Fishing for fun

The northern province is hosting the Long Boat Racing Festival on Monday and Tuesday at Baan Pha-luead in Tha Pla district with the winners taking home a trophy from HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The two festive days promise plenty of fun with local games, lady boy boat racing, oily pole climbing, an eel catching competition and water boxing among the activities guaranteed to make you laugh.

 

Rare rites on the western front

Mon communities in Kanchanaburi’s Sangkhla Buri district celebrate the traditional new year from April 16 and 18 with a host of colourful cultural shows. The ceremonies take place at Wat Wangwiwekaram Temple and in a rite that’s unique to the Mon, hundreds of men lie down, side by side, on the ground paving the “faithful way” for Buddhist monks, while thousands more – men and women – pour the water on long bamboo tubes to bathe the monks. Traditional Mon games and cultural shows enhance the festive mood. Sangkhla Buri is about five hours drive to Bangkok’s west. 

 

Snakes in the ring

Head up to the King Cobra Village of Baan Khok Sa-nga in Khon Kaen province this Songkran and officially celebrate the Year of Snake. From today until Tuesday, the villagers celebrate the annual King Cobra Festival to make merit and show gratitude to their “deadly friend” for attracting tourists to their fighting shows. For six days and night, the festival offers something a bit more adorable than the king cobra with a Miss King Cobra Contest, cultural shows and, of course, a King Cobra parade. The village is famous for king cobra boxing with man and snake squaring off in the ring.

 

Getting high on Sukhumvit

Holiday Inn Bangkok Sukhumvit, the newest hotel in the group, is now welcoming visitors to the Thai capital. Located on Sukhumvit Soi 22, the hotel stands 29 storeys high, and houses 300 stylish guestrooms and suites. It also offers business centre, outdoor lap pool and gym with exercise machines and restaurants with a “Kids Eat Free” programme. Maya, a chic bar on the rooftop, is a great place to wind down after a day in the City of Angels. Call +66 (0) 2683 4888 or visit www.HolidayInn.com.