"Hearing The Sunshine" by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is a new short film that accentuates the emotional appeal that Thailand has for visitors.

Travel to listen, see, feel and understand and then respect the different culture because sometimes you can't feel only seeing the pictures or listening to the sound and you can't judge something by watching news or from other people talk but YOU MUST GO and EXPERIENCE it by yourself. Same word can't be explained in 100s of meaning.

Discover What You’re Been Missing in Thailand


Plan the trip of your dream in Thailand with an amazing budget of $5000, share it with the world and you could win the chanxe to make that trip com ture.

The race begins today so hurry up and get planing!

Contest Date August 5th - September 10th, 2010
WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT September 20th, 2010

Pick A Trip by TAT

Date : 19 - 20 September 2010
Venue : Phra Chuthathut Ratchathan Palace, Koh Si Chang District, Chon Buri

Viewing the light and sound performance as well as paying respect to King Rama V..

For More Information :
Koh Si Chang Municipal Office Tel.: 0 3821 6141
Website: www.tourismthailand.org

Terms & Conditions
• “Let’s Fly Back to the Beach” campaign offer special price to Phuket starting from 1,490 Baht per sector (price is all inclusive).
• Enjoying “Let’s Fly Back to the Beach” get special coupons from Nok Air’s partners including;
- Adventure coupons include such adrenalin pumping fun as kite surfing, all terrain vehicles and scuba diving.
- Wellness coupons offer spa and yoga packages, as well as golf.
- Discovery coupons provide the chance to explore Phuket with city tours, island trips or fantastic shows.
• Also hotel deals, car rental and shopping benefits available for those who would like to travel around on their own.
• Let’s Fly Back to the Beach" campaign and special coupons from Nok Air’s partners available from 20 February through 30 April 2009.
• Coupons can be received only at counter check-in Bangkok-Phuket flight, Don Mueang Airport.

Remark:
- Master Car Rental reserved the right for two days advanced booking. For more information please call 02-9318900
- Sukko Cultural Spa & Wellness reserved the right for one day advanced
booking. For more information please go through www.sukkosparesortphuket.com/nokair

P.S Nokair invites you to one of the most tranquil beach in Thailand. Offer 3 Style of package that suits your lifestyle!
ADVENTURE | DISCOVERY | WELLNESS

Laguna Phuket, in cooperation with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, presents the 100,000 Smiles promotion.

The Laguna Phuket resorts are offering up to 100,000 complimentary room nights hoping to generate the equivalent number of happy smiles!

Asia’s finest destination resort, invites you to book online from 1-31 March 2009 to stay at any of the featured Laguna Phuket resorts from 15 March - 15 December 2009 and enjoy one complimentary night per online booking at Best Available Rate.

Members of the public can visit www.lagunaphuket.com/100,000-smiles and www.tourismthailand.org/thailandsuperdeal to take advantage of the offer.

Viewing the sunset - watching the great red orb of the fading sun being swallowed by a tranquil Andaman Sea - is one of the must do things for every Thai visitor to this island. It is de rigeur to do this on even on the shortest visit. Local tradition proscribes that every Thai visitor to Phuket must make the pilgrimage to Laem Phrom Thep, one of the country’s most famous landmarks at the very southern tip of the island, before he can claim to have seen Phuket.

Any of the many high points along the west coast road will give a grandstand view. The high view-point at the back of Kata Noi beach is a particularly spectacular one – always with people, but not by the traffic jam load. The headlands north of Patong Beach alos offer numerous vantage spots, many with restaurants or stalls selling cold drinks to top off the occasion. Good vantage points are available all the way up to Mai Khao beach at the island's far northern tip, where beach-side stalls thrive on Thai clients at this time of day.

Finding a small beach bar or restaurant, settling with a cold beer or cocktail and waiting for the sun to touch the water is also an especially memorable way to absorb this god-given display. Simply strolling on the beach as the sky casts reds and pinks across the heavens is also eloquent and memorable.

Blue Panorama, an Italian charter flight airline, began operating a new route to Phuket for the winter season to increase the number of visitors from Italy. Blue Panorama Airlines has been operating direct flights connecting Rome and the tropical paradise of Phuket since its inaugural flight on 29 December 2008. To support this new development, the Tourism Authority of Thailand recently hosted an Agents Education Trip (AET) and Familiarization Trip (fam trip) for 15 agents to travel to Thailand during 27 January – 5 February, 2009. The itinerary featured the three destinations of Phuket, Bangkok and Ayutthaya.

The objective of the familiarization trip is to promote Thailand as a travel destination for the Italian Market and to restore confidence in travel to Thailand. Additionally, a Media Education Trip (MET) was conducted for 14 top-level Italian media representing television, radio and daily newspapers. Participants took part in the Bangkok to Phuket trip during 5 – 12 February 2009.

With flights being offered every Wednesday until March 2009, the newly-launched Rome – Phuket – Bangkok route is expected to play an important role in encouraging more Italian tourists to travel to Thailand. In addition, another route serving Milan – Bangkok - Phuket operates every Thursday until March 2009. If the service receives positive feedback, it will continue to operate until August. The first flight from Rome was timed to co-incide with a Christmas Day welcome and was launched on 24 December. The first flight from Milan started on 26 December. Though, this is the first service to Thailand following the 2004 tsunami incident, the route is expected to contribute to 500 tourist arrivals to Thailand per week.

The charter flights serving the Phuket-Italy route are mainly aimed at providing services for package holidays. Excess seats are sold off on a flight-only basis. By offering a more restricted service than the major scheduled or low cost airlines, the cost of these seats is highly affordable.

In 2007, the number of Italian visitors who travelled to Thailand was 159,498, or a 16.54% increase over 2006, out of which 140,999 arrived at Suvarnabhumi International Airport and 17,571 in Phuket. Visitor arrivals to Thailand at Phuket International Airport during January-August 2008 totalled 829,083, an increase of 5.24% from 787,827 arrivals during the first eight months of 2007.

Contact information:
International Public Relation Division
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48
Fax: +66 (0) 2253 7419
E-mail: prdiv3@tat.or.th
Web site: www.tatnews.org

TAT Rome
Ente Nazionale per il Turismo Thailandese
Via Barberini 68, 4th Fl., 00187 Roma, Italy
Tel: (39 06) 420 14422, 420 14426
Fax: (39 06) 487 3500
E-mail: tat.rome@iol.it , tatrome@tat.or.th

Thailand observes many days as holidays and these days are officially declared as Public
Holidays. Thus the list of holidays in Thailand is as follows:

January sees the following holidays:
New Year's Day (January 1st)
Children's Day (January 11th)
Teacher Day (January 16th)

February sees the following holidays:
Chinese New Year (February)
Makha Bhucha Day (February 16th)

There are no holidays in March

April sees the following holidays:
Long Live Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn (April 2).
Chakri Day (April 6th)
Songkran Day (April 13th)

May sees the following holidays:
National Labor Day (May 1st)
Coronation Day (May 5th)
The Royal Ploughing Ceremony ( May 8th)
Visakha Puja Day (May 15th)
July sees the following the holidays:
Asalha Bhucha Day( July 13th)
Khao Phansa Day (July 14th)
The Crown Prince's Birthday (July 28th)

August sees the following holiday:
H.M. the Queen's Birthday (August 12th)

October sees the following holidays:
End of Buddhist Lent on October 10th
Piyamaharaj Day on October 23rd.
Halloween Day on October 31st

November sees the following holidays:

Thanksgiving is observed in this month.
Loy Krathong Day is observed on November 8th.
December sees the following holidays:

H.M.the King's Birthday
Thai Constitutions Day (December 10th)
Christmas ( 25th December)
Thus this was the list of all public holidays in Thailand.

While enjoying yourself in the beautiful Land of Smiles, don't forget the basic precautions. Here's a list of some emergency phone numbers of Thailand that you should always carry:

Contact numbers of Tourism Authority of Thailand would be useful phone numbers in Thailand for a tourist. Here are a few TAT phone numbers:

Airport 0 2504 2701, 0 2535 2669, 0 2504 2703
Head office 02250 5500
Chiang Mai 0 5324 8607
Lop Buri 0 3642 2768 to 9
Kanchanaburi 0 3451 2500, 0 3451 1200

Here are some important phone numbers in Thailand if you need information about flights:

Suvarnabhumi Airport (Call Center)

Help Desk 0 2132 3888
Flight Info 0 2132 0000
Emergency Service 0 2132 1911

Thai Airways International 0 2132 0040

If you are faced with trouble, you can call:

Fire Brigade 199
Mobile Police 191
Bangkok Ambulance 0 2255 1133 to 6

AC Bus stations may be called at these different numbers for different locations:

South 0 2435 1200, 0 2434 7192
North and North-East 0 2936 2852 to 66
East 0 2391 2504, 0 2391 8097
Call Bangkok Railway Station at: 0 2220 4334, 0 2621 8701

Thailand's islands are rich in hidden treasures and one such is Koh Si Chang, a charming historical island offering a treasure trove of delights such as ruins of summer palaces, great architecture and lots more! Koh Si Chang is the biggest island in the Chon Buri Province, off Pattaya in the Gulf of Thailand.The small islets of Koh Kang Kao, Koh Kham Noi, Koh Prong and others surround Koh Si Chang.

About 3 hours from Bangkok, you can get to Koh Si Chang by catching a boat from Charin Pier of Sri Racha in Chonburi. From Sri Racha it's about a 45 min ride to Tha Lang Pier of Koh Si Chang. Plenty of local taxis called Tuk Tuks help you get to other parts of the island from Tha Lang Pier.

Thailand's Koh Si Chang is a rock island with a tropical climate. A vacation place of three former kings of the Chakri dynasty, the island is a popular tourist destination owing to its associations with royalty and beautiful architectural marvels.

Koh Si Chang will charm you with its many attractions, such as:

Chudahdhuj Palace, former summer residence of the royal family. Here there's the octagon stone base which was once the intended site of Vimanmek Mansion that you see in Bangkok.

Wat Thamyaiprig, a peaceful meditation temple where monks and nuns lead their holy life away from the world

Chao Pho Khao Yai Shrine of Buddha on a northern hill of the island, some 192 m above sea level from where you can observe the island in all its glory.

Some places connected with royalty worth visiting are: Phra Chuthathut Ratchatan and the intricately designed garden palace of Si Chang.

Mondop atop Buddha's Footprint replica installed by King Rama V on a hill from where you get glorious views of the island

The Assadang Nimit Temple in which a pagoda has been built atop a Western style domed church.

The secluded beach of Haad Saai Kaew on Koh Si Chang and the surrounding islets like Koh Kang Kao offer great snorkeling opportunities and a chance to view a variety of coral and fish.
You can explore Koh Si Chang on a day trip and be back in Pattaya before nightfall. Many tour operators in Pattaya offer such trips. If you want to stay over for the night, there are many hotels with affordable rates on Koh Si Chang itself.

If you want to be touched by royalty, come to Koh Si Chang, the preferred summer destination of kings!

How to get to Ko Sichang

Train: There is one train daily from Hualompong Train Station in Bangkok to Siracha town, a journey of 117 Km. Upon arrival in Siracha take a “tuk-tuk” to Ko Loy Pier. Ferries leave every hour to Ko Sichang. The first ferry is at 07.00 and the last is at 20.00. The journey takes approximately 45 minutes and costs 40 Baht per person.

Bus:Air-conditioned buses leave Ekamai Bus Station(East) and Morchid Bus Station(North) in Bangkok to Siracha town, every hour starting at 06.50. The last bus leaves at 21.00.

Source Photo:
Akira Banno

Thailand Government issues tourist visa to applicants wishing to get in to the Kingdom of Thailand for tourism intention. The tourist visa to Thailand is valid for
60 days and can be made 30 days longer after approaching the nearest Immigration office.

The Royal Thailand Government charges a payment of USD 25.00 per entry or approximately 1,900 Baht (as per 2003-08-26) for people interested to visit Thailand. The fee is subject to change as per the will of the Thai authorities. The specific requirements for getting a tourist visa are -

- Passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months

- Visa application form completely filled out

- One recent (4 x 6 cm.) photograph of the applicant

- Air ticket or e-ticket paid in full

- Financial means (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family)

- Consular officers reserve the rights to request for additional documents as deemed necessary.

The tourists on obtaining a tourist visa to Thailand need to use it within a period of 30 days. While on your Thailand tour, you can extend the visa validity period after filing an application for authorization at the Office of Immigration Bureau located on Soi Suan Plu, off South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120 , Tel (662) 287-3101-10.

The Thai Royal Government extends the facility of Visa on arrival to the citizens of 20 countries. There are 32 visa extension counters for such purpose, at different entry points to Thailand. The requirements to apply for the same are -

- The purpose is tourism.
- The applicant must have living expenses of 10,000 Baht per person and 20,000 Baht per family along with full paid ticket.
- A recent passport size photograph.
- Such a visa is not subject to extension except in cases of illness preventing travel.

Travel to Thailand and enjoy your dream holidays.

Most airlines across the world have offices in Thailand. Most of the airline offices in Thailand are in Bangkok and there are some in tourist spots like Chiang Mai. Listed below are the names of some of Thailand's airline offices:

Air Canada (AC)
14th fl. Tower3, Sindhorn Building, 130-132 Wireless Rd, Bangkok 10330
Tel: (+662) 253-0263-66
Fax: (+662) 253-0268

British Airways (BA)
Unit 1402, 14th Fl., Abdulrahim Place 990, Rama IVe Rd., Bangkok 10500
Airport: (+662) 535-2220
Ticketing: (+662) 636-1770

Air India (AI)
12th Fl.One Pacific Place, 140 Sukhumvit Rd., Bangkok 10110
Airport: (+662) 535-2121
Ticketing: (+662) 235-0557

Mandarin Airlines (AE)
Chiangmai Airport, Room IA, 2nd Fl,
Chiang Mai 50200
Tel (053) 201-268
Fax (053) 922237

THAILAND'S NATIONAL CARRIERS:

THAI AIRWAYS INTERNATIONAL
Bangkok (Town Office)
Reservation & Ticketing
Office: THAI AIRWAYS INTERNATIONAL (TICKETING)
Address: LARN LUANG TICKET OFFICE
6 LARNLUANG RD. BANGKOK 10100
THAILAND
Phone: (66-2) 288-7000
Fax: (66-2) 280-1748

Reservation & Ticketing
Office: THAI AIRWAYS INTERNATIONAL (TICKETING)
Address: VIBHAVADI RANGSIT TICKET OFFICE
89 VIBHAVADI RANGSIT ROAD, CHATTUCHAK, BANGKOK 10900
THAILAND
Phone: (66-2) 545-3690-92
Fax: (66-2) 545-3199

Reservation & Ticketing
Office: THAI CONTACT CENTER (RESERVATION)
Address: 6 LARN LUANG ROAD, BANGKOK 10100
THAILAND
Phone: (66-2) 356-1111
Fax: (66-2) 356-2222

Reservation & Ticketing
Office: THAI AIRWAYS INTERNATIONAL (TICKETING)
Address: SILOM TICKET OFFICE
Bangkok Union Insurance Building (BUI)
1st fl. 175-177 Soi Anumanrajchathon 1, Surawong road, Bangkok 10500
THAILAND
Phone: (66-2) 232-8000
Fax: (66-2) 232-8277

BANGKOK AIRWAYS (Head Office)
99 Mu 14, Vibhavadirangsit Road, Chom Phon, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
Airport: (+662)132 0331-39 (International)
(+662) 132 0342-54 (Domestic)
Ticketing: (+662) 265-5555
For online booking, go to: www.bangkokair.com

No matter where you come from, you'll always find it easy to fly to Thailand!

The Thai are traditionally peace loving people and therefore their diplomatic relations with other countries is rather friendly. They believe in spreading the values of peace, harmony and prosperity throughout the world. Mostly all the countries around the world have their Embassies in Thailand's capital, Bangkok. The names and addresses of a few embassies are listed below:

Arab Republic of Egypt Embassy
49 Soi Ruam Rudee, Ploenchit Rd, Bkk 10330
Tel: 253 0161, 253 8138; Fax: 256 9310, 254 9489

Republic of Argentina Embassy
Prommitr Villa, 20/85 Sukhumvit Soi 49/1, Bkk 10110
Tel: 259 0401-2, 259 9198; Fax: 259 0402
Email: embtail@mozart.inet.co.th

Austrian Embassy
14 Soi Nandha, Soi Attakarnprasit, South Sathorn Rd, Bkk 10120
Tel: 287 3970-2, 287 3925; Fax: 287 3925

Australian Embassy
37 South Sathorn Rd, Bkk 10120
Tel: 344 6300, 344 6400, 344 6455-7; Fax: 344 6593, 344 6341, 344 6310
Email: austembassy.bangkok@dfat.gov.au

Royal Belgian Embassy
17th Fl, Sathorn City Tower, 175 South Sathorn Rd, Tungmahamek, Sathorn, Bkk 10120
Tel: 679 5454; Fax: 679 5467; Email: Bangkok@diplobel.org

Royal Bhutanese Embassy
Room 107, 19th Fl, JTC Bldg, 919 Silom Rd, Bangrak, Bkk 10500
Tel: 237 3315-27, 237 3600-3; Fax: 237 7541

Slovakian Embassy
Pantip Court, 68 South Sathorn Rd, Bkk 10120
Tel: 285 0220-2; Fax: 285 0223

Souh African Embassy
6th Fl, Park Place, 231 Sarasin Rd, Lumpini, Bkk 10330
Tel: 253 8473-6; Fax: 253 8477

Spainish Embassy
Lake Rajada Office Complex, 23rd Fl, Suites 98-99, 193 Ratchadapisek Rd, Klongtoey, Bkk 10110
Tel: 661 8284-6; Fax: 661 9220; Email: embespth@mail.mae.es

Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Embassy
13th Fl, Ocean Tower 2, 75/6-7 Sukhumvit Soi 19, Bkk 10110
Tel: 261 1934-5; Fax: 261 1936

Swedish Embassy
20th Fl, Pacific Place, 140 Sukhumvit Rd, Klongtoey, Bkk 10110
Tel: 254 4954-55; Fax: 254 4914

Swiss Embassy
35 Wireless Rd, Bkk 10500 (GPO Box 821, Bkk 10510)
Tel: 253 0156-60, 254 6855; Fax: 255 4481

Taiwan (Republic of China) Embassy
10th Fl, Kian Gwan Bldg, Wireless Rd, Bkk 10330
Tel: 251 9274-6, 251 9393-6; Fax: 254 9276

Republic of Turkey Embassy
61/1 Soi Chatsan, Suthisarn Rd, Phayathai, Bkk 10310
Tel: 274 7262-3; Fax: 274 7261

Consulate General
138/5 Soi Thonglor 11, Sukhumvit Rd 55, Klongtan, Wattana, Bkk 10110
Tel: 391 6848, 712 8883; Fax: 391 3323; Email: ankhor@uzbinbkk.org


Apostolic Nunciature
217/1 South Sathorn Rd, Bkk 10120
Tel: 233 9109, 212 5883-4; Fax: 212 0932

Socialist Republic of Vietnam Embassy
83/1 Wireless Rd, Bkk 10500
Tel: 251 7202, 251 5835; Fax: 251 7201, 251 7203

People's Republic of Bangladesh Embassy
727 Sukhumvit Soi 55, Bkk 10110
Tel: 381 1144, 391 8069-70; Fax: 391 8070

Federative Republic of Brazil Embassy
23rd Fl, Lumpini Tower, 1168/66 Rama 4 Rd, Bkk 10120
Tel: 679 8567-8; Fax: 679 8569

Brunei Darussalam Embassy
154 Ekamai Soi 14, Sukhumvit Soi 63, Luksorndang, Prakanong, Bkk 10110
Tel: 381 5914-6; Fax: 381 5921

People's Republic of Bulgaria Embassy
33/15 Soi Charoenchai, Sukhumvit Soi 63, Bkk 10110
Tel: 391 6180-1; Fax: 391 6182

Republic of Philipines Embassy
760 Sukhumvit Rd, Klongtoey, Bkk 10110
Tel: 259 0139-40, 261 6869; Fax: 259 2809

Polish People Republic Embassy
8 Sukhumvit Soi 5, Klongtoey, Bkk 10110
Tel: 258 4112-3; Fax: 251 8895

Portuguese Embassy
26 Captain Bush Lane, New Rd, Bangrak, Bkk
Tel: 234 0372, 234 2123, 238 4275; Fax: 236 1954

Romanian Embassy
20/1 Soi Rajakhru off Soi 5, Phaholyothin Rd, Phayathai, Bkk 10400
Tel: 617 1551-4; Fax: 617 1113; Email: romembnk@ksc.th.com

Russian Federation Embassy
78 Sap Rd, Suriwongse, Bangrak, Bkk 10500
Tel: 268 1169, 234 9824; Fax: 237 8488; Email: rosposol@cscoms.com

Saudi Arabia Royal Embassy
10th Fl, Sathorn Thani Bldg, 90 North Sathorn Rd, Bkk 10500
Tel: 237 1938-41, 266 3888; Fax: 236 6442

Republic of Singapore Embassy
129 South Sathorn Rd, Yannawa, Bkk 10120
Tel: 286 2111, 213 1261, 287 5115; Fax: 287 2578

Republic of Chile Embassy
15 Sukhumvit Soi 61, Klongtoey, Bkk 10110
Tel: 391 4858, 391 8443; Fax: 391 8380
Canadian Embassy
15th Fl, Abdulrahim Place, 990 Rama 4 Rd, Bangrak, Bkk 10500
Tel: 636 0560; Fax: 636 0568

Cambodian Embassy
185 Rajadamri Rd, Patumwan, Bkk 10330
Tel: 254 6630, 253 9851; Fax: 253 9859

Republic of Colombia Consulate
9th Fl, Park Place, 231 Sarasin Rd, Lumpini, Patumwan, Bkk 10330
Tel: 254 5105-6; Fax: 254 5109

Republic of Cuba Embassy
Mela Mansion apt. 3C, 5 Soi 27, Sukhumvit Rd, Klong-Toey Neur, Bkk
Tel: 665 2803; Fax: 661 6560; Email: cubaemb1@loxinfo.co.th

People's Republic of China Embassy
57 Ratchadapisek Road, Dindang, Bkk 10310
Tel: 245 7030-45; Fax: 246 8247, 247 2214

Royal Danish Embassy
10 Soi Attakarn Prasit, South Sathorn Rd, Yannawa, Bkk 10120
Tel: 213 2021-5, 679 9349-50; Fax: 213 1752
Czech Republic Embassy
71/6 Ruam Rudee Soi 2, Ploenchit Rd, Bkk 10330
Tel: 255 4978, 255 3027; Fax: 253 7637

Dominican Republic Consulate
92/6 Changwattana Rd, Laksi, Bangkhen, Bkk 10210
Tel: 521 0675, 521 1282, 521 5000; Fax: 521 0737

European Commission Delegation
19th Fl, Kian Gwan House 2, 140/1 Wireles Rd, Bkk
Tel: 255 9101, 255 9106-11; Fax: 255 9113-4

Republic of Finland Embassy
16th Fl, Amarin Plaza, 500 Ploenchit Rd, Patumwan, Bkk 10330
Tel: 256 9306-9, 256 9511-3; Fax; 256 9310

French Embassy
35 Soi Rong Phasi Kao 36, New Rd, Bangrak, Bkk 10500
Tel: 256 9306-9, 285 6104-7; Fax; 256 9310

Ethopian Consulate-General
962/14 Prannok Rd, Bkk 10700
Tel: 411 0218, 412 1068

Republic of Iceland Consulate
59 Soi Navin, Chuaploeng Road, Bkk 10120
Tel: 249 1300; Fax: 249 1253

Republic of Gambia Consulate
610/5-6 Songwad Rd, Samphantawong, Bkk 10100
Tel: 224 0091; Fax: 224 6212, 224 6894

Germany Embassy
9 South Sathorn Rd, Yannawa, Bkk 10120
Tel: 285 6627-8, 679 1120; Fax: 287 1776
Greece Embassy
99 Rama 9 Rd, Huay Kwang, Bkk
Tel: 247 1068, 254 9729; Fax: 247 1068

Republic of Gabon Consulate
13 Soi Pradipat 10, Pradipat Rd, Samsennai, Payatai, Bkk 10400
Tel: 279 2800-1; Fax: 271 1142

Republic of Honduras Consulate
4A Phirom Mansion, 11 Sukhumvit Soi 41, Bkk 10110

Hungarian Embassy
28 Soi Sukchai, Sukhumvit Soi 42, Klongtoey, Bkk 10110
Tel: 661 1150-2; Fax: 661 1153

Indian Embassy
46 Soi Prasarnmitr, Sukhumvit Soi 23 , Bkk 10110
Tel: 258 0300-6; Fax: 258 4627

Ireland Consulate
28th Fl, (High Zone), Q.House Lumpini Bldg, 1 South Sathorn Rd, Tungmahamek, Sathorn, Bkk 10120
Tel: 677 7500; Fax: 677 7501

Indonesian Embassy
600-602 Phetchaburi Rd, Bkk 10400
Tel: 252 3135-40; Fax: 255 1267, 255 8199

Islamic Republic of Iran Embassy
602 Sukhumvit Rd (between Soi 22 and 24), Bkk 10110
Tel: 261 9790-3; Fax: 259 9111

Republic of Iraq Embassy
47 Pradipat Rd, Samsen Nai, Phayathai, Bkk 10400
Tel: 278 5335-8; Fax: 271 4218

Israel Embassy
25th Fl, Ocean Tower, 11 Sukhumvit Soi 19, Bkk 10110
Tel: 260 4854-9; Fax: 260 4860

Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Consulate
47 Soi Ekamai, Sukhumvit Rd, Klongtoey, Bkk 10110
Tel: 391 7142; Fax: 391 9180, 381 1314

Japan Embassy
1674 New Petchburi Rd, Huay Kwang, Bkk 10310
Tel: 252 6151-9; Fax: 255 6999, 258 6877

United States of America Embassy
95 Wireless Rd, Bkk 10500
Tel: 205 4000; Fax: 205 4131

Uzbekistan Embassy
77 Soi Thonglor 8, Sukhumvit Soi 55, Prakhanong, Bkk 10110
Tel: 391 3397, 714 9838-9; Fax: 391

Royal Netherlands Embassy
106 Wireless Rd, Bkk 10500
Tel: 254 7701-5, 254 1265; Fax: 254 5579

New Zealand Embassy
93 Wireless Rd, Bkk 10330 (P.O. Box 2719, Bkk 10500)
Tel: 254 2530; Fax: 253 9045

Royal Norweigen Embassy
18th Fl, UBC II Bldg, 591 Soi Sukhumvit 33, Bkk 10110
Tel: 261 0230-5; Fax: 262 0218

Sultanate of Oman Embassy
7th Fl, 134/1-2 Silom Rd, Bangrak, Bkk 10500
Tel: 236 7385

Italian Embassy
399 Nang Linchee Rd, Thungmahamek, Bkk 10120
Tel: 287 2054-7, 285 4090-3; Fax: 285 4793


Democratic People's Republic of Korea Embassy
14 Moo Ban Suanlaemthong 2, Pattanakarn Rd, Bkk 10250
Tel: 319 1442-3; Fax: 318 6333

Lao People's Democratic Republic Embassy
502/1-3 Ramkamhaeng Rd, Bangkapi, Bkk 10310
Tel: 539 6667; Fax: 539 6678

Lebanese Embassy
15th Fl. CTI Tower, 191/67 Ratchadapisek Rd, Bkk 10110
Tel: 261 1013, 261 1015, 261 5091; Fax: 261 1026

Malaysian Embassy
33-35 South Sathorn Rd, Yannawa, Bkk 10120
Tel: 679 2190-0; Fax: 679 2208

Maltese Consulate
485/14 Silom Rd, Bkk 10500
Tel: 235 9423-4; Fax: 235 6293

Mexican Embassy
21/60-62 Thai Wah Tower, 20th Fl. South Sathorn Rd, Bkk 10500
Tel: 285 0815; Fax: 285 0667

Moroccan Embassy
5th Fl, Ban Chang GlasHouse, Sukhumvit Soi 25, Bkk 10110
Tel: 260 6410-1; Fax: 260 6412

Union of Myanmar Embassy
132 North Sathorn Rd, Bangrak, Bkk 10500
Tel: 236 6899, 234 4789, 233 2237; Fax: 236 6898

Royal Nepal Embassy
189 Sukhumvit Soi 71, Klongtoey, Bkk 10110
Tel: 391 7240, 390 2985, 392 4741; Fax: 381 2406

Islamic Republic of Pakistan Embassy
31 Soi Nana Nua, Sukhumvit Rd, Bkk 10110
Tel: 253 0288-9, 254 9702; Fax: 253 0290

Republic of Panama Embassy
1168/37 Lumpini Tower Bldg, 16th Fl, Rama IV Rd, Tungmahamek, Sathorn, Bkk 10120
Tel: 679 7988-9; Fax: 679 7991; Email: ptybkk@ksc.th.com

Republic of Peru Embassy
16th Fl, Glas Haus Bldg, #1 Soi Sukhumvit 25, Sukhumvit Rd, Wattana, Bkk 10110
Tel: 260 6243, 260 6245, 260 6248; Fax: 260 6244; Email: peru@peruthai.or.th

As a tourist it becomes important for you to be in constant touch with your country's embassy. In any trouble it is advisable to contact your embassy immediately.

Know about Thailand before you plan to visit it. There are plenty of things that you must care to know for your own benefit. It will definitely make your trip more comfortable!
Here is some information that will help you with your trip.

You are required to have a valid passport for entering Thailand.

No need to fuss about the currency. The Thai currency is either Baht or Satang and you can easily exchange them with foreign currencies in all Thai hotels and banks.

Thailand is a hot tropical country and its better if you wear comfortable cotton clothes.

Tipping is a custom in Thailand.

Most government offices in Thailand are open from 8.30am to 4.30pm. However, you can exchange currencies in banks from 7am to 9pm.

It is best to visit Thailand between the months of November and February. The weather is pleasantly cool in most of the regions during this time.

Know something about he Thai culture so that you don't find yourself in an awkward and unpleasant situation. Don't fumble when a thai greets you by saying "wai". It's their way to greet and respect strangers. "Wai" them back!
The other thing to know about Thailand is that the Thais are very sensitive about their monarch. Any disrespectful action or word regarding the king or queen of Thailand may get you into disputes with the locals.

Located 19 kilometers south of Phuket, the islands of Koh Racha Yai (also known as Raya Yai) and Koh Racha Noi (Raya Noi) offer visitors to Phuket an interesting day trip by boat. It's possible to organize an overnight stay, while the islands are also becoming increasingly popular destinations among divers.

Plenty of options

Longtail boats carrying a maximum of eight passengers can be chartered from Rawai Beach on the southern side of Phuket for about 2,000 baht (US$60). This is a return fare to Koh Racha Yai and includes plenty of time for snorkeling. The boat ride to the island takes about one-and-a-half hours in itself. If you're not part of a group, you may still find that you can join with a smaller group of people seeking to reduce their costs.

It's also possible to head for the smaller island of Koh Hai (Coral Island) on a half-day snorkeling trip from Rawai. A return fare costs 800 baht, but it should be noted that the boat trip is much shorter if you are simply looking to enjoy the cruise by boat.

A similar one-day snorkeling trip to Koh Hai departs Ao Chalong (Chalong Bay), just north of Rawai, and costs 1,500 baht. From November through April, you can also get to Koh Racha by speedboat. It departs at 9 am, returning from the island at about 3 pm. At 500 baht each way, this offers good value given the shorter journey time (about 45 minutes each way).

Most boat trips can be booked through travel agents located at popular resorts on Phuket.

An 'alternative' haven for divers

Divers visiting Phuket have got plenty of choices when it comes to seeking interesting dive sites thanks to the numerous smaller island located nearby.

While the nine islands making up the Similan archipelago are probably the best-known and most popular destinations among divers, it takes at least three to four hours to reach them.

A visit to Koh Racha therefore offers a 'best of both worlds' alternative – you still get to enjoy a few hours at sea, along with the opportunity to visit some interesting and beautiful sites. We recommend taking a day trip since accommodation options on the island itself are limited.

While the diversity of the marine life may not quite match those in the Similan archipelago, it is still mightily impressive. Indeed, the site is ideal for underwater photographers or videographers since the ocean floor is flat here and offers great views of hard and soft coral.

Among the colorful, tropical species of fish spotted off the islands are: Titan trigger; Moray eels; Puffer fish; Stingrays; Octopuses; as well as Cuttlefish.

Keeping it clean and 'green'

A visit to such impressive locations can sometimes spur the conscience of visitors. When diving out in the ocean, you get to see some exquisite examples of pristine coral. In order to help maintain these sites, try to promote the use of pre-determined mooring points by operators. Those operators willing to anchor wherever they are directed are contributing to the destruction of coral sites, so try to educate other passengers or the boat operator whenever you experience this kind of practice.

The case of Koh Phi Phi is a living 'bad example' of what can happen when the aggressive expansion of tourism prevails over every other aspect, including the environment. A lack of strict law enforcement has been a contributory factor in the case of Koh Phi Phi, while it is essential that operators understand that they have no right to destroy nature, the very thing that guarantees their businesses' well being. When traveling to such pristine locations, always remember to take your garbage home with you, or otherwise consider yourself 'part of the problem'.

reference : thaiasiatoday.com

Jazz lovers know exactly where they should be come mid-June. They will be catching an invigorating sea breeze and dining on fresh sea food at Hua Hin’s famous beachside restaurants.

But only when they are not soaking up the serious stuff – musical concerts delivering the very best in jazz, compliments of a variety of local and international bands.

Hua Hin shakes off its low season blues, 13 to 14 June, every year for its international jazz festival at sites on the beach and in the centre of this lively resort town that graces Thailand’s western coast of the Gulf of Thailand.

Hua Hin is approximately 220 km from Bangkok and is noted for being the country’s first beach resort discovered by royalty and nobility in the post in the 1930s when the only feasible way to reach its golden beaches was by steam train.

Today, it is a popular beach town with more than its far share of five-star hotels.

One of the main jazz festival stages is set up close to the Sofitel Central Resort, a heritage property dating back to early 1900s and Marriott Resort and Spa.

In all, there are three stages custom-built for the jazz festival on the beach and in the town near the historical railway station and another near Phone Kingpet complex.

Of course, the beach venue serves up a winning ambience, as thousands of jazz lovers sit on deck chairs or mats laid out on the sand and enjoy the very best selections of traditional and modern jazz.

The beach venue will feature world-class jazz artists such as the Kenny Garrett Quartet, Mike Stern, Dave Weckl and Chris Minh Doky. Thai singers join international celebrities such as Kop Songsit, T-Bone, Luk Pad Cholanan, Surachai Jantimatorn, Rudklao Amaraditra and Jirasak Panpoom.

In town at the railway and shopping complex stages Thai artists such as Viyada Komarakul na Nakhon, B Crescendo, Monotone Group, Calories Blah Blah, Lula, ETC, Doobadoo and Tewan Sapsanyakorn will perform.

All performances during the three-day festival are free and continue from 1530 until midnight.

No wonder this “Royal Town” is sometimes renamed “Jazz Town” when its streets are packed with music lovers of all ages, who gather to enjoy the best of jazz from both international and Asian musicians. Definitely, this is a festival that adds value for any holiday maker visiting Hua Hin during the 13 to 14 June weekend.

More Information :
TAT Central Region Office : Region 2
Tel : 0 3247 1005-6

With a little over a month to go the Koh Samui Regatta organisation team is moving into top gear to ensure another great event.

Regularly attracting over 35 to 40 yachts this Regatta has a truly international feel as the upwards of 300 participants head in to this beautiful tropical island from all points of the globe.

The recent announcement that Matt Allen’s ‘Ichi Ban’ is being shipped from Dubai, fresh from her recent victory at the premier racing event in the Gulf the Maktoum Cup, ensures that there will again be a hot premier racing class at this years Samui Regatta. And although Ray Roberts on ‘Quantum Racing’ has already wrapped up the Asian Yachting Grand Prix championship there is still a matter of bragging rights to hoist aloft the beautiful KSR Waterford Crystal Perpetual Bowl on the winners podium come 7th June.

The ‘Quantum Racing’ DK 46 will face some stiff competition. Perennial line honours winner ‘Jelik’ the Reichel Pugh 76, under the guidance of Frank Pong will be looking to repeat her 2006 success but defending champion Bill Bremner is back from Singapore on his new ‘Foxy Lady IV’ a TP52 recently shipped in from the US. Going head to head with Bill and also sailing a TP52 will be Hong Kong’s Sam Chan on ‘Ffree Fire’. Unfortunately it looks like the other TP52, ‘Strewth’ from Hong will not make it in time following their ‘mishap’ on the recent Rolex China Seas Race. Neil Pryde and his professional crew is fast getting to grips with the Wellbourne redesigned ‘Hi-Fi’ which was a previous KSR winner as ‘Hollywood Boulevard’. But you can never rule out Kinmoth and Burns on ‘Mandrake’ a previous Admirals Cup winner and Chris Meads new Corby 43 ‘Full Metal Jacket’.

But the Samui Regatta is not just about the Grand Prix yachts and we should not forget the many other boats that travel the thousands of miles to compete in the other classes and come together to make this such a friendly and laid back event. From the super cruiser-racers such as ‘Moonblue II’ and ‘Intrigue’ through to IRC 2 with the likes of ‘Abraxas’, ‘Lunch Cutter’ and ‘Happy Endings’ from Singapore, as well as ‘La Samudra’ and ‘Remington’ from Phuket, as well as ‘Thai Raver’ and ‘Magic Roundabout’ from Pattaya. The multihulls will be well represented by the 50 ft. ‘Sonic’ and ‘Cedar Swan’ as well as the new Corsair trimarans from Pattaya, the Firefly One Design cat class is back in force with ‘Moto Inzi’, ‘Pagatoon’ and ‘Dhevetara Frog’. And this year the Sports Boats Class is shaping up to be the biggest to date with the local Elliott 7’s ‘Moon Shadow’ and ‘Ice Bucket’ being joined by ‘Somtam Express’ from Phuket and ‘Porn Star’ and ‘Big Blue’ from Pattaya, not to mention a sprinkling of Platu 25’s. The Sunsail ‘One-Design’ charter fleet also provides a great option to ‘fly in and sail’ as Aussie legend George Snow and his mates from the CYCA in Sydney proved when they chartered the fleet for some keen one design racing a couple of years back.

And be sure to make it to Samui for the 7th running of the ‘Tropical Island Regatta’ from the 1st to 7th June 2008.

An exciting opportunity for those people considering chartering a yacht for this regatta.

Currently we have Sunsail, Gulf Charter and The Frog are all available.


Reference : samuiregatta.com

What makes a resort romantic? room? location? Perhaps it's wisest to say that a combination of many factors adds up to the magical feeling that you've at last found your romantic Shangri la. A lot of research to find out which are Phuket's most romantic resorts. Here are the top choices on an island that has some of the most romantic beaches and sunsets in the whole world!!!

5. Twinpalms Phuket Hotel

76 Rooms, Surin Beach
Twinpalms Phuket is one of Phuket's chicest resorts, the lagoon suites are superb and have direct pool access which means you hardly have to leave your room throughout your holiday. The well appointed and innovatively designed suites in this stylish resort are spacious, to say the least, and feature huge king-sized beds. Whilst not directly on the beach, you only have to walk 160m across a park and you're on Surin, one of Phuket's finest beaches.


4. Banyan Tree Laguna Phuket

121 Villas, Bang Tao Beach

Imagine a drawn sunken spa bath with floating flower petals, complemented by a villa bedroom dressed with scented candles, aromatic oils, fragrant flowers, wine and ambient music. That's the Banyan Tree Spa Pool Villa's "Intimate Moments" experience - this is truly a luxury resort.

Privacy is 100% assured, most villas offer private pools. You can also choose an in-villa midnight feast for two, this top-rated spa has been voted one of the best spa destinations in the world. Romance and luxury - what an unbeatable combination.

3. Andaman White Beach Resort

54 Rooms, Naithon Beach
White sand is romantic. The sensuous feel of this magical powder between your toes adds to the intensity of the Andaman White Beach experience. With 54 rooms set on a small beach with no access to outsiders, this resort nestles in a coconut plantation and features self contained villas that offer total privacy.

The resort also has a complete wedding package for those ready to commit and four romantic dining venues to woo your loved one in. In-villa dining makes the ultimate romantic experience that much closer.


2. SALA Phuket

79 Rooms, Mai Khao Beach
SALA Phuket was almost number one, however privacy is ensured by walls that hinder sea views. This deluxe pool villa resort has all the ingredients for a perfect romantic holiday. Its very location is Eden-like with Mai Khao Beach mere steps away.

Some 63 of the 79 villas here feature a luxurious swimming pool and all villas have total privacy for those intimate moments. The rooms themselves are straight out of the Arabian Nights with billowing curtains, soft textiles and even softer cushions and pillows. For that extra touch of totally private luxury, Sala Phuket delivers.



and The Winner is...
1. Trisara Phuket Resort

42 Rooms, Naithon Beach
Trisara simply oozes romance and is definitely the best romantic resort in Phuket. Who can resist the stunning sunset views from these private pool villas set into a verdant tropical hillside; the attention to detail; the lushness of a huge soft bed with sensual music on a Bose music system?

Lovers can choose from 33 pool villas and 12 villa homes, all facing the Andaman sea, many on the resort's private beach. In-villa dining ensures privacy and if you choose to dine out at this top-end resort the atmosphere is one of complete discretion. Trisara makes love easy.

Reference : phuket.com

Family name: Pomacentridae
Order name: Perciformes
Common name: Clownfish / clown anemonefish
Scientific name: Amphiprion percula

Clownfish are native to wide ranges of the warm waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans, including Andaman Sea. The clownfish feeds on undigested matter which otherwise potentially could harm the sea anemone, and the faecal matter from the clownfish provides nutrient to the sea anemone. It has also been suggested that the activity of the clownfish results in greater water circulation around the sea anemone. In addition to providing food for the clownfish, the sea anemone also provides safety due to its poison.

Clownfish live in small groups inhabiting a single anemone each. Most always a breeding pair, consisting of a single mating female and one mating male, cohabit with a few non-mating smaller male fish. When the dominant female dies, the dominant male changes sex and becomes the female. They exhibit a sexual life style known as sequential hermaphroditism, and specifically the protandrous form where they begin as males and can later in life switch to using functioning female gonads.

Clownfish lay eggs on any flat surface close to or under the protection of their host anemones. In the wild, clownfish spawn around the time of the full moon and the male parent guards them until they hatch about 6 to 10 days later, typically 2 hours after darkness starts.

Clownfish are omnivorous: in the wild they eat live food such as algae, plankton, molluscs and crustacea; in captivity they can survive on live meat, fish flakes and fish pellets. They feed mostly on copepods and mysids, and the undigested excrement from their host anemones.

The diet of the clownfish suggest that it is an opportunistic diner rather than a predator. It can wait until the anemone has stung and eaten its prey and then it gobbles up the leftovers, whether these pieces have not been eaten, or take the form of undigested excrement. It is also known to eat dead anemone tentacles, plankton, molluscs, crustacea and certain parasites that it finds on its host's body.

There are so many destinations for diving with Nemo that is pointless to name them all. However, here's a selection of dive destinations that offers a wide variety of anemonefish: Phi Phi Islands | Phuket | Koh Samui | Similans

source Reference: www.dive-the-world.com & wikipedia.org

Images by Sathit Buathet, Copyright Or Sor Tor

In a world full of stress and conflict, it is no wonder that leisure time and peace of mind have become the two most valued lifestyle elements. At a small, award-winning home stay project on an idyllic island in southern Thailand, visitors from all around the world are finding both in plentiful supply.

Seeking refuge from the cut-throat intensity of a highly competitive and hectic life in the city, dozens of annual visitors, mostly from Germany, Scandinavia, Italy, UK, France and USA, are flocking to the Koh Yao Noi community-based tourism village, specifically its home stay programme, to spend a few days living a simple lifestyle amidst simple people with ordinary habits.

readmore : Reference : e-magazine TAT

HOW TO GET THERE?
From Phang Nga Province

* A daily boat service departs from Tha Daan Pier in Phang Nga at 1.00 pm.
Fare: 150 baht
* A daily boat service departs from Koh Yao to Phang Nga at 7.30 am.
Fare: 150 baht

From Phuket Province

* Depart from Bang Rong Pier in Thalang District
Seven departures per day at: 7.30, 9.30, 10.30, 11.00 am, and 12.30 2.30, 4.00, 5.00 pm. Fare: 100 baht
* Depart from Koh Yao to Phuket.
Six departures per day at 7.00, 7.30, 8.30, 10.00 am, and 1.30 and 3.00 pm. Fare: 100 baht

From Krabi Province

* Depart from Ta Lane pier in Amphoe Muang District (Krabi provincial centre)
Two departures daily at 11.00 am and 1.00 pm.
Fare: 100 baht
* Depart from Koh Yao for Tha Lane pier
Two departures per day, one from Ma Noh pier at 7.30 am and one from Tha Kao 7.00 am.
Fare: 100 baht