Songkran Festival in Chiang Rai

Dates
12 –14 April 2008

Vanue
50 yeas Park, Amphoe Mueang. Chiang Rai

Activities
Songkran goddess procession, sand chedi building competition, cultural shows, and water funs.

Further information
Chiang Rai District Office
Tel. 0 5371 7433

www.songkran.net

Thailand Songkran Festival 13th-15th April 2008

1. Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year. The festival offers not only the fun water throwing but also other interesting activities such as merits making and house cleaning, considered a way to help protect the environment.

2. The purpose of bathing or splashing water in the Songkran Festival is to give and request for blessings through water, not for the rigorous water war.

3. Applying soft chalk powder called "Din Saw Phong" on one’s face or body is traditionally an individual’s choice of dressing and, thus, a personal business. You should not offer unsolicited help with it. To touch others without their permission is considered an ill manner by civilised Thais.

4. The proper bathing is divided into two categories:
- The bathing rite for the elders (aged over 60 years old, according to the old custom) as a tribute of respect and for blessings. As a youngster, you can pour scented water onto the hands of the elders without pronouncing any blessings. The elders in return will bestow their best wishes upon you.
- The bathing rite for the peers or juniors. You should ask for permission before gently pouring the scented water over the person’s shoulder and down his/her back and uttering words of blessing for the New Year. However, if you are close friends, you can enjoy splashing water on each other as you wish yet with appropriate manners and moral and safety cautions.

5. The water used for bathing and splashing is regarded as sacred. Thus, it must be clean water, "Nam Ob" (water saturated with perfumes, either of Thai or Western origin) or scented water with floral pedals, and NOT dirty water or ice.

6. Traditionally, upon the bathing ritual, the elders are presented with toilet items, namely clothes, “Pha-hom”, “Pha-nung” (loin cloth), handkerchiefs, towels, soap, perfumes and powder. However, not every aforementioned article is required. You can prepare the toilet gift set as you see fit and may or may not add other presents such as flowers and sweet.

7. Making obeisance is the highest form of respect by prostrating oneself with palms pressed together and then bowing until the pressed palms, arms and forehead touch the floor in front of the person or the image one pays respect to. The palms must be kept pressed together and separated when making obeisance to the Buddha image or monks only.

8. To bathe the Buddha image or any idol, it is more appropriate to pour the scented water on other parts of the Buddha image than on its head.

9. “Rod Nam Dum Hua” or paying respect through the pouring of Songkran water is the northern Old Lanna custom. The ceremony is different from those in other parts of Thailand in some details.
The term ‘Dum Hua’ is dialectal and may present a wrong meaning if employed for the Songkran ceremonies elsewhere in the country.

10. Songkran is the custom of all Thai people regardless of religions. Those who are not Buddhists can make merits on this occasion based on their religions and beliefs and also enjoy other activities of the Festival.

11. The Songkran festival is held only once a year. We would like to invite all Thai people to come out and celebrate the festival in Thai traditional costume to preserve our glorious culture. Besides, our costume is cool!

High Light

Bangkok
Ayutthaya
Samut Prakan
Chon Buri
Nong Khai
Chiang Mai
Khon Kaen
Nakhon Phanom
Sukhothai
Nakhon Si Thammarat
Phuket
Songkhla
Suphan Buri

www.tourismthailand.org
www.songkran.net

Baan Ton Nam 31 Hotel

Hotel Rate:
Hotel Area: Mae Fah Luang
Hotel City: Chiang Rai
Hotel Country: Thailand
Address: 31 Doi Tung Royal Villa Mountain top Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai 57240

Baan Ton Nam 31 is set in the Doi Tung Development Project area with a view of Doi Tung Mountains. Its 45 rooms have mountain and garden views and feature balcony, bathroom, cable TV and mini-bar. The hotel offers airport transfer, laundry, business facilities, seminar facilities, fitness centre and organised tours. Its restaurant also offers a range of cuisine. The hotel is in a great setting.

www.discoverythailand.com

Doi Tung

Known by locals as Thailand’s Switzerland, Doi Tung (‘Flag Mountain') is an attractive mountain-top destination of forests and nearby Shan, Akha and Lahu tribal villages. Probably the most important attraction in the area is Wat Phrathat Doi Tung – a temple built one thousand years ago which is an important place of pilgrimage for Buddhists from Thailand and overseas. A giant flag was flown from the point where the temple’s chedis were built giving 'flag mountain' its name. Doi Tung is also home to the Doi Tung Development Project, an initiative of Her Royal Highness Srinakarindra the Princess Mother (mother of Thailand’s current monarch) who passed away in 1995.

Doi Tung has traditionally been an area at the centre of Thailand’s opium production, and with a ready supply of the drug in the area, drug use was prevalent, especially amongst the poor. The Princess Mother built a summer palace in the area and initiated the Doi Tung Development Project. The purpose behind the project was to establish means of overcoming the area’s social problems through education, training, and through “Sustainable Alternative Development” such as changes in agriculture (an Agricultural Training Centre was set up to help people change from opium production to growing crops such as coffee, strawberries and macadamia nuts) and the introduction of trade in such items as local handicrafts (a ‘Cottage Industry Centre’ was also set up alongside an outlet for locally produced goods and to ensure local crafts such as hand carpet manufacturing are passed on to future generations.

The Princess Mother’s palace has been maintained exactly as it was when she stayed there. The grounds of the palace (Mae Fa Luang Garden) are extremely well kept and certainly warrant a visit. Visits to the Doi Tung Development Project’s various activities are also possible.

A trip to Doi Tung is often combined with a visit to Mai Sai. Probably the biggest draw to the region is its scenery. A trip through the mountains to Doi Tung is simply glorious. Hiking here is possible, but you should always arrange a guide – drug production does still exist and the Mong Thai Army and Karen Rebels are occasionally active in the area.

Details: Admission to the royal palace and the gardens is 100 Baht per person. Both open 07.30 to 17.30 daily.

How to get there: The palace is located at kilometre 12 of route 1149. Given the distances to be covered and the fact a motor vehicle is essential to a trip to Doi Tung, an organised tour to the site is recommended.

Hotels in the Doi Tung

www.discoverythailand.com

Mae Fah Lunag University

Mae Fah Luang University (MFU) was established as an autonomous public institution, under the Royal Charter in 1998, with generous financial support from the Royal Thai Government. The University was established to meet the needs of the people of the North of Thailand, and to commemorate the gracious contribution of the King’s Mother, Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra, lovingly known to her subjects as “Mae Fah Luang”. From its inaugural class of 64 students in 1998, MFU has become Thaland’s fastest growing, higher education institution, with an enrollment of more than 7,000 students in 2007. After just ninth year of operation, it is already well known for the high quality of its teaching, research, and service to the people of the North, and to the country in general, and increasingly to the Region.

MFU is the only Public University which use English as a medium of instruction and also provides high-quality educational services and resources to the neighboring countries of the Greater Mekong Sub-region (Cambodia, Laos PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Yunnan province, Southern China), and reaches out to all of Southeast Asia.

Program of Study (International Programs only):

School of Agro-Industry

- Food Technology
- Post-harvest and Packaging Technology

School of Cosmetic Science


- Cosmetic Science

School of Health Science

- Public Health
- Applied Thai Traditional Medicine
- Physical Therapy
- Health Care Service (Diploma) 2 years

School of Information Technology

- Computer Science
- Software Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Management of Information Technology
- Multimedia Technology and Animation
- Information and Communication Engineering
- Strategic Management Information System Plan A1
- Strategic Management Information System Plan A2, B

School of Liberal Arts

- English
- Business Chinese
- Thai Language and Culture
- Teaching Chinese Language (5 year programs)
- Social Sciences

School of Management

- Accounting
- Economics
- Tourism Management
- Hospitality Industry Management
- Business Administration
- Natural Resources and Environmental Management

School of Science

- Applied Chemistry
- Bioscience
- Biotechnology
- Material Science
- Computational Science
- Ceramic Industry Technology

Facilities and Services:

- The Sirindhorn Chinese Language and Culture Center
- MFU Book Center
- The Center for Learning Resources and Educational Media
- Computer Laboratory
- Auditoria and Conference Halls
- Indoors Stadium and Sports Center
- Comprehensive health-rehabilitation Center
- Students' dormitories
- Faculty's Residence
- Medical Unit
- Post Office
- Banks
- Food Centers/Seven-Eleven/Restaurant
- Convenient Stores

Residence and Dormitories:

Students’ dormitories
Intended to encourage students to develop their social skills through living together, learning together and helping one another, the Students' Dormitories, which are supervised by University's staff and guarded round the clock by security officers, offer a complete range of living and learning facilities, such as desks, beds and mattresses, internet corners, TV rooms and studies.

Faculty's Residence
A special service for University's personnel, the Faculty Residence offers a wide range of accommodations, namely, homes for singles, homes for families and studio flats, with a unit of each type coming equipped with a living-room, bedroom, bathroom, pantry and necessary furniture items.

www.mfu.ac.th

Chiang Rai International Airport

Chiang Rai International Airport is an international airport located in the north of Thailand. The airport is not only a gateway for tourists to the region but also for business due to its near location to several neighbouring countries in the economic quadrangular zone.

Airport Security Center

The Airport Security Center is located opposite the domestic departure lounge and serves as an emergency center for the report of any emergency or urgent matter occurring within the airport. AOT security officers, RTAF and RTA Military Police, as well as police from Local Police Station are assigned to work here jointly.

Tourist Police

The Tourist Police Office of Chiang Rai Airport is located opposite the international arrival lounge. Tourist police officers are assigned to facilitate passengers' journeys and provide security for airport users.

Transportation Service

There is a car rental and taxi service available for passengers who wish to travel between downtown Chiang Rai and the airport. Please go to the counter at the 1st floor in the arrival hall.

Car Rental
Car rental is available at the counter in the passenger hall.

Taxi
Taxi counters located near the car rental counter provide transport to town, tours of Chiang Rai and the surrounding area.

Public Transport
At present, Chiang Rai International Airport does not allow public tricycles and pick-up trucks without passengers to enter into the terminal area. Please exit the Terminal area to access bicycles and cars. For hotel guests, hotel limousines are available.

www.airportthai.co.th

2008 King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament

The event organiser Anantara Resorts announcced that the 2008 Thailand's highly popular King's Cup Elephant Polo Tournament would take place from 31 March - 6 April in the northern-most region of the country popularly known as the Golden Triangle.

This annual event, ranked as the 6th largest event on theThai tourism calendar has, for the past five years, taken place in the royal saeside town of Hua Hin, situated 220km south of the Thai capital Bangkok. The tournament was introducted to Thailand in 2001 by Anantara Vice-President, Chistopher Stafford and is a charitable event that raises money for the country's National Elephant Institute in Lampang , northern Thailand.

In just six years the King's Cup elephant Polo Tournament has gine from a small 2-day event with 6 teams into a week-long extravaganza, which in 2007 featured 12 teams encompassing 36 players from 15 countries. The Tourism Authority of Thailand supports the King's Cup Elephant Polo tournament and spector entrance is free of change. The 2008 event will take place at the Anatara Resort Golden Triangle, driving less than an hour from Chaing Rai Internation Airport.

To date the tournament has raised over US$140,000 for the National Elephant Insitute, which provides medical care, sustenance, employment, welfare and mahout training to Thailand's elephant population. It is estimated that Thailand has around 2500 domesticated elephants and 1500 wild elephants. This is down from an elephant population of around 50,000 in 1950 and 100,000 in 1900.

The modern game of elephant polo was founded in Nepal in 1982 by Englishman Jim Edwords, ownedr of Tiger Tops Lodge in Nepal and James Manclark, a former British Olmpic bobsleigh competitor. The King's Cup elephant Polo Tournament is part of the World Elephant Polo Association World Series. The World Championships take place in Chitwan National Park, Nepal every Deceember and the Ceylon Elephant Polo tournament takes place each February in Sri Lanka's fort town of Galle.

2008 King’s Cup Elephant Polo Official Program
31st March 2008 – 6th April 2008
At Anantara Golden Triangle Resort, Chiang Rai

NOTE: PRACTISE DAYS 29TH, 30TH MARCH

Saturday, March 29th PRACTISE DAY (CHIANG SAEN CITY WALLS)

07:00 am : TAT Duathlon Asian Championship in Chiang Saen (ask about the “Iron Man Polo” clause to see how this might help you bring your handicap down).
12:00 pm : Practise begins.
04:00 pm : Practise ends.

Sunday, March 30th PRACTISE DAY (CHIANG SAEN CITY WALLS)

06:00 am : TAT Triathlon Asian Cup in Chiang Saen (ask about the “Iron Man Polo” clause to see how this might help you bring your handicap down).
08:00 am : Practice begins
12:15 am : Practice ends

Monday, March 31st

07:00 am : Practice (Anantara pitch)
10:59 am : Elephant Blessing Ceremony
12:00 pm : All elephants’ Veterinary Check by T.E.C.C. Mobile Elephant Clinic

03:00 pm : Opening Parade with all elephants
05:00 pm : Opening Match - Dream Team Match
06:00 pm : Welcome Cocktail Party at the HILLTOP – Anantara Golden Triangle
07:00 pm : Dinner at leisure – Anantara Golden Triangle

Tuesday, April 1st

09:00 am : Chivas Regal Scotland VS Anantara Visitors’ Team
10:00 am : TAT Amazing Thailand VS Dubai World Tickle & the Ivories
11:00 am : Audemars Piguet VS Four Seasons Tented Camp
12:00 pm : Lunch at the pitch

13:30 pm : Team Anantara Resorts VS Raimon Land Thailand
14.30 pm : PricewaterhouseCoopers WEPA Legends VS IBM Federacion Madrilena de Polo
15.30 pm : The London Nellies Classic Ladies VS Mercedes Benz Thailand

06:00 pm : Pre-Dinner Cocktail – The Rice Paddy
07:00 pm : Dinner on the polo pitch – Anantara Golden Triangle
Theme: French Explorer

Wednesday, April 2nd

09:00 am : IBM Federacion Madrilena de Polo VS TAT Amazing Thailand
10:00 am : Four Seasons Tented Camp VS The London Nellies Classic Ladies
11:00 am : Anantara Visitors’ Team VS Team Anantara Resorts
12:00 pm : Lunch at the pitch

13:30 pm : Audemars Piguet VS Mercedes Benz Thailand
14.30 pm : Chivas Regal Scotland VS Raimon Land Thailand
15.30 pm : PricewaterhouseCoopers WEPA Legends VS Dubai World Tickle & the Ivories

06:00 pm : Bai Sri ceremony at the spirit houses
07:00 pm : Dinner around pool deck – Anantara Golden Triangle
Theme: Anantara Night

Thursday, April 3rd

09:00 am : Audemars Piguet VS The London Nellies Classic Ladies
10:00 am : Chivas Regal Scotland VS Team Anantara Resorts
11:00 am : PricewaterhouseCoopers WEPA Legends VS TAT Amazing Thailand
12:00 pm : Lunch at the pitch

13:30 pm : IBM Federacion Madrilena de Polo VS Dubai World Tickle & the Ivories
14.30 pm : Four Seasons Tented Camp VS Mercedes Benz Thailand
15.30 pm : Anantara Visitors’ Team VS Raimon Land

06:00 pm : Pre-Dinner Cocktail at Elephant Bar – Anantara Golden Triangle
07:00 pm : BBQ at the Elephant camp – Anantara Golden Triangle
Theme : National Dress (players’ night)

Friday, April 4th

09:00 am : Climb out of the Wooden Spoon Game 1
10:00 am : Climb out of the Wooden Spoon Game 2
11:00 am : Playing to finish in the top half! Game 1
12:00 pm : Lunch at the pitch

13:30 pm : Playing to finish in the top half! Game 2
14.30 pm : Semi final 1
15.30 pm : Semi final 2

06:00 pm : Pre-Dinner Cocktail at Hall of Opium
07:00 pm : Dinner at leisure – Anantara Golden Triangle

Saturday, April 5th

09:00 am : Wooden spoon play-off
10:00 am : 9th & 10th Place play-off
11:00 am : 7th & 8th Place play-off
12:00 pm : Lunch at the pitch

13:30 pm : 5th & 6th Place play-off
14.30 pm : 3rd & 4th Place play-off

04:00 pm : Final King’s Cup Elephant Polo 2008
05:30 pm : Prize Giving Ceremony

06:30 pm : Pre-Dinner Cocktail at Elephant Bar – Anantara Golden Triangle
07:30 pm : Gala Dinner at Wat Pa Sak
Theme : Thai Lanna Night

Sunday, April 6th

10.00 am : Brunch at the pitch Sponsored by Raimon Land
10:30 am : Mahouts Championship
11:30 am : Visitors Match
13.00 pm : International Press Match
14.00 pm : International Government Match

www.tourismthailand.org

Wangcome Hotel

Hotel Rate:
Hotel Area: Chiangrai Town
Hotel City: Chiang Rai
Hotel Country: Thailand
Address: 869/90 Pemawibhata Rd., Chiang Rai 57000 Tel. (053) 711-800, 713-841-8, Fax. (053) 712-973
Bangkok Reservations: Tel. (662) 252-7760, 254-8773-4, Fax. (662) 254-4255
Website: www.wangcome.com

Located at the northern tip of Thailand, bordering Myanmar on the north and Laos on the east, the city of Chiang Rai can be a perfect destination for the holiday makers. You will find a number of Hotels in Chiang Rai in Thailand for accommodation. Starting from the 5 Star Hotels in Chiang Rai and 4 Star Hotels in Chiang Rai, there are plenty of 3 Star Hotels in Chiang Rai also. The Wangcome Hotel in Chiang Rai is one of the finest 3 Star accommodations.

Situated at Pemawibhata Road, the Location of Wangcome Hotel in Chiang Rai is close to major tourist spots of the city. Facing the Chiang Rais International Trade Center, the hotel is ideally located in the center of Chiang Rai. The Wangcome Hotel in Chiang Rai has 234 gracious guestrooms. Guests are provided with the comfort of well-furnished rooms that are nicely decorated and outfitted with a wide range of modern amenities.

The Room Facilities at Wangcome Hotel in Chiang Rai are excellent. Standard amenities like air conditioning system, satellite TV, telephone, and mini bar are available here. You will find deluxe rooms and grand deluxe rooms for your accommodation. The Hotel Amenities and Services at Wangcome Hotel in Chiang Rai are exceptional. The guests can dine at the on site Yoong Tong Restaurant or at the Mayura Café. You can also arrange seminar and banquet at this hotel. You will get well-equipped facilities here.

Looking for recreation? You can spend your relaxing time at the outdoor swimming pool. For vacation or business the Wangcome Hotel in Chiang Rai is the finest choices in Chiang Rai!

www.wangcome.com

Chiangrai Information

Chiang Rai, the northernmost province of Thailand is about 785 kilometers north of Bangkok. Situated on the Kok River basin, Chiang Rai covers an area of approximately 11,678 square meters with an average elevation of 580 meters above sea level. The province, which is located within the renowned Golden Triangle area where Myanmar, Laos and Thailand converge, is also known as the gateway to Myanmar, Laos and Southern China.

Chiang Rai, which was founded in 1262 by King Meng Rai,
was the first capital of the Lanna Thai Kingdom (Kingdom of a million rice fields), which was later conquered by Burma. It was not until 1786 that Chiang Rai became a Thai territory and was proclaimed a province during the reign of King Rama VI in 1910.

Today, Chiang Rai is a travelers paradise endowed with abundant natural tourist attractions and antiquities; the province itself is evidence of past civilization. Attractions range from magnificent mountain scenery, ruins of ancient settlements, historic sites, Buddhist shrines and ethnic villages as the province is also home to several hill tribes who maintain fascinating lifestyles. For those interested in the natural side of Chiang Rai, jungle trekking is recommended along various trails.

Chiang Rai which tends to be a little more 'laid back' now competes with Chiang Mai as a tourist attraction and is fast becoming a popular escape for tourists wanting to get away from the troubles they left behind.

Chiangrai Brochure

www.tourismthailand.org