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Volume 10 issue 12 October 2013
Volume 5 Issue 2 October 2013
3 Prince Narathip Festival in Cha-Am
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he Cha-Am Municipality, in cooperation with the community of Sahakham, vendors and business owners around ChaAm beaches, is hosting a festival to commemorate Prince Narathip Praphanphong on 11th October 2013 at Cha-Am beach viewpoint. This event aims to honour the Father of Cha-Am who dedicated himself to urban planning in Cha-Am.
people and tourists pay respect to the shrine throughout the day.
The 56th of 84 princes of King Rama IV and Chao Chom Manda Khien, Prince Narathip led royal family members and the Thai elite to improve Cha-Am and introduce systematic Taking place on 11th October, the day when the Prince passed urban planning to the city. away, the 3rd Prince Narathip Festival features many Buddhist He was also appointed the first leader of the ceremonies to pay homage to the Father of Cha-Am, particularly Sahakham community because local people alms offering to Buddhist monks and making some offerings to in Cha-Am respected him highly. The Prince the spirit of the Prince at his shrine. The Sahakham community passed away on 11th October 1931. For the members will perform a classical Thai dance when both local first time in 2011 the Prince Narathip Festival was held to remind local people of his great contribution to the city. This event was then officiated as an annual event and has taken place for the past three consecutive years.
CHA-AM BUSINESS ASSOCIATION Hearing About The Future of Cha-AM
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he President, Committee and Members of the Cha-Am Business Association was addressed by the Mayor of ChaAm Khun Nugool Pornsomboonsiri at a meeting held at the Grand Pacific Resort on 11th September.
and answered questions from the floor from participants eager to be ensure that businesses are prepared for these changes.
Many of the concerns for the infrastructure needs described by the Mayor may be described as mundane however the The Major reviewed a range of developments necessities of garbage disposal, water that are planned for the future of the City supply and road improvements are high on the agenda. He also talked about a zoning scheme which will prescribe the scope of development that is permissible according to the zone. Questions from the floor included some concerns about businesses which describe themselves as ‘Hua Hin’ but are clearly located in Petchaburi (Cha –Am) rather than Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin). However this is not a matter than can be addressed by the municipality according to the Mayor. Another question related to the possibilities of a large supermarket development rumoured to be
proposed. Khun Nugool reassured all present that if such a development was placed on the table the municipality would consult all those who may be affected before a decision to approve such a venture was made. The meeting was also advised that in March 2014 LIONS INTERNATIONAL is planning on a national conference which may see up to 50,000 visitors over a period of three days.
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ORGANISED CHAOS
BANANA BOAT RACING AT CHA-AM
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riday September 13th was the main boat racing day on the beach front at ChaAm variety of shapes, sizes and horse power water craft were racing with teams and competitors from Hua Hin, Pattaya, Baen Saeng and other seaside destinations battling locals for the honours. This was one of the highlights of the annual Festival and great fun. Banana boat racing was the most popular of the events. The thirty horse power motor boats were required to have four passengers aboard the banana boat rather than the three passengers towed by a lower powered craft. Ten laps starting
with a frantic scramble from the beach, out to sea, then around a rectangular course was the ask. If a passenger couldn’t hang on and fell from the banana boat (frequent!) this was a major disaster with loss of time being almost impossible to make up on the field. After qualifying rounds the final field of seven competitors took to the water. Encouragement was offered by the assembled beach front crowds and support crews. Watchful marshals on jet skis supervised safety and counted the laps completed, although there was some controversy and uncertainty in some cases. There was also good natured approval when a rival crew came to grief and although bragging rights, trophies and prize money was on offer, having fun and ‘letting your hair down’ was really the main focus of the day. Most beach goers to Cha-Am or Hua Hin have probably taken the banana boat ride at some stage and it’s almost mandatory for visiting Thai tourists on their weekend away from Bangkok. Believe it or not, there are regulations in place and safety considerations although the pace is unlikely to be the same frenetic speeds evident during the racing day. This is an event now in its 15th year and growing as a sport every year.
Grand Opening of 15th Shell Eating, Bird Watching & Squid Catching Festival Attracts Tourists
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he 15th Shell Eating, Bird Watching and Squid Catching Festival started on 13th September with a Grand Opening attracting many Thai and foreign tourists despite heavy rain.
Organised by Cha-Am Municipality, Singha Corporation and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), this annual event coincided with a festival to promote traveling to the five regions of Thailand. The opening ceremony of both events was chaired by the Phetchaburi governor Mr. Monthien th nd Thongnit. The Mayor of Cha-Am, Mr. Nukul Taking place from 13 to 22 September 2013 at the Cha-Am lookout, this annual event managed Pornsomboonsiri and Ms. Rattana Sappradit from to attract more visitors in the city during the rainy TAT gave opening addresses. season in Thailand when there are fewer tourists Mr. Monthien said that Cha-Am was an important in the country. tourist hub of Thailand as over 5 million people visited the city yearly. All tourism promotion Mr. Nukul added that highlights of the festival activities helped raise the income of local business included selling of fresh seafood, stage and the wellbeing of the community. This year the performances from popular Thai artists, guided combination of two festivals has allowed tourism bird watching at Thung Takad Phlee and Khao entrepreneurs to meet with their target group and Nang Panturat National Park, squid catching at night, speedboat racing and fishing competition. customers in Cha-Am. The Mayor of Cha-Am said that Phetchaburi Provincial Office had a policy that encouraged local areas to organise tourism promotion events to boost their economy. The Cha-Am Municipality, as a local body responsible for taking care of tourism in Cha-Am, hosted the 15th Shell Eating, Bird Watching and Squid Catching Festival with support of private and public organizations.
According to Ms. Rattana, TAT has a major policy to promote Thai tourism by regularly arranging activities for tourism business people to meet their target group. The festival to promote traveling to the 5 regions of Thailand is another activity that serves this objective. It has already been held in Chiang Mai, Udon Thani, Bangkok and Songkhla. Cha-Am is the final destination for this promotion.
Volume 5 Issue 2 October 2013
Asean Economic Community Training for Tourism Entrepreneurs in Cha-Am
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he Cha-Am Municipality, the Department of Tourism, the National Institute of Development Administration, Phetchaburi Rajabhat University and six Tourism Associations hosted training about preparation towards the ASEAN Economic Community for tourism entrepreneurs on 4th September 2013.
With its opening ceremony chaired by the mayor of Cha-Am Mr. Nukul Pornsomboonsiri, this training was entitled, hosts for ASEAN visitors and businesspeople. “Understanding and Preparing for AEC among Doing so will also create and strengthen networks with AEC. Service Industry Owners”. The training was carried out in response to The training was attended by 100 tourism the constant and progressive cooperation and business owners and included many academics development of all ASEAN members who signed and resource people including Dr. Chomyong an agreement to establish the ASEAN Community Tohthong and Pornpimol Hochan from in 2015. This agreement aims to enhance Phetchaburi Rajabhat University. competitiveness of all ASEAN countries. According to the Mayor of Cha-Am, Thai As Cha-Am is a City highly capable of businesses involved in the service and hospitality tourism advancement, capacity-building for industry are now playing a key role in national businesspeople of the area is very important. development as it provides 41.7% of the GDP. Realizing that this issue is urgent the organisers Thailand has strong points for this business thanks to its service minded, generous, well-organized cooperatively hosted the training in Cha-Am. and friendly people; however, its weakness is The main objective of the training was three fold. ineffective English communication skills of many It enables tourism entrepreneurs, restaurateurs people who work in this business. In addition to and souvenir shop owners in Cha-Am to keeping updated on global changes, tourism entrepreneurs need to improve English language understand better about the upcoming AEC. skills so that they are able to combine all strengths It enhanced their knowledge about how to adapt to compete with other ASEAN countries. the uniqueness of the country to accommodate Finally, Mr. Nukul said that he hoped this training the AEC. would be very for all participants who would like to To develop English skills so that the participants strengthen their business for the upcoming AEC become good and effectively communicative in 2015.
Talented Staff at Hotel De La Paix
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taff from the Hotel de la Paix recently competed in Thailand’s regional and national Hotelier competitions held in Hua Hin and Bangkok with great success.
Khun Dean won 3rd place in the Regional Bartender’s Flair category and a place in the national finals in Bangkok. Dean also finished in the top 15 at the Thailand National Bartender Competition (Flair category). Khun Eang was a Bronze Medal Winner and finished in the Top 10 of the Thailand International Culinary Competition (freestyle pasta category). Khun Tan was a top 15 contestant in the Thailand International Culinary Competition (freestyle meat category) and in the Housekeeping Competition, Khun Mead achieved a Top 6 finish in the bed making category. Everyone at Hotel de la Paix paid tribute to these staff members and congratulated these amazing and talented competitors.
Leading Australian scientists develop world first cure for dengue fever
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team of Queensland scientists led by United States’ Food and Drug Administration renowned microbiologist Professor as safe for human consumption. Max Reynolds have developed the world’s first cure for dengue fever by distilling Melaleuca alternifolia leaves from Australia’s native tea tree plant. Now available worldwide, 98alive™ is a unique natural medicine containing Melaleuca alternifolia leaf concentrate that’s antiviral, antibacterial and immune boosting properties have been scientifically proven to cure all four strains of dengue fever. Dengue fever, a disease which is estimated to effect 390 million people every year and is particularly prevalent throughout Asia. 98alive™ is the only Melaleuca alternifolia based medicine that is listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (Australian Licence 202131) and that is recognised by the