What’s On for October 2015

26
What: One of the most popular Pattaya festivals, the race combines sportsmanship with entertainment and provides something for everyone.
Where: Chonburi

What: The only race in Bangkok to be held at midnight and offers competitors a choice of two distances: 6km or 12km. The city streets will be closed and protected by a police and security contingent of about 400 officers, and supported along the route by local residents, and shop owners, together with the management and staff of the Amari Watergate Hotel Bangkok. The atmosphere is tremendous, with over 5,000 runners, both local people and foreigners participating.
Where: Amari Watergate Hotel, Bangkok

26
What: The annual “Lotus Receiving Festival” (rap bua) is also held toward the end of the Buddhist Rain Retreat.
Where: Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan

1-31
What: This annual festival, which usually starts in June, ends this month.
Where: Kaeng Hin Phoeng, Prachinburi
More info: Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) at 1672 or 02 250 5500

26-28
What: “Phon” is a southern musical instrument shaped like a That drum. During the Chak Phra ceremony, temples would decorate pedestals and beat drums to let villagers know that the temple will be taking a Buddha image on a procession. A contest on who can beat the loudest drum is held as well.
Where: Phatthalung

27
What: An annual “phenomenon” in Nong Khai has baffled the residents for ages: the “Naga Fireballs,” which occurs over a period of one to three days only. Mysterious fireballs erupt from the surface of Mekong River in a relatively short flight before being extinguished, no sound, no smoke, and no fragments ever been retrieved. Today, it has become a big tourist attraction.
Where: Nong Khai

10-11
What: Amari Pattaya, in cooperation with the Institute of Multi-Approach in Astrology and Central Center Pattaya, is organizing the “Fortune Teller Festival 2015” for charity. There will be a live horoscope talk show by celebrity fortune teller Katha Chinabanchorn. In addition, there will be eight tellers from various types of fields, including Guzheng, Palmistry, Numerology, and Gypsy Fortune Telling. Proceeds from this event will go to Amari’s A Baht for A Better Life Foundation
Where: 1st floor, Central Center Pattaya
How much: THB 500 per person // THB 1,000 for the English version.
More info: 038 418 418

1-22
What: The first solo art exhibition by Jeep Kongdechakul, an artist from Bangkok known for her bold and unique illustrations. Her works have been published in various magazines and featured in fashion scenes.
Where: The Gallery, 36th floor, Pullman Bangkok Hotel G, SIlom Road
How much: 02 238 1991 or email nicha@pullmanbangkokhotelg.com

1-18
What: A photo exhibition from one of Asia’s most renowned photographers, Ko Si Chi. The photography display will feature his acclaimed work from the past five decades.
Where: Adler Suchashok Gallery, Sukhumvit 39 (BTS: Thonglor), Bangkok

12
What: A film from the Philippines, “Foster Child” directed by Brilliante Mendoza, will be screened in a special film event to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema. The director, as well as the president of the India-based NETPAC, will be present during the screening.
Where: Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand, Penthouse, Maneeya Bldg (BTS: Chidlom)

3
What: Known for their newest hit “Mia Mai Me,” Thai artist Joey Boy and the Gang will perform live for the second time at Amari Pattaya. Show is from 8 p.m. till midnight. Book before Sept. 15 and get discount on admission ticket.
Where: Aranda Ballroom, Amari Pattaya
How much: THB 1,200 net per person
More info: 038 418 418 or email: fbreservation.pattaya@amari.com

What: Taking the ‘Mythical Thailand and Beyond’ as its imaginative theme, and in celebration of its 32nd year, Swissotel Park Nai Lert in collaboration with the World Flower Council this flower show, proceeds of which will go to charity. The annual festival is primarily a celebration of the beauty of plants and flowers but it is also much more than that. Besides the flower arrangement demonstrations and competitions featuring over 200 florists from 20 countries, there will also be a special Garden Store of floral-inspired products, a Royal Project shop, and a shopping arcade selling fashion and lifestyle products. Also, there will be demonstrations of chocolate artistry by celebrated Chocolatier Fiona Sciolti from England, a mouthwatering chocolate buffet and chocolate products for sale, plus a rare chance to experience the unique cuisine of Thailand’s much celebrated Iron Chef Thailand, Chumpol Jangprai, who will present his specially created set menus for limited numbers of guests.
More info: 02 253 0123 or email: Jakaphet.puangmala@swissotel.com

1-4
What: The special event for all shoppers to shop all product categories
Where: Zone C Ground, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Rachada (MRT: QSNCC)
More info: www.mac-exhibition.com/

19
What: One of ASEAN’s leading international trade fairs for trendy gifts and lifestyle products, also an excellent platform for designers and new entrepreneurs to show their latest collections.
Where: Event Hall 101-106, Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center (BITEC), Bangna –Trad Road (BTS: Bangna)
When: Oct. 19-21 for trade, Oct. 22-23 for public
More info: www.bigandbihfair.com/ or call 02 507 8309

15-17
What: More than 1,000 bloggers and online writers from round the world are expected to attend this event, which is jointly supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. The event provides a unique opportunity for Thailand to showcase its “2015 Discover Thainess” campaign and allow Thailand-based bloggers to network with their worldwide counterparts.
Where: Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Rachada (MRT: QSNCC), Bangkok
More info: www.tbexcon.com

1-11
What: Twelve renowned chefs from around the world are participating in the 4th So Amazing Chefs 2015 this year. As in previous years, the program is packed with a series of dinners and cooking classes, with the event highlight – the Culinary Showdown competition and gala dinner– taking place on Oct. 9 with proceeds going towards the CCF Foundation under The Royal Patronage of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. New additions this year include the introduction of special weekend brunches and an after-party, which will feature guest DJ Chef Ferry van Houten on the decks.
Where: Sofitel SO Bangkok, Rama IV Rd (MRT: Lumpini)
More info: 02 624 0000 or email h6835-fb3@sofitel.com

2-4
What: The Annual Asian Organic Gourmet Festival is a celebration of high quality organic produce in modern Asian cuisine will be the main focus of this year’s festival exclusively presented by high profile Asian chefs. Guest chefs Sompong Suksuwan (Four Seasons Bangkok and the Berkeley), Satawat Kunarasai (Four Seasons, Shanghai, and the Pullman King Power) and Surasing Viratsakul, AKA’s ‘Chef X’, will present their own 3 and 4-course organic menus for both lunch and dinner along with daily cooking demonstrations. Organic products will be available for sale.
Where: Riva Surya on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, located close to the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun in Bangkok’s historic Rattanakosin District
How much: Cooking demonstration including organic lunch, coffee and tea, soft drinks, apron, and recipe book at THB 1,950 net // Four-course dinners at THB 2,500 net
More info: email: jularat@rivasuryabangkok.com

27-31
What: The inaugural Shangri-La International Festival of Gastronomy will host eight culinary masters from around the globe in five world cities, where they will conjure up concurrently works of gastronomic wonder in eight Shangri-La restaurants for five nights. No hotel group has taken the guest chef phenomena to such illustrious heights, launching a festival across five cities and highlighting its range of restaurants and culinary excellence. The eight chefs are Enrico Bartolini, hailing from the two Michelin-starred Devero Restaurant, will travel from Italy to be at Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok’s Ristorante Riva; Massimo Bottura of three Michelin star Osteria Francescana, which was ranked second in this year’s World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards. He will be at Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore’s BLU Bar; Mauro Colagreco of two Michelin star Mirazur, which ranked 11th among the World’s 50 Best Restaurants this year, will travel from the Cote D’Azur to be at Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong’s Restaurant Petrus; Ip Chi Cheung of the two Michelin-starred Summer Palace at Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong; Mok Kit Keung of two Michelin star Shang Palace at Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong; Christophe Moret of Michelin star L’Abeille at Shangri-La Hotel, Paris; Giancarlo Perbellini of two Michelin star Casa Perbellini in Italy; and Samuel Lee Sum of the Michelin star Shang Palace in Shangri-La Hotel, Paris.
More info: www.shangri-la.com.

13-17
What: Michelin Star Chef Jean-Michel Lorain returns with his exciting French degustation 8-course dinner created using seasonal mushrooms, including the exquisitely rare and sought after Alba white truffle.
Where: J’AIME, U Sathorn Restaurant Bangkok, Sathorn
How much: THB 6,999 net excluding beverages
More info: 02 119 4899 or email: reserve@jaime-bangkok.com

28-31
What: 2-Michelin Star Chef Franck Putelat from Carcassonne, France is coming to VIE Hotel Bangkok. Chef and owner of the Hôtel Restaurant Le Parc Chef Franck brings his world-acclaimed skills and exacting methods in four evenings of gastronomic ecstasy with superb cuisine that is truly innovative, yet truly French.
Where: La VIE, VIE Hotel Bangkok
(BTS: Rachathevee)
How much: from THB 6,000 net
More info: 083 820 4224,
email: afbm@viehotelbangkok.com or 081 910 0280, email: fb@viehotelbangkok.com