Residents of Dan Sai in Loei province are getting ready to celebrate Phi Ta Khon, one of Thailand’s most colourful and vibrant festivals. Taking place from July 6 to 8, this famous festival features colourful parades headed by throngs of “ghosts” and “fearsome creatures” who play with the crowds and occasionally wag and wave a whopping pink wood penis at onlookers. The highlights is the playful ghosts parade around the small town.

Ruling the waves

Walking on the water might be a miracle – but running in the water is fun. The small southern province of Chumpon is once again holding its unique race “Running Through the Sea” on Sunday, June 19. The competition covers a 14-kilometres run along the shore – of which the very last section (about one kilometre) is through the low tide to Phithak Island. The race will take place on Sunday morning at Chakri Naruebet Warship Park on Laemson Beach. Call (077) 501 831.

Riding for life

Thai low-cost carrier Nok Air is holding a cycling charity event “Nok Air Ride for Life” at Na Dan beach in Khanom, Nakhon Sri Thammarat on July 16 to raise funds for the Cardiac Children Foundation of Thailand. The event is part of the Khanom Festival 2016, also organised by Nok Air, which this year features shows by Potato, Klear, Ben Chalatit, Getsunova, 25 Hours and Win Sqweez Animal.

Marathon men (and women)

The annual Pattaya International Marathon returns to Thailand’s famous resort town on July 17 and as usual it offers competitors a choice of runs to match fitness levels. You can tackle the full 42-kilometre course or putter along for 10km. There’s a route for people in wheelchairs too. The starting times are staggered from 3.30am on Pattaya Beach Road. Find out more from the city administration at (038) 253 129 or visit www.Pattaya-Marathon.com.

Phuket’s Old Town once again plays host to the Baba Wedding Festival on June 18-19. This annual festival will showcase the beauty and uniqueness of Peranakan culture, livening up the heritage district with parades by brides and grooms along with their well wishers through the cluster of Sino-Portuguese buildings. Like Penang and Singapore, Phuket is home to many Straits Chinese people, also known as Peranakan.

Spiritual in Lanna

Visit Inthakin City Pillar Festival in Chiang Mai from today until Tuesday and rediscover the spiritual side of the northern city as the faithful follow tradition and offer flowers to the pillar. A Buddha image called Phra Fon Saen Haa (the Five Hundred Thousand Raindrop Buddha) is carried to, blessed with lustral water and placed in the courtyard of the temple. Devotees are then invited to venerate the Buddha and the City Pillar, and to place flowers at the shrine. The temple is illuminated at night, as traditional dances, folk music and performances take turns to entertain festival goers.

New Area Manager for Emirates

Emirates is pleased to announce the appointment of Mohammad Sarhan as Area Manager for Thailand and In

dochina. Sarhan brings to the job more than 10 years experience in the aviation industry. Prior to being appointed to this new post, he served as Emirates’ Country Manager for Vietnam. As Area Manager, he will oversee Emirates’ commercial services and operations in Thailand and Indochina.

Full of fruity flavour

The Eastern province of Rayong celebrates the arrival of June by hosting a Fruit Festival. Durian, mangosteen, rambutan, zalacca, rakam, long kong and mayong chit (sweet yellow marian plum) are among the luscious tropical fruit guaranteed to draw visitors to its orchards and marketplaces. The event also features a fruit procession, the Miss Fruit Orchard beauty pageant, a fruit eating competition, a fruit basket arrangement competition, a papaya salad preparation contest and cultural performances. The festival takes place at Ta Phong Fruit Central Market and continues through June 8.

Pitch your tent in Pang Sida National Park, Sa Kaeo province next month and make friends with the butterflies. From June to August, the park will host its annual Butterfly Watching Festival as more than 300 species settle in around the waterfall and camping area for the first part of the rainy season. Activities include a butterfly exhibition and demonstrations of how to best watch these gentle creatures.

Long haul at a low cost

Thai AirAsia X, Thailand’s first low-fare, long-haul airline, spreads its wings with direct flights from Bangkok (DMK) to Teharan (IKA) in Iran and Muscat (MCT) in Oman. The Bangkok-Tehran route is scheduled to operate three flights weekly on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from June 22 onward. Flights from Bangkok to Muscat will be on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, starting from June 28. Flight XJ 450 to Tehran will leave Bangkok at 3.20pm and arrive at 8.20pm, while XJ 555 to Muscat will depart from Bangkok at 9.40 and will arrive at Oman’s Capital at 4.40am. Visit http://www.AirAsia.com.

Birthday on Samui

Centara Grand Samui marks 20 years of success tomorrow night with a charity dinner. The five-star, beachfront Centara Grand Samui with its colonial-chic appeal has been serving visitors to Chaweng Beach for two decades. The Fundraiser dinner, which features a concert by Buddha Bless, starts from 7.30pm, and tickets are available at the Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui Lobby, Zing and at Zico’s Restaurant. Call (077) 230 500 or email exocsbr@chr.co.th.

Up high with Emirates

Emirates expands its service between Dubai and Bangkok by offering seven flights per day from July 1. The new flight will be on a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and join the existing four daily A380 and two daily 777 flights that currently operate between the two cities. This enhances the weekly services on the route to 49 and adds another 2,520 seats. Bangkok is now one of Emirates’ most served destinations, on par with Kuwait and Doha. The seventh daily EK350 will depart Dubai at 7:50pm and arrive at Suvarnabhumi International Airport at 5.10am the following day.

Gerard Poulard, the cheese master, is back at Pullman Bangkok Hotel G’s Scarlett restaurant and wine bar until May 24 with more than 100 varieties of farmed cheese from the best of France’s boutique producers. Book a table now at (096) 860 7990 or email scarlettbkk@randblab.com.

Island in the sun

Cape & Kantary Hotels’ newest hotel in its collection, “Somewhere Koh Sichang” is now open for business. Located on the island of Sichang in Chon Buri province, the colonial-style hotel’s rooms are fully equipped with all modern amenities for maximum comfort including LED TV, DVD player, private balcony, free Wi-Fi in the rooms and all public areas, and a security system with a key card. Visitors can also enjoy the swimming pool, the Verandah Restaurant and a conference room that can accommodate up to 40 delegates. Visit http://www.CapeKantaryHotels.com.

Paint the sky with TAT

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) joins with Thai AirAsia in launching the “Paint the Sky with Amazing Thailand” design contest. The second edition of this successful competition is open to designers, artists and members of the public who can submit art on two topics – “Amazing Thailand, Amazing Culture” and Amazing Thailand, Amazing Destination”. The winning designs in both categories will be painted onto two of Thai AirAsia’s Airbus 320-200 aircraft, which operate on both domestic and international routes. Call TAT at (02) 250 5500 extension 4545-8.

All sheets to the wind

Samui, the tropical island in the Gulf of Thailand, is all set to host the annual Koh Samui Regatta from May 21-28. The race, one of the highlights on the Asian sailing circuit, is expected to draw some 400 competitors from 30 countries who will compete in passage and buoy racing off the famous Chaweng Beach on the island’s eastern coast. The Regatta will end with a gala dinner at the Centara Grand Beach Resort, which is regarded as the “Home of the Samui Regatta.” Visit www.SamuiRegatta.com.

In response to this year’s drought and the higher-than-usual temperatures, visitors to the annual Rocket Festival in Yasothon can expect plenty of fast-flying missiles in the sky. Taking place on May 14-15, the Yasothon Rocket Festival serves as a wake-up call for the Rain God and pleads with him to give Earth more water so that the rice will grow. Led by monks, rural rocket engineers place gunpowder inside long plastic pipes of varying sizes. The rockets are then launched into the clear blue skies with varying degrees of success. The festive event always draws locals and visitors and you don’t have to be a quantum physicist to enjoy the show.

Durian delicious

The World Durian Festival returns to Chanthaburi today and continues through May 13 with the Monthong, Chanee and Kran Yao and Phuang Mani varieties beckoning visitors with their unmistakable odour. The festival takes place around the public lake and the city hall. Expect durian-eating contests, durian floats, cultural shows and a Queen of Durian beauty contest. Mangosteen and other tropical fruits add colour and flavour. Call the local tourism office at (038) 655 420-1 or (039) 311 001.

In the deep

Thailand Travel and Dive Expo 2016 takes place at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre from May 12 to 15 and offers everything diving enthusiasts ever wanted to know about their favourite sport from scuba diving courses to secret diving destinations around Southeast Asia and diving promotions. Diving equipment and other gear will also be up for sale at bargain prices. Visit http://www.ThailandDiveExpo.com.

In life and death

Wat Thung Yang in Uttaradit Province holds the Lord Buddha Cremation Ceremony, known locally as Uttamee Buja, from May 20 to 28. A fascinating ritual, it sees the monks creating an effigy of the Lord Buddha for the re-enactment of a funeral. Cultural events and chants take turns entertaining visitors. The highlight takes place on the last night when the effigy is burnt on a pyre.

Residents of Baan Non Salao in Chaiyaphum Province are luring the visitors for their well-kept secret monk ordination parade on May 8, which involves the young men who’re about to become Buddhist monks, being carried to the temple on bamboo sedan chairs. As the tempo of the fanfares and music heats up, the sedan carriers “dance”, shaking the man on top in a forceful fashion. It’s fun to see and also scary – especially for the poor soul trying to stay in the sedan.

Blowing in the wind

The annual Samui Regatta returns for its 15th edition from May 21-28, and acts as the final event in the regional 2015/2016 Asian Yachting Grand Prix championship – a series of 12 five-star sailing events around Asia. More than 400 sailors and crew from 30 countries are expected to part in this year’s event, which has become fondly known as the “Tropical Regatta” due to its elegant tropical setting. Samui Island is a favourite destination with sailors from around the world as it combines perfect sailing conditions with island hospitality. A daily spectator boat is available for Bt800 per person. Tickets are also available to the nightly beach parties, and the Gala Dinner on the final evening. Visit www.SamuiRegatta.com

Crazy about Krabi

Krabi marks the official establishment of the province in 1872 as it turns 144 with a series of cultural shows at Tara Park from May 5 to 9. Throughout the five-day celebration, visitors can enjoy Thai southern-style cultural performances, witness local Krabi artisans skilfully create arts and crafts, try a wide variety of flavourful southern cuisine, shop for southern-style souvenirs and local products, as well as book interesting tour packages to some of Thailand’s most beautiful attractions in the Andaman Sea.

Luscious lobster

Phuket lobster, the best of its kind in Thailand, will be served at Espresso restaurant in the InterContinental Bangkok from May 6 to 29. Whether you like it steamed, roasted, grilled or fried, this seafood delicacy yields exceptionally tender and sweet meat. Or you like it cold, the lobster can be served as lobster frittata and lobster sushi rolls. The lobster menus are available for dinner on Friday and Saturday and Sunday Brunch and cost Bt1,999. Book a table at (02) 656 0444 extension 6430 or visit: http://www.Bangkok.Intercontinental.com.

Fifty baby sea turtles were released early this month into the Andaman Sea to begin their journey in the ocean. Part of Laguna Phuket’s annual sea turtle release programme, the hotel’s guests together with marine biologists and donors helped the turtles to meet the ocean. The beaches of Phuket offer plenty of beauty and are also where a variety of turtles choose to lay their eggs. Thanks to ongoing turtle conservation efforts of Laguna Phuket, resort guests and the community can engage in this worthwhile programme. The resort has donated more than Bt600,000 to Phuket Marine Biological Centre (PMBC)’s new nursery pond.

A nod to ethical living

137 Pillars House, a luxury resort in Chiang Mai, is working to build ethical living and style in its property by becoming more environmentally conscious. To handle the organic waste from restaurants and kitchen, the resort has invested in high-temperature incinerators for thermal treatment. Fruit, salad waste and vegetables can be burned into a charcoal that’s good to the earth. The resort also uses a non-toxic mosquito control programme to eradicate the flying pests. Visit Facebook.com/137pillarshouse

Seafood in the mud

Drive to Ban Laem district in Phetchaburi province during May 6-8, and get your hands dirty in style. There you can celebrate the area’s seafood festival by balancing on a thin strip of wood as you hunt for razor clams. End the day with a palate-pleasing adventure through an amazing array of seafood and sensational sauce. Ban Laem is about hour-and-a-half’s drive from Bangkok.

All sheets to the wind

Top of the Gulf Regatta 2016 is all set to sail out of Pattaya from April 30 to May 4. More than 250 boats and 700 sailors from more than 30 countries are expected to take part in this year’s event, the highlight of which is the entry of vintage yacht “Selma” in the multihull yachting race. Visit http://www.TopOfTheGulfRegatta.com.