Editor’s Talk Life is journey!! Welcome to the hottest month of the year. April is the special month for Thai people, because there is Songkran festival, which is the Thai New Year also. Then, get your water pistols up and let’s wet together! There are many countries in the world, and each country has its own remarkable festival. So, this month our magazine would like to suggest you the 10 Greatest Festivals in the World, for example, Carnival, La Tomatina, Harbin Ice and Snow, Glastonbury and of course, Songkran Festival. This will give the people who love travelling more information, and for those who don’t like to travel too much, this may be the one that make you want to travel. Furthermore, this magazine also contains many interesting content. Due to the main highlight of this issue, so we provide you a ‘Four Tips for Smarter and Safer Travel Aboard’ in the Tips to Trip column, for helping you prepare yourself before take a trip. In addition, we also put the recommended places to eat and go in Thailand. Not only that I’d mentioned before, but there also have another column, both of entertainment and useful topics. Now, it’s time to leave. Thank you for your continued support of our Lomprayah magazine. Have fun with your life. Photjanard Kantiwong
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Lomprayah Team Editor in Chief Photjanard Kantiwong
Executive Editor
Wanitcha Sukchet Tinn Chacalanuwattanapong
Editorial Staff
Vorapong Vongvarothai Juntiya Laoniyomthai Areeya Pichittanabordeekul Jiraporn Boonta Muslin Chupradit Saksid Boonrawang
Art Director
Methakritsada Wanngoen
Graphic Designer Seattakit Meunnak Pannachet Khwanphrom
Carnaval, Brazil The Rio Carnaval is not only the biggest Carnival, it has also a benchmark against which every other carnival is compared and one of the most interesting artistic events on the Globe. Almost everyone has heard of the Rio Carnaval. Foreign visitors to it alone number around 500,000 every year. Rio Carnival is a wild 4 day celebration, 40 days before Easter. It officially starts on Saturday and finishes on Fat Tuesday with the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday after which one is supposed to abstain from all bodily pleasures. Carnival with all its excesses, celebrated as a profane event, can be considered an act of farewell to the
pleasures of the flesh. It usually happens in February, the hottest month in the Southern Hemisphere, when the Rio summer is at its peak. Then it is Carnival all over the place, in the streets and squares, bars, clubs and all other venues, taking over the whole city of Rio and culminating in the Rio Carnival Parade also known as the Samba Parade. The Rio Samba Parade is very distinct from all other street parades held at some other places in the world. It started as street festivities with groups of people parading through the streets playing music and dancing. The Carnival parades in Rio developed into something special, a competition between the samba schools. This Parade in Rio de Janeiro is something everybody should experience at least once in their lives.
Mardi Gras, USA
Glastonbury, England The Glastonbury Festival is the annual biggest outdoor performing arts and music carnival in the world. The venue of this lively event is Pilton in Somerset, England. This carnival is mostly famous for modern music. However, it also organizes slapsticks, dance, theater, floorshows, circus and other forms of art. In Glastonbury Festival 2005, there were more than 385 live concerts and the carnival was held at an enclosed space of more than 900 acres. Approximately 150,000 spectators attended the event. In the 2007 Glastonbury Festival, more than 700 plays were staged on more than 80 arenas and the number of audiences increased to 177,000. Majority of people attending the Glastonbury Carnival live in a tent. There are various camping places and each has its own ambience. Camps for the physically challenged are also available in the Spring Ground.
Mardi Gras is the last big party of winter. It is the last day of Carnival, a word derived from “Carnevale,” which means “goodbye meat.” On Mardi Gras, revelers indulge in food, drink, and more in anticipation of Lent, the 47 days and nights of austerity that precede Easter. The day after Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) is Ash Wednesday. The timing for Mardi Gras is set according to Easter, which is scheduled for the first Sunday after the full moon following the spring equinox. Mardi Gras is back-dated 47 days before Easter and can take place anytime between February 3 and March 9. The most famous place to celebrate Mardi Gras in the United States is in the city of New Orleans. But it is not the only place to go for a carnival atmosphere. Mardi Gras tradition is strongest in America where French and/or Catholic communities settled. The popularity of the New Orleans’ Mardi Gras party atmosphere has also meant that many big cities and communities throughout the U.S. now celebrate Mardi Gras as a way of getting through the last cold days of winter and looking forward to spring. Every year, hundreds of thousands of visitors go to New Orleans to watch Mardi Gras parades, over-indulge in Cajun cuisine, listen to music, and soak in the Crescent City’s particular brand of lively hospitality.
La Tomatina, Spain La Tomatina is a huge food fight, where the weapons are 150,000 fat tomatoes, La Tomatina takes place on the last Wednesday of August each year and sees tens of thousands of revellers descend on the humble village of Bunol from all regions of Spain and beyond for the chance to take part! Despite its fame and stature, the festival is in fact a short-lived (but very crowded and messy) affair. It begins at 11am when a ham is placed on top of a large and greasy pole in the town square, and the tomato fight can begin only when someone is dexterous enough to clamber up and grab this meaty prize from its perch. As soon as this feat has been accomplished lorries full of tomatoes drop their first load of fruit on the ground and the crowds fight to pick up the dormant projectiles and hurl them at one another’s pristine white T-shirts. Meanwhile the lorries continue their journey up the ram-packed streets of Bunol and as well as dropping more tomatoes at they go a number of cheeky residents sit on top of the lorries pelting the crowd with juicy tomato after juicy tomato! As you’re shoulder to with the rest of the crowd you can’t fail to hit someone and the whole thing is incredibly silly, which is of course what makes it so much fun! As the trucks finish their journey and all the tomatoes have been disgorged, thrown and rethrown the crowds disperse, reeking of tomato with bits of fruity flesh and seeds in their hair - but thankfully a number of kind citizens of Bunol hose down the revelers, and the crazy tomato fight is over for another year!
Festival of San Fermin,Spain Festival of San Fermin is the bull-running festival in Spain. Hundreds of brave souls run in front of six bulls and six steers for 825-metres down the narrow streets of Pamplona while thousands of onlookers cheer in amusement during this amazing event that takes place daily between July 7 and July 14. The exciting Running of the Bulls is celebrated and enjoyed by millions worldwide, but it’s only one of the many great celebrations that occur during the great San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain from July 6 to July 14. It’s the Spain’s biggest international party. It includes days of nonstop celebration, drinking, dancing and fun. In fact, millions of visitors journey to Spain annually to participate in this amazing festival, filled with tradition, costumes, the Running of
the Bulls, bullfights, fireworks and fun! The beginning of this festival is in the 3rd century, Saint Fermin accepted Christianity and became the first bishop of Pamplona. It’s a mystery where and how Saint Fermin died, but in Pamplona the citizens believe he died as a consequence of being dragged through the streets by bulls. Today, the participants of the Running of the Bulls gather together and sing a chant three times for protection before a statue of San Fermin immediately preceding the running. It’s hard to miss this amazing spectacle because every single runner is dressed exactly the same! In fact, runners who don’t sport the traditional all-white shirt and pants with a red handkerchief and sash around the waist stick out like a sore thumb and are considered to be a San Fermin novice. So if you decide to venture to Pamplona for this amazing party, don’t forget to bring your proper running outfit!
Songkran Water Festival, Thailand The Glastonbury Festival is the annual biggest outdoor performing arts and music carnival in the world. The venue of this lively event is Pilton in Somerset, England. This carnival is mostly famous for modern music. However, it also organizes slapsticks, dance, theater, floorshows, circus and other forms of art. In Glastonbury Festival 2005, there were more than 385 live concerts and the carnival was held at an enclosed space of more than 900 acres. Approximately 150,000 spectators attended the event. In the 2007 Glastonbury Festival, more than 700 plays were staged on more than 80 arenas and the number of audiences increased to 177,000. Majority of people attending the Glastonbury Carnival live in a tent. There are various camping places and each has its own ambience. Camps for the physically challenged are also available in the Spring Ground.
Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, China The Harbin International Ice Festival only started about 10 years ago, and it is already one of world’s four biggest such ice and snow festivals, along with the famous ones in Sapporo, Norway and Quebec. At first, mainly Chinese participated, but in the last few years, it has become an international festival and competition. As the festival grows in international participation and as China’s economy grows, the size of the snow sculpture and ice architecture exhibits keeps growing. Now, the work going into making these exhibits is astounding, and their size and beauty is amazing. Last year, tens of thousands of people labored on the displays. Take a China Highlights tour to Harbin to see the various ice sculptures. The festival is officially held from 5 January to the end of February. However, the exhibits may open earlier and stay longer. There are three places where travelers can see ice sculptures and lanterns and other winter activities: the Grand World of Ice and Snow for a great variety of snow activities, Sun Island Park where ice sculptures are displayed, and Zhaolin Park for ice lanterns show. Walking around the three venues, you’ll see world record-sized snow sculptures longer than two football fields, and some ice buildings, palaces, monuments, or statues about 50 meters tall (160 feet high) that you can walk and slide around in and on. These displays are technologically sophisticated, using computer controlled LED and regular lighting to put on stunning displays of changing
color and design. For example, there was a replica of the Great Wall of China that people could slide on. Many of the architecture replicas have ice slides. Harbin is called “Ice City,” and the winters are bitterly cold, but the conditions are right for the ice festival.
Magh Mela Festival, India Magh Mela is an annual festival, and it is also called as mini Kumbh mela. The Magh Mela is an auspicious festival for all the Hindus and is celebrated in the month of Magh as per the Hindu calendar, which falls during the month of January or February. This annual event is a mini version of the Kumbh Mela, which is celebrated after every 12 years. The venue for this festival is Sangam in Allahabad, which is the confluence of three rivers Yamuna, Saraswati and Ganga. Magh mela is celebrated as Kumbh mela once in every 12 years; Kumbh Mela is the largest congregation of mankind at any place. Thousands of devotees come to take a dip in the in the holy Ganges on this particular day as it is considered to be a holy day in which the devotees can watch away their sins. During the mela, several cultural events are held. Dramatic portrayals from Hindu Epics and Puranas, Bhajans, music and dance performances and folk theatre are part of the grand spectacle. Free food and accommodation is provided by many organizers for the Sadhus and people who come from all over the country.
Día de Los Muertos, Mexico
Kanamara Matsuri, Japan
Día de Los Muertos or Day of the Dead Festival are spread out over two days, on the 1st November dedicated to souls of children who have passed away, and on the 2nd November dedicated to spirits of the adult dead. This festival takes place in cities and villages throughout Mexico, with unique customs, traditions, displays or parades. Each year, Mexican graveyards and personal home alters are decorated to the nines with gifts, food and drinks (including the much-loved tequila!) to entice spirits of the dead back to earth. Main celebrations, parades, communion meals and colorful events will typically occur on the latter day of the festival, of which a large portion is held in local cemeteries. While these dates mark the colourful climax of events, preparations for this optimistic spirit celebration do in fact begin weeks in advance. Expect to see shops filled with everything from decorative paper skulls to colourful lanterns, plastic skeletons, costumes and death-themed candy bags.
The Kanamara Matsuri is held each spring at the Kanayama shrine in Kawasaki, Japan. The exact dates vary: the main festivities fall on the first Sunday in April. The penis, as the central theme of the event, is reflected in illustrations, candy, carved vegetables, decorations, and a mikoshi parade. The Kanamara Matsuri is centered on a local penis-venerating shrine once popular among prostitutes who wished to pray for protection from sexually transmitted diseases. It is said that there are also divine protections for business prosperity and for the clan’s prosperity; and for easy delivery, marriage, and married-couple harmony. There is also a legend of a sharp-toothed demon (vagina dentate) that hid inside the vagina of a young woman and castrated two young men on their wedding nights. As a result, the young woman sought help from a blacksmith, who fashioned an iron phallus to break the demon’s teeth, which led to the enshrinement of the item. Today, the festival has become something of a tourist attraction and is used to raise money for HIV research.
Phuket FantaSea is the island’s biggest show. With trapeze artists, a cast of hundreds, performing elephants and other animals and an exotic storyline that blends tradition with fantasy you’ll have a wonderful evening out here. But the extravaganza doesn’t stop there as FantaSea also hosts one of the biggest buffets in Asia and is set in a theme park that offers carnival-like games, lots of shopping opportunities, a Palace of the Elephants, a Similan Adventure Centre and several other food outlets. It’s spectacular, it’s extravagent, it’s impressive and great entertainment value for all. With building designs that are occasionally wacky, over-the-top costumes, and elephants milling about, Phuket FantaSea has all the subtlety of a mouthful of Thai chillies. Phuket FantaSea bills itself as ‘The ultimate cultural theme park’,
and it’s tough to come up with a better description. The evening peaks with a stage show, but that’s not the only excitement. There’s a village with an assortment of shopping choices – from T-shirts to beachwear to jewellery – as well as carnival games, elephant rides, and restaurants. Everything is big, bright, ornate, and made to impress. Operations at Phuket FantaSea are slick. They’ll make sure you’re picked up, fed, entertained, and returned safely to your hotel – all without missing a beat. Transitions from Point A to Point B to Point C are seamless, and there’s always plenty of staff around to keep you heading in the right direction. The size of this well-oiled machine is astion that much more impressive.
The Main Event The theatre opens at 20:30 and guests start filing through security. Cameras aren’t allowed inside, and they take it very seriously; everything short of pen and paper that can create an image – must be checked in. Two minutes later you’re in a large hall full of costumed staff, baby elephants, and young tigers, all of which will pose for a photograph with you – for a fee. The show kicks off in grand style at 21:00. The stage is huge, but the performance space is even bigger. Aisles, ceiling, audience – every part of the theatre is used. While the eye is treated to modern effects like smoke, explosions, lasers, rain, soaring people, the brain gets insights into Thai culture in the form of traditional dances from different regions of the country, shadow puppets, and a fascinating wardrobe. It’s not tough to believe elephants can become accomplished actors, but this show also employs goats, roosters, water buffalo, and doves in supporting roles. The story isn’t easy to follow, and it doesn’t matter. Loud and funny moments interrupted by quiet, beautiful interludes do a great job conveying the emotion. The end result is a display that’s as dazzling as the sights outside the theatre. Young children, old children, and adult children all enjoy the show.
Restaurant Guide
Krua Thara Seafood Restaurant
Krua Thara Seafood restaurant is the one of popular restaurant in Krabi. It is located near the entrance to the National Park at the end of the Nopparat Thara beach. It is only a 5 min tuk tuk ride from Ao Nang beach. The menu focuses mainly on fresh seafood and there’s everything you could wish for with the reasonable price. This place is worth finding and it will reward you with fabulous food. The staffs are also very helpful, and it’s clear to see that they have a close bond with each other as well, which was nice to see.
Tel : 075-637-361
Real Story
Songkran Festival e by Elis
Thai’s celebrate their new year with a 3 day celebration in the style of a water festival known as Songkran. This year Anthony and I were lucky enough to in Bangkok for it. When I was younger I had been to Chiang Mai with my family while the water festival was being celebrated. Despite what my parents read in their Lonely Planet as experiencing ‘flicks and droplets of water’, it was far from that. So, this time I was ready.
Day 1
Walking down Khao San Road we were excited about what to expect. Turning the corner we found hundreds of water guns for sale. We bought 2 straight away and ready to get involved! Left, right and centre people were splashing, spraying and squirting us with water that was either ice, ice cold or luke warm. The Thai’s also mix flour and water together to paint a sort of paint and splatter it on your face and clothes! At first I felt rather shy to squirt water at a stranger, but after about 10 minutes of just getting saturated I lost all shyness and started to get them back! Music pumping from all the bars, you could easily mistake this scene for an outdoor music festival.
After a few hours we were getting pruny on our fingers and cold so we headed back to our guesthouse, but knew we would be out there again tomorrow.
Day 2
We didn’t even bother putting new clothes on for the second day. Parts of our clothing was still damp from the day before with bits of flour stuck all over them. Not that it mattered-we would be wet again straightaway! Heading down Khao San laughing and wetting others, we came up against a guy who was spraying people with a gurney! Anthony and I looked at each other. Can’t go over it, can’t go under it, we’ll have to go through it! With our heads down we danced and screamed our way through! Stopping along the way for a few beers and refills (which the Thai’s have down pat and charge 5 Baht for water refill!) we continued to make our way up and down the famous party street. It was funny to see other travellers walking past and doing the same thing as us and often before we hit them with our water I’d catch their eye and knew they were thinking the same as us which was, ‘Can you believe we’re here doing this?!’
Day 3
The final day. It was going to be a big one and Anthony and I were prepared to finish it with a bang! Wet clothes on. Check Water guns refilled. Check Camera left in our room so it doesn’t get wet like last night. Double Check. We were ready! The street was even more packed that the last two days. Everybody was out to make one last effort to fully enjoy the new year and its celebrations. We stopped outside Lucky Beer and for most of the night were happy to drink, dance and have water fights there. As the night became later and later, we ended up packing it in and squeezing our way through the crows of people and home to dry clothes and a hot shower. Feeling happy and exaughsted it was great to know we were in Thailand for the new year. One that is so different from our own.
Special
Earth Day Earth Day is the largest, most widely celebrated international environmental event. Earth Day helps celebrate Earth’s unique place in the universe. It is the only planet in our solar system teeming with incredible biodiversity. Learning about and protecting this biodiversity is what Earth Day is all about. People all over the world celebrate our efforts to protect plants and animals and to clean up the world we live in. Most people celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd each year. In some countries, it is celebrated a month earlier on the vernal equinox. Earth Day was first celebrated on April 22, 1970. Founded by Gaylord Nelson, a United States Senator, it’s based on anti-Vietnam War demonstrations that he witnessed on college campuses. These demonstrations or teach-ins were organized to educate people about the war. Nelson sought to use the same principles to educate society about the environment.
Over 20 million people participated in the first Earth Day with various activities, many of which took place in elementary schools and universities. Even Congress adjourned for the day to allow congressional representatives to attend the Earth Day activities in their districts. Nelson’s desire to get the attention of politicians not only worked, it went viral. Within a few years the entire world was celebrating an entire week of activities leading up to Earth Day. In 1990, the first official International Earth Day was celebrated. About 200 million people from 141 nations took part in a celebration of environmental conservation. In many countries, the global event reminded presidents and other national leaders how important protecting Earth is to people. There are many projects and activities that you can do to celebrate Earth Day. Do as many as you like, but remember that Earth Day should be every day. It will take more than one day of activities to make a significant difference on environmental issues.
Horoscope Predictions for the month of
April 2013
By Mr.
Rup Krishen Baqaya
Aries: Creativity brings progress and improves finances. This leads to easing of tensions and you enjoy a good social life. You are advised to tie up all loose ends at work. Keep your feelings in check.
Taurus: Romance will be pleasant. Your public image will be secure. You have enough selfbelief to handle troublesome matters. Decisions taken now will be implemented firmly. in all your endeavors. In romance you would do well only if you try to see the world through other people’s eyes.
Gemini: Your work grows as does your prosperity. Travel and adventure is possible. You will find new professional alliances. Even some overseas connections may materialize.
Cancer: You will be happy both at work and home. Legal issues and domestic commitments may keep you busy as you handle them well. very fulfilling. There will be recognition and popularity for you.
Leo: You will be preoccupied with family and domestic matters. Financially the period will be favorable. Life will otherwise be comparatively quiet.
Virgo: You will be on the up, both financially and spiritually making you a happy man. You are advised to combine your own interests with other people’s.
Libra: An old relationship may come back to life, though not as you expected. There may be change in the location of your home or work. Travel is possible.
Scorpio: Pleasurable relations with loved one’s and general harmony around you make you generous. Take care of your partner’s feelings while knowing when to put your foot down.
Sagittarius: There is an increase in your self-esteem. You feel you deserve to live better and seize the right opportunities. You may spend excessively for self and others, both.
Capricorn: You will be relaxed and will enjoy life. You feel that you are zeroing in on your goals, both material as well as spiritual. You are at peace with yourself.
Aquarius: The focus is on finances. You deal smartly with funds. It leads you to prosperity and makes you confident. However, there could be worries on other fronts, which you will handle well.
Pisces: Worries in personal and professional life begin fading away, as you enjoy the anticipation of an upcoming good time. A battle with authority is possible which may leave you a little bruised.
Trend
Essential A for A Woman
A woman’s choice of clothes and accessories not only reflects her style but also speaks a lot about her personality. Many a time, it happens that, you open your wardrobe and lament about nothing good to wear. Your wardrobe may be well stocked, but you might not be able to pick one thing, which you find just perfect. It’s true, buying tons of clothes doesn’t promise that you will find the appropriate outfit to wear every time. Therefore, it becomes all the more necessary to build your wardrobe with careful planning. Depending on the body type and personal preferences, every woman has different requirements from her wardrobe. However, there are certain clothes and accessories, which are a must for every woman’s wardrobe. A woman’s wardrobe should include those items, which are versatile, attractive, and stylish and mostly those, which are perpetual. So it’s good to have certain classic elements in your wardrobe, which will save you from trouble of thinking what to and what not to wear? Here are some essentials, which you should add to your wardrobe to give yourself a stylish look and to save yourself credit : http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/essential-accessories-for-a-womans-8715.html
Accessories n’s Wardrobe The Little Black Dress (LBD) Fashion trends would ebb and flow, but a little black dress will always make a hot fashion statement. It is a good idea to pick a black dress of woven fabric rather than that made of stretchy fabric, as they will not hold their shape for years. A little black dress is the most essential item in a woman’s wardrobe. It can be worn on its own or accessorized to give you a chic look. Team it up with different colors and styles of shoes. Everything just gels in with a little black dress.
A White Collared Shirt
A Pair of Jeans
Cardigans
Jeans is that one thing, which every woman must have in her wardrobe. Relaxed, comfortable, and sexy, jeans can be your pick for most of the occasions. Team up your jeans with a well-fitted shirt to give yourself that elegant and classy look. It can give you casual, sporty, classy, and stylish look. A low-waist pair of jeans can be your pick for a sexy look. However, if you have fat around the middle, then buy one size up, to avoid any fat hanging around.
Cardigans are one of the most important accessories in a woman’s wardrobe. It’s a good idea to have four basic colors of cardigans in your wardrobe: black, white, tan, and gray. You can wear shortsleeved shirts and tank top in winters by complementing them with cardigans. Alternatively, you can just carry them along and use them as a covering, whenever required.
A white collared shirt is an “in” thing of a woman’s closet. It goes well for any occasion. From complementing your suit for a business meeting to matching perfectly with your blue denims, a white shirt just remains wonderful. Your pick should be a crisp cotton shirt. To maintain its appeal for long, starch them after each wash.
Colored Scarves
Black Pumps
Bright colored scarves can add liveliness to your style. They are perfect to go with just any kind of dress. Adding a bright colored scarf to all black or white outfits can completely change your look, for good. So, you can’t miss on bright colored scarves in your wardrobe.
Black pumps are a must for your wardrobe. While your wardrobe can have different styles of shoes from sneakers to high-heeled ones, black pumps are the one, which would complement many dresses from jeans, suits, to skirts.
A Stylish Bag
Timeless Jewelry
A stylish bag is absolute requisite for your wardrobe. It’s must for a woman to have a clutch, a tote, and a medium size handbag in her wardrobe. Also, at least one timeless bag in a wardrobe is a must. Pick a bag, which is spacious enough and can accommodate everything, from your money to makeup essentials. It is a good option to choose from black or tan colored bag, as they would go with mostly any dress.
It is said that diamonds are women’s best friends. However, not only diamonds, but gold, silver, and pearl are also best buddies of a woman. Donning a pair of diamond studs can sparkle your evening. Try to have at least one set of all the timeless jewelry. Wear them on any occasion and spice up your style.
Lompraya News Lomprayah set up a booth in Chumphon Marine Festival 2013 On 22nd to 26th March 2013, Lomprayah had joined the Chumphon Marine Festival 2013 by set up a booth for providing the tour information to the customers. This fair was inaugurated by Mr. Peerasak Hinmuangkao, Chumphon governor, and had many interesting activities.
Lomprayah Available at Chumphon and Surat Thani Airport Lomprayah now is available at both of Chumphon and Surat Thani airport. This will make you can book our tour or get the information from us easily. But our Lomprayah at Chumphon airport is more special than Lomprayah counter at Surat Thani, because we provide you a small coffee corner
Lomprayah Customer Care will Provide Service in May Lomprayah customer cares are improving their system and will provide services to the customer in this May. By giving three choices for facilitating the customers, those are Call Center, Website and Live Chat.
Global News PARKROYAL Melbourne Airport
is the winner of World Airport Awards Published : Friday, April 12, 2013 Location : Australia/Pacific
PARKROYAL Melbourne Airport has been
named Best Airport Hotel Australia/Pacific for the second
year running at the 2013 World Airport Awards. Winning the Best Airport Hotel in Australia/Pacific in the 2013 World Airport Awards is testament to the
hotel’s commitment in delivering the PARKROYAL’s
brand promise: providing a modern, comfortable and supportive environment to all guests.
TAT Travel Photo Contest Winners Announced Published: Thursday, April 11, 2013 Location : BKK/Thailand
TAT’s photo contest has ended, and three winners have now been chosen. The theme of this contest was “Thailand Events & Festivals.” Three were chosen for the top prizes; 1st Prize went to Kosin Sukhum, “Good Fortune Flowing In.”, 2nd Prize was awarded to Narin Saepaisarn, “Tenderly Carving.”, 3rd Prize went to Vejchayan Tharavisit, “Nearly Reached.” All three images literally show Thailand in an amazing light, delighting viewers with cultural images of the Kingdom of Thailand, and enticing visitors to come explore the country, visit some of the countless exotic locales, and take their shot at shooting amazing scenes of Thai life themselves.
Tip to Trip
Four Tips for Smar ter d a o r b A l e v a r T and Safer credit : http://trip.ustia.org/safety/articles/1208/four-tips-for-smarter-and-safer-travel-abroad/
With the abundance of rules and regulations placed on the travel industry over the past few years, it has become increasingly more difficult to encounter a stress-free vacation experience; especially while venturing beyond national borders. To help ensure that your next trip is a travel delight and not a travel nightmare, there are some things you should consider prior to takeoff. According to On Call International’s medical director, Dr. Robert Wheeler, here are some simple tips for safer travel abroad: Prep Your Passport Preparation is key. Before traveling, make sure you sign your passport and fill out the emergency information page with current information. In the event of an emergency, medical professionals will need this information to contact family or friends.
Observe Local Laws While visiting a foreign country, you are subject to its laws and regulations. Researching the local laws and customs prior to visiting a country will prepare you for what to expect and what is appropriate not only legally, but socially as well.
Pack for Safety Avoid the tell tale signs of tourism. Things like fanny packs and dangling cameras scream “outof-towner,” which can make you a target. Research the appropriate attire of the location where you will be traveling. Dressing too flashy or too casually may instantly tell locals you are a tourist.
Preparation is key. Before traveling, make sure you sign your passport and fill out the emergency information page with current information. In the event of an emergency, medical professionals will need this information to contact family or friends.
Purchase Global Medical Assistance While your medical insurance plan may cover most incidences at home, it may not protect you while overseas. Only eight percent of medical insurance plans cover an evacuation for medical reasons while you’re in a foreign country. Most medical evacuation and travel assistance plans provide members with access to a 24-hour emergency response center to find doctors in the area where you are traveling; a 24-hour nurse line to help identify symptoms, and coverage should you need to return home for medical reasons or have a family member flown out to you.
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