Tag Archives: bangkok

Bangkok International Fashion Week – Celebrating Thai Fashion in Style!

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Whether you opt to visit the Thai capital of Bangkok in January or June, the likelihood of an exciting event taking place during your stay is quite likely for Bangkok is a city filled with life. While the Thai celebrate their own traditional holidays, they do not shy away from celebrating holidays of foreign cultures. For those visiting Bangkok in January and February, the Bangkok Fringe Festival will provide a wonderful insight into the traditional dance and music of the sub-continent and the Chinese New Year is bound to be an exciting event with firecrackers, lanterns and dragon dances.

Taking a Bangkok cruise tour during such a celebration is likely to be surreal experience as one can observe the skies above and the water below mirroring the array of colours created by fireworks displays. Such tours can be facilitated by local hotels as well as service providers such as Anantara Cruises. While other cultural events such as the Makha Bucha which is a religious holiday, Chakri Day and Songkran take place, fashion shows are also featured activities on the Bangkok calendar. The Elle Fashion week, for instance, has been held in Bangkok since 1999 while the Bangkok International Fashion Week takes place in mid March.

The Bangkok International Fashion Fair will take place from 11-13 March this year at IMPACT in Bangkok alongside the Bangkok International Leather Fair 2015. The Fashion Week is scheduled to present a number of catwalk shows by Thai designers over four days thereby providing an opportunity for new and raw talent to exhibit their designs and gain international exposure.

A number of the designers who are scheduled to launch their new clothing lines have already been successful internationally and their latest styles are looked forward to by the locals. While tickets must be obtained to view the shows, usually, if you are lucky, you may be able to snag a coveted public seat to witness the unfolding of the latest fashion in Thailand.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Festivals in Bangkok – The catch of the city

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The vibrant and cosmopolitan city of Bangkok is sensational year around with a palette of festivals happening very frequently. Even though the city is taken over by modernism, it is still an emblem of Thai culture for both residents and visitors. In order to enjoy these fabulous festivities, Atrium Bangkok, set in a convenient location, is one of the most fascinating Bangkok city hotels.

To begin with, Chinese New Year, celebrated in Yaowaraj, takes place in January or February. This exhilarating celebration brings life to the official Chinatown with dragon dancers, fanfare, chromatic fireworks and exploding fire crackers. You can wear red clothes and join in with the festivities to feel the spirit of this festival.

Songkran festival, celebrated in April, the warmest month of the year, is the traditional Thai New Year that is usually a time for family reunion. This is a jovial ceremony in the scorching heat that every visitor should partake. During this week of celebration the whole city goes wild with friendly water fights and street parties with the belief to wash away all misfortunes of the past year.

Moon festival and Vegetarian festival, celebrated in September or October, are delightful with yummy gourmet foods lined up on colourful shelf displays. Definitely, try out the moon cakes during the moon festival and the variety of vegan dishes from sweet cakes to noodle soups sold in temporary rows of stalls in Chinatown, the gathering point for the festivities of the Vegetarian festival!

Furthermore, Loy Krathong, one of the most picturesque traditional festivals in the country takes place in November. Beautiful lotus shaped rafts, decorated with candles, incense and flowers are released onto water by people gathering around lakes, rivers and canals to pay respects to the goddess of water. The sight of thousands of Krathongs is truly enticing and magical.

Celebrating Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Bangkok is also captivating as in any other country. Therefore, swipe out into the city and let the spirit of festivities happening all year round make the best out of your visit in this paradise!

Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.

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Suphanburi Tingkajad Festival – a colourful cultural parade

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A beautiful festival that dates back to at least 100 consecutive years and considered to be a ritual of the Mahayana Buddhism is held in the month of August. If you are planning a holiday at a Bangkok resort, you could consider a stay at Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa that lies in close proximity to the venue of this festival.

When travelling to Bangkok on either business or pleasure during august, you could visit the Suphanburi province and witness this spectacular festival which is bound to be a stress reliever. Many poor people attend this parade for free meals and the other provisions. There are different parts included in this spectacular parade, a few being the Chinese exhibitions, donations offered to the Chinese monks that makes lot of merits.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

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Thai Short Film & Video Festival in Bangkok, a delight for the film enthusiast

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The mesmerizing city of Bangkok offers many attractions for the visitor, including sightseeing highlights, cultural attractions and a host of festivals and events. If you are selecting Sathorn apartments an appealing choice would be the Ascott Sathorn Bangkok. This fine accommodation provider offers well-appointed rooms and welcoming hospitality in a conveniently accessible location.

The much anticipated Thai Short Film and Video Festival is a yearly film extravaganza held in the Thai capital Bangkok. This popular event which has been held since 1997 is devoted to creations such as short films, student films, animation, documentary films and experimental films. Conducted by the Thai Film Foundation this groundbreaking event provides a platform for local filmmakers, particularly independent film producers who create short Thai language films. A number of special programmes are also conducted as a part of the festival, drawing the attention of film lovers. Foreign films are also screened as there is a separate competition for international films.

The festival aims to encourage independent filmmaking and recognize creativity amongst Thai filmmakers. As the best and most popular films are screened as part of the festival it is eagerly awaited by Thai film aficionados.

A number of prizes are awarded in various categories as part of the festival. The R. D. Pestonji Award is granted to the best general filmmaker; the White Elephant prize is awarded to the best film by a college student; the Special White Elephant is granted to the most promising high school or even younger filmmaker; the Duke award for the finest documentary; as well as the Payut Ngaokrachang award for the best animation.

Films from many countries have been selected for the international competition, with past entries having been received from nations as far flung as France, Hong Kong, Belarus, Iran, the United States, Ukraine, China, Japan, Portugal, Switzerland and Lebanon just to name a few. With so much to view and enjoy film lovers will be enthralled by this unique film festival.

Uditha Dharmawardhane is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Roland Lefevre. He specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe.

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About Food and Drink – TRAFS 2014

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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, table and kitchenware, furniture, ready to eat products and related computer soft and hardware and security systems. Attendees enjoy hundreds of sales opportunities in just four days. This where industry professionals come to see new product demonstrations, check and evaluate products prior to buying, launch new products and meet buyers and sellers. This is also the most cost effective way to identify product related services and information. Assistance is provided to participants with accommodation, transport and business services. The serviced suites of Anantara Baan Rajprasong Bangkok are among the Bangkok serviced apartments suited for short and long stays.

The event is more than just an exhibition. It provides four days of competitions, workshops and opportunities for business meet ups with global and regional players to share knowledge and experiences on the trades involved. The chef’s competition is a big draw. Culinary experts from various hotels around the country vie to be the top chef in the preparation of entrees, main meals, deserts, pastries and petit fours with the wedding cake competition taking top billing. Food workshops draw visitors into the exhibition with cooking classes and demonstrations, the effective use of different ingredients, food tasting, tips on pairing wines, food safety, dessert and cake decorating among other activities.

Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

Merit Making – Vesak Celebrations in Bangkok

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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 the city’s main street, offers the ideal location from which to participate in religious activities.

Traditional Thai religious rituals are observed throughout the day. These include visiting temples at sun rise to participate in the first prayers of the day and to offer flowers and fruit, light candles and joss sticks in front of Buddha statues and to listen to sermons. Some spend the whole day at the temple clad in white, meditating and listening to sermons while others carry out various merit making activities. In the evenings candle lit processions wind their way to temples and devotees walk round the temple stupa three times to celebrate the three jewels of Buddhism, the Buddha, Dhamma and the Sangha. Devout Buddhists will not only observe the five precepts on this day but will add another three, not eating after the mid day meal, not wearing brightly coloured garments, jewellery and perfume and not using soft chairs and beds. In fact devout Buddhists can be identified easily as they will be dressed simply, all in white. Thai temples that are the focus of the celebrations buzz with activity. All are decorated with Buddhist flags, bunting, and various combinations of coloured electric lights. Visitors to the city can avail of the excellent services and amenities at Citadenes Sukhumvit 8 serviced accommodation Bangkok on this busy day.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+

Royal Ploughing Ceremony – For a Bountiful Harvest

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Rice constitutes a staple in most South Asian countries and while in nations such as Thailand, rice is only a component of a meal, in countries such as India and Sri Lanka, rice tends to be the primary focus of any meal and all other curries are considered subsidiary or complementary. Given the radical importance placed by most South Asian and South East Asian countries on this type of grain, it is no surprise that a number of traditional ceremonies conducted throughout centuries tend to focus on the ploughing season. Most such nations place a great degree of importance on celebrating the beginning of the season, the reaping of the grain and often, communities pledge the first meal made from rice, to the gods or other deities they may revere.

Conducted in countries such as Cambodia and Thailand, the Royal Ploughing Ceremony traditionally signalled the commencement of the rice growing season. This ceremony was also known as Lehtun Mingala and Mingala Ledaw and was conducted in countries such as Burma until the monarchy was abolished. In 2013, the Royal Ploughing Ceremony in Thailand was conducted under the patronage of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and in the presence of the Prime Minister, soothsayers, farmers and locals.

The ceremony includes two oxen who plough a furrow in the ground which is followed by the scattering of rice seeds into the ploughed field. As this ritual was taking place, officials from the Royal Court walk alongside the field blowing conch shells and chanting in the belief that the next harvest will be bountiful.

In appreciation of their service, the oxen are given seven bowls containing a variety of items such as water, liquor, grass, maize, soy bean and sesame seeds and depending on what they eat, the official Royal Brahmins can predict whether the harvest is to be bountiful or not.

Thus for tourists staying in Bangkok serviced apartments during the month of May, the Royal Ploughing Ceremony might be a worthwhile event to attend. After all, travelling should include a pleasant insight into the lives of the locals. For those searching for a serviced apartment in Bangkok to reside in during the course of their stay, Ascott Sathorn Bangkok is an ideal option.

 

Nigel Walters is a travel writer, who writes under the pen name, Fritzjames Stephen. His content is based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travelers across all walks of life.

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Bangkok Events & Festivals 2014

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The vibrant metropolis of Bangkok is a hotbed of culture, leisure, commercial aspects and colourful festivals. If in search of Sukhumvit accommodation, a preferable choice is Anantara Baan Rajprasong Bangkok which offers a selection of elegant Bangkok serviced apartments. Every year, a wide range of unique art installations, sumptuous food festivals, colourful temple fairs, spectacular stage productions and fabulous sales take place in the city, catering to the whims and fancies of locals and visitors. Apart from the Chinese New Year, Loy Krathong and Songkran, there are numerous other fantastic annual events including Bangkok International Jazz Festival, Royal Ploughing Ceremony and Moon Festival noted for their fascinating cultural aspects.

 

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Visakha Bucha Festival in Bangkok

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When in Bangkok make it point to experience some of the vibrant local festivals. Plan on staying at Bangkok serviced apartments? If so, Ascott Sathorn Bangkok features a selection of elegant serviced apartments Bangkok has to offer. One such festival is Visakha Bucha Day which is held in commemoration of Gautama Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and the passing away. It was on this day that Lord Buddha was born and 35 years later attained enlightenment. On the very same day at the age of 80 Buddha passed away to attain nibbana. Due to these reasons, this day is of great significance for Buddhists all over the world. This day in Thailand is a time for Buddhists to reflect on Buddha’s teachings and indulge in various spiritual activities.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Naris Day: Celebrating the Birthday Anniversary of HRH Prince Narisaranuvattiwongse

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Throughout the course of time, many iconic events taken place over the years have shaped the manner in which the modern world celebrates various events. Events that are affiliated to religions such as Easter and Christmas are celebrated with vigour alongside holidays such as Boxing Day and various Independence Days. Such commemorative holidays are declared by Governments depending upon the event or its importance, as well as by notable organisations in order to raise awareness of or to celebrate an iconic moment in history. As a result, many organisations celebrate World Cancer Day, World Down Syndrome Day and World Tuberculosis Day while States celebrate events such as the International Workers’ Day and May Day. In the midst of such celebrations, Governments have also declared certain days as holidays in order to commemorate the achievements of a certain distinguished individual of society and the Prince Naris Day in Thailand is one of them.

Celebrated on the birthday of HRH Prince Narisaranuvattiwongse on the 28th of April annually, Prince Naris Day was celebrated in 2013 with a lecture by the Prince’s grandson, MR Chakrarot Chitrabong at the Siam Society. This lecture embodied details about the life of the Prince and his achievements which lead to his epithet “The Great Craftsman of Siam”. Alongside the lecture, a number of other events took place as well. These included the exhibition of some of the newly discovered work completed by the Prince as well while the family is planning on launching a book complete with all his designs as well as a selection private designs that were never seen by the public.

HRH Prince Narisaranuvattiwongse was a well known designer in his time and was the son of King Rama IV. His designs have endured even today and the best example is the ordination hall of Wat Rachathiwat. His private residence is now open for public viewings, but it is best to inquire from your City hotel Bangkok prior to visiting in order to confirm the time and dates on which it is open. Most Bangkok City hotels will happily make this inquiry for you. Visiting the shopping central of Thailand also means that you can opt to explore the shopping district after visiting Ban Plainern and what better place to reside in than in the heart of the shopping district at Atrium Bangkok.

 

Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Caliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered.

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