Sheets to the wind

The annual yacht race always draws skippers and crews from around than world, with teams from New Zealand, England, Japan, Australia, Sweden, America, Thailand and, off course, Russia, regatta regulars. You don’t even have to buy a boat to enjoy the race, as Pattaya City will be throwing parties all during the race week. Visit www.TopOfTheGulfRegatta.com.

 

Chinese tourists boost AirAsia

Thai AirAsia is enjoying positive growth in China, reporting a 140 per cent increase in bookings on all nine routes in the first quarter of 2013. From January to March, says the low-cost airline, more than 900,000 Chinese passengers travelled on AirAsia to Thailand. The airline is now increasing flight frequency on popular routes including Hong Kong, Wuhan and Chongqing. Based at Don Mueang International Airport, AirAsia flew 1.1 million Chinese passengers to Thailand, and is aiming to top the 5 million mark within next five years. Visit www.AirAsia.com.

 

Shooting for rain

You don't need NASA to launch a rocket into the sky. From May 11 to 12, some 100 handmade rockets, or bung fai, will be fired skywards over the rice paddies of Yasothon in northeastern Thailand. The annual festival is held to celebrate and encourage the coming rains. The festival usually draws upwards of 50,000 spectators for the rocket competition, the crazy mud dances and the many fun activities.

 

New manager for Qantas

Qantas recently introduced Bob Everest as the airline’s new manager for Thailand and Vietnam. Based in Bangkok, Everest is responsible for all Qantas commercial activities in Thailand and Vietnam. Prior to his appointment, he served the airline’s manager South Australia and was based in Adelaide. He has also a strong knowledge of the Asian region having worked in Indonesia for four years as the Qantas Country Manager and in Singapore as Revenue Development Manager for both Qantas and British Airways for another four years. The airline flies daily between to Bangkok and Sydney. Visit www.Qantas.com.au.