BANGKOK

Bangkok is one of the most vibrant capitals of South-East Asia. Also known as Krung Thep which means the City Of Angels, the city is considered one of the biggest cities in the world. For a city of this size, Bangkok is surprisingly full of quiet escapes.
The must-see attractions include Wat Phra Kaew, Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Traimit. Another attraction well worth a visit is the Bang Pa In, the former summer residence of the royal family in the 17th century, located 37 miles north of Bangkok. It's a collection of buildings that reflect both Oriental and European influences.
There are many districts, areas, and hundreds of roads with more than 65,000 hotel rooms throughout Bangkok. Selecting the best one to suit your needs is essential. And the main point is location of your hotel. We would like to assist you in planning your trip and holiday. To accomplish your best trip in Thailand, we give you all travel and discovery information.

TRAT

Trat, Thailand's easternmost province, is located 315 km from Bangkok and shares a long border with Cambodia.

It is best known for its beaches, particularly those on the islands of Ko Chang National Park. The area was passed back and forth between Thai and Cambodian/French sovereignty over the years, and a significant victory for the Thai navy over the French was won at the southern end of Ko Chang in 1941.

Beyond Ko Chang, Ko Mak and Ko Kud are inhabited and have beautiful beaches but can be difficult to get to during the monsoon season.
Like neighbouring Chanthaburi, Trat has a rich gem trade as well as thriving agriculture and fishing businesses.

TRAVEL
Air-conditional buses leave Ekamai Terminal for Trat every hour or so from 7 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. The journey takes six hours. Return buses leave hourly from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. There are two additional departures at 11 and 11:30 p.m., which arrive in Bangkok between 5 and 6 a.m.
Regular buses run more frequently.

CHIANG MAI

e than 700 km northwest of Bangkok, Chiang Mai is Thailand's second largest city. This statistic,

The northern capital still captures the feel of a small town, but most first-time visitors are surprised at how cosmopolitan it is.

Allow a day or two to wander around the city, see its temples, and experience the exten-sive Night Bazaar, which offers Thai and northern Thai clothes and fabrics, crafts, jewellery, antiques and the like.

At Warorot market, one can find even more bargains. There are also many shopping destinations just outside the town specialising in such items as umbrellas, silverwork, woven baskets, woodcarvings, and antiques.

Long Live the King

Long Live the King

5 December: In every city and village across the country, citizens gather to celebrate the birthday of HM the King Bhumibol Adulaydej. Born 5 December, 1927, HM the King is the longest reigning Thai monarch and the longest serving head of state in the world.
Millions of candles raised above a sea of yellow shirts will flicker across the evening sky, 5 December, as people from all walks of life sing the Royal Anthem in heartfelt gratitude, while proclaiming with pride and sincerity “Long Live the King.”
Having reigned for more than 60 years, the 80-year monarch is the soul of the nation, loved and respected by 63 million people who are inspired by decades of selfless service.
The meaning of HM the King’s name, Bhumibol Adulyadej, is translated as “strength of the land, incomparable power”, but often Thais will say he is the “moving force of the country.”
Demonstrating untarnished integrity of character, the King is seen as a shining beacon of wisdom; the father of the nation the protector of the weak. Often his observations alone have sufficed to turn the nation from the gates of crisis.
His reign has been marked by milestones when he pointed the way to future prosperity and responsibilities. In 1974, he initiated projects to protect the environment and encourage re-forestation, decades before it became fashionable to be green, while his personal intervention and technical knowledge saved the capital from annual flooding.
HM the King has initiated over 2000 projects to address social, medical and economy issues at village level throughout the nation.
A gifted musician and artist, the King graduated in law and political science, enabling him, after he ascended the throne in 1946, to work tirelessly to improve the life of his subjects through a vast spectrum of activities.
Earlier this year, nine specific royal projects were identified for their role in developing a sustainable economy in village communities and for their intrinsic appeal to international tourists. They are now promoted overseas through the national airline and the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
In the book “In His Majesty’s Footsteps, former chief of the Royal Court Police, Vasit Dejkunjorn, writes of his early encounters with HM the King as a young police officer. "From listening to the royal couple’s conversation I learned for the first time how concerned they were about the well-being of the Thai people."
Caring for his people is the hallmark of his reign. While history will record his reign as the longest, the hearts of Thai people have accorded him their trust, an unpareled respect and abiding love, never before seen in the Kingdom.
On the night of 5 December Bangkok’s Sanam Luang and Ratchdamnoen Avenue will be illuminated with lights, the streets closed to traffic as a mighty throng gathers to demonstrate their gratitude for their King. Visitors will join them sensing the honour of sharing this moment with the Thai people.

Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2007

Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2007
click www.tourismthailand.org

BANGKOK INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2007

Festival venues: Central World, SF World Cinema and Siam Paragon Hall


The Bangkok International Film Festival, now in its fifth year, has been held annually by the Tourism Authority of Thailand since 2003 and is one of the key highlights on Thailand’s annual festivals and event calendar.


Each year, the festival showcases more than a hundred feature and short films, representing some of the best and the brightest in the current international cinema through its various programme sections. The festival focuses on the works by emerging filmmakers throughout Asia, and in particular those of the Southeast Asian region.

The Golden Kinnaree Awards are judged in the three competition categories by a panel of international jury. Running concurrently with the festival are also a number of sidebar events such as panel discussions, workshops, master classes, exhibitions as well as the Bangkok Film Market.

The 2007 event will be the first ever organized by a core of Thai organizers, which include the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Central World, SF Cinema, and the Association of Thai Film Federations.

Official Venues for the Bangkok International Film Festival 2007
At SF World Cinema, 7th floor Central World Shopping Center on July 19-29, 2007

Central World
The new downtown shopping and lifestyle complex of Central World has been designated the official host venue for the 2007 Bangkok International Film Festival. The largest lifestyle-shopping complex in Southeast Asia, the complex also comprises a 550-room, 5-star hotel, and two office buildings. The range of offerings encompasses more than 500 stores, 50 restaurants, 21 cinemas, a bowling hall, 2 department stores: Zen and Isetan, and much more.

Situated right in the heart of one of Bangkok’s prime locations, Central World is on the city’s “shopping street”, Ratchadamri Road, and surrounded by several five-star hotels and office buildings within walking distance.

SF World Cinema
The theatres are situated on the 7th, 8th and 9th floors of the Central World. With an area of 13,500 sq.m, the theatres comprise 15 screens with over 4,000 seats, including a megascreen with 800 seats, first-class theatres with lounges and additional special theatres.

Bangkok Film Market
Royal Paragon Hall on July 23-25, 2007
The Bangkok Film Market, which is trade show for film buyers and sellers, will be held at nearby Siam Paragon Hall during July 23-25.

The 2007 version of the festival, held for the fifth consecutive year, will feature approximately 100 films from around the globe. There will be an increase in emphasis on Asian films to respond to their popularity both in Thailand and abroad. Asian movies regularly screen in theaters in major cities and they have generated large followings in certain genres like horror and romantic comedy. Some have even been made into major Hollywood productions.

The Bangkok Film Market held during the festival is expected to do brisk business in the acquisition of Asian films for theatrical release overseas, with many projects planning to recoup their investment with screening and DVD sales outside their original base. Negotiations are commencing for a number of celebrities and industry individuals to attend the festival.

The Bangkok International Film Festival will also feature several seminars and workshops aimed at educating the public and introducing new developments in movie making, as well as some retrospect on important pioneers and periods of local cinema.

The highlight of the glamour part of the festival is the Kinnaree Award presented to the best film in the festival as selected by a respected panel of international jurors. Two other awards will be the New Voices Award honoring first-time directors and the ASEAN Films Award given to the best film from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

For the latest updates, visit the Bangkok International Film Festival web site: www.bangkokfilm.org

We're feeling … gospel rap

The forty-ninth Grammy Awards, set to air on CBS February 11, breaks new ground this year with the introduction of the Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album category. "Secular hip-hop went through the same process, and over time it gained mainstream success," says gospel rapper and Stellar Award nominee Da T.R.U.T.H.