Phuket Pride Gay Festival (22 - 28 April)

images and text from Travelfish

I like "Same Same NOT Different" - wonder how many tourists will buy this T.Shirt?

Thai society in general is tolerant of homosexuality and Phuket, along with queer-friendly Bangkok and Pattaya, is the most welcoming place of all for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) people. Possibly a first for Asia, support for gay travel has even reached official levels, with the Tourism Authority of Thailand this year launching a new campaign to attract LGBT visitors called Go Thai Be Free.

The Phuket Pride festival has been held every year in one form or another since 1999. New organisers, the Phuket Loves You Club, took over the event last year and since then it’s been held in April. The theme for this year’s Pride week is Same Same NOT Different.

Info from Travelfish and their Travel Blog 

Phuket Bike Week (14 - 21 Apr)

Got everything about this from Richard Barrow - including the images - looks fun - 
if you like your bike.

Phuket Bike Week 

enjoy....

Thai Heritage Conservation Day (วันอนุรักษ์มรดกไทย) (2nd April)

Happy birthday to Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

this text is from another site - Ministry of culture of Thailand Site 

THAI HERITAGE CONSERVATION DAY

                                                                    Translated by Ms. Sirimas Boonrasri    

                                                                                and Mr. Rob Dodson

Definition

                Thai Heritage Conservation Day means the day of praising Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn as a model of conserving a variety of national heritage such as Buddhism, Thai language, Literary work, History, Archeology, Art work, Thai Architecture and Thai music; also to follow His Majesty the King’s work in creating and conserving national heritage for the next Thai generation.

Historical Background

                On the occasion of HRH Princess Sirindhorn’s 30th birthday on April 2, 1985 the Cabinet led by Gen. Prem Tinsulanonda, who was the Prime Minister at that time, voted in the meeting on February. 26, 1985 to announce the date of April 2 every year to be “Thai Heritage Conservation Day” in honour of HRH Princess Sirindhorn for her attempt to conserve a variety of national heritage such as Buddhism, Thai language, Literary work, History, Archeology, Art work, Thai Architecture and Thai music.

                When the birthday anniversary comes around every year, Thai people remember her activities in conserving Thai heritage and follow Her Royal Highness’s work in creating and conserving national heritage for next Thai generation. Her reputation and works will be recorded in Thai history in the field of heritage conservation. She works with a great effort to benefit the nation and people in conserving culture and art which are a valuable heritage of Thailand.

Suggestions

The cultural activities to be held on Thai Heritage Day                                                                                                                                                         

1.     To convene an academic seminar for the purpose of providing the                                                                                                                           

        knowledge and understanding of Thai heritage and conservation.

2.     To provide public knowledge and understanding of Thai heritage and

        the conservation.

3.     To contest a variety of cultural activities.

4.     To exhibit the variety of Thai culture.

5.     To exhibit HRH Princess Sirindhorn’s work in conserving Thai                                                                                                                               

         heritage.

6.     To decorate buildings with the Thai National Flag.

7.     Any other suitable activities.

Muay Thai Festival (17 Mar)

This week sees the beginning of the 9th World Martial Arts Festival and Wai Khru Muay Thai in Ayutthaya - Thailand's Historical City.

but the link wasn't working? https://www.muaythaifestival.com/

National Elephant Day (13 March)

text from Kantary Hill Chiang Mai and image from CM108

National Thai Elephant Day, March 13th March 2013 at 9.30 am to 12.00 am and 1pm to 4pm.Thai people have high esteem and reverence towards elephants and the Thai government, in 1998, officially announced March 13th of each year to be the National Thai Elephant Day. On the Elephant Day, Maesa Elephant Camp will arrange a grand celebration for its elephants to mark the importance of this intelligent creature. ’Satoke', similar to kantoke, the traditional northern Thai style of dining, is organised into the world's largest elephant buffet - a marvellous sight to behold, as dozens upon dozens of giant pachyderms eat to their heart's content at a great banquet satoke. Children join the celebrations free of charge to promote the value of elephants and of the day for them.