Travel

[Muthukali]

Songkran celebrations all over Thailand

Songkran is a centuries-old festival which marks the beginning of the traditional Thai New Year. It is a unique fun-filled event during which we splash others with water in order to give and request a blessing.

Songkran water splashing with elephants in Khao Yai, Nakhon Ratchasima.​

The word "Songkran" is derived from Sanskrit and means "to pass" or "to move into". It implies the moving of the sun, moon and planets into a new orbit in the zodiac. People in Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos organise similar festivals at this time of the year.

Freed from routine work for a few days, Thais have the time to perform various rites designed to show respect to their forebears and senior members of the family. Highlights include sprinkling the hands of their elders with scented water, pouring scented water on Buddha statues and joining in family reunions.

This year, Great Songkran Day falls on April 13 and the designated symbol is Kimitha Thewi, a lady who lies down but not asleep on a buffalo's back, wears a jongkonnee flower behind one ear and has a sword on her right arm and a harp in her left.

Every region in the country will be celebrating the festival under the common theme of "Cool Songkran All Over Thailand". Here is the list of interesting places in which you can enjoy the splendour of Songkran.

BANGKOK
The festivities, which start on April 11 and are due to continue until April 16, will revolve around several important temples.

The first event takes place at Wat Pho from 10am-8pm on April 12-16 with the demonstration of celebrations in the North, the Central region, the Northeast and the South, the pouring of scented water on to the Buddha statues, the demonstration of local cookery and cultural performances.

The TAT also hosts the Visits to Nine Bangkok Temples Programme from April 11-16 under three different themes. The first one is the "Visit Nine Royal Temples" which are Wat Phra Kaeo, Wat Pho, Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), Wat Suthat, Wat Bovornniwet, Wat Chanasongkhram, Wat Sa Ket, Wat Rakhang and Wat Kanlayanamitr to seek Thai New Year blessings.

The second one is "Visits to Nine Kings' Symbolic Temples" which are Wat Pho (King Rama I), the Temple of Dawn (King Rama II), Wat Ratcha-orasaram (King Rama III), Wat Ratchapradit (King Rama IV), Wat Ratchabophit (King Rama V and King Rama VII), Wat Bovornniwet (King Rama VI), Wat Suthas (King Rama VIII) and Wat Praram Kao Kanchanaphisek (King Rama IX).

The last one is "Visits to Nine Temples along the Chao Phraya River" which are Wat Kanlayanamitr, Wat Arun, Wat Rakhang, Wat Amarintararam, Wat Srisudaram, Wat Kharuhabodi, Wat Rachathiwat, Wat Thewaratkunchorn and Wat Yannawa.

Those wishing to enjoy Songkran in a more down-to-earth way shouldn't miss the fun activities on Khao San Road which is usually packed with both Thai revellers and foreign tourists.

NORTHERN REGION
Chiang Mai will treat visitors to traditional Lanna celebrations on a large scale under the theme "Saree Phimai Muang" from April 12-15. The city will be lit up by dazzling parades, cultural performance and much splashing of water around the ancient city moat.

In Sukhothai, there have been at least two celebrations. The Visit to Ancient Markets, Enjoy Temple Fairs during Song Kran Festival will run from April 13-15 at Wat Trapangthong in front of Sukhothai Historical Park while the Songkran Tradition and Food Festival is being held in Sawankhalok district from April 11-15.

NORTHEASTERN REGION
In Khon Kaen, the eight-day Dok Khun Siang Khaen Festival kicks off on April 11 on Khao Nieo Road with a spectacular parade. Nong Khai will mark the Thai New Year with a combined Thai-Laotian take on Songkran that will run from April 12-15 along the banks of the Mekong while Nakhon Phanom folk will be celebrating their Thai-Lao style New Year festivals in Muang and Renu Nakhon districts, where visitors will be able to pour scented water on the seven pagodas that symbolise the days of the week, build sand pagodas and participate in Buddhist ceremonies. In Nakhon Ratchasima during April 13-15, the Songkran Water Splash with Khao Yai Elephants Fair will take place at the centre for conserving Thai elephants at Km 16, Thanarat Road. Activities include merit-making, the pouring of scented water on Buddha statues on elephant backs, the making of sand pagodas, local games and water splashing with elephants.

In Udon Thani, celebrations under the concept of Thai civilisation, happiness and great fun will run from April 12-16 at UD Town, an open-air mall. Visitors will pay respect to the replicas of nine important Buddha statues, experience the retro atmosphere with Thai culture, light and sound shows and traditional Thai puppet performances by the Joe Louis troupe every day, and enjoy water splashing in a 150m water tunnel and concerts featuring Dome Pakorn Lum, Jay Jetrin and several other artists.

CENTRAL REGION
Ayutthaya will be hosting what is billed as the "Old Capital's Songkran" from April 13-15. Locals and tourists can don traditional costumes and make merit in front of Wihan Phra Mongkol Bopit. From April 13-15, anyone will enjoy water splashing with elephants in front of the TAT's traditional Thai house on Si Sanphet Road, worship and bathe the Buddha statues in downtown Ayutthaya. In Phak Hai district, locals and visitors will seek blessings from the Buddha statues and the elderly and visit century-old Lat Chado Market. At Wat Bo Thong, Bang Pa-In district, there will be Mon-style celebrations, including a parade of flags and the bathing of Buddha images by pouring water through a length of split bamboo.

In Kanchanaburi's Sangkhla Buri district, there will be Mon-style celebrations from April 13-16. Tomorrow morning, all will give alms to monks on Thailand's longest wooden bridge, taste Mon-style food called khao chae, watch saba and other games and see the Mon carrying food trays on their heads to temples. On April 16 afternoon, the Mon will lie with faces down for Buddhist monks to step on their backs in the belief that it will bring best of luck and cure illnesses. They will then bathe the Buddha statues through a 1 kilometre-long length of split bamboo in front of the replica of Buddhakaya Pagoda and enjoy water splashing.

In Suphan Buri, Songkran celebrations will run from April 12-16. On April 14 in front of the provincial bus terminal on Nane Kaeo Road, there will be local performances, luk-thung concerts, magic shows and the special show by famous comedians Uncles Yong, Puang and Nong, Thai boxing matches and a food fair. On April 13, there will be processions of Luang Phor To Thong Kham and other sacred objects of the province, parade, cooking and beauty contests in each district.

The ethnic Mon community in Phra Pradaeng, Samut Prakan province will be celebrating Songkran from April 27-29, a little later than in most other locales, in front of the district office. There will be a colourful procession, a traditional petanque-style game called saba and other traditional Mon forms of entertainment.

EASTERN REGION
Chon Buri's Songkran celebrations, called Wan Lai, are scheduled to run from April 13-21. They will begin on Koh Si Chang (April 13-19) and then move to Bang Saen (April 16-17), Lan Pho Park in Pattaya's Na Kleua neighbourhood (April 18-20) and finally to Si Racha from April 19 to 21.

SOUTHERN REGION
Songkhla province's Songkran celebrations include bathing a statue of Luang Phu Thuad at Wat Phakoh, Sathing Phra district, from April 13-30, midnight festivities and water splashing in Hat Yai district, all-day-all-night celebrations at Klong Hae Floating Market, merit-making and a beauty contest on Samila beach and a drum dance at Sadao border checkpoint on April 13.

 

[Muthukali]

Festival honors the many hues of Hue

This year’s Hue Festival, themed “Cultural Heritage with Integration and Development, the Rendezvous for Historical Cities,” combines new elements and activities to its magnificent traditional events, such as Imperial Nights and the Nam Giao Offering Rituals.

Nguyen Duy Hien, director of the Hue Festival Center and deputy head of Hue Festival 2012 Organizing Board, says that Hue’s rich culture presents both advantages and difficulties to him and his team as they prepare for the biennial festival.

“It is always a challenge to preserve the traditional culture while adding new elements which renew the event and attract tourists,” said Hien, who has been a member of the organizing board since the first Hue Festival in 2000, and director of the center since 2007.

“The festival only takes place for a few days but it takes us years to prepare,” the director said, adding the event will take place inside and outside Hue royal citadel of Hue Town in the central province of Thua Thien – Hue.

The opening ceremony, due to begin at 8 p.m. on April 7 at the Noon Gate Square, will kick off the 9-day event and also the National Tourism Year 2012.

The opening ceremony will feature a stunning fireworks show organized by pyrotechnics expert Pierre-Alain Hubert and a magical fire installation by the renowned French company, Carabosse.

The Nam Giao Offering Rituals, one of the traditional rites under the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945), which express the desire for prosperity, peace and favorable weather for the nation will consist of two parts: the procession of the ancestral tablet from the Fasting Palace to the offering site and the main ceremony at Nam Giao Esplanade.

The show, to be held at 8 p.m. on August 8 of the festival, will be performed in a more authentic ceremonial proceeding than in previous years.

Two Imperial Nights, each with royal banquets, are sure to be highlights of the 2012 festival. The program will take place at 7:30 p.m. on April 10 and 13 at three main stages: the central one (from the Noon Gate to the base of Kien Trung Palace), the left wing (from The Mieu Temple to Truong Sanh Residence) and the right wing (from Noi Vu Office to Co Ha Royal Park).

In addition to the highly praised events from previous festivals, including the welcoming performance, paintings, photography, calligraphy, royal games and dances, this year’s Imperial Nights will also include the “Ancient Hue Memories Through Antiques” exhibition (at the Ta Vu Pavilion), the performance, "Memoirs of Imperial Concubines" (in the Truong Lang area) and the art installation, "Tuong’s mask" (at the Nhat Thanh Pavilion).

Oriental Night shows will take place at 9 p.m. on April 8, 10, 12, 13 and 14 at the Thai Hoa Palace, featuring vibrant traditional costumes from Cambodia, India, Japan, Korea, Laos, Mongolia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, representing the cultures of each country.

In the idyllic setting of the Supreme Harmony Palace’s front-yard, lit by lanterns and candles, performers from participating countries and Vietnamese models will put on a show in traditional costumes accompanied by beautiful original music.

Two Ao Dai (Vietnam’s traditional long dress) Grand Shows to be held at 8 p.m. at Quoc Hoc Stele on April 9 and 11 will feature local beauties, including the respective Miss Vietnam winners in 2006, 2008 and 2010 - Mai Phuong Thuy, Thuy Dung and Ngoc Han - appearing in lotus themed ao dai designed by Si Hoang and Minh Hanh.

Everyday at 4 p.m. from April 8-12, there will be street art music and dance performances which express the vitality and enthusiasm of people throughout the world working for peace, cooperation and friendship. The street shows will take place along Hung Vuong, Le Loi, Nguyen Dinh Chieu and Tran Hung Dao streets.

“A Peaceful World” show by the Perfume River at 8 p.m. on April 12 will feature royal court music and dances and the recitation of epic poems inscribed on Hue's monuments.

“The call of eternity” concerts, dedicated to Vietnam’s renowned composer Trinh Cong Son, will take place at 8 p.m. on April 8, 9, 11, 12, and 14 at the Co Ha Garden inside the citadel. Popular local singers, including Anh Tuyet, Anh Ha, Thuy Long, Minh Thuy, and musician Nguyen Anh 9 will perform the late Hue-born composer’s timeless songs.

The Drums and Percussion Concert, “Resounding the Spirit of Vietnam,” will take place at 4 p.m. on April 11 and 14 at the Nghinh Luong Dinh, and is expected to present the essence of Vietnamese music.

The closing ceremony at Phu Van Lau Square at 8 p.m. on April 15 will include another fireworks show and the release of floating lanterns down the Perfume River in a romantic farewell to festival attendees.

This year’s festival, according to the organizer, will not only take place in the center of Hue town, but will also involve other neighboring locales within the province, to bring the festive atmosphere to all of Hue’s outlying areas.

Huong Thuy Municipality will hold Cho que ngay hoi (countryside market of festive days) on April 8 – 11 at Thanh Toan Tile Roofed Bridge, whereas Phuoc Tich Ancient Village will offer Huong xua lang co (the soul of an ancient village) tour, as well as several community activities, including, boat races, human chess, a kite festival and a children’s festival, along with other exhibitions.

According to Hien, the festival has transformed Hue both inwardly and outwardly. More tourists and donations to restore Hue’s buildings, many of which are more than one hundred years old, have flowed into the town since the festival was founded 12 years ago.

 

[Muthukali]

Singaporean's most-loved destinations

IT SEEMS Asia reigns in the hearts' of Singaporeans. Booking website Hotels.com revealed its eighth annual Hotel Price Index in March and also surveyed Singaporean travellers' most-loved destinations.

In the top 10 were all Asian destinations with Hong Kong taking over as the new hot favourite toppling all-time favourite Tokyo.

As room rates in Tokyo, Osaka and Bangkok fell, Hong Kong had one of the highests jumps in Asia. But it seems even that did not deter visitors from going there.

The survey attribute Hong Kong's strong rise to a peaking influx of business, as well as leisure travellers.

Bangkok was in second seed and Taipei was third.

Tokyo slipped away from Singaporeans' hearts after the March earthquake in 2011. Another Japanese destination - Osaka - also felt the effects in the aftermath of natural disaster as it fell from sixth to 11th.

Outside Asia, London was the most popular destination, followed by Paris.

There were three US destinations in the list with New York, Las Vegas and San Francisco, the latter being overtaken by the Big Apple as the number one choice in the United States

 

[Muthukali]

20. Sydney, Australia

19. Guangzhou, China​

18. Bali, Indonesia​

17. Penang, Malaysia​

 

[Muthukali]

16. San Francisco, California, US​

15. Las Vegas, Nevada, US​

14. New York City, New York, US​

13. Paris, France​

 

[Muthukali]

12. London, UK

11. Osaka, Japan​

10. Beijing, China​

9. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam​

 

[Muthukali]

8. Phuket, Thailand​

7. Seoul, S. Korea​

6. Shanghai, China​

5. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia​

 

[Muthukali]

4. Tokyo, Japan

3. Taipei, Taiwan​

2. Bangkok, Thailand​

1. Hong Kong​

 

[Fook Seng]

Someone forgotten Johore Bharu.

 

[Wayne Piew]

Someone forgotten Johore Bharu.

Someone forgotten what
our Great leader said back in 1997,
"Johor Bahru is a place notorious for shootings, muggings and car-jackings.”

 

[Fook Seng]

Someone forgotten what
our Great leader said back in 1997,
"Johor Bahru is a place notorious for shootings, muggings and car-jackings.”

The Great Leader has been wrong. Many people flock there. Even government investors.

 

[Muthukali]

Five star Nha Trang hotel offers half-price summer package

The five-star Sunrise Hotel in Nha Trang is offering a 50 percent discount for summer.

The “Summer of Love” package, valid from May 5 to October 31, costs VND5,850,000++ (US$280) for a two-night stay in a Superior room with a sea balcony for a family with a child under 12 years old.

Complimentary services include buffet breakfast, one dinner, airport transfer, and free use of a Roman style swimming pool.

 

[Muthukali]

Vietnam hotel marks summer with promotion on deluxe rooms

Hanoi Daewoo Hotel has announced it will be offering major discounts on deluxe rooms this summer.

Under the promotion, set to last through the end of August, Daewoo will charge US$83++ per night for a deluxe room when customers book for three consecutive nights; $ 94++ per night for two consecutive nights; and $105++ for one night's stay.

The prices are said to be the best deal ever for luxury rooms at the hotel located at 360 Kim Ma Street in Hanoi's Ba Dinh District.

No complimentary services are included. Full payment is required at the time of booking which are nonrefundable.

 

[Muthukali]

Top 5 party destinations in Southeast Asia

Cheap booze, idyllic locales and party goers flock all over the world to various parts of Southeast Asia for some wicked parties. We suss out where you should go for an awesome time.

Gili Trawangan, Indonesia​

Just two hours away on a fast boat from Bali, Gili T is the rowdiest of the Gili Islands and it's one of the most hedonistic party spots in the region. A lack of police presence on the island fuels the mayhem; drugs are readily available on bar and restaurant menus. Three massive weekly parties keep revelers and backpackers awake till the morning as they get over their hangovers on the pristine waters.

Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand
​

It's a festival of sweat, sand and electronic music at the most infamous party spot in all of Southeast Asia. Every month, the Full Moon Party attracts over ten thousand travelers who drink alcoholic concoctions from plastic buckets, paint their bodies and pass out in the sand. Recommended for Spring break vacations for college kids.

 

[Muthukali]

Kuta, Bali
​

While Kuta is far, far away from the postcard-perfect Bali travelers imagine it'd be, it's the perfect spot to party and get absolutely hammered. Expect throngs of Aussie kids sprawled on the grimy sidewalk trashed out of their minds, clubs playing top 40 remixes and dirt cheap cocktails.

RCA & Ratchada, Bangkok, Thailand
​

RCA is the epicentre of Bangok's clubbing scene and one of the officially designated nightlife zones, meaning that all the clubs and pubs here can close a little later than those outside the designated zones. Favoured by local revellers, most RCA clubs cater to their Thai clientele - mostly university students and young office workers. International DJs as well as live concerts and soundtracks by popular local artists are to be expected. Clubbing institutions like Route 66 and Slim are packed almost every night.

Jakarta, Indonesia​

Jakarta - hot DJs, haute venues and probably one of the best cities in Asia to party like no tomorrow. If you're a lady, do your research and you can make use of ladies specials every day of the week. This includes free entry at clubs like The Venue on R&B nights, free flow of lychee martinis every Thurday at Cazbar and free drinks at Tribeca when you start your partyin' early on Wednesday nights.