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.

Cycle Tour during Bangkok Car Free Sunday on 9th September

This month’s cycle event for “Bangkok Car Free Sunday” is taking place on 9th September. This is free for anyone to join. You don’t have to be an experienced rider. There will be some bicycles available for free at the event but numbers are limited so it is best to bring your own. The meeting point is at the Bangkok City Hall (in front of the Giant Swing) at 7:30 a.m. Departure time is at 8 a.m. This is an easy ride around Rattanakosin Island and is suitable for people of all ages and abilities.

Cha-am annual tourism festival starts in September

The popular tourist town of Cha-am are inviting everyone to visit Cha-am’s annual tourism festival, that is guaranteed to bring travelers a unique experience, from 8-16 September, 2012 in Phetchaburi province.

Travelers visiting the festival will be encouraged to embark on squid fishing and bird watching trips and please their taste buds with a variety of fresh seafood menu choices. The festival titled “Kin-Hoi-Doo-Nok-Tok-Muek” is a collaboration between the Council of Cha-am, the TAT Petchaburi Office and Singha Corporation Co., Ltd. According to Director of TAT Phetchaburi Office Mrs. Nongnit Tengmaneewan, the festival will coincide with the growing number of squids in the sea and the arrival of the migratory birds which, she said, is the perfect opportunity to invite holidaymakers to visit Cha-am.

There will be an array of seafood vendors from reputable hotels and restaurants, as well as live musical shows throughout the night for 9 days. For those who would like to try their luck on squid fishing, the boat will leave the shore from 7 p.m. to midnight daily for 100 baht per person. As for amateur bird watchers, bird watching trips to Ta-kad-plee swamp and Nang Panthurat National Park will be provided throughout the day from 7:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. A bird expert will also accompany visitors free of charge during the trip to answer any questions regarding the animals.

For more information please call the TAT Phetchaburi Office at 0 3247 1005-6 or the Cha-am Council at 0 3247 2550 or 0 3247 1665.

13th World Gourmet Festival to be held in Bangkok 3-9 September 2012

Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok will be hosting the 12th Annual World Gourmet Festival at the hotel from September 3 to 9, 2012. Since its inception, the festival has grown in prominence to feature an extraordinary lineup of some of the best chefs from across the globe. Gourmet festivals exist throughout the world, but only Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok brings award-winning master chefs under one roof for a week-long celebration of outstanding food and superb wines.

Chefs currently confirmed to participate are:

• Shiqin Chen, La Rei, Il Boscareto, Piedmont, Italy
• Igor Macchia, La Credenza, Piedmont, Italy
• Michael Mina, Michael Mina Restaurants, USA
• Masa Shimakawa, ONYX, California, USA
• Frédéric Vardon, LE 39V, Paris, France
• Victor Quintilla, Lluerna, Barcelona, Spain
• Galvin Lim, Les Amis, Singapore
• Diego Irrera, 1884 Restaurante, Argentina

Also confirmed to participate in World Gourmet Festival events are Master of Wine Jeannie Cho Lee, who will be conducting a wine masterclass, Eleveur de Fromage Jean-Francois Antony, who will be hosting cheese-tasting events, and a cigar and rum-pairing event with Patoro Cigars and Eastory Rums.

Once again this year, the World Gourmet Festival is proud to support HRH Princess Soamsawali’s Save A Child’s Life from AIDS Project under the auspices of the Thai Red Cross Society. A portion of every ticket price, as well as proceeds from an auction, will be donated to this charity.