Calendar – September 2012

The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is an annual event held during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar. It is believed that the festival and its accompanying sacred rituals bring good fortune to those who religiously observe them. Where: Phuket

Sweet tamarind is grown mostly in Phetchabun. Sweet Tamarind Fair is thus organized in Phetchabun to celebrate the harvest of this fruit. This day is also called Phetchabun’s Agricultural Day. During the festival, farmers bring their sweet tamarind to sell at reasonable price at Phetchabun’s provincial athletic field where contests of sweet tamarind and other crops are held. Besides this, there are other agricultural exhibitions and entertainment organized during the event. Where: Phetchabun

Trang Roast Pork Festival is a tourism promotion activity of Trang, held every September. The festival features Trang roast pork is of a special recipe. The pork skin is crispy, the meat is tender and it is delicious due to a process by which the pig is fermented with herbs then roasted whole on a specially made grill. Trang’s roast pork is sold daily and eaten with morning coffee or can be a banquet dish. Where: Trang

The events of the Fish Flock Shellfish are held, yearly, on the viewing terrace of Cha-am beach in Phetchaburi (located 160 km south to Bangkok). Lot of stands offers the best seafood and fishes 50 chefs from the leading hotels of the city. The festival is held between 05.00 pm and 10.00 pm. The public can also join a cruise of evening fishing of cuttlefishes that are dragged by the lights of the boats. Where: Phetchaburi

The Phichit Boat Races take place on the Nan River in Phichit, one of the most scenic regions in Thailand. The event features long boat competitions with great fervor amid enthusiastic cheers from crowds of spectators. Preceding the King’s Cup Long-Boat Race are decorative boat processions on the Nan River in front of the Tha Luang Pier. The event is celebrated with various kinds of cultural shows, music performances as well as OTOP Fair and local product sales. Where: Pichit, Chumphon, and Nan

The charitable event, now in its 11th year, has to date, raised over half a million dollars in charity to help Thailand’s elephants. This year’s event will be held in Hua Hin and promises to have more nail-biting action both on and off the field.For more information on King’s Cup Elephant Polo, please visit www.anantaraelephantpolo.com

The “Ko-lae” boats are traditional fishing vessels commonly found in the Malay communities of Southern Thailand. In the southern provinces of Thailand, the Thai Ko-lae Boat Race was first hosted in 1976 in honor of Their Majesties the King and Queen, when the Royal Family traveled to Narathiwat on a state visit. Since then, Ko-lae and longboat races have been organized as an annual event and have become one of the main attractions of the province. Where: Narathiwat

Originating in China, the Moon Festival takes on a new meaning in Bangkok. Stripped of its cultural significance, besides the fact that it’s a delicacy from China, the festival is an exciting time to waltz into a gourmet market or bakery and feel the festival spirit through colorful shelf displays. Choose any food imaginable and there’s a corresponding mooncake flavor for it. Where: Chinatown (Yaowaraj)

A new entry submission date for “The 6th Annual Conrad Young Musician of Thailand Competition 2012” has been announced. The new deadline, Sept. 15, will give potential candidates additional time to prepare their recorded performance that must be submitted with the competition’s entry form by post or by hand to:
Conrad Bangkok
The Conrad Young Musician of Thailand Competition 2011
All Seasons Place
87 Wireless Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330

Finals will be held at the Conrad Bangkok Ballroom on Oct. 29. The overall winner will receive The Royal Trophy given by HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Bt100,000 cash, and other exciting prizes. For more details and to download entry form: www.ConradYoungMusician.com, e-mail: info@conradyoungmusician.com or call 02-690-9999.

Dubbed as the “Best Wedding Fair of the Year,” the event – organized by World Fair – is yet another showcase of the capital as a wedding hub. Couples will find everything they need to realize a dream wedding. The fair will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Where: Hall 1-4, Impact Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi // Contact: 02-731-1331; www.worldfair.co.th

Fashionistas and jewelry enthusiasts should not miss this fair to be between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. on the first nine days of the month. Expect a glittering showcase of some of the kingdom’s outstanding fashion and jewelry lines. Where: Hall 1-4, Impact Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi // Contact: 02-731-1331; www.worldfair.co.th [/pane]

A showcase of the range and quality of furniture available in Bangkok, dubbed as “this year’s biggest furniture fair for city dwellers.” Open to the public between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. Where: Hall 1-4, Impact Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi // Contact: 02-731-1331; www.worldfair.co.th

A conference dedicated to traditional Thai and internationally approved medical practices. Open: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Where: Hall 7-8, Impact Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi // Contact: Department for Development of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine at 02 591-8567; http://natherbexpo.com/

The much-awaited premier exhibition that showcases exquisite gems and jewelry — handcrafted, contemporary, traditional, urban jewelry, precious and semi-precious stones – featuring more than 1,000 companies all over the world. Open 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. for trade/public visitors on Sept 13-15, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sept 16-17. Ticket costs Bt100 per. Where: Challenger 1-3, Impact Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi // Contact: Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association at 02-630 1390-7; www.bangkokgemsfair.com

An international exhibition of the latest in sustainable and green solutions, technologies, systems, products, and materials for buildings and factories for the Asian market, held in conjunction with the “Building Maintenance & Asset Management Expo Asia 2012.” Where: Hall 7, Impact Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi // Contact: 02 833-5210; www.greenbuilding-asia.com

A professional platform for the spa and well-being industry, this convention will be divided into Education Section, Industry Standards Section, Commercial Section, and Innovation Section. Where: Hall 4, Impact Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi // Contact: 02-833-5126; www.worldspawellbeing.com

The annual much-awaited professional tennis championship is again on. Some of the world’s leading players are expected to play. Tickets are available at ThaiTicketmajor.com Where: Arena, Impact Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi // Contact: 02-262-3456; www.thaiticketmajor.com

What’s the latest in Thailand’s food and hotel scene? Get a glimpse of things to come in this annual fair. Where: Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center, Bangna-Trad Road (BTS: Bangna) // Contact: Bangkok Exhibition Services Ltd. at 02-615-1255; www.besallworld.com

This exhibition explores the history of Japan’s martial arts — from battlefield techniques to international sport. The first half of the exhibition features a display of historical weapons and implements reproductions: sword mountings, bows, arrows, helmets, suits of armor, etc. while the second half focuses on the contemporary practice of Japanese martial arts. Exhibit hours: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. (closed: Monday) Admission is free, Opening ceremony on Sept 7 at 6 p.m. Where: G23 Art Gallery, Bangkok114 Sukhumvit 23 Rd., Wattana, Bangkok // Contact: 02-649-5000, ext. 5005

A photo exhibition by Khun Li, one of the first graduates of Documentary Arts Asia’s photography training program in Laiza, Kachin State, Northern Burma. His work gives essential documentation of life in this isolated and under-reported area. On view during weekdays only Where: The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand The Penthouse, Maneeya Center, 518/5 Ploenchit Rd (BTS: Chidlom) // Contact: 02-652-0580/1

London 2012 has commissioned 12 leading contemporary artists to create the official posters for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Screen prints and lithographs of these works are displayed at Tate Britain as part of the London 2012 Festival. Prints of the same work are also on display at the Drawing Room Bangkok. Where: Drawing Room Bangkok, Sala Som 35/4 Soi Yommarat, Sala Daeng, Silom // Contact: 02-636-3313

A solo exhibition by Indonesian artist Ida Bagus Putu Purwa, open daily except Sundays and Mondays between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Where: La Lanta Fine Art.