A true taste of Thailand

THE 2017 edition of the Thailand Tourism Festival, which gets underway tomorrow, promises to be bigger and better than in previous years with plenty more activities, additional zones and lots of delicious dishes up for grabs.
“Thailand has so much to offer visitors and domestic tourists, and we want this year’s Thailand Tourism Festival to showcase the unique local experiences and attractions found in all parts of the nation. By visiting Lumpini Park, visitors can enjoy local cuisine and experience the culture unique to all five regions before they choose where to travel. They can also enjoy live music, cultural shows, lucky draws, and a wonderful holiday atmosphere with the best of Thailand on show in the heart of Bangkok,” says Yuthasak Supasorn, the governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
“Every year, we choose a highlight and as the fair coincides with Chinese New Year, we have chosen to organise the offering of ‘jatu pajjai’, the four necessities of Buddhist monks. Alms giving will be held every day throughout the fair starting at 7am. On the first day, we will offer 108 ‘jatu pajjai’ sets to 88 monks who will give sermons,” he says.
The festival is divided into 10 zones focusing on the five regions of Thailand as well as demonstrations of local culture and cuisine.
The “Botanical Gardens”, which pays tribute to Their Majesties the late King Rama IX and King Rama X, is home to exhibitions of the royal routes in all five regions.
The second zone, “Discover Thainess in Five Regions”, is a showcase for handicrafts, culture and traditions and features replicas of landmarks from the different regions. In the Northern village, Thai people will be able to appreciate the Royal Family members’ way of giving a gift and learn about the ways of life of 10 hilltribes. The Isaan village will have a 10-metre-high replica of Phra That Phanom, rice offerings, and DIY workshops including one for making a book out of an indigo-0dyed banana leaf. The Central village will be home to a traditional Thai house, traditional Thai crafts and demonstrations of preparing local dishes. In the Southern village, with its yacht pier landmark, replicas of the Great Noble Relics Stupa of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Lim Ko Niao Shrine in Pattani will be on show together with a seafood market. The Eastern village, which boasts a lighthouse, will be decorated with models of Atsadang Bridge on Ko Sichang in Chon Buri and of the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Chanthaburi as well as the 100-year community market in Chasoengsao and the Alcazar cabaret show in Pattaya.
The third zone is “Unique Culinary Delights” offering cuisine and products from 50 areas of Bangkok. The fourth zone is devoted to the work of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thailand Tourism Awards, activities and upcoming campaigns. The fifth zone is “TAT Recommended Routes” offering for fun tourist routes and travel packages. The sixth zone introduces a new style of travelling while the seventh zone is home to the main stage on which such stars at Bodyslam, Joey Boy, Keng Tachaya, Koh Mr Saxman, Jennifer Kim, Paradise Molam Bangkok International Band and The Palace & Friend are slated to play along with cultural performances from the People’s Republic of China and plays.
The eighth zone is “China Town” in celebration of the Chinese New Year 2017 and here people can have their fortunes read and pay respect to the Chinese gods. The ninth zone is “Geology” and showcases the country’s geological park including dinosaur exhibits, educational displays about fossils, and a virtual tour. The tenth zone is “The Selfie” with the TAT mascot, Nong Sukjai.
“Fairgoers spending Bt10,000 can also win a range of prizes from two round-trip air tickets with two nights at Sri Panwa Hotel in Phuket and a package of two nights at Soneva Kiri Hotel in Koh Kood,” Yuthasak says. 
“And at the initiative of the Bangkok Governor, visitors are also invited to collect garbage and get a prize. 
“I believed this event will inspire tourists to take their holidays in the provinces.”

- Thailand Tourism Festival 2017 runs from tomorrow through Sunday daily from 2 |to 10pm in Lumpini Park. |The nearest stations are BTS Sala Daeng and MRT Silom.