Now in its 8th year, the Thailand Retail Food & Hospitality Services TRAFS for short is an annual hospitality industry event held over four days in mid July at BITEC Bangkok. It is promoted as one of the ‘must attend’ regional events for anyone engaged in the hospitality industry. As equipment and supplies for hotels, restaurants, catering, bakery and retail businesses are exhibited this is where more than 30,000 visitors and participants from 50 regional and other countries come to get in touch with the latest trends in key areas of the hospitality industry. It is the best regional platform for kitchen, Bakery and coffee equipment manufacturers and distributors, manufacturers and distributors of food, beverages, ice cream and dairy products, laundry, cleaning equipment and bedding, …

Travellers in search of five-star Siem Reap accommodation will be more than pleased with the Anantara Angkor Resort & Spa. Providing guests with a central location this idyllic rest offers modern amenities to suit business travellers as well as holidaymakers. Renowned as one of Cambodia’s most sacred religious festivals the marking of Pchum Ben or Ancestor’s Day holds a special place in the hearts and minds of Khmer residents the world over. This annual religious ceremony in Cambodia falls on the 15th day of the 10th month in the Khmer calendar with dates in the Georgian calendar alternating between the months of September and October. The 2013 Pchum Ben festival for example was marked from the 3rd to the 5th of October while the dates of this year’s …

Falling on the 15th day of the 7th month of the lunar calendar, the Hungry Ghost Festival which is referred to as ‘Yu Lan’ by the locals involves one thrilling spectacle. It’s certainly not your local rendition of Halloween but this festival is closely associated with ancestor worship. Should you be holidaying at a Wan Chai hotel Hong Kong such as Cosmopolitan Hotel Hong Kong during this time, consider taking in the sights and sounds of this festival. Also held to appease the spirits, locals can be seen busily engaged in burning faux money, tending fires by the road and making offerings to their ancestors who have long since passed into the after world. Amongst the charitable deeds, visitors will also have the opportunity to watch Chinese operas being …

Visakha Bucha or Vesak is one of most important annual events among Buddhists in Thailand as it commemorates Gautama Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and ‘parinirvana’. According to Theravada Buddhist teachings these three events took place on the first full moon day in the 6th lunar month of Wisaka. This is one of the busiest days in Bangkok despite everything being shut down as Buddhists come to take part in public religious events and to be with family and friends. On this day the city’s Governor leads the people in giving alms to monks, Buddha relics are moved from the Grand Palace so that people can pay homage and members of the Thai royal family join the people to commemorate the event. Citadenes Sukhumvit 8 Bangkok, adjacent to …

Although Songkran, celebrated in Thailand from 13 to 15th April each year is known as a water festival where spraying water on everyone seems to be the primary activity, it in fact heralds the Thai New Year. Coming at one of the hottest months, many people make this an excuse to get soaked and to have weeklong celebrations. Occupying a prized location, Citadenes Sukhumvit 16 Bangkok offers convenient access to important business and commercial locations and fun city activities. Businesses and offices shut down and half the population of Bangkok leaves for their home towns for long awaited family reunions. Water splashing, besides being a fun activity, is a symbol of washing away the misfortunes of the previous year, beginning the New Year afresh. This is similar …

The many intriguing cultures of the very traditional city of Bali extend into the world of the performing arts. Dance makes a very important part of the Balinese lifestyle and is etched with a spiritual aura. There are several occasions where one can enjoy such Balinese performances. In fact, most of these dances make an important part of the religious functions in Bali but since Bali is extremely popular with the tourists, Balinese Dance can be enjoyed as a separate performance itself. One of the most popular Balinese Dance performances is the Kecak Fire and Trance dance. There is something thoroughly captivating about this dance ritual that makes it a must see for those visiting Bali. The best part about this dance is that it …