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Amazing Kayak Rally Family Aoluk Krabi
Date : 3 May 2009
Venue : Ao Ko Ngam, Tambon Lamsak, Ampur Aoluk, Krabi
Krabi Province, in cooperation with Office of Tourism and Sports – Krabi Province, Aoluk District, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Krabi Office is going to co-organise “Amazing Kayak Rally Family Aoluk Krabi” on 3 May 2009 at Ao Ko Ngam, Krabi

Aoluk has variety of tourism destinations, such as cave, waterfall, national park, ancient mural painting, as well as marine tourist spots. Aoluk plans to organize “Amazing Kayak Rally Family Aoluk Krabi” with an objective to promote tourism destinations in the area through Kayak Rally, as well as to present its eco-tourism. The competitors will have to pass by the area of long range limestone mountains lying in the Andaman Sea, with the pre-historic mural paintings. They will also be impressed with the beauty of Ao Ko Ngam, which is the venue for Phang Nga Bay Regatta. In addition, this activity will enhance good relationships among the family members.
The application limits to 50 teams, with application fee of 2,500 bath/team. The applicants will get t-shirt, cap, lunch and dinner.

For those who are interested, please contact
Ampur Aoluk, Tel. : +66 (0) 7568 1892
TAT Krabi Office, Tel. : +66 (0) 7562 2163
or please download the application form at 
www.tat.or.th/krabicenter

Date : 8 - 10 May 2009
Venue : Phaya Thaen Park, Mueang District, Yasothon
The underlying logic and science behind the famous rocket festival, scheduled for 10 to 12 May, in the unassuming northeast town of Yasothon, is not to be found in a chemistry laboratory. 
While the rocket owners pack as much as 25 kg of black powder into plastic or bamboo pipes to give their homemade missiles take off, the blueprints for this exceptionally noisy festival are traced in the mystical skies ruled by gods. Approaching rain clouds signal the start of the rice planting season, but according to northeastern folklore the first raindrops fall only when the gods are in the mood for love.  They need encouragement hence the importance of the Bun Bang Fai, or rocket festival, to stir the mythical community, resident in the heavens, to bless earth with fertility and rain.
One mother of all rockets shoots high into the sky possibly for a kilometre or more stimulating the gods to action. Its vapour trail and height is seen as an omen. The higher it goes, the more rain will fall on the northeast plateau bringing good fortune and a bumper rice harvest.
None of these lofty goals prevent Yasothon’s residents and thousands of visitors from the more earthly pleasures of merry making associated with their homemade rockets.
All sizes and shapes are built around a simple plastic or bamboo pipe packed solid with black powder and fuses. They can be up to 10 metres, or more, in length, as long as they are capable of powering into the skies at blast off. Anything short of that spectacle prompts a chorus of laughter from the crowd and even a few missiles of mud aimed at the head of the hapless rocket owner.
While the rockets compete, the crowd is entertained with comedy, often bawdy with a smattering of dirty jokes and raucous country music. It’s a genuine farming community excuse to have fun and get the planting season off to a good start.
Accidents are few and far between, but as the beer and rice whisky flows, missiles may stutter, wobble or even do some low flying antics over the tents and entertainment stages.
Rocket festivals are held throughout the region and in neighbouring Laos, but Yasothon residents, noted for their sense of humour, inspire an event that draws international visitors attracted by a hilarious three-day party. It embodies I-san’s ability to rise above the hardships of tilling the land.
Ironically, at any other time of the year, Yasothon is a sleepy northeast town that hardly warrants a second glance. Rarely visited by tourists, it is overshadowed by its neighbour Ubon Ratchathani, 98 km to the southeast. Considered the prime tourism gateway to the lower I-san region, Ubon Ratchathani’s airport is served by both the national airline, Thai Airways International, and low-cost airlines. It is possible to hire a car at the airport and drive northwest on Highway 23 to Yasothon.
The town’s hotels are full during this short festival and hotels will double their rates to cash in on the festival’s popularity. There are also hotels in Roi-et, 60 km northwest of Yasothon, while some visitors may decide to stay in Ubon and embark on a daytrip returning after sunset.

Currency : The Baht... 100 satang to the Baht. Bills are 10,20,100,500. Copper coins are 25,50 satang. Silver coins are 1,5 Baht.
Temperature : Warm to hot with humidity. The Hot Season is March-April. The Rainy Season is May-October with heavy downpours. The cool season is November-February.
Language: Thai, but English is widely understood in Bangkok.
Shopping hours : 8 - 5 with a lunch break.
Bank hours: 8:30 - 3:30 M - F
Things to buy: Silks, silverware, pottery, precious stones, jewelry, crafts.
Food: Similar to Chinese but more spicy and categorized as hot, hotter, hottest. American fast food shops are catching on in Bangkok.
Drink: Do not drink tap water. Tea and local beers are excellent.
Tipping: Optional, but for good service, follow US standards. Better restaurants will add 10-15%.
Transportation: Don Muang International Airport. What public transportation there is, is inconvenient. Taxi's are about the only way to go, but tend to be expensive. Bargain before you go.
Miscellaneous: Departure tax 120 Baht. Most hotels have a Post Bureau.
Etiquette: Anger is regarded as crude and boorish. Smile and all doors open to you. Thais ask personal questions. Don't be insulted. If you don't want to answer truthfully, joking responses are acceptable. Dress neatly in Shrines. Shoes are removed in homes, and in temples. Every Buddha image is regarded as being sacred. Never show lack of respect. Public displays of affection are frowned upon. Do not point your foot at a person. Never pat anyone on the head.
Note: Don't even think about trying to walk around unfamiliar areas of Bangkok using a street map. The city is not laid out in grids. You will get lost even with a map.