Pedalling for a cause

Led by Accor manager David Baldwin, this trip will bring together Accor team members from all over the world to challenge themselves, while raising money to help children in need. All the funds will be used to provide scholarships for young Cambodians studying at the esteemed Ecole d’Hotellerie et de Tourisme Paul Dubrule. You are invited to support this worthy cause by making a donation of any size through www.FundRaiseOnline.com.au/DavidBaldwin. The money will go directly to the school, not to Baldwin himself or any event organisers.

 

Spears of purity

Religious adherents at the Phuket Vegetarian Festival have to follow a strict regime that involves wearing white clothing and doing without meat, alcohol and nicotine. More extreme expressions of faith involve the piercing of flesh with everything from umbrellas to tyre spanners. The event runs from October 15 to 23 on the island resort of Phuket for the purpose of cleansing and renewing the body and soul. The festival and its accompanying sacred rituals also involve processions, fireworks and music. Visit www.PhuketVegetarian.com.

 

A load of Thai bull

Thai water buffaloes might not be as aggressive as their Spanish counterparts but they can certainly give the bulls a good run for their money – and they’re a lot more fun. Chon Buri province, about an hour's drive east of Bangkok, is hosting Buffalo Racing from October 26 to November 1 in front of the provincial hall. Beefy buffaloes, skinny buffaloes and white buffaloes will race against each other over a 100-metre-long grassy strip, leaving a huge cloud of dust in the air. You'll be surprised – and perhaps terrified – at the beasts’ terrific speed but poor sense of direction.

 

Learning to love Mondays

Don’t hate Monday, says the latest message from Novotel Bangkok Ploenchit. Instead enjoy the first day of the working week with half price food and drink at Dee Lounge. Everything the guest orders from coffee, bakery items, alcoholic mixers, beers, cocktails and wine to a wide range of bar food and more is discounted by 50 per cent from 10am to 10pm every Monday.