Welcome to Travel Thailand – a double edition!

This month we have a special Travel Thailand enewsletter updating you on all the wonderful Thailand events that have been, and will be, taking place across the UK.

We would like to thank all our readers for their continued support of our Travel Thailand e-newsletter, we are so pleased that so many of you enjoy our Thailand news each month.

We have listened to you, our readers, and taken on board your thoughts and comments on Travel Thailand. As a result we are updating and renewing the newsletter and we look forward to bringing you a new look Travel Thailand in August.

Team Thailand

The results are in from our Thailand Through the Lens photography competition and our panel of 3 judges, after much deliberation, have selected four outstanding finalists. The lucky four photographers are off to Thailand this month and will join 24 other finalists who have been selected by other TAT offices, across Europe, who are also participating in this project. The finalists have a unique opportunity to visit the undiscovered regions of Issan.

Each photographer will take a different journey and experience an off the beaten track adventure. Armed with extra megabytes of memory, we are sure they will take 100’s of beautiful new photographs for us and we cannot wait for them to get back so we can see them, and of course share them with you too!

On Saturday 14th June 2008 Thailand took over Trafalgar Square for one day only and wowed over 30,000 people with a spectacular display of Thai entertainment, arts and culture. The long awaited Thai @ Trafalgar Square event was a huge success and attracted large crowds of people throughout the day from 1200 until 2000.

From dramatic Lanna drums and traditional Thai dances to fire breathers and talented Thai boxers, visitors were treated to a colourful display of Thai culture. As the evening came around the crowds enjoyed live music performances from some of Thailand’s best acts including fusion music from Koon In, chilled out Jazz from Goh Mr Saxman and the hottest hip hop beats from Thaitanium. As always, the delicious offerings of Thai food (from Thai Square) were loved by all with a constant queue for satay to spring rolls! And what better to wash it down with than a nice glass of chilled Singha beer or the refreshing fruity taste of Sabai from Monsoon Valley wines.

A great day out was had by all... watch this space for Thai @ Trafalgar Square 2 in 2009! 

In 1969, during the month of July, the world witnessed the first man to walk on the moon. In 2008, during the month of July, the world (or at least the UK!) will witness the first ever truly authentic Thai floating market outside of Bangkok! The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) have invited Thailand to join them at the world’s largest flower show at Hampton Court Palace and, for 7 days only, visitors to the show will have a unique chance to experience the colourful sights of a traditional Thai floating market.

From the 7th to the 13th of July 2008 amongst the royal parklands and along the majestic Long Waters, TAT will recreate a traditional Thai floating market. Never been done before, an authentic market will be staged with 15 genuine ‘rua jaew’s’ (Thai paddle boats), shipped especially from Thailand, and brightly filled with authentic products such as herbs, spices, flowers, vegetables and gifts. From a beautiful teak decked area visitors can come to the water’s edge and shop Thai style with the Thai vendors who will be selling fresh fruit and vegetables and beautifully hand crafted gifts. There will be Thai music to enjoy, a chance to see how the handicrafts are made and TAT will be at hand with Turquoise Holidays to answer any of your Thailand questions and help you book your next amazing holiday to Thailand! For more information and to book your ticket to Hampton Court Flower Show 2008 visit www.rhs.org.uk/HamptonCourt/2008/index.asp

Saturday 12th July 2008 sees the official opening of the fabulous new Koh Samui airport. In January 2004 Koh Samui airport began a multi million baht expansion programme. Koh Samui airport has always been favoured as ‘the most beautiful airport in the world’ and despite the recent expansion the aesthetics of the airport have not been compromised. The new terminals have been designed to look and feel like a tropical resort, the low-rise development with thatched roofs, palm-tree pillars and wooden and rattan walls in an open-air layout blends perfectly with its coconut-plantation surroundings. The highlight of the new development is a 'walking-street', an area that features an array of shops and places to eat and drink. Construction on a new 60-room boutique hotel is scheduled to begin in 2008 too. I will bring you more information and some stunning new photos next month!

We have yet another excuse for you to come out and enjoy the great British weather while enjoying the exotic tastes, sights and sounds of Thailand...Battersea Thai Food Festival!

When? Sunday 27th July 2008
Where? British Genius Site, enter via Chelsea Gate London SW11 4NJ
What time? 1000 – 1900

Yet again we bring you an exciting chance to learn more about Thailand’s cuisine, arts and culture. Thai restaurants will showcase traditional Thai dishes, prepared on the spot by Thai chefs and visitor’s will have the chance to taste a vast range of Thai dishes and then shop at an onsite supermarket stall supplying all the ingredients needed to prepare the very same delicious Thai feast at home!

To accompany these mouth watering delights, there will be thirst quenching authentic Thai beers and wines to enjoy too! In addition, Thai handicraft and fruit carving demonstrations, colorful Thai performances and dramatic martial arts displays will amaze and impress the crowds. The Tourism Authority of Thailand and several travel companies will be on hand to answer any Thailand questions you have and even book your next amazing Thailand holiday! The key sponsors, of what promises to be another spectacular Thailand day, include The Royal Thai Embassy, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thai Airways, Siam Winery and Singha Beer. Organised by: Thai-UK Trust (UK Charity Registered No. 1114767). For more information e-mail: thaiuktrust@live.co.uk or info@singhabeer.co.uk

Got a question? Would like to browse through some of our brochures? Then pop by and see one of our friendly and helpful Information team at our gorgeous new offices! You are welcome at anytime, our opening hours are 0900 – 1700, Monday – Friday.

Tourism Authority of Thailand
1st Floor, 17 – 19 Cockspur Street
London
SW1Y 5BL
T: 0207 925 2511
E: info@tourismthailand.co.uk