Ratchaburi’s rich natural and cultural heritage -- waterfalls, mountains, caves, temples, locals’ ways of life and traditions -- has made the province popular among Thais and foreigners. Some of the highlights in the province are Damnoen Saduak floating market, Khanon Temple’s shadow play, Khao Chong Phran, Khu Bua ancient city, Khongkha Ram Temple’s murals, Siam Cultural Park and Khao Krajom.

In winter, the weather in Ratchaburi is as cool and fresh as in the northern region of Thailand, which is suitable for tourism. Therefore, the province would like to promote its tourism during this period. Here are some rough guides for your visit in the winter months.

1. Candle in the winter 2009

Art under the candlelight amid the mountains and the cool breeze, featuring a romantic atmosphere for nature and art lovers.
Date:      Sat 2, 12, 19, 26 Dec 09 and Sat 2 Jan 10 (17.00-23.00 hrs)
Venue:  The Scenery Resort and Farm in Suan Phueng County
Ticket:   500 baht/person

2. Feel the cool breeze & watch the stars at Suan Phueng

Appreciate art & music and cultural ways and feel the natural ambience of the Tanaosri Mountain Range. Music by “Nga Caravan” and other members of Caravan, a famous country band of Thailand. Cultural shows from local children. Suitable for those who enjoy revitalizing with music and nature.
Date:    Sat 19 Dec 09 (15.00 hrs onwards)
Venue:  Football field of Sin Rae Siam in Suan Phueng County
Ticket:  1,000 baht/person with a tent, a dinner and a breakfast

3. Welcome Damnoen Saduak Floating Market (at the mouth of the Lat Phli Canal) back to life

The old floating market is back to life again. Enjoy cruising along the canal while observing the ways of life. Make merit by offering food to monks and try various kinds of delicious food.
Date:    Fri-Sun (6.00 hrs onwards)
Venue:  Damnoen Saduak Floating Market (at the mouth of the Lat Phli Canal), Damnoen Saduak County

4. Khoui Ki Market Walking Street Fair

Visit the old market by the Mae Kong River where the original beautiful Chinese style two-storey buildings are well preserved. Aside from shopping, there are youth cultural performances and interesting activities.
Date:    Fri-Sun (16.00 hrs onwards)
Venue: Woradet Road, Ratchaburi

For more information, please call the Tourism Authority of Thailand Phetchaburi Office on tel. +66 (0) 3247 1005 to 6.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand Chiang Rai Office (TAT Chiang Rai) invites tourists to participate in the Seven Amazing places of Chiang Rai, a project to promote the province’s highlights. Each tourist to Chiang Rai will receive a passport to collect stamps.

Wat Phra Kaew

King Mengrai Monument

After collecting all seven stamps from these seven amazing places of Chiang Rai -- King Mengrai Monument, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Rong Khun, Wat Phrathat Doi Tung, Wat Phrathat Pha Ngao, King Rama IX’s Royal Footprint Pavilion, and Wat Phrathat Doi Wao, visitors can exchange their passport for a prize from TAT Chiang Rai. The Seven Amazing Places of Chiang Rai starts now until the end of April 2010. Each person is limited to one prize only.

For more information, please contact TAT Chiang Rai on tel. +66 (0) 5371 7433, 0 5374 4674 to 5

Ban Chiang, one of the world’s heritage sites, is a small countryside village situated in the northeastern region of Thailand. This area is a site of lost civilization dating back 5,000 years. It is where archaeologists discovered stunning artifacts such as pottery, bronze bracelets, bangles, metal spearheads, etc. which are left from prehistoric communities.

Examples of interesting world heritage activities are as follows:

1. Exhibitions demonstrating ways of life and history of Ban Chiang at Kanlayaniwatthana Building
2. Shopping for five-star local products and food on the walking street
3. Music performances and various cultural and arts demonstrations
4. Cultural procession
5. Night museum (ends at 21.00 hrs)

For more details, please call +66 (0)8 1616 8202 (English) or visit udonworld.com

The 1st group wedding held in Pai early this year was well received by the brides-and grooms-to-be. So, this year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand Mae Hong Son Office and other organizations in Pai, again held the Season of Love@Pai, the 2nd group wedding from 13 to 15 February 2010. The romantic atmosphere of mountain ranges and a curtain of mist that surrounded Pai make it the most perfect location for holding a marriage ceremony.

During the three days in Pai, every couple will stay in luxurious hotels and will participate in various romantic activities such as consoling and blessing ceremonies with the Mae Hong Son Governor, dressing in Tai style wedding costume, sitting in a three-wheeled vehicle decorated with flowers to enjoy Pai’s idealistic scenery, marriage registration and ring exchanging ceremonies, merit making, elephant riding, rafting and a dinner party with love songs from various artists.

If interested in joining the Season of Love@Pai, you can download the application form from www.guaranteecm.com or contact Pai Tourism Association on tel. +66 (0) 5369 9972.
Apply now until 10 February 2010. Limited to 59 couples only (10,000 Baht per couple).

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is celebrated on the first day of the First Moon of the Chinese lunar calendar and this year it falls on February 14. It is regarded as the most important celebration in the Chinese calendar.

Chinese New Year, which signifies the turning over of a new leaf, is a time for family reunion and thanksgiving. The celebration is traditionally highlighted with a religious ceremony given in honor of Heaven and Earth, the gods of the household and the family ancestors. The sacrifice to the ancestors, the most vital ritual of all, unites the living family members with those who have passed away. All members of the family return home and join the important family meal, a most significant feast, on New Year's Eve. This is a time for the Chinese to congratulate each other on having passed through another year, a time to finish out the old, and to welcome in the New Year.

In Thailand, this festival is celebrated nationwide, not only among Chinese immigrants and their families, but by Thais, too. Major venues are in Bangkok, Pattaya, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Ratchasima,Hat Yai, and Phuket.

On this occasion, China will bring the famous troupes of Chinese Art and Culture from 10 provinces to perform diverse authentic cultural demonstrations such as Shaolin Kung Fu, Chinese opera, traditional puppet shows, mask-changing dances, tribal dances from Tibet and Mongolia and Chinese music performances.

Bangkok Chinese New Year Festival 2010
14-15 February 2010
Venue: Chinatown on Yaowarat Rd. & CentralWorld

Every Chinese New Year’s Day, Chinese immigrants and Thais of Chinese ancestry in Bangkok gather around Chinatown to celebrate the festival, which features cultural performances from the People’s Republic of China, and sales of various products and delicious foods. Come and enjoy the festivities free of charge! You are invited to wear red.

For more information, please contact TAT Bangkok tel. 0 2250 5500 ext 3465-7 or TAT Call Centre 1672

Pattaya, Chonburi

Pattaya Chinese New Year Festival 2010
14-16 February 2010
Venue: South Pattaya Port (Bali Hai Pier)

Pattaya City celebrates Chinese New Year 2010 at Bali Hai Pier with cultural performances from China. The celebrations include Magic Stunt (changing facial make up type), Local Dances, Kung Fu Fighting, Chinese Opera, Folk Music, Mongolian Theatrical Arts, and Magic Shows. There are also dragon and lion dance shows, Chinese Girl Contest and many more cultural and musical performances at Bali Hai Pier.

For more information, please contact TAT Pattaya Tel. 0 3842 7667

Suphan Buri

Suphan Buri Chinese New Year Festival 2010
12-16 February 2010 (18.00-22.00 hrs)
Venue: Suphan Buri City Pillar Shrine (Dragon Descendants Museum)

Enjoy the performances from China, Thai cultural shows, other forms of entertainment and fireworks.

For more information, please contact TAT Suphan Buri Tel. 0 3553 6030 or Suphan Buri City Pillar Shrine Tel. 0 3552 1690

Nakhon Sawan

Nakhon Sawan Chinese New Year Festival 2010
7-18 February 2010
Venue: Pak Nam Pho Market and along the Chao Phraya River

Nakhon Sawan is one of the places in Thailand where Chinese New Year is celebrated on a grand scale. Pay respect to the Chinese gods and goddesses in the festival and enjoy food and products as well as various entertainments. The Chinese New Year Countdown ceremony is held on 13 February. Do not miss the puppet performances from China (15-16 February). The magnificent parade is held on 16 (nighttime) and 17 February (daytime).

For more information, please contact TAT UthaiTani Tel. 0 5651 4982

Nakhon Ratchasima

Nakhon Ratchasima Chinese New Year Festival 2010
13-15 February 2010 (15.00 hrs onwards)
Venue: Monument of Thao Suranari and Suranari Park

Enjoy the city’s wonderful decorations, Chinese cultural performances, music, dragon and lion dances, light and sound show and Chinese food.

For more information, please contact TAT Nakhon Ratchasima Tel. 0 4421 3030

Hat Yai

Hat Yai Chinese New Year Festival 2010
14-17 February 2010
Venue: Hat Yai Municipality Public Park and Si Nakhon School

Experience the dragon and lion dances and wonderful road decorations, various forms of entertainment, Chinese Doll Contest, and delicious food. Do not miss the troupe of Chinese performers from Beijing.

For more information, please contact TAT Hat Yai Tel. 0 7423 1055

Phuket Chinese New Year Festival 2010 & 11th Old Phuket Festival
19-21 February 2010 (18.00-24.00 hrs)
Venue: HM Queen Sirikit 6th Cycle Birthday Anniversary Park, Thalang Road and Soi Rommani

Pay homage to the Chinese shrines and enjoy many forms of entertainment and activities. Don’t miss the parade on 20 February (15.30 hrs).

For more information, please contact TAT Phuket Tel. 0 7621 2213

King Narai Reign Fair is held from 16 to 22 February 2010 to commemorate the reign of King Narai the Great (1657-1688) of Ayutthaya. The King is well known for promoting international diplomatic relations, especially with the European countries. Thai people also recognize his reign as a revitalization of Thai literature.

Narai Ratchaniwet Palace is located in the centre of Lop Buri town between Ratchadamnoen Road and Pratu Chai Road not far from the railway station. Now the whole compound has become the site of the Lop Buri National Museum. In this ceremony, the palace will be used as the site of the fair. There will be parades, cultural demonstrations, folk games of Thai children in the olden days, exhibitions from government officers, and OTOP booths selling local products. During the festival, locals will dress in traditional Thai style.

For more information, please contact the Tourism Authority of Thailand Lop Buri Office: Tel. +66 (0) 3642-2768-9