Bangkok’s back on top!

Bangkok’s back on top!

Bangkok has beaten London to be crowned the world’s most popular travel destination this year, according to an annual ranking by global payments and technology company Mastercard. Tourism has been one of the rare bright spots for Thailand, Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy, which has grappled with weak consumer confidence and exports after a 2014 coup the military said was aimed at ending months of political unrest. Bangkok, also known as the “city of angels”, topped the 2016 listing of 132 cities, beating London, Paris and Dubai to become the city most visited by international travellers in the Mastercard Index of Global Destination Cities. 

 

Swords of ritual

Take a trip to Phuket and make peace with your fellow creatures. The Southern province will again fly the yellow flags of the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival from Saturday until October 9. One legend has it that the annual festival was inaugurated two centuries ago when a travelling Chinese Opera troupe successfully warded off a mysterious plague through a period of ritual vegetarianism. Whatever its beginnings, visitors these days can expect eye-popping displays of face and body piercing – not for the squeamish! The last night, on October 9 when they’re sending the gods back to heaven, is psychedelic as much as devout, as onlookers and devotees throw handfuls of Chinese crackers into the moving god altars. Visit www.PhuketVegetarian.com.

 

Gustatory delights

The Bangkok Gourmet Festival 2016, cooked up by True Group, takes place at Paragon shopping mall from November 4 to 6. Billed as Thailand’s first-ever fine dining festival, the three-day event will bring master chefs from all over the world to the capital. Restaurants, many of them Michelin starred, participating in the event include the Iron Chef Table, Savelberg, OSHA, Ginza Sushi-ichi, Rossini’s, J’Aime by Jean-Michel Lorain, Lenzi, Crostini, Honmono Sushi and Benjarong.

 

Flying high to Angkor

Thai AirAsia introduces a new service between Phuket and Siem Reap to bridge Cambodia’s heritage with Thailand’s popular resort. Tickets start at Bt1,490 for one-way travel and are available for booking now through Sunday for travel from November 7. Flight FD 630 is scheduled to depart Phuket at 6.20am and landing at Siem Reap at 7.45am. The return flight FD 631 leaves Siem Reap at 8.40am and arrives at Phuket at 10.05am. Visit www.AirAsia.com.