Funny and fearsome in Loei

Funny and fearsome in Loei

Residents of Dan Sai in Loei province are getting ready to celebrate Phi Ta Khon, one of Thailand’s most colourful and vibrant festivals, on June 26-28. This famous festival features colourful parades headed by “ghosts” and “fearsome creatures” who play with the crowds and occasionally wag and wave a whopping great pink wood penis at onlookers. The highlight is on June 27 when the playful ghosts parade through the small town. 

 

A splashing good time

Walking on the water might be a miracle – but running in the water is fun. Chumpon, a small southern province, will organise the unique “Running through the Sea” race on June 21. The competition covers 14 kilometres along the shoreline – of which the very last section (about one kilometre) is through low-tide – before reaching the finishing line on Phithak Island. The race kicks off on Sunday morning at Chakri Naruebet Warship Park on Laemson Beach. Call (077) 501 831

 

Muslim-friendly app to be launched

The Tourism Authority of Thailand will release a smart phone application on June 22 aimed at helping those of the Islamic faith enjoy the very best of Thailand. “Thailand’s Muslim-friendly destination” app and off-line guidebook is full of informative guidelines and covers everything a visitor could ever want to know. Beautiful mosques, halal restaurants and hotels, shopping centres with prayer rooms, and other facilities around the country feature on the app, which can be downloaded to both IOS and Android phones.

 

Run for your life!

The annual Pattaya International Marathon returns to Thailand’s famous resort town on July 27, and it has a place for every fitness level. You can tackle the full 42-kilometre course or putter along for 10km, and there is a route for people in wheelchairs too. The starting times are staggered from 3.30am on Pattaya Beach Road. Find out more from the city administration at (038) 253 129 or visit www.Pattaya-Marathon.com.