lights up the night sky, throughout the Thai kingdom, hundreds of thousands of ornately-decorated krathong or traditional banana leaf floats are set adrift in rivers and waterways in a spell-binding ritual called "Loi Krathong" - the 'festival of lights". This is one of the Kingdom's oldest and best-preserved traditions.

The Loi Krathong tradition we know of today has evolved from the royal rituals of the early Rattanakosin period in which several types of lanterns were set afloat in the Chao Phraya River and its waterways.

Loi Krathong Sai on the Ping River
Night of A Thousand Floating Lanterns
In Tak province, the banana-leaf floats are replaced by coconut shells which are threaded together and launched simultaneously so they appear as long chains of hundreds of glittering lights on the Ping River, hence the origin of its name, "Loi Krathong Sai".

Yi-Peng Festival in Northern Thailand
In the Northern Thai provinces that were once part of the ancient Lanna Thai kingdom, the Yi-peng Northern Lantern Festival is still being celebrated. Tubular lanterns, resembling hot air balloons, are lit and released into the night sky as an offering the Lord Buddha. As hundreds of illuminated lanterns drift into infinity, this conjures the same sense of wistful closure as the krathong float downstream.

HIGHLIGHTS AND EVENT VENUES
Loi Krathong celebrations in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Sukhothai, Tak and Ayutthaya
Please click for more details

Contact information:
TAT Call Centre: 1672
Or TAT Event Planning Division
Tel: +66 (0) 250 5500 Ext 3495-3499

NOVEMBER 2008
RIVER KWAI BRIDGE WEEK
Kanchanaburi

Each year in late November to early December, the world famous River Kwae Bridge built by Allied prisoners-of-war during World War II , becomes the focal point of celebrations.

Event highlights include historical and archaeological exhibits, a carnival, folk and cultural performances, rides on World War II vintage trains, and a spectacular light and sound presentation re-enacting the bridge's World War II legacy.

Contact information:
TAT Central Office - Region 1
Tel: +66 (0) 3451 1200, (0) 3451 2500
Fax: +66 (0) 3451 1200
E-mail: tatkan@tat.or.th

NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 4, 2008
2008 PHUKET KING'S CUP REGATTA

The Phuket King's Cup Regatta is Asia's biggest and most popular regatta. More than a regatta, the week long event consists of great parties, great sailing and lots of fun.

Inaugurated in 1987 to celebrate the 60th birthday of His Majesty the King of Thailand, the event has been held every year since during the first week of December. In 2006, the event was voted as Yatching Event of the Year at the Christofle Asia Boating Awards. This honour follows a record year in December 2006 with over 100 boats entering the event and with a record media turnout. It is the second consecutive year the Phuket King's Cup Regatta won this prestigious award.

With the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King, the Regatta is organised by the Phuket King's Cup Regatta Organizing Committee under the auspices of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, in conjunction with the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, the Royal Thai Navy and the Province of Phuket.

For general information on the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, contact Regatta Secretary at info@kingscup.com or +66 (0) 7627 3380. For racing inquiries, contact Simon James on racing@kingscup.com. The regatta website is www.kingscup.com where further information and Notice of Race can be found.