Loy Krathong 2024
Loy Krathong 2024 will be celebrated on the night of November 15th. Chiang Mai's Yi Peng Lantern Festival will take place from November 15th to 16th, 2024.
Loy Krathong (ลอยกระทง), also named Festival of Lights, is a famous floating lantern festival in Thailand. On the evening of Loy Krathong, Thai people gather together to release floating rafts called Krathongs onto rivers, lakes, and canals to give thanks to the Goodness of Water and seek forgiveness from her.
Yi Peng (sometimes written as Yee Peng), or called sky lantern festival, which is another famous floating lantern festival, usually coincides with Loy Krathong Festival. It is a festival unique to northern Thailand, especially Chiang Mai.
The date of the Loy Krathong Festival changes every year. Loy Krathong takes place on the night of the full moon of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar and typically falls in November according to the Gregorian calendar. Loy Krathong Festival will be celebrated on the night of Friday, November 15th.
The date of the Yi Peng Festival is based on the Lanna Lunar Calendar. It normally starts one or two days before Loy Krathong. this year, Chiang Mai's Yi Peng Lantern Festival will take place starting on the day before - running from November 14th to 17th, 2024.
A Visitor’s Guide to the Royal Thai Embassy in London
The Royal Thai Embassy is conveniently located at 29-30 Queen’s Gate, London SW7 5JB and is easily reached by public transport:
Tube (London Underground): The closest tube station is Gloucester Road, which is served by the Piccadilly, Circle, and District lines. From there, it’s a short walk to the embassy.
Bus: Several bus routes pass near the embassy. Check local bus schedules for the most convenient route.
Walking: If you’re exploring the area on foot, the embassy is easily accessible from nearby attractions like the Natural History Museum and Hyde Park.
Opening Hours:
The Royal Thai Embassy operates during the following hours:
Monday to Friday: 09:30 - 12:30 | 14:00 - 17:00
Holiday Closures:
Before planning your visit, take note of the embassy’s holiday closures. They are closed during weekends and on both British and Thai public holidays. It’s always a good idea to check their official website for any updates or additional closures.
What to Expect Inside:
Once you step inside the embassy, you’ll find a welcoming atmosphere and friendly staff. Here’s what you can expect:
Consular Services: The embassy provides information on various services related to Thailand, including visas, passports, and legal matters.
Cultural Events: Keep an eye out for cultural events, film festivals, and exhibitions hosted by the embassy. These events showcase the best of Thai culture and soft power.
Ambassador’s Office: While you may not get to meet the ambassador personally, you’ll be in the same building where diplomatic discussions and important meetings take place.
Tips for making the most of your visit:
Plan Ahead: Check the embassy's website or contact them directly to confirm opening hours, visa requirements, and any additional services you may need. Some services are by appointment only.
Bring Necessary Documents: Depending on the purpose of your visit, make sure you have all the required documents and forms filled out correctly to expedite the process.
Respect Cultural Norms: When visiting the embassy or attending cultural events, remember to dress modestly and respectfully, as you would when visiting any official or religious institution.
Contact details:
You can call the embassy between 14.00 and 17.00 on 0207 589 2944., 0207 225 5500 or for visas on 0207 225 5524
Unveiling Culinary Excellence: The MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2024
As gastronomy enthusiasts eagerly await the latest culinary revelations, the MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2024 has arrived to set the stage for another year of exceptional dining experiences. This prestigious guide continues to be the go-to resource for discerning food lovers, showcasing the best restaurants and eateries across the Kingdom.
The MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2024 is a treasure trove of culinary exploration, featuring an extensive list of restaurants that have earned the coveted Michelin stars. From street food gems to haute cuisine establishments, the guide meticulously evaluates and celebrates diverse culinary offerings.
For an upscale experience, Gaggan Anand's progressive Indian cuisine at "Gaggan Anand's" in Bangkok continues to receive three Michelin stars, pushing the boundaries of traditional flavours. Bo.lan and Nahm, both in Bangkok, shine with two Michelin stars each, presenting an exquisite blend of traditional Thai ingredients and innovative culinary techniques.
Indulge in the flavours of Thailand by acquiring the MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2024, available at leading bookstores, specialty culinary shops, and online retailers. The guide opens the door to a world of Thai culinary wonders, providing detailed insights into the best dining experiences across the country.
For those eager to explore the essence of Thai cuisine without commitment, the full restaurant selection for Thailand is available free of charge on the MICHELIN Guide website, and app for iOS and Android devices. This digital treasure trove includes valuable information on starred Thai restaurants, Bib Gourmand selections, and more, allowing enthusiasts to savour the richness of Thai culinary traditions at no cost.
The MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2024 is your passport to an extraordinary culinary adventure, delving deep into the heart of Thai gastronomy. Immerse yourself in the vibrant tapestry of flavours that define this exceptional cuisine. Whether you are a connoisseur or a curious explorer, this guide promises a delightful journey through the diverse and delectable world of Thai culinary excellence.
Free Internet & Travel Gifts
Amazing Thailand SIM card has a free trial of 8GB internet and a range of travel privileges
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in partnership with AIS 5G has launched a ‘Welcome Back to Thailand’ campaign offering specially-branded ‘Amazing Thailand SIM’ card with a one-day trial of 8GB max speed internet and a range of travel privileges to mark the upcoming high tourist season. The campaign runs from 17 October 2023 to 31 March 2024.
In 2023 to-date, Thailand has welcomed 20.3 million foreign visitors, and the TAT is maximising the growth potential of the tourism by providing the convenience of communication systems and digital services through the Amazing Thailand SIM card.
Visitors can take part in the ‘Welcome Back to Thailand’ campaign by making travel arrangements for Thailand with the TAT’s partners in Asia and the South Pacific. They will receive a QR code to redeem a free SIM card at AIS shop at airports in Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang), Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, and Samui.
The Amazing Thailand SIM card comes with a one-day free trial of 8GB max speed internet and can be topped up via the AIS One-2-Call website and AIS WeChat mini programme.
Once the SIM is activated, visitors will be entitled to a range of travel privileges. These include a free travel insurance coverage from Bangkok Insurance, a welcome package from Central Group, a discount for online shopping at King Power’s website and application, shopping privileges at Siam Piwat’s malls (Siam Centre, Siam Discovery and Siam Paragon), discounts at Singha Park Chiang Rai, special self-drive car rental rates at Sixt Car Rental, a discount on travel activities from the TAGTHAi application, and special offers from Grab Thailand.
For more information, visit www.ais-amazingthailandsim.com
Think you’re too fat to fly?
You may be about to find out!
From September 16th, Bangkok Airways joined the likes Korean Air and Air New Zealand in demanding that passengers step on the scales before they step onto their plane.
The unconventional practice has taken off (pun intended!) and the system of assessing passengers’ weight before boarding has been introduced as the airline aim to reduce fuel consumption in the process. The airline says the statistics gathered will improve flight safety too.
Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited is effectively promoting its own airline weight-watching club. In doing so, the airline seeks to employ standardised average weight data to accurately gauge the cumulative weight of passengers and their accompanying carry-on luggage and while it’s common practice to weight checked bags, and standards are set for weight limits on your carrying, one crucial factor is missing in calculating a plane’s total flying weight – the “excess baggage” passengers are carrying on their bones! - but for many, this economy drive feels more like an intrusion of privacy.
Between now and Halloween, Bangkok Airways is formally petitioning for authorisation to conduct the weighing of passengers, including their carry-on items, at the boarding gate area. The airline’s management says it seeks the cooperation of all passengers in facilitating this ‘data collection exercise’.
Bangkok Airways promises though that your personal data will remain just that and won’t be publicly published for all to see as they claim to endeavour to fine-tune their average weight calculations.
Meanwhile airline passenger consumer groups fear this ultimately lead to another additional charge for passengers carrying their personal ‘excess baggage’.
Water Shortage Crisis on Koh Samui:
Local Authorities and Tourism Industry Join Hands to Tackle the Issue
KOH SAMUI - The picturesque island of Koh Samui, known for its stunning beaches and lush landscapes, is currently facing a severe water shortage crisis. As the demand for water escalates amidst the peak tourist season, local authorities and the tourism industry have initiated collaborative efforts to alleviate the problem and ensure the sustainability of the island's water resources.
In recent months, the island has experienced a significant decrease in rainfall, coupled with increased consumption due to the surge in tourist arrivals. The combination of these factors has put a strain on the island's freshwater supply, leading to water shortages in various areas. With the situation worsening, local authorities and tourism stakeholders are actively working towards finding immediate solutions.
Mr. Surat Wongweerakul, the mayor of Koh Samui, expressed his concerns about the water shortage, stating, "Water scarcity poses a serious threat to our island's ecosystem and economy. We recognize the urgency of the situation and are committed to taking decisive actions to address it."
To mitigate the crisis, the municipal authorities have launched an extensive public awareness campaign to encourage water conservation practices among residents, tourists, and local businesses. The campaign emphasizes the importance of responsible water usage and highlights simple measures that individuals can adopt to reduce their water consumption.
The tourism industry, recognising its role in sustainable development, has also joined forces with local authorities to tackle the water shortage crisis. The Koh Samui Tourism Association has partnered with hotels, resorts, and other accommodation providers to promote water-saving initiatives. This includes the installation of water-efficient fixtures, such as low-flow showerheads and taps, as well as implementing linen reuse programs to reduce laundry water consumption.
As the situation unfolds, the community on Koh Samui remains hopeful that these initiatives will mitigate the immediate water shortage crisis and ensure the long-term sustainability of this idyllic island paradise.
Thai Embassy Launches Third Season of Thai Lessons
The Thai Embassy in London has added a number of new lessons for Thai Children to their You Tube Channel. The online lessons are aimed at helping children who have left their native Thailand keep up their Thai language skills and are now in their third year.
The highly successful "Thailand Express" series of lessons are an ideal way for parents to assist their children in staying in touch with their culture and are perfect for the forthcoming summer break from school.
They can be accessed FREE via the link below
Yanks a lot!
American tourists spend more money in Thailand on average than European tourists, according to a survey conducted by the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT), which polled 200 Western tourists about their holiday spending habits during Q4 of last year.
Tourists from the USA spend 2,000-3,000 per night on accommodation whereas European travellers average at 1,000-2,000
Of course, it’s possible to go backpacking and travel around Thailand on a smaller budget by staying in hostels, eating street food, and taking buses/trains instead of flying domestically.
Theorists claim that tourists may be spending more money than usual this year because Thailand is granting tourists longer stays in the kingdom.
Until the end of March, Thailand allowed 45 day visa-free stays (visa exemption) to tourists from 64 countries and 30 day stays for visas for passport holders from 19 countries. The stays were increased from 30 and 15 days respectively.
When the scheme was introduced, the Tourism Authority of Thailand said they expected that the average tourist would stay in the kingdom for an extra five days thanks to the extensions.
“If the average tourist spends 4000 – 5000 baht per day in Thailand, they would pump an extra 20,000 baht into the economy than they normally would by staying longer”
Grab a Tuk Tuk!
Grab, one of the leading ride hailing apps in Southeast Asia, is launching a tuk-tuk service in Phuket after being granted a licence by the Department of Land Transport in September. The "GrabTukTuk" service in Phuket will welcome international tourists and support local job creation, the company said
It expects to offer the new service through 100 tuk-tuk driver-partners by early 2023. Grab says the Phuket launch is part of the continued expansion of its mobility services.
Worachat Luxkanalode, Country Head of Grab Thailand, said, "we have seen consistent positive signals from the recovery of tourism industries. Since the beginning of this year, Thailand has welcomed more than 10 million international travellers so far. Ride-hailing applications have been one of the preferred travel options by foreign tourists, as they offer convenience and safety standards. Grab's mobility service can support not only Phuket's tourism sector but also the province's overall economy through income opportunities for local communities."
"As a leading platform, Grab is committed to raising the bar for ride-hailing service in Phuket, in terms of service quality, reasonable price and safety. We support the locals to use their personal vehicles to provide transportation services to earn extra income. Besides, we have encouraged those who provide public transportation services such as Tuk Tuk drivers, to use the Grab application as another channel of reaching passengers and increasing income opportunities," added Worachat.
Arriving at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport soon?
You could win a prize!
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is staging the “Amazing Thailand 10 Million Celebrations” to mark this year’s tourist arrivals through 10 December reaching the 10 million milestone.
Thailand recorded about 9.78 million foreign tourist arrivals between the 1st January and the 5th December, 2022 according to the Immigration Bureau. The number is expected to reach the 10 million visitor arrival mark on 10th December, 2022.
The ‘Amazing Thailand 10 Million Celebrations’ are to welcome tourist arrivals on the date at seven key international and regional airports in Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang), Phuket, Krabi, Chiang Mai, U-Tapao and Samui, as well as two border checkpoints in Sadao and Nong Khai.
A special prize will be presented to the luckiest tourist who arrives at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport.
TAT has been continuing to actively promote Thailand as a preferred holiday destination in visitor source markets around the world.
Marketing and promotional efforts have focused on the ‘Visit Thailand Year 2022-2023: Amazing New Chapters’ campaign that invites visitors to discover the many existing and new tourism experiences on offer throughout the kingdom.
There is an emphasis on meaningful travel, and promotion of Thailand’s soft-power foundations, which include Food, Film, Fashion, Fight, and Festival. The kingdom offers a plethora of NFT products – Nature to keep, Food to explore, and Thainess to discover.
Three distinctive and delicious Thai dishes have been included in CNN Travel’s list of 50 of the best street foods in Asia
They are crab omelette, Khao Soi curry noodle soup, and Sai Krok Isan (Northeastern-style pork sausage), and they take their place among other wonderful and diverse street food dishes and beverages from around Asia on the CNN Travel list that celebrates the region’s “bottomless culinary talent and passion for food”.
This is what CNN Travel had to say about these superbly delightful Thai dishes:
Crab Omelette
“After you’ve had a khai chiao pu (a Thai crab omelette), it’s hard to understand why all egg dishes don’t taste this good. Crab and eggs are a match made in heaven – and the crispy edges, fluffy texture and a drizzle of sweet chilli sauce takes this wok-cooked dish to the next level.”
Khao Soi
“A staple in Northern Thailand, khao soi – curry noodle soup topped with deep-fried egg noodles – hits the spot. Vendors ladle gorgeously golden bowls of hearty, creamy, chilli-laced coconut broth over a bed of egg noodles with chicken legs or beef. On the side, you will often find mustard greens, freshly chopped shallots, lime wedges, and chilli paste.”
Sai Krok Isan
“Sai krok Isan – short and plump pork sausage – is one of the most commonly devoured street foods in Northeastern Thailand. Sour and garlicky, it’s usually made from pork, sticky rice, and garlic then hung up to ferment and dry. Herbs and spices vary from vendor to vendor, while condiments like ginger, chillies and cabbage typically round out the perfect bite.”
Thailand’s world-famous street food is consistently recognised as being among the best to be found anywhere on the planet, and has featured in The MICHELIN Guide in Thailand which has been in publication since 2017 and is today in its 5th edition
Don Mueang Airport now has a direct bus to Pattaya
Travellers will be pleased to hear news of a new bus running from Bangkok’s Don Mueang airport to Pattaya which costs 350 Baht one-way, a substantial saving on the average taxi fare. Since August 2022, the service has offered two journeys every day. Bell Travel runs already runs shuttles between Suvarnabhumi Airport and Bangkok or Pattaya. Bell Travel Service sells shuttle tickets at Gate 10 of Don Mueang Airport and online at BellTravelService.com.
Pattaya and Don Mueang Airport shuttle buses leave at 3 p.m. Pattaya is Don Mueang’s favorite destination, according to the airport’s deputy director. Going the other way, the 6 am bus leaves Pattaya’s Bell Travel Service Office on North Pattaya Road for Don Mueang.
If the shuttle proves successful, Don Mueang Airport’s Deputy Director of Operations hopes that it might lead to further bus choices.
The deputy director added that Don Mueang welcomes 40,000-50,000 people daily, with substantially higher numbers predicted in October. Most tourists use Bangkok’s public transit.
Monopoly: Phuket Edition launched
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched their own version of the ever-popular board game Monopoly – ‘Monopoly: Phuket Edition’.
Made under official license from Hasbro by Winning Moves UK, the Monopoly: Phuket Edition board game features more than 30 locations and activities in Phuket province, including popular landmarks and attractions such as Promthep Cape (on the game’s most prestigious square, Mayfair), Kata Beach, Chao Fah Variety Market (or Naka Market), Old Town Phuket and renowned diving spot Coral Island.
Miss Sadudee Sangnil, Director of TAT London Office, said, “The development of Monopoly: Phuket Edition has been a fun project and creative way to showcase one of Thailand’s much-loved beach destinations. It is an exciting opportunity for TAT to highlight the variety the island offers from accommodation and attractions to beaches and shopping, especially as travel to Thailand resumes.”
“An iconic brand, popular with all ages, Monopoly: Phuket Edition is a stand out campaign to engage first timers and repeat visitors as well as provide a unique marketing platform for our travel trade partners who feature on the board. The game is a great souvenir for those who come to Phuket, the perfect gift for friends who love Thailand, and it is also a fun way for board game enthusiasts and first timers to learn about Phuket and ‘play and plan’ their next holiday,” added Miss Sadudee.
There is so much to explore and discover across Thailand this is the first of special Thailand editions TAT plans to create in partnership with Winning Moves.
Monopoly: Phuket Edition was launched in March 2022 and is available at numerous stores and venues in Phuket, among them: The Box Cafe, Phuket Card, D6 Wargaming Phuket, The British International School Phuket, Utopia, The Naiharn Phuket, COMO Point Yamu Phuket, Blue Tree Phuket Water Park and Carnival Magic Phuket. It can also be purchased through online channels in the United Kingdom including Booghe and Amazon.
More information on the Monopoly: Phuket Edition board game can be found on the Facebook page Phuket Monopoly..
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