8 Five Star Hotels in Bangkok for less than USD 90 during Songkran 2011 is a post from: Thai Hotels Blog.

(Plus 9 more Bangkok 5 Stars under USD 100)

The world famous Songkran Festival
is now less than a month away. While many people head to Chiang Mai for the raucous water festival, often dubbed The World’s Biggest Water Fight, Bangkok also has a lot of fun, with the area around Kaosan Road being the best-known. If you want to stay in the thick of the action, one of the hotels near Wat Pho
will put you there.

However, as someone who has experienced the non-stop mayhem that Songkran festival celebrations turn out to be, let me tell you, you will probably appreciate a nice hotel a little removed from the battle ground, where you won’t get drenched as soon as you walk out of the hotel doors.

5 Star Bangkok Hotels under USD 90 during Songkran 2011

The following hotels are all under 90 U.S dollars per night during the Songkran festival, April 12-15th 2011

• Swissotel Le Concorde Hotel
  Location- Ratchadaphisek From USD 78 per night.
• The Grand Fourwings Convention Hotel
  Location- Bang Na/Suvarnabhumi Airport/ From USD 78 per night.
• President Solitaire
  Location- Sukhumvit. From USD 81 per night.
• Sofitel Centara Grand Bangkok Hotel
  Location- Chatuchack. From USD 84 per night.
• Dusit Thani Bangkok Hotel
  Location- Silom. From USD 86 per night.
• Ramada Plaza Menam Riverside
  Location- Riverside. From USD 87 per night.
• Pullman Bangkok King Power
  Location-Pratunam/Siam. From USD 89 per night.
• Anantara Bangkok Sathorn
  Location- Sathorn. From USD 86 per night.

5 Star Bangkok hotels under USD 100

• Chatrium Suites- A Dusit Thani Partner Hotel
  Location- Riverside. From USD 91 per night.
• Grand Sukhumvit Hotel Bangkok Managed by Accor
  Location- Sukhumvit. From USD 92 per night.
• Grand Mercure Bangkok Asoke Residence
  Location- Sukhumvit. From USD 91 per night.
• Ascott Sathorn Bangkok
  Location- Sathorn. From USD 92 per night.
• Marriott Executive Apartments Sathorn Vista
  Location- Sathorn. From USD 92 per night.
• Amari Watergate Hotel
  Location- Pratunam/Siam. From USD 94 per night.
• Mayfair Marriott Executive Apartments
  Location- Langsuan. From USD 94 per night.
• Novotel Bangkok On Siam Square
  Location- Siam. From USD 98 per night.
• The Landmark Bangkok
  Location- Sukhumvit. From USD98 per night.

A great number of Thai people who live and work in Bangkok travel back to their hometowns during the Songkran festival leaving the Bangkok streets almost deserted. Gone are the infamous traffic jams. Songkran is a great time to visit The City of Angels and a great opportunity to spoil yourself with a super cheap 5 star hotel.

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Koh Samui 2011: Events and Festivals is a post from: Thai Hotels Blog.

This is part three in a series of planned events and festivals in various parts of Thailand in 2011. The previous installments were:

• Phuket 2011: Events and Festivals
• Chiang Mai 2011: Events and festivals

Koh Samui events in 2011

The wonderfully sunny island of Koh Samui, well known as one of the true melting pots of Thailand, is home to Muslim, Buddhist, Chinese and tribal populations, and 2011 promises to another diverse calendar of events.

No-one in Koh Samui in April will want to miss the joyous festivities of the Thai New Year, Songkran. At this time of year Thai’s can really let loose, and many towns and cities degenerate into a fun-filled water fight, one that most visitors can’t help but take part in.

One of the most famous festivals to take place on Koh Samui is the Buffalo Fighting Festivals, which often coincide with Songkran. The Buffalo are wonderfully adorned with golden leaves and bright ribbons, before being sprayed with holy water by monks. These fights are not as furious as you might think; the bulls strut, lock horns and shove, until eventually one gives way. Much money changes hands on the outcome of these exciting and visceral contests.

Don’t forget the other New Year celebration in Thailand – the Chinese New Year. With a strong Thai-Chinese presence on the island, the 3 February 2011 is sure to be a big party on Koh Samui. This time around it is the Year of the Rabbit that will be leaping into life. Red flags and bunting will adorn many streets, and firecrackers will signal the start of the New Year.

On a more serene note, the Sawadee regatta is held on Koh Samui from May 30th to June 4th. It is based at Chaweng Beach, on the east coast. Most of the yachts will anchor in the bay at the event head quarters on Centara Grand Beach Resort as there are not yet any marinas on Koh Samui. As the final regatta in the Asian Grand Prix series, it is a significant factor in the eight races in five countries event. It has a large spectator presence and consequently a reputation for glamorous and sensational parties and celebrations. This event is in its tenth year and so promises a thrilling festive atmosphere to mark the occasion.

At the end of August, usually the last week, is the annual Fisherman’s Village Festival. This part of Bophut Beach was originally the location of a French quarter on the island, and so the Village has retained a European, almost Mediterranean feel. The Festival is linked to the boutiques and crafts clustered in this delightful area, seeking to bring in visitors to sample local wares, foods and culture.

The island of Koh Samui also offers a perfect location for the November Kraton festival to honor and worship the Goddess of Water. This event, which reaches its climax at night, involves the floating of banana leaf boats down rivers, lakes, streams and sea, all bearing candles, and turning the waters into a flowing liquid of light.

There are also sporting events scattered throughout the calendar to keep the more active entertained. In May look out for the annual bowling event, the Koh Samui Bowling Championship, in July there is the Avis Samui Tennis Open; and for the super-fit, why not try the International Samui Triathlon? Or at the very least be a spectator for this major sporting event.

There are plenty of Ko Samui hotels from which to launch your tropical adventures in 2010.

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Chiang Mai 2011: Events and Festivals is a post from: Thai Hotels Blog.

In part two in a series of scheduled festivals and events in 2011. This week we look at the northern capital, Chiang Mai. Part one last week was Events & Festivals in Phuket 2011

Events in Chiang Mai 2011

Tucked up in the northern mountains of Thailand, Chiang Mai is proud of its uniquely northern slant on Thai culture. 2011 promises to be an interesting and varied one, with a wide range of events and festivals to cater for all tastes.

Kicking off the year, in mid January, is the Bor Sang Umbrella festival, where the locals parade with the bright colors of the Sa parasols and fans, throughout the ‘Umbrella Village’, on the outskirts of Chiang Mai. Later in the month, in the village of Tawai, is the wood-crafting fair, a celebration with stalls and local craft, including hands-on demonstrations.

Amateur Golf week takes place in Chiang Mai from 23^rd to 29^th January 2011. The schedule for the week takes in the following venues; the Summit Green Valley Club which is designed by Dennis Griffiths, of Thai Country Club in Bangkok fame; the Royal Chiang Mai Golf Club, situated in gently undulating countryside, which has a very good reputation and is an equally challenging course for the amateur and the professional golfer; the Mae Jo Golf Club located in a working fruit orchard in the grounds of an ancient agricultural college; and the Alpine Golf Resort, which is cradled in a valley in between mountain ranges, in the breathtaking San Kampaeng forest – this can be counted as one of the most popular courses in Chiang Mai.

At the beginning of February a delicately scented and vibrantly colored procession takes place on Tha Pae road – to celebrate the Chiang Mai Flower festival. It is at this time of year that the flowers of the region are in full splendor. Mid-February also sees both the wonderful Chinese New Year’s festivities, and also the unique Lanna Wedding on Elephant Back. Many people travel to Chiang Mai to get married at the Elephant Conservation Center for this romantic event with a twist!

Taking place in April 2011 is the Poy Sang Long festival, a three day event where young Shan men are paraded around the streets in preparation for Buddhist monkhood. They are dressed in a princely fashion, like the Lord Buddha, before being taken to the monastery for a period to learn the ways of the monks. The Thai New Year is also in April and this inevitably involves a lot of fun and plenty of water spraying – prepare to be drenched!

With the first full moon in November comes Loi Kratong, also known as Yi Peng, a ritual where banana leaf boats are floated down rivers with candles and incense. This is all part of the worship of the Goddess of Water; the air is also filled with a breath-taking dazzle of lights, as thousands of khom fai sky lanterns sail serenely over the city. This is definitely an event that will be a magical highlight of your visit to Thailand.

The Hilltribe Cultural Festival also takes place throughout November; this is where the distinctive hill tribes of northern Thailand display their crafts and culture, not to mention indulging in much merriment, with their distinctive food, drink and live music.

There are plenty of Chiang Mai hotels from which to base your northern adventures in 2011

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Phuket 2011: Events and Festivals is a post from: Thai Hotels Blog.

Approaching the end of the year, I thought it would be a good idea to highlight some of the events in various areas of Thailand in 2011. Every Thursday this month I will present a rundown of events and festivals in different areas of Thailand. This week- Phuket.

Events in Phuket in 2011

The popular and beautiful island of Phuket has as busy, and as exciting, a schedule in 2011 as previous years, with its dynamic mix of Thai cultural events and modern leisure activities.

Starting with that epitome of modern leisure, the cruise yacht, will find a multitude at the Royal Phuket Marina from the 6th to 9th January, for the Phuket International Boat Show, PIMEX 2011. This event has been developed to encourage the growth of the marine industry in South Eastern Asia, and against its typically picturesque Thai backdrop will be demonstrations, exhibitions and dramatic nautical displays.

The Chinese New Year bounces in in style at Phuket on the 3rd February, as the Year of the Rabbit is proclaimed across the Chinese Old Town. Many a house and street will be bedecked in red, and visitors will be weighed under platters of oranges, tokens of happiness of the arrival of the New Year.

There’s more than one New Year to celebrate in Thailand – Songkran Festival, April the 13th to 15th, gives Thai’s the chance to welcome in their New Year – and to get very wet in the process! Songkran is an exuberant time, with much water throwing antics in the streets, as well as live music and stage shows at many hotels and beaches.

Be part of an amazing spectacle and give something back to Thailand’s natural wonders, by attending the Mai Khao Beach Songkran Turtle Release Fair. This is held by the Turtle foundation in celebration of the Thai New Year in April.

Phuket amateur Golf week takes place from 24th – 30th July 2011. The tournament round one tees off on day two at the Loch Palm Golf Club; this palm tree lined course is in a valley of tropical hills and offers the amateur a fair chance of success as long as you can hold your nerve around the vast loch.

Round two is at the island’s oldest course, Phuket Country Club’s Old Course, which is the first championship level course in Phuket. This graceful course cuts its way through limestone and hills and forest, and is a delight to play.

Tournament round three will take place at Blue Canyon Lake golf course, where water is an element in seventeen of the holes; the course comprises of natural jungle contours and wet canyons created by old open cast tin mining; Very much a rewarding course. The final tournament round and prize giving ceremony will be held at the stunning Red Mountain Golf Club.

In October the annual Phuket Vegetarian festival will take place; this is a nine day Chinese event that was allegedly bought to Thailand by a wandering Chinese opera group, who were laid low down by malaria whilst visiting the island. Tradition has it that they were cured by a strictly vegetarian diet. This has since evolved into a colorful event that promotes the cleansing of mind and body, and dramatic displays of fire-walking, piercing and climbing of sword ladders – who said vegetarians were dull!

Find a Phuket hotel from which to base your adventures in 2011.

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Loy Krathong 2010 Hotel Packages is a post from: Thai Hotels Blog.

Loy Krathong 2010 hotel packages

The Loy Krathong festival is one of the most popular events on the Thai calendar, and originated historically when Thai people offered thanks to the Goddess of Water by floating their krathongs, or delicately crafted floats – made of lotus leaves, a candle and incense sticks – on the river to wash away all bad luck and misfortune, and make wishes for the future. Loy Krathong is a magical time to visit Thailand.

I have assembled a list of hotels in Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai that offer special Loy Krathong packages designed to relax and replenish your soul.

Peninsula Bangkok

The Peninsula 2010 Loy Krathong Package includes two tickets to gala buffet dinner at the River Cafe and Terrace– a great vantage point right on the River of Kings to view the colorful Bangkok skyline – and a stunning firework display over the Chao Phraya River. The evening will also feature classical Thai entertainment and dances, and each guest will receive a krathong to set afloat on the water. A buffet breakfast is also included, as well as an 800 THB Spa gift certificate from the Peninsula Spa ESPA.
THB 14,500 (about USD485). Valid date: November 21, 2010.
Package details (PDF download)

Amari Boulevard Bangkok

The Amari Boulevard’s Loy Krathong package 2010 includes 2 nights upgraded to Deluxe room, breakfast, THB1000 food & drink credit, a floral krathong to float in the pool and one way airport transfer upon departure.

THB 7599 (about USD254). Valid dates: November 20-25, 2010. Package Details It appears the website may be wrong as the woman on the telephone at the reservation center quoted me THB5599, and confirmed it when I questioned it. If so, that’s a great package deal.

Amari Koral Beach Phuket

Package includes 3 nights in a superior room with breakfast included. Round trip airport transfers by car.
THB 18000 (about USD600). Valid dates: November 20-23, 2010. Package details

Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai

Enchanting Loy Krathong Package. Minimum 3 night stay. Package includes daily breakfast, round trip private limousine airport transfers, a cocktail followed by an outdoor Thai buffet dinner on November 21st on the Colonial Lawn, and floating of your krathong on the lotus pond.
THB 12300 per night (about USD 412 per night). Valid dates: November 19-22, 2010. Package Details

Puripunn- A Baby Grand Boutique Hotel Chiang Mai

The 5 star Puripunn offers a Loy Krathong package that includes private check-in and check-out, daily breakfast, a fruit basket and hand garlands, in-room traditional Thai desserts, free use of the fitness center and a Loi Krathong candlelight dinner with live Lanna music.

THB 17520 for Deluxe room, THB 19920 for Puripunn Deluxe. Valid dates: Package is valid for 3 consecutive nights over Loy Krathong and must include November 21st. Package Details

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Loy Krathong Festival 2010 is a post from: Thai Hotels Blog.

The annual festival of Loy Krathong (Loi Kratong) is celebrated throughout Thailand on the full moon of the 12th month of the traditional Thai lunar calendar. It usually falls in November, and in 2010 Loy Krathong falls on November 21st, a Sunday.

The festival is a very popular attraction for tourists but it has a deep spiritual significance to local people and is a very beautiful and romantic ceremony to watch.

In Thai, ‘loi’ means to float and ‘krathong’ is a tiny floating raft about 7 inches (17cm) long. Traditionally these krathong are made of banana tree trunk and are decorated with flowers. More modern versions are made of Styrofoam and decorated with flowers made of bread. The most beautiful krathong are made of intricately folded banana leaves and decorated with real flowers, candles and sticks of incense. These of course are also much better for the environment as they are biodegradable, unlike the Styrofoam versions.

The festival tradition is for these rafts to be released onto a river during the full moon. Restaurants will also host Loy Krathong celebrations on their own ponds.

The origins of the festival may be in the Hindu festival when floating lanterns were released on the Ganges as thanksgiving for the deity of the Ganges giving life throughout the year. This festival was adapted by the Thai Buddhists as a ceremony to honor the original Buddha. As the candles float away they symbolized the letting go of grudges and anger. Some people cut their hair or fingernails and add them to the krathong as a symbolic letting go of the bad parts of their lives. Many Thais believe that floating a krathong creates good luck and they do it to honor the Goddess of Water, Phra Mae Khongkha.

The events which precede the raft floating ceremony are even more fun. Beauty contests are held and are known as ‘Noppamas Queen Contests’. Noppamas was a beautiful consort of the 14th century King Loethai of Sukothai where the first Loy Krathong festival was held. Vegetable carving is another skill associated with the festival. Huge markets are held before the festival and Giant Krathongs are paraded around the streets before being floated.

In Chiang Mai the festival is known as ‘Yi Peng’. Before the festival you can see many beautifully made krathongs for sale in the Chiang Mai markets. The banana leaf krathongs are floated on the waterways of the city to honor the Goddess of Water. Sky lanterns, called ‘khom fai’ consist of a rice paper balloon-like shade with a candle suspended inside. They are carefully lit and launched to float in the air making a picture of serenity as they rise up into the sky like silent boats heading for another world.

Where to celebrate Loy Krathong 2010

Loy Krathong is celebrated nationwide, but is particularly delightful in the provinces of Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya and Bangkok, where the celebrations are perfect for tourists to get a glimpse of a beloved Thai tradition.

Sukhothai

Among the highly recommended places to participate in the Loy Krathong celebrations is Sukhothai, which, as the birthplace of the festival, remains a focal point of the festivities. The Sukhothai Historical Park provides a dramatic setting for an amazing light and sound show that is truly spectacular.

Chiang Mai

As mentioned above, Chiang Mai is also a very popular destination for Loy Krathong celebrations, where the largest krathongs are colorfully lit and paraded through town on trucks on their way to the river.

Bangkok

Being the major waterway in Bangkok, The Chao Phraya River is one of the main destinations for Loy Krathong celebrations on Bangkok. Many Bangkok riverside hotels hold special celebrations and some have Loy Krathong packages and dinner cruises.

Places to stay during Loy Krathong 2010

Sukothai Hotels |  Chiang Mai Hotels |  Bangkok Hotels |  Ayuthaya Hotels

Have you ever experienced Loy Krathong in Thailand? Do you have any recommendations for places to celebrate the festival? If so, please feel free to leave a comment below and share your experiences.

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Loy Krathong in Chiang Mai 2008 is a post from: Thai Hotels Blog.

It’s almost that time of year again, for the most romantic of Thai festivals, “Loy Kratong”.

Translated as “floating raft”, Loy Kratong celebration is one of the most enchanting experiences for many visitors lucky enough to be in Thailand during the festival.

Loy Kratong is celebrated by releasing small, intricately decorated rafts, made with folded banana leaves, and decorated with flowers, candles and incense sticks, into  lakes, rivers and klongs throughout Thailand. The rafts are released to give blessing and thanks to the goddess of water, Phra Mae Khongkha.

The Thai people believe that the act of freeing the kratong symbolizes the releasing of one’s troubles, worries, bad luck and grudges accumulated throughout the year, and hope for a fresh karmic start. In a romantic twist, couples will send their kratong along a waterway and believe that if the candle stays lit until it is out of sight, their love will last forever.

This video is from 2006, but the concepts and celebration do not change from year to year. TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) makes a new Loy Krathong video each year, but I like this one a lot better than the ones from this year and last year.

The night sky will glow throughout Thailand as the celebrations continue with displays of stunning fireworks and hot-air lanterns (khom fai) being released into the sky. Other cultural activities including the “Noppamas Queen Contest” beauty pageants are held during Loy Kratong.

This romantic and traditional festival officially begins on the full moon of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar, which is November in the western calendar. Loy Kratong in 2008 runs from November 11-15.

Below are some deals on Chiang Mai hotels that will have you very near the action so you can join in the fun of Loy Kratong.

• Novotel Hotel Chiang Mai, from USD 28.
• Rati Lanna Riverside, from USD 119.
• De Naga Hotels Chiang Mai, from USD 91.
• Puripunn Baby Grand boutique hotel, from USD 139.
• Bodhi Serene, from USD 89.
• Buri Gallery House Hotel, from USD 36.
• Diamond Riverside Hotel, from USD 27.
• U Chiang Mai Hotel, from USD 137.
• Maninarakorn Hotel, from USD 38.
• Royal Princess Hotel, from USD 65.
• Sukhothai Heritage Resort Sukhothai, from USD 71.
• Dusit 72 Hotel, from USD 137.

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