Calendar of Events

Hat Yai Lantern Festival & Ice Dome

Date : January 1 - April 30
Venue : Hat Yai Municipality Park

Spectacular lanterns would again be on display at the Hat Yai Municipal Park as in previous year. But this time the dates have been moved from January 1 to April 30. Artists and workmen from China had again lent their hands toward the project. The lanterns will again be displayed according to various themes — from animals to fairy tales and the zodiac.

Next to the lanterns is the Hat Yai Ice Dome, which had been open since November.

Chiang Mai Flower Festival

Date : February 4
Venue : Chiang Mai City

The event is held on the first Saturday of February has turned into one of the most popular festivals in the Chiang Mai tourism calendar.

Magha Puja Day

Venue : Nakhon Sri Thammarat
Date : March 4 - 7

It marks the four auspicious occasions, which happened nine months after the Enlightenment of the Buddha when 1,250 Arahants ordained by the Buddha himself returned to see the master without any schedule. It was on the full moon day of the third lunar month.

Trang underwater wedding

FEEL like tying the knot this year? Or just to reaffirm your marriage vows? And do it with a difference?

Well, we have the answer for you. Why not head down to Trang, just a little over an hour's drive from Hat Yai. This is the venue for the annual Trang Underwater Wedding, held during Valentine's Day yearly for more than 10 years. The three-day event is held from February 10-12.

Hua Hin Fringe Festival

Date : November 12, 2011 — February 25, 2012
Venue : Vic Hua Hin

HUA HIN has its own Fringe Festival. With artistes and performers from all over the world and of course Thailand, this year’s programme is unique and has something for everyone’s taste. The current Fringe Festival runs from November 12, 2011 — February 25, 2012.

The Fringe Festival 2011/12 is being held at the amazing venue, Vic Hua Hin, under the guidance of artistic director Patravadi Mejudhon. It is supported by the Office of Contemporary Arts and Culture at the Thai Ministry of Culture. Returning to the Fringe Festival is Yael Rasooly and the Golden Delicious Theatre from Jerusalem. The show will feature three object theatre pieces in one evening, January 21, 2012.

Another Thai production will be presented on February 4, with B-Floor from Bangkok. Taste of Curry combines live music and a story about cooking with a shattering look at life in all kinds of languages: Thai, English, French, Gibberish; and of course physical movement and live music to present the full taste of life!

Our next guest travels from the UK to Thailand to perform his one-man piece SPACE. Timothy Mann is an actor, writer, musician and video editor who joined the theatre company Nose2Nose in 2006. He will ask the infinite question, “What is SPACE?”... and maybe also find an answer. A co-production with the Festival La FOte, Bangkok, will be the final event of the Fringe Festival: Pichet Klunchun and Myself, performed by the French artist JTrime Bel and the Thai dancer Pichet Klunchun. We will see a combination of traditional Khon and modern Dance, to close the festival on February 25, 2012.

All performances of the Fringe Festival 2011/12 at Vic Hua Hin start at 7.30 pm.

For more information please check www.vichuahin.com. Tickets for the events are available at Vic Hua Hin or call for reservations now: 032 827 814-5.

Jet Ski safety tips

JET skis are very powerful water craft and can be dangerous. Inexperience and inattention can result in serious, even fatal, accidents.

It is important to be aware of the particular risks associated with the activity. According to www.SafetyResource.org, the vast majority of jet ski accidents involve a collision with another vessel. Jet ski operators are often unaware of the limitations of their craft in terms of speed and stopping distance, or the relationship between power and steering.

Other potential outcomes include: collisions with swimmers, head injuries, drowning, broken bones and similar injuries related to improper handling of the vehicle.

In addition to medical expenses, having to pay for damage to rental equipment can be very costly. Only rent from licensed jet ski rental companies. Jet skis available for rental should also be licensed. The license numbers should be prominently displayed on both sides of the bow.

All jet skis must be insured. For personal safety, only take to the water on a jet ski when seas are calm. If you see a red flag, this indicates that it is not safe to swim. The red flag also signals that it is also not a good time to venture out on a jet ski.

Wear a life vest when riding a jet ski. Check to see that the life vest has a whistle securely fastened by a line to the front of the jacket.

Jet skis are not permitted in areas designated for swimming only. These areas are marked by floats and roped off. Jet skis operators are also required to stay within 500 metres of the coastline. Do not mix alcohol and water sports.

The best advice for jet ski rental is to abide by the rules which reflect best practices and use good judgement.

If in doubt, please call the Tourist Police Hotline: 1155. For emergencies, call 1669.