Chiang Mai Flower Festival

Chiang Mai, Thailand, is known as the Rose of the North, but it really blooms into life in early February, towards the end of the cool season. Every year on the first weekend of February, the Chiang Mai Flower Festival exhibitions open. The flower beds in public gardens and other places are especially beautiful at this time of year. Everywhere the tourist will find displays of yellow and white chrysanthemums, and the Damask Rose, a variety found only in Chiang Mai. Also, the pink and purple Dendrobium orchids, and the lovely yellow Daoruang. The real focus of this Chiang Mai festival, however, is the public garden of Suan Buak Haad on the south-western corner of the moat. The police close off the road next to the moat all around the park, and allow vendors of plants, Thailand flowers, Thailand orchids and garden decorations to set up their stalls. This is probably the nicest corner of the moat, well supplied with shade trees, and a good place to spend an hour or two looking at what is on offer.

Suan Buak Haad City Park

From here it is possible to walk into Suan Buak Haad itself. This is a very pleasant space at any time, with formal gardens arranged around a series of pools and bridges. There is a children’s play area, and various places where refreshments are available. For the Flower Festival the park is completely transformed, with special displays of flowers, miniature trees and the famous local orchids, all set out for the judges to choose the best of each species. There are also displays by landscape specialists, featuring waterfalls, patios and various schemes of garden decoration. In addition there are stands representing gardens from neighboring countries, and stands selling local products..

Flower Festival Parade

In some ways this is the best part of the Flower Festival. The Flower Festival Parade starts on Saturday morning. The parade lines up along Charoen Muang Road, all the way up from the Nawarat Bridge to the train station. At 8am the parade begins to move. After passing the viewing stand the parade moves up Tha Pae Road to Tha Pae Gate and then turns left and follows the moat round to Suan Buak Haad. The parade moves very slowly, and stops frequently, so there is plenty of opportunity to take photographs of the gaily decorated floats, pretty girls, and colorful hill tribe people in their costumes. At these stops dancers in traditional costumes perform Thai dances. Those taking part in the parade hand out roses to the spectators lining the road.

Miss Chiang Mai Flower Festival

Most of the girls perched on top of the gaily decorated floats and carriages are candidates for the Miss Chiang Mai Flower Festival competition. By late afternoon the really serious part of the festival begins – choosing the Chiang Mai Flower Festival Queen. Loud rock music and a copious supply of beer help in the deliberations. The party goes on well into the evening until the Flower Festival Queen is chosen. The atmosphere here is relaxed and cheerful, and at this time of the year the nights are still cool and breezy, making for a very pleasant ambience.

Other Chiang Mai Floral Attractions

Those coming to Chiang Mai for the Flower Festival can also combine this popular spectacle with a visit to other places of horticultural interest.

Queen Sikrit Botanical Garden

Occupying 2,600 acres, Queen Sikrit Botanical Garden can be found up in the mountains on the Mae Sa road about 20 kilometers out of town. This garden was founded in 1992 to collect and conserve rare species of plants. It now has a glasshouse complex, a natural history museum, and a number of nature trails through the forest. The exhibits are arranged by both species and habitat. Travel around the garden is by car or by the transport provided, but motorcycles are not allowed.

Orchid Gardens around Chiang Mai

There are several orchid gardens lower down on the Mae Sa road, before the Queen Sikrit Botanical Garden. Most hotels can arrange trips to these gardens. There are more than 400 types of orchids naturally occurring near Chiang Mai and growers are constantly hybridizing new varieties. The growers can advise on exporting orchids from Thailand.

Ratchapruek Royal Park, Chiang Mai

Ratchaphruek Royal Park is situated about 20 kilometers south west of Chiang Mai on the Canal Road. It was the site of a famous horticultural exposition called Royal Flora, held in 2007, and most of the exhibits are still in place. The next Royal Flora will be held between November 9, 2011 and February 5, 2012.

Dokmai Gardens, Chiang Mai

Dokmai Gardens is a private botanical garden owned by Eric Danell and his wife. They are a mine of information for those wishing to start their own tropical garden. There is a small restaurant on site. This garden is situated about 5 kilometers from Ratchaphruek Royal Park. Eric also hosts a tropical gardening blog.

Tweechol Botanic Garden, Chiang Mai

Tweechol Botanic Garden is more than a garden as it has its own petting zoo, rice paddy fields, organic farm, a riding arena, camping facilities and a museum onsite. Some local people find that this is one of the best botanical gardens to visit. Tweeechol is on on the Doi Saket Road. You won’t be disappointed.

http://chiangmaibest.com

Tak Bat Thewo Festival

Tak Bat Thewo Festival 

One of the most beautiful festivals in Thailand is Tak Bat Thewo which takes places on the last day of the three month Buddhist Rains Retreat. This event, in Uthai Thani, has started to become popular over the last few years and I was really glad to be able to go for myself this year during the full moon in October. It was certainly a beautiful sight watching about 500 monks descend the steps from Khao Sakae Krang.

According to legend, the Lord Buddha once went up to Tavatimsa heaven during the three month Rains Retreat to preach to his departed mother. On the last day of the retreat, which coincided with the full moon of the eleventh lunar month (usually October), he came down to Earth at a city called Sangkassa. Waiting for him were thousands of people who offered food to both the Buddha and his disciples. This day then became known as “the Buddha’s coming down from the heavenly world”.

The main event was advertised to take place at 9 a.m. Although we thought that we were arriving early at 7:15 a.m., there were already thousands of people waiting at the foot of the hill. Hundreds of tables had been set up so that people could place food on them that they had brought for the monks. The tables formed a natural walkway or lane. There were eight of these, so that after the monks reached the bottom of the hill they would split up into eight groups.

I was told that many people had been here even before sunrise in order to reserve a table. Certainly, by the time we arrived most of the tables were already full. I wandered around for a while taking pictures of the people before positioning myself at the bottom of the hill to wait for the monks to descend. Quite a few other people had the same idea as me including a lot of local media. However, there were very few foreigners among the 10,000 people attending.

The opening ceremony started at 8:30 a.m. with a speech made by the Governor of Uthai Thani. I would normally take pictures of this but I wasn’t keen on losing my spot. Then, about 20 minutes later we spotted the first monks starting to descend the hill. It was quite a moment and everyone was very excited. The monks were coming down from the top of the hill recreating the event of the Buddha descending from heaven. After taking pictures here I moved further back where I took this picture of the hill. On reflection, I think this was a better viewpoint (if you are tall enough to see over the crowds) to take pictures.

The monks were only carrying their normal alms bowls and shoulder bags. As these filled up very quickly, there was a small army of helpers who carried bigger sacks. All of the food and drinks that were offered to the monks were quickly placed into the sacks. Despite the early hour it was hot and hard work. Many of the monks were sweating. I tried my best to take as many pictures as I could but I also wanted to soak up the atmosphere. I knew from experience, that despite the large number of people, everything would be completed very quickly. As it turned out, I took my last picture only 30 minutes later.

The Tak Bat Thewo Festival takes place on the full moon during October every year. It takes place at Wat Sangkat Rattanakhiri in Uthai Thani City. Click here to see on a map. This is only about 220 kilometers north of Bangkok. I think it only took about 3 hours or so to drive there but as it is an early morning event, we came up the day before. Visit our Thai Festival Blogs for more pictures, a map and also dates for next year. I wish to thank the Tourism Authority of Thailand for bringing me to this event and I look forward to coming again to this city in the future by myself.

http://www.thai-blogs.com

Songkran festival

Songkran

Songkran (สงกรานต์) is the most important feast for Thai people. Songkran event normally falls on the 15^th full moon but the government of Phibulsongkran fixed Songkran as the 13^th of April prior to World War II. Often called "water festival", Songkran is the ancient New Year's Day happening mid April. Now the official New Year's Day happens the 1^st January.

Those ladies carry on the tradition of accepting sand into the temple in order to build sand stupas.

For Songkran festival, Thai people clean everything, i.e the house, the previous year bad actions, the Buddha statues, one's own spirit. But nowadays Songkran festival is better known for its splashing water madness. Traditionally the ceremony was to pour water into the palms hands in order that bad actions, bad thoughts flow away with the water. It was a way to purify. Children show their respect to elders by performing this water ceremony. Also scented water is poured over the shoulder and slowly down the back of the person. While pouring the water in this manner, people say good wishes and words of blessing for the coming New Year.
The first day of Songkran period is an important day to make good deeds. People visit temples to listen to Dharma. Also they give alms to monks.

Sonkran is a time for celebration. Young people working in Bangkok and big cities come back to the village. They return because this is an opportunity of social reunification. They meet with their family, friends and relatives within the community.
Food is offered to monks. The food left is shared by the nuns and the people offering alms.

On the second day of the New Year festival, Thai people traditionaly carry sand into temples compounds in order to build a small pagoda ("PHRA CHEDI SAI" - พระเจดีย์ทราย). These sand piles represent personal pagodas built as part of the merit-making ritual. People leaving a temple during the previous year have taken with them temple dust. Taking sand into the temple during Songkran festival atones for what they have taken out.





People also donate flags (ธงปักทราย - "THONG PAK SAY") to sand pagoda. It is believed to bring luck and considered as a revered offering to the temple.

Thai Buddhist temples traditionally move what are believed to be their holiest statues to open-air pavilions during the Thai New Year to allow worshippers to sprinkle them with water. It sometimes happens that ancient Buddha statues were stolen from shrines erected outside temples to accommodate Thai worshippers. Buddhist artefacts are frequently smuggled from rural Thailand and neighbouring Cambodia to Bangkok markets, where they are often sold to foreign collectors.

In the past, young people poured scented water over the hands of their parents and elders to show respect. Nowadays the celebrations typically degenerate. Youths wander the streets of cities in pickup trucks throwing buckets of ice water at pedestrians and motorcyclists. Others stand on street corners shooting passers-by with high-pressure water guns.

At the temple the rite of pouring water on Buddha statues, which has been cleaned by the monks, is performed. The ceremony is known as "ROD NAM DAM HUA" (รดน้ำดำหัว).
Songkran festival lasts officially three days. But it often starts one day before if the weather is very hot. All administrations and banks are closed. Most people living in Bangkok go back up-country to visit their relatives and to participate to Songkran feast. During Songkran festival there is no traffic jams in Bangkok. Many houses nationwide are put under police watch during Songkran.

During Thai New Year parade Buddha statues are settled on cars. People sprinkle holy water on the statue to purify it.

During Songkran festival, Thai people symbolically bathe the monks ("SONG NAM PHRA" - ทรงน้ำพระ). It is an old ritual to pay respect to monks.

http://www.thaiworldview.com

Chinese new year

 Chinese new year

Sino-Thai trade and cultural ties span the centuries. In times past, sea-farers, marine merchants and traders sailed up the kingdom’s rivers with vessels laden with merchandise and precious goods including Chinese tea, silk and fine porcelain. As trade between the two countries flourished, permanent settlements of peoples of various ethnic Chinese origin were soon established. While the early settlers quickly adapted to their new way of life and adopted Thai ways, they also continued to maintain strong cultural ties and practiced the customs and traditions diligently observed by their forefathers. Of these, the celebration of the Chinese New Year remains the most important of annual festivals on the Chinese lunar calendar observed in the various regions of Thailand.
Festive celebrations are typically staged in areas where there is a significant Thai-Chinese community such as the Yaowarat district in Bangkok and in the provinces of Suphan Buri, Ayutthaya, Chon Buri (Pattaya district) and Ratchaburi in Central Thailand, Nakhon Ratchasima in Northeastern Thailand, Nakhon Sawan (Pak Nam Pho) and Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand, Songkhla (Hat Yai district) and Phuket in Southern Thailand.
While a variety of contemporary elements have been incorporated through the passage of time, Chinese New Year celebrations throughout Thailand are a reminder of the rich cultural and artistic legacy and wealth of history preserved in these ‘living museums’.
CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS IN BANGKOK

	THAI-CHINESE CULTURAL FESTIVAL AT THE THAILAND CULTURAL CENTER Celebrating 36 years of Thai-Chinese relations February 1, 2011/ 15.00 and 19.00 To mark the 36th anniversary of the establishment of Thai-Chinese relations, cultural performances will be presented at the Thailand Cultural Center at 15.00 and 19.00.
	CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL AT CENTRAL WORLD February 3, 2011/ 13.00 hrs Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports and the Minister of Culture of the People's Republic of China (PRC) will jointly lead festive activities commencing with a formal exchange of New Year wishes. Spectacular cultural presentations by performers from the PRC are among the many highlights of the Chinese New Year celebrations at CentralWorld.
	BANGKOK CHINATOWN CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011 February 3, 2011 The presentation of Chinese art and culture and a dazzling range of cultural performances and live entertainment, the eternally popular highlights of each and every Yawarat Chinatown Chinese New Year celebration, will be staged in front of the throne hall (Phra Tinang) at Odeon Circle on Yawarat Road.
	PARADISE PARK CHINESE NEW YEAR At Paradise Park Shopping Mall on Srinakarin Road February 3 – 6, 2011
NORTHERN THAILAND
	NAKHON SAWAN AMAZING NAKHON SAWAN CHINESE NEW YEAR 2011: Celebrating the 84th Birthday of His Majesty the King January 27 – February 7, 2011 At Pak Nam Pho Market and along the bank of the Chao Phraya River in the Nakhon Sawan provincial center
	CHIANG MAI CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011 CHIANG MAI CHINATOWN February 4 – 6, 2011/09.00 - Midnight At Trok Lao Cho
NORTHEASTERN THAILAND
	NAKHON RATCHASIMA (KORAT) KORAT CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011 February 3 – 5, 2011 At the Thao Suranaree Memorial and Suranaree Park in the Nakhon Ratchasima provincial centre
CENTRAL THAILAND
	SUPHAN BURI CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011 Celebrating the Third Anniversary of The Dragon Descendants Museum February 3 - 7, 2011 Chao Phor Lak Mueang City Pillar Shrine and Dragon Descendants Museum, Suphan Buri
	AYUTTHAYA ANCIENT CITY CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011 February 4 - 8, 2011/ 17.00 – 23.00 Naresuan Road (from the Chao Phrom Market to the Chao Ai Chao Yee Chedi)
	RATCHABURI CHINATOWN CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011 February 2 – 6, 2011 At the Ratchaburi National Museum
SOUTHERN THAILAND
	OLD PHUKET CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011 February 8 - 10, 2011 At the Chalermprakiet 72 Years Queen Sirikit Park and Thalang Road
	HAT YAI CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011 February 3 - 5, 2011 At the Hat Yai Municipality Park and in front of Srinakorn School, Hat Yai district, Songkhla province
EASTERN SEABOARD
	PATTAYA CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011 February 3 - 5, 2011 At Laan Pho Na Kleua, Banglamung district

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NORTHERN THAILAND
	NAKHON SAWAN AMAZING NAKHON SAWAN CHINESE NEW YEAR 2011: Celebrating the 84th Birthday of His Majesty the King January 27 – February 7, 2011 At Pak Nam Pho Market and along the bank of the Chao Phraya River in the Nakhon Sawan provincial center Activities and Highlights For an auspicious start to the Year of The Rabbit, ancient customs and traditions will be observed. A religious ceremony to dispel bad luck will be performed before the festive celebrations begin. Thousand Hand Kuan Yin, Goddess of Mercy and Compassion — a special performance presented courtesy of the People's Republic of China Light-and-sound show on the Chao Phraya River and dancing water screen Chinese-style stage shows and cultural presentations The Chao Por-Chao Mae Pak Nam Pho Procession By Night on 5 February Traditional street processions and parades will be staged in the day-time on 6 February. Nakhon Sawan Chinatown will showcase various cultural traditions from each of the districts of Nakhon Sawan including consultations with feng shui masters and live demonstrations of the time-honoured Chinese tea-making ceremony Lantern Festival An exhibition of colourful traditional Chinese lanterns in various shapes and form depicting the creatures that represent the twelve signs of the Chinese horoscope, celestial beings from Chinese folklore and the dragons of the Chinese deities. Chinese and International Food Festival Contact information: Tourism Authority of Thailand, Uthai Thani Office Areas of Responsibility: Nakhon Sawan, Phichit, Uthai Thani Tel: +66 (0) 5651 4982 Fax: +66 (0) 5651 2916 E-mail: tatuthai@tat.or.th TAT Call Center 1672
	CHIANG MAI CHINATOWN CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011 February 4 – 6, 2011/09.00 - Midnight At Trok Lao Cho Highlights and Activities A special Kung Fu Chinese martial arts demonstration presented by the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in Southern China, courtesy of the People's Republic of China Fire Dragon and Fire Lion shows Stage performances and Chinese musical performances Chiang Mai Chinese New Year Walking Street The Chiang Mai Chinese New Year Walking Street is divided into two zones: A cultural showcase with stage cultural presentations, live demonstrations and performances to highlight the various aspects of Thai-Chinese culture, traditions and way of life in the northern city of Chiang Mai being presented by local residents of Chinese descent, Thai—Chinese associations, clubs and foundations. The second zone features a food street with individual stalls representing many of Chiang Mai’s finest restaurants noted for their delicious Chinese cuisine. Miss Chiang Mai Chinatown Contest and kids’ contest Chiang Mai Chinese New Year Festival Parade 4 February 2011 from 09.00 onwards The Chiang Mai Chinese New Year grand parade features several lively processions such as the Golden Dragon procession, the Golden Lion dance, the procession of the Chinese deities, the Chinese music procession, and processions organized by associations, clubs, foundations, and individuals of Chinese ancestry. Contact information: Tourism Authority of Thailand, Chiang Mai Office Tel: +66 (0) 5324 8604, (0) 5324 8607 Fax: +66 (0) 5324 8605 E-mail: tatchmai@tat.or.th
NORTHEASTERN THAILAND
	NAKHON RATCHASIMA KORAT CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011 February 3 – 5, 2011 At the Thao Suranaree Memorial and Suranaree Park in the Nakhon Ratchasima provincial center Activities/Highlights Procession of the Golden Dragon and Lion Dance Fire Dragon performance Descendants of the Dragon Light-and-Sound show A grand showcase of Chinese art and culture including cultural presentations and performances by the 56 ethnic minorities of the PRC Giant Lantern Festival Pay homage to sacred Chinese deities Receive ‘ang pow’ red packets (envelopes) and Mandarin oranges for good luck Lucky draw for prizes Chinese food stalls Shop for souvenirs and other items Contact information: Tourism Authority of Thailand, Nakhon Ratchasima Office Tel: +66 (0) 4421 3030, (0) 4421 3666 Fax: +66 (0) 4421 3667 E-mail: tatsima@tat.or.th
CENTRAL THAILAND
	SUPHAN BURI CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011 Celebrating the Third Anniversary of The Dragon Descendants Museum February 3 - 7, 2011 Chao Phor Lak Mueang City Pillar Shrine and Dragon Descendants Museum, Suphan Buri Activities and Highlights Suphan Buri Chinese New Year Festival Opening Ceremony Thousand Hand Kuan Yin, Goddess of Mercy and Compassion — a special performance presented courtesy of the People's Republic of China Mask Dance from the Sichuan Province of southwestern China in which the performers changed masks in the blink of an eye Folk dances and drum performance Chinese-style acrobatics, folk performances, cultural presentations and stage shows Pyrotechnics show and fireworks Redeem a special souvenir. Upon arrival at the Dragon Descendants Museum, visitors will be presented with a Suphan Buri Chinese New Year passport. To redeem a special souvenir at the end of the tour, simply present the passport with a total of eight stamps, so remember to have the passport stamped at each of the eight key attractions on site. Contact information: Tourism Authority of Thailand, Suphan Buri Office Tel: +66 (0) 3553 6030 Fax: +66 (0) 3553 6030 E-mail: tatsuphan@tat.or.th
	AYUTTHAYA ANCIENT CITY CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011 February 4 - 8, 2011/ 17.00 – 23.00 Naresuan Road (from the Chao Phrom Market to the Chao Ai Chao Yee Chedi) Activities and Highlights: Observe ancient traditions and customs for an auspicious start to the Year of The Rabbit by paying homage to Chinese deities at the various shrines in the 16 district of Ayutthaya. Opening ceremony featuring the procession of the Chinese deities Procession of the Golden Dragon and Lion Dance Chinese opera Various contests such as the floral floats contest, traditional Chinese Teng Leng lantern contest, Young Mr and Miss Chinatown Contest, Chinese costume contest Food stalls and stalls offering attractively-priced products including sales of local products from each of the sub-districts or tambon of Ayutthaya province promoted under the OTOP – One Tambon One Product – label. Contact information: Tourism Authority of Thailand, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Office Tel: +66 (0) 3524 6076-7 Fax: +66 (0) 3524 6078 E-mail: tatyutya@tat.or.th
	RATCHABURI CHINATOWN CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011 February 2 – 6, 2011 At the Ratchaburi National Museum Highlights and Activities Ratchaburi Chinatown grand procession Tribal dance presented by Tibet Autonomous Region or Xizang Autonomous Region Light-and-sound presentation, musical water screens and fireworks Mr and Miss Chinatown contest and Young Mr and Miss Chinatown contest Food stalls and opportunities to shop for souvenirs and gift items Contact information: Tourism Authority of Thailand, Phetchaburi Office Tel: +66 (0) 3247 1005-6 Fax: +66 (0) 3247 1502 E-mail: tatphet@tat.or.th
SOUTHERN THAILAND
	OLD PHUKET CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011 February 8 - 10, 2011 At the Chalermprakiet 72 Years Queen Sirikit Park and Thalang Road Activities and Highlights Experience the culture and way of life in Old Phuket. Pay homage to Chinese deities at various shrines around Phuket on 11 February. A special presentation by performers from the city of Suining in the mountainous Sichuan province of southwest China. Suining is the hometown of the Goddess Guanyin (Kwan Yin). Witness the official signing ceremony that establishes Suining and Phuket as Twin Cities. Contact information: Tourism Authority of Thailand, Phuket Office Tel: +66 (0) 7621 1036, (0) 7621 7138, (0) 7621 2213 Fax: +66 (0) 7621 3582 E-mail: tatphket@tat.or.th
	HAT YAI CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011 February 3 - 5, 2011 At the Hat Yai Municipality Park and in front of Srinakorn School, Hat Yai district, Songkhla province Highlights and Activities Performances on stage Chinese acrobatics and cultural performances Fire-blowing Golden Dragon show Free concerts with international singers from Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore Miss Chinese Hat Yai 2011 beauty pageant February 3 at 6.00 pm Official opening ceremony on at Sri Nakhon School Join in a ceremony held in honour of His Majesty King Bhumibol Special effects and light-and-sound show with 200,000 fireworks and colourful smoke for the first time in the South. February 4 China Kids Contest Free concert by the Pancake band and famous singer from Malaysia February 5 Miss Chinese Hat Yai 2011 beauty pageant and free concert by The Bottom Blue and famous singer from Malaysia. Enjoy traditional Chinese delicacies of Songkhla Contact information: Tourism Authority of Thailand, Hat Yai Office Tel: +66 (0) 7423 1055, (0) 7423 8518, (0) 7424 3747 Fax: +66 (0) 7424 5986 E-mail: tatsgkhl@tat.or.th
EASTERN SEABOARD
	PATTAYA CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011 February 3 - 5, 2011 At Laan Pho Park, Na Kleua, Banglamung district Special shows and performances: Dancing angels, lion dance, auspicious lion blessing dance, acrobatic lions, dragons climbing the heavenly pole, and dance tribute to the Goddess Kuan Yin. Programme 3 February 09.00 Worship ceremony at King Taksin Monument 10.00 Worship ceremony at Khommaluang Chumpnon Khet-Udomsak 11.00 Worship ceremony honouring gods and goddesses 16.00 Lion and Dragon Procession 19.00 Opening ceremony at Lan Pho Park, Na Kleua 21.00 Chinese classical dance performance on the main stage at Lan Pho Park 22.00 Lion and Dragon Procession, Walking Street 22.30 Ponglang Sa-On concert 4 February 18.30 Chinese classical dance performance on the main stage at Lan Pho Park 19.00 Chinese Girl Pattaya Pageant 2011 - 1st round 22.30 Palapol Concert; food and merchandise kiosks 5 February 18.30 Peter Fodify Concert 19.10 Chinese Girl Pattaya Pageant 2011 - final round 22.30 The Sun Concert and invited guests; food and merchandise kiosks Contact information: Tourism Authority of Thailand, Pattaya Office Tel: +66 (0) 3842 7667, (0) 3842 8750, (0) 3842 3990 Fax: +66 (0) 3842 9113 E-mail: tatchon@tat.or.th

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