National festival & events
What: Don’t miss what is considered to be one of Thailand’s most charming festivals, Loy Krathong, which takes place on the full moon evening of November. Also called the “Festival of Lights,” this event is characterized mainly by the floating of lighted “krathongs” along the kingdom’s waterways and, in the last decade or so, has become one of the most awaited festivals in Thailand. The festival is called “Yee Peng” in Northern Thailand where, instead of floating krathongs on the waterways, people float hot air balloons (“khom loy”) in the skies. The sight of thousands of khom loys rising into the sky and a river or the sea filled with flickering candles is truly magical.
When: November 6
Where: Nationwide
How much: Free entrance
More info: 02 250 5500 (Tourism Authority of Thailand)
What: If you are visiting Krabi, don’t miss this festival for a taste of local color. Balancing the usual activities such as parades, cultural entertainment, and other fun programs are traditional rituals such as the Hua Thong ship tie-up ceremony, an important one for fishermen. The ritual culminates in praying and making wishes at Phra Nang Cave.
When: November 13-15
Where: Krabi
How much: Free entrance
More info: 02 250 5500
What: This festival, held annually for nine days and nine nights during the 12th waxing moon day to the 4th waning moon day on the 12th lunar month of every year, is highlighted by a fair dedicated to paying homage to Phra Pathom Chedi. Expect all kinds of entertainment as well as displays and sale of the local products.
When: November 3-11
Where: Nakhon Pathom province
How much: Free entrance
More info: 02 250 5500
What: Lampang’s own version of the full moon festival, held during the 12th lunar month, follows a tradition practiced for over a thousand years … but with a unique local twist.
When: November 6-7
Where: Lampang province
How much: Free entrance
More info: 02 250 5500
What: The “Bua Tong Ban” or the “Blooming Mexican Sunflower Festival” is held in Mae Hong Son every year to celebrate the peak season of these beautiful flowers that grow abundantly in the area. A sight to behold!
When: November 1-December 12
Where: Mae Fah Luang District, Mae Hong Son
How much: Free entrance
More info: 02 250 5500
What: Every year, more than one hundred elephants take part in this festival, displaying their grace, strength, and intelligence in games of soccer, log carrying and tug-of-war, and the highlight of the festival: a dramatic mock battle.
When: November 13-16
Where: Surin, Northeast Thailand
How much: Free entrance
More info: 02 250 5500
Art & culture
by Kelly Jones
A new English-speaking theater company and international acting academy, Culture Collective Studio, has established itself in Bangkok and will be feeding the ever-growing appetite of performers and avid theatergoers alike.
Founded by artistic director Loni Berry—a former professor at Mahidol University and founding headmaster of Oakland School of Arts in California, USA, where he trained at Brown University and the Yale School of Drama—Culture Collective Studio incorporates an acting technique developed by Earl Gister, Chair of Acting at Yale University, which is applied in small, intimate classes that are offered at the academy.
The classes are tailored to meet the needs of all actors, from professional to recreational. These classes will prepare the serious actor to compete for roles in the international marketplace, including the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, and Hong Kong, but will also train the non-actor in valuable life skills such as confidence, public speaking, diction, and the ability to express oneself.
The studio will open their 2015 season with an exciting assortment of six plays—all performed in English and with Thai subtitles—that range from original works (such as a comedy spoof on the pageantry of beauty contests and a twisted psychological drama) to adapted award-winning Western plays such as “The Lisbon Traviata,” a comedic piece, and “Miss Julie,” a drama about how women view themselves in today’s culture.
Until the end of December, Culture Collective Studio is hosting a playwright competition, aptly named The Battle of The Playwrights, where playwrights of all shapes and sizes are invited to enter their original short plays which, if selected, will then be performed in front of a judge panel over two weekends in December. The winners will walk away with cash prizes as well as other rewarding prizes.
Where: Charoenkrung Road Soi 70
More info: 099 447 4670; www.culture-collective.com
What: This exhibition, that also explores industrial design in Thailand, takes a look into how 10 countries interweave their cultural uniqueness into 20th century industrial design classics.
When: Daily except Sundays, from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., November 1-30
Where: Gallery 1, TCDC, 6th Floor, The Emporium, 22 Sukhumvit 24, Bangkok
How much: Free entrance
More info: 02 664 8448 ext. 213-4
What: Over 30 Thai heritage artifacts will be on display for the first time in Thailand, complementing the exhibit of artworks by 18 contemporary artists. The show offers a new slant in the power of making, creating, and being inspired by Thai artisans and artists.
When: Daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., November 1-16
Where: Bangkok Art and Culture Center, 939 Rama 1 Rd, Wangmai, Pathumwan
How much: Free entrance
More info: 02-214-6630/8
What: View the works of famous international sculptors, painters, and craftsmen living in Thailand.
When: Daily from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., November 1 – February 29
Where: Oriental Arcade, Mandarin Oriental Bangkok Hotel, 48 Oriental Avenue
How much: Free entrance
More info: 02 659 9000
Your children will love KidZania Bangkok, a family edutainment center that offers an interactive learning and entertainment experience for kids. At this kid-sized city, they will be able to explore several careers and perform different activities through role-playing. You will love what they will learn to do, and they will love learning!
More info: 02 683 1888; www.kidzania.co.th
Trade fairs
What: Now in its eight year, “Siam Paragon Bangkok Royal Orchid Paradise” aims to showcase Thailand not only as a country with a wide variety of orchids, but also as a catalyst in growing and crossbreeding orchids. This year’s theme will be “Magnificent Orchid: A Borderless Path to ASEAN Paradise.” Regarded as an important orchid contest and exhibition, this event gives Thailand a great opportunity to showcase these flowers as well as to display the talents of Thai orchid farmers on an international stage. The event will be highlighted by two 9-meter tall orchid displays consisting of a variety of orchids at the gate, to signify joining the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015 and Thailand’s preparedness to welcome all ASEAN members. In addition, there will be an exhibition of orchids from 10 ASEAN countries along with Ramayana art and music instruments to showcase each country’s culture. There will also be an exhibition of orchid drawings and orchid sales at special prices, and the coveted Princess Sirindhorn Cup will be awarded to the winner of an exclusive orchid competition.
When: November 26 to December 1
Where: Botanical Garden on M Floor, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd (BTS Siam station)
How much: Free entrance
More info: 02 310 2080, 085 901 1818, 084 117 7705
What: Interested in living design in Thailand? This expo showcases furniture, electricity, home décor, home equipment, kitchen equipment and products, home construction products, bathroom and restroom decoration, and more.
When: November 1-9
Where: Challenger 1-3, Impact Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi
How much: Free entrance
More info: www.BaanLaeSuanFair.com
What: The show highlights products and services in food, health, beauty, and fashion. Enjoy activities, and meet and exchange information with gurus from different sections.
When: November 1-9 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Challenger 1, Impact Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi
How much: Free entrance
More info: www.healthcuisineandbeauty.com
What: More than 800 booths will be participating in the most comprehensive tourism fair for the winter season.
When: November 6-9
Where: Hall 3-4, Impact Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi
How much: Free entrance
More info: www.thaiteawthaiplaza.com
What: The grand year-end fair featuring every description of furniture and decorative items, offered at unbeatable prices.
When: November 29 to December 7
Where: Zone C-Grd, C-2, Plaza, Atrium, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center Rachada (MRT QSNCC station), Bangkok
How much: Free entrance
More info: www.unionpan.com
To celebrate 110 years of diplomatic relations and the longstanding friendship between Thailand and Belgium, the Embassy of Belgium in Thailand organized the Belgian Food & Beer Marathon in October. The event will continue until November at the Blue Elephant (Bangkok), Millennium Hilton Bangkok (Bangkok), La Paillote (Hua Hin), and La Brasserie (Phuket). These restaurants are presenting authentic Belgian dishes such as Belgian fries, waffles, and vol-au-vent, accompanied by Belgian beers (such as Stella Artois, Hoegaarden, and Leffe Blonde), through a partnership with Belgian beer importer, Brewberry.
La Paillote will inaugurate the first Belgian–Thai fritkot and prepare nine different mussels menus on November 10–16, while Millennium Hilton Bangkok is flying in a renowned Belgian chef to indulge its customers in the secrets of Belgian cuisine (November 24–30).
A lottery will also take place among customers of the Belgian Food & Beer Marathon, and the lucky winner will get a round-trip ticket to Belgium to try all these gastronomic specialties right there!
