Smoke on the water

Smoke on the water

The riverside community of Ladchado, Ayutthaya Province makes the beginning of the Buddhist Lent on July 19 with a Candle Festival. Like many things in Ladchado, the candle festival is celebrated on the water with hundreds of small sampans and other boats decorated with flowers and colourful parasols bobbing in the water as they emerge from the far side of the canal. Tucked away in Phak Hai district, Ladchado is about 40 kilometres west of downtown Ayutthaya.

 

Dancing with the ghosts

The spirit world will again be shaking up souls in Loei province and the dead will be walking the earth – and having a fun time doing it – as the Phi Ta Khon Festival returns to Dan Sai district from July 6 to 8.Villagers create demon masks from coconut shells and bamboo baskets for this unique annual event, then on the morning of July 7 don the horrific masks along with shocking outfits and roam the streets. The hotels are fully booked months in advance, so bring your own sleeping bag and sleep under the stars at the local temple. E-mail: [email protected] or visit FacebookTAT Loei Office.

 

Conference calls

Fully equipped with both the space and the amenities for meetings and events, Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 is set to be one of the largest MICE hotels in the downtown area. The versatile Benjasiri Grand Ballroom can hold up to 1,000 participants for a cocktail event and the six meeting rooms will be in service from next month. Equipped with full facilities and quality services the new meeting rooms are ideal for breakout sessions, smaller meetings, seminars or small press conferences ranging from as few as 10 participants up to 150 attendees, Call (02) 009 4908 or email: [email protected]. For more information, log on to www.NovotelBangkokSukhumvit20.com

 

South with a Smile

Thai Smile has just launched a promotional fare on its new route from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi Airport) to Penang in Malaysia. The Penang promotion, which starts at Bt2,580, covers the one-way fare inclusive of airport taxes and fees. Bookings are open until October 29 for the travel period July 16 to October 29. Book online at www.ThaiSmileAir.com, call the Smile Service Centre at 1181 and (02)118 8888 or contact Smile travel agents.