Flora Festival 2013 - Royal Park Rajapruek (Chiang Mai)


This looks like a good time to visit - our previous visit to this location was lovely.

Royal Park Rajapruek, Highland Research and Development Institute (Public Organization) cooperated with Royal Project Foundation will hold “Flora Festival 2013” under the concept “Colorful Flowers” which are the 4th times of festival in winter season at Royal Park Rajapruek, Chiang Mai Province. The festival will be held on 1 December 2013 - 28 February 2014 from 08.00 am. – 08.00 pm. at Royal Park Rajapruek, Chiang Mai. 

The purpose of the festival is to commemorate His Majesty the King and publicize the knowledge related to the benevolence of His Majesty the King and the Royal Family concerning the development of life to Thai people based on the Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy and the New Theory Agriculture, to promote agricultural learning and Biological diversity, encourage the attitude toward reducing global warming, green economic, promote the tourism and also publicize excellent cultural of Chiang Mai.

In This Festival, will display the various of temperate flowers which are colorful and blooming to welcome the visitors through 90 days and see the 7 wonders such as the elegant of “Royal Pavilion” , the exhibition of benevolence of His Majesty the King, King Bhumibol Tulip exhibition, The largest orchid park in the northern of Thailand, amazing vegetable pergola, 7 special menus from 7 mounts at Royal Project Restaurant, New Theory Agriculture and new garden from leading organizations of Thailand such as Port Authority of Thailand, Krungthai Bank PCL., Thai Airways International PLC., PTT PLC., Muang Thai Insurance PCL., Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Co-operatives and Charoen Pokphand PCL. will join permanent exhibition to commemorate His Majesty the King and publicize the success of operation of each organizations.

 Through the festival, tourists can join the commemorate activities, Orchid Contest, Musical Fountain, and enjoy with Music in the garden from famous singers among the most beautiful atmosphere in Chiang Mai such as Aof-Pongsak/Lula/Pop Pong kool/Two Popetorn/ETC/King The Voice and Lanna Singer, cultural shows, Folk music show and international show. Tourists can join the special activities in special day such as Christmas, Countdown to New Year, Children’s day, Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day.

Royal Park Rajapruek invites you to experience memorable moments of colorful flowers in Flora Festival 2013 on 1 December 2013 – 28 February 2014 from 08.00 am. – 08.00 pm. at Royal Park Rajapruek, Chiang Mai for more information please contact 053 – 114110-5 or www.royalparkrajapruek.org.


Monkey Party in Lopburi (24 Nov)




One of the more unique festivals in Thailand is the annual Monkey Party in Lopburi, about 150 kms north of Bangkok. It was started some twenty years ago by a local businessman called Yongyuth Kitwatananuson. He put on a buffet lunch for the monkeys as a way to say thank you to the animals for all the tourist money that they had brought to the city. This soon became a tradition and is now firmly an event on the national festival calendar.

Text is from Richard Barrow




Surin Elephant Round-up (16-17 Nov)


Text and photo from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Elephant procession
Elephant breakfast
Surin Elephant Round-up Show 2009.
Surin Elephant Round-up Show 2009.
The Surin Elephant Round-up usually takes place on the third weekend of November in Surin provinceIsanThailand. It is of recent origin, first held in 1960. The people of Surin were traditionally excellent at capturing elephants inCambodia, then training them as working animalsCivil war in Cambodia and the elephant's decreasing economic importance has forced the elephant handlers (mahouts) to turn to entertainment to make a living.
The event consists of a series of shows displaying the strength and skill of the animals, such as football games andtugs of war.

Elephant Round-Up[edit]

The Elephant Breakfast is a small part of the festival and is held on the Friday morning. A procession of up to over 300 elephants (2005) start marching through Surin city from the railway station area toward the Elephant roundabout at the south end of the city on the Prasat road.
The elephants carry dignitaries and also some tourists who dismount their steeds on arrival. Some elephants carry mahouts in authentic battle outfits from the Thai - Khmer - Laos battles. Intermingled with the elephant procession are local school children and teachers in traditional dress, dancing and playing music.
Once all the elephants have arrived then the banquet can begin, the tables of fruits are quickly cleared by the large team of elephants. Whatever leftovers there may be is not lost, as the local people take the leftovers to their own homes.
On the following morning (Saturday) the elephants and mahoots congregate at the Elephant Stadium to the south east of the city centre. Here the main show is performed culminating in a re-enactment of the battles of a past century. The show is repeated on Sunday morning.

Phuket International Sport Fishing (13 - 16 Nov)

Image from Phuket International
The annual Phuket International Sportfishing Tournament takes place in November in Chalong again this year. The team that earns the most points per kilo during the tournament wins! Prizes will also be given to the teams that catch the largest fish (by weight) in each eligible species and a release trophy will be awarded to the team that releases the most billfish.

text from MyDestination 


Good Luck!



Phimai Festival (7-10 Nov)


image from word press

For more than a century Thailand have celebrated the Phimai festival every year in November in the beautiful Phimai historical park.
This year from November 10. to November 13. the town of Phimai together with TAT (Tourist Authority of Thailand) hosts this festival to celebrate the region and its history.


The city will be buzzing for four days. You will be amazed with the beautiful temple Prasat Hin Phimai that for this event is the center of a big light and sound presentation. The Phimai historical park area will be filled with local art, exhibitions, cultural performances and amazing competitions and prizes.

The highlight of the festival is the boat race where beautiful colorful dragon boats compete on the Mun river in a race that have taking place year after year for several hundred years. This spectacular event does not only draw thousands of visitors from all over the world, it is also often attended by the royal family.

text from Travel Issan
Saw this advertised on the front page of the Bangkok Post
and this is 2012.



The Ginger Wizard and Guinness World Record attempt (1 Nov)



We were invited to see this spectacle at Central Festival and of course we went - Jemma was happy with the iPad (along with the other children).


The record was close twice and wow did the audience share this with the 'Ginger Wizard'!


Sorry that he did not manage to beat the World Record but that does mean that he can visit us again next year?

Thanks for the invite.