21st PHUKET KING'S CUP REGATTA

The Phuket King's Cup Regatta held in honour of His Majesty the King of Thailand to commemorate His Majesty's birthday on December 5th has become the biggest sailing event in Asia. With participants from all over the world converging on Phuket to race in Asia's most prestigious regatta, the event offers five days of great sailing off Phuket's West Coast.

The Phuket King's Cup Regatta, Asia's biggest and most popular regatta, is the jewel in the crown of the Asian Yachting Circuit, a circuit of the leading regattas in Asia including the Raja Muda International Regatta, the Singapore Straits Regatta and the China Sea Race. More than a regatta, the week long event consists of great parties, great sailing and lots of fun.

Inaugurated in 1987 to celebrate the sixtieth birthday of His Majesty the King of Thailand, the event has been held during the first week of December every year since. With the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King, the Regatta is organized by the Phuket King's Cup Regatta Organizing Committee under the auspices of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, in conjunction with the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, the Royal Thai Navy and the Province of Phuket.

The 2004 Phuket King's Cup Regatta attracted some 900 participants representing 96 teams. In 2006, the organizers are expecting the participation of representatives from at least 15 countries from around the world namely - from Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Russia as well as teams from Europe. Travel to Thailand is being sponsored by Thai Airways International, the national carrier. Approximately 1,000 visitors, including some highly experienced crews, are expected to travel to the tropical resort island of Phuket.

The Phuket King's Cup Regatta was inaugurated in 1987 to celebrate the 60th birthday of His Majesty the King and has been held annually every year since in honour of His Majesty who graciously agreed to be patron of the event.

The regatta has progressed from modest beginnings into an event that is now widely recognised as the largest regatta in Asia. The Phuket King's Cup Regatta has a unique combination of top standard racing, spectacular scenery and sailing conditions and outstanding social events. Each year, His Majesty the King sends a personal representative to present the King's Cup trophies on his behalf. This special Royal awards ceremony is the highlight of the event.

Racing takes place over a 6-day period in several classes of yacht, namely racing, cruising, ocean cruising, multi-hull, classic keel boats and Farr Platus. Competitors and their yachts come from all over the world, including strong contingents from Asia, Australia, New Zealand, America and Europe.

The 2000 event saw almost 100 boats entering over the 6 classes - a record. These ranged from some of the world's top racing yachts (with a fair number of world class sailors onboard) through to amateur racing, cruising and classic sailing yachts. Around 1,000 participants and partygoers enjoyed the splendid sailing and memorable social events. This year, the Phuket King's Cup Regatta will proceed as planned without changes to the programme or the level of participation. The island paradise is preparing to welcome a large fleet close to the 2000 record. The organizing committee expects that these figures will steadily increase as Phuket gains an ever-stronger reputation as a premier sailing destination in Asia.

Media interest in the event has grown alongside, and the 2000 event saw media representation, both print and broadcast, from Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan, as well as America, Belgium, Holland Italy, Germany and Britain. And, for the first time, a half-hour show was broadcast on television around the world, bringing the Phuket King's Cup Regatta into more than 250 million homes. This year, with a new involvement with CNN, the Phuket King's Cup Regatta will be seen in 450,000 million households.

Since its outset, the regatta has consisted of a number of organizations and people, public and private, commercial and volunteer. These include the organizing yacht clubs, the Royal Thai Navy, the Sports authority of Thailand, the Office of the Governor of Phuket, the Tourist Authority of Thailand, police, customs and immigration departments and sponsors, without whom the event would not be possible. This year, for added peace of mind, visible added security courtesy of the navy and police has been put into place for further reassurance.

For more information, please visit www.kingscup.com

RIVER KWAI BRIDGE WEEK

Each year in late November to early December, the world famous River Kwae Bridge built by Allied prisoners-of-war during World War II , becomes the focal point of celebrations. Event highlights include historical and archaeological exhibits, a carnival, folk and cultural performances, rides on World War II vintage trains, and a spectacular light and sound presentation re-enacting the bridge's World War II legacy.

The Celebration on the Auspicious Occasion of His Majesty the King

Fireworks Performance “The Celebration on the Auspicious Occasion of His Majesty the King’s 80th Birthday Anniversary 5th December, 2007”

The spectacular fireworks will be held 5 days from December 4 to 8, 2007 to honor His Majesty the King’s 80th Birthday which will be the greatest event in memories.
The fireworks will be launched from different location as follows:

Day 1, on December 4 under the name “Dok Mai Fire Haeng Karm Jong Rak Pak Dee” or “Fireworks for loyalty to the King” at the Royal Sport Club sponsor by Seiko Holding Corporation and The Fireworks Association of Japan. There are 14 fireworks displays in 30 minutes designed by 12 Japanese Fireworks Artists. Khunying Tipavadee Meksawan will preside the opening ceremony at the Prince Palace Hotel.

Day 2, on December 5 under the name “Pung Pracha Tou Lah Tawai Pra Porn” or “People Well Wish His Majesty the King” at site on Chao Praya River between Rama IX Bridge and Industrial Ring Bridge. Well-wishes Candle lit will be presided by General Winai Pattriyakul,

Day 3, on December 6 under the name “Pra Bidorn Lon Krao Chao Thai” or “Our Beloved Father” at The Royal Athlete Society. Fireworks are designed and produced in Thailand under Japanese Management performing 3,000 shot of gorgeous displays.

Day 4, on December 7 under the name “Si Lao Terd Tai Ong Bhumiphol” or “Worship King Bhumiphol” at Lam Mae Pim beach, Kraeng district, Rayong. Fantasy Fireworks from China with computerized control will be launched from the sea. General Pichit Kullavanit will preside the well wishes ceremony.

Day 5, on December 8 under the name “Chalerm Pra Kiart Pra Baramee Greg Fah Kong Pattapee” or “Celebrating His Majesty the King’s Glorious 80th Birthday” at QSNCC. Splendid and Fantasy Fireworks Displays will be performed. General Montri Supaporn, Chairman of the glory fireworks performance committee, will preside the well wishes ceremony.

Find more details at www.gloryfireworks.com

THE SAKHON NAKHON WAX CASTLE...

THE SAKHON NAKHON WAX CASTLE PROCESSION & ROYAL TROPHY LONG-BOAT RACES

Date 20 Oct 2007 - 26 Oct 2007

Location At Wat Phra That Choeng Chum Temple, Sakon Nakhon

To mark the end of Buddhist Lent or ‘Ok Pansa’, communities in Northeastern Thailand or ‘I-San’ stage an annual celebration consisting of a grand procession of meticulously-carved wax castles, long-boat races and festive celebrations. On the final day of the festival, which falls on the end of the Buddhist Lent, local residents make a trip to the temples to make merit.

This ancient folk tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation. Over the centuries, the tradition has evolved. Originally, ornate wax trees carved out of poles of beeswax were presented to temples along with other merit-making ritual offerings. Contemporary offerings consist of elaborate designs and sophisticated shapes and forms. Beeswax is molded into miniature Buddhist temples and shrines or wax castles.

The significance of the merit-making ritual is based on the Buddhist concept of reincarnation - the belief that upon death, an individual passes on to another life. According to Buddhist teachings, it is believed that a person's destiny is determined by meritorious acts or good deeds performed in the present life. If individuals conscientiously observe and practice Buddhist principles by performing good deeds and by engaging in acts of Buddhist devotion, individuals earn and accumulate merit during their lifetime. Depending on the merit they have earned, in subsequent lives, individuals progress to the point where they attain spiritual enlightenment and reside in the upper tiers of heaven, or are re-born into a life that is worse than the last.

The practice also constitutes a form of ancestor worship. The wax castle itself is symbolises the ideal spiritual residence devout Buddhists aspire to in their future life.

Based on this belief, making merit by presenting offerings to monks evolved as a Buddhist ritual known as "tak baht". The "baht" being the bowl in which the alms and offerings presented to the monks are placed.

It is also believed that one earns more merit by taking part in communal merit-making. There is strength in numbers, especially when individuals blessed with merit come together and collectively join in the pursuit of good deeds. The annual wax castle procession is a special time for family reunions with relatives reunited in merit-making activities, sharing in goodwill as well as good times. Community resources are pooled and monks and community members join hands to craft these ornate wax castles as merit-making offerings and to stage a grand ceremony and festive celebrations – a notable expression of Buddhist devotion and one which strengthens the bond between the village temple and the community it serves.

These crafted models can be seen especially in Sakon Nakhon where an annual festival is held with a grand wax castle procession, competitive long-boat races as well as traditional northeastern cultural performances among many other festivities.

The Significance of ‘Ok Pansa’, the End of the Buddhist Lent

During his final incarnation and his seventh lent, in remembrance of his mother, Lord Buddha ascended to the heavens to deliver a sermon to his mother. There he resided throughout the entire period of the three-months Rains Retreat or the Buddhist Lent.

At the end of the Rains Retreat which falls on the first day of the waning moon of the eleventh lunar month, Lord Buddha returned to earth after teaching his mother in Thavatimsa heaven, descending by the Celestial Stairway comprising of the Silver, Gold and Crystal stairs.

Delighted by the news of Buddha's return to earth once again, Buddha's disciples and followers prepared to receive him with offerings of food and other sacred items being presented. ‘Tak Baht Devo’, the Buddhist merit-making ritual performed on the final day of the festival signals the end of the Buddhist Lent, originates from the word "Devorohana" and refers to Buddhist celebrations marking the special occasion of the return of the Lord Buddha to earth, as mentioned in ancient Buddhist tales.

Most Famous Festival : Songkran festival in Chiang Mai

April 13 or Wan Sangkan Long

Wan Sangkan Long means the old year passes by (Sangkan derived from the word Songkran. Lanna people cannot pronounce double consonants. So Songkran is pronounced Sangkan; Pret is pronounced Pet; Krot is pronounced, Kot.) According to the belief of the northern people, there are Kun Sangkan (a male) and Nang Songkran (a female). On New Year’s day (Sankan Long) a prediction will be announced, similar to the Songkran announcement of the central region, for example,

“Sankan Long happens on Sunday with Kun Sangkan, riding on the Naga with a cloud in his hand, moving quickly from the west. Nang Songkran named Siri, holds a cannon, meaning there will be war. Insects will destroy the rice fields. Rain will be abundant. Cattle will fall ill. The wealthy will suffer. White Yang wood is the best quality wood. The spirit of rice lies in the bamboo. Those born on Tuesday will face problems. Those born on Saturday will have good fortune. Red objects and live beings will be costly. White objects will cost less.”

April 14 is called, Wan Nao or Wan Da (preparation day)
Wan Nao or Wan Da is an auspicious day when everyone must be cheerful, and must not curse or behave badly. In the morning, food and offerings for the monks are prepared and distributed to friends and relatives in the following morning. In the afternoon, sand is brought to the monastery compounds and sand stupas are created as a form of worship to the Lord Buddha. Finally the time comes for gently splashing water at one another with a word of blessing.

April 15 is called, Wan Phaya Wan
Wan Phaya Wan, which is the most important day of the New Year celebration or the Wan Taleung Sok of the central region. There may be also 4 additional days of celebration: April 15th (Wan Paak Pee), April 16th (Wan Paak Deuan), April 17th (Wan Paak Wan), April 18 (Wan Paak Yam)

Wan Songkran involves merit making, offering food to monks, listening to sermons, paying respect to elders, and having fun.


Recommended Guest house in Chiang Mai :

T-Room Guest House

Banilah Guest House