THAI Makes Flight Adjustments During Loy Krathong Floating Lantern Festival

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) announced flight schedule adjustments and temporary suspension of flights to the North during the Loy Krathong Floating Lantern Festival. Dr. Sorajak Kasemsuwan, THAI President, said that during 27-29 November 2012, people in the northern provinces will participate in the tradition of releasing floating lanterns during the Loy Krathong Festival. As floating lanterns are released at night, THAI is adjusting its flight schedule and temporarily suspending certain flights on the Bangkok-Chiang Mai-Bangkok route and Bangkok-Chiang Rai-Bangkok route as a precautionary measure to avoid floating lanterns being suctioned into airplane engines.

Car Free Day in Bangkok on 23 September 2012

Cyclists in Bangkok will be joining with countless thousands of other people around the world to celebrate International Car Free Day over the weekend 22-23 September 2012. In Thailand in the past, only major cities such as Bangkok and Chiang Mai were organizing special car free days. But the last few years many more cities are joining in with activities. If you have a bicycle you too can join the events over the weekend.

The main event in Bangkok starts at the Royal Plaza (statue of King Rama V on a horse) at 8 a.m. on Sunday 23rd September. Over 10,000 cyclists have already registered an interest. If you are feeling ambitious, you can start at one of the meeting points listed below and then cycle to the Royal Plaza in a large group. Registration at these place is about 6-6:30 a.m.

Group 1 Main gathering point: Royal Plaza (King Rama V Statue/Suan Amphorn)
Group 2 Sukhumvit area: Benjasiri Park next to Emporium Mall
Group 3 Phetkasem area: The Mall Bangkhae
Group 4 The Mall Bangkapi
Group 5 Rama 2 area: Thonburirom Park
Group 6 Phaholyothin area: Pratu Krungthep Market
Group 7 Phuttamonthon area: Uttayarn Road
Group 8 TOT Chaeng Watthana Road Laksi
Group 9 Ramintra-At Narong Rd. World Bike
Group 10 Big C Ramintra Road KM.3
Group 11 The Mall TaPra Thonburi
Group 12 The Mall Ngamwongwan
Group 13 TOT Service poit at Klongtoey
Group 14 Suan Luang Rama IX Public Park

The big parade of cyclists will leave the Royal Plaza at 8:30 a.m. and head towards Lumpini Park where the official opening ceremony will start at 10 a.m. Silom and Sathorn Roads are expected to be closed to cars on this day. In addition, all cyclists are allowed to take their bicycles on the BTS Skytrain for free on both Saturday and Sunday.

Alms Giving at Wat Mahathat in Ayutthaya on 22 September

To commemorate the 2600th Anniversary of the Lord Buddha’s Enlightenment and International Day of Peace, there will be two events organized at Wat Mahathat in Ayutthaya 21st-22nd September 2012. The first event is World Peace Light which will take place in front of Wat Mahathat on Friday 21st September from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. If you want to take part, please dress in appropriate attire, preferably in white or light colours. All seats in the public zone are free. In the Reserved Zone it is 500 Baht per seat and you will get a better view, better cushion, soft drink and light meal. All announcements are in Thai and English. For more information and reservation please contact 082-443-3209.

The second event is Morning Alms Offering to 126 Monks. This will take place on Saturday 22nd September 2012 from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Again this takes place in front of Wat Mahathat. In addition, there will be a chance to join a free session of Introduction to Meditation conducted by an English speaking monk. This will take place near the pond besides Wat Mahathat on Friday 21st September from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday 22nd September from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Please call 081 401 7676 for more information.

Samui International Jazz Music Festival on 14-20 October 2012

 

The third week long Samui International Jazz Music Festival opens on Sunday 14th October at the Amari Palm Reef/ Chaweng. Expect yet another spectacular display of Jazz and a fun week where guests will be treated to fine wine, food and excellent Jazz. The festival is dedicated to the theme of Tropical Jazz and the locations for the various concerts have been especially identified to enhance the tropical feel with guests and performers, which will manage to be both upbeat and laid-back at the same time. Highlights include: Koh Saxman, Paulette McWilliams, Susan Harmer and her band Tropic Green, Peter Beets Trio and Changton Kunjara & Friends.

National Science and Technology Fair at BITEC until end of August

“National Science and Technology Fair 2012”, organized by the National Science Museum, is being held from now until 31 August 2012 at Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC). This is Thailand’s largest science and technology festival which consists of three major activities; science and technology exhibition, edutaining science experience, and science seminar. The fair is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The event aims to support and encourage the youth and people who are interested in learning about sciences and technologies and to show how technologies have played an important role in everyday life. Furthermore, the highlight of the events are an exhibition in honor of “His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej”, Royal Pavilion, The Father of Thai Science and Technologies, Disaster Prevention, The Bus 4D Simulator, and Earth & Universe.

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THAI Launches Use of Mobile 2D Barcode Boarding Passes

Thai Airways International has launched use of its Mobile 2D Boarding Passes issued on smartphones, for passengers who check-in online through smartphones traveling domestic flights departing from Suvarnabhumi Airport, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. Passengers will find it easier when they use Mobile 2D Barcode Boarding Passes, which also reduces use of paper boarding passes and protects the environment.

The mobile 2D barcode on electronic boarding pass is used in lieu of a paper boarding pass and is shown to THAI staff at the check-in counter for baggage loading, must be shown to staff at the boarding gate, and is also shown to cabin crew prior to boarding the flight. Passengers traveling Royal Silk Class must show their Mobile 2D Barcode Boarding Pass to enter the Royal Orchid Lounge.

Initially, the Mobile 2D Barcode Boarding Pass is available through the mobile service provider AIS and will soon be available through DTAC and True Move H for a fee of 6 Baht per MMS.