Pattaya International Marathon 2009

Date : 19 July 2009

Venue : Pattaya, Chon Buri

The Pattaya International Marathon is one of the most famous marathons in Thailand that is organized yearly. Every year, there are many runners participating from various countries. In all, there are three races ; the full marathon (42 Km), the half marathon (21 Km) and the quarter marathon (10 Km).

More information :TAT Chon Buri Office, Tel. 66 (0) 3842 7667, 66 (0) 3842 8750

Patayta City Hall, Tel. 66 (0) 3825 3129 http://www.pattaya-marathon.com/

Tourism Authority of Thailand

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Baby panda joins celebrity list

Thailand animal lovers celebrate birth of a panda at Chiang Mai Zoo.

This has to be the Southeast Asia’s most famous zoo after global TV networks turned their lens on a remarkable new born baby; a female panda born at Chiang Mai Zoo, late May.

Mum and Dad, Lin Hui and Xuang Xuang, have lived at the northern Thailand zoo for the last six years, under a loan agreement with the Chinese Government that lasts just 10 years.


TV cameras from all major channels focused on the tiny tot made all the more famous because it was conceived by artificial insemination and marked a first for the Thai veterinarian team. Thailand joins the US and Japan as the only countries to breed pandas in captivity.

Born 27 May, after six years of almost comical efforts to get the female panda pregnant, the birth surprised even zoo officials. It turned out to be the month’s good new story rising above the usual negative news that swamps TV viewers.

It was all the more fascinating in the context of past efforts by zoo officials to get the two Chinese pandas to mate naturally. Zoo keepers arranged a mock wedding and even showed them porn movies of other pandas mating. It was a dismal failure, until medical science came to the rescue.

Overnight, the baby was a world celebrity and the only sad note was news that within two years the baby panda would have to return to its homeland.

The panda family is the biggest draw at Chiang Mai Zoo, earning a treasure chest in gate fees that have reached an astronomical figure. You would have to be a football star to attract a fan club of the size the panda family has drawn to the zoo.

Tourists and residents flock to this northern zoo to watch these rare creatures in their posh quarters.

Leading the family’s admirers, Thailand’s Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjaijiva, says he will check out if China might be prepared to relax regulations and allow the baby to stay beyond the two years stated in the loan contract.

If successful, the baby could possibly remain with mum and dad until their stay in Thailand concludes in another four years.

While sensitive talks between PMs unfold the zoo is planning to celebrate the panda’s birth in style.

Thousands of visitors are expected to visit the zoo just to see this tiny tot a rare site for travellers interested in these cute and iconic creatures.

Since the grown-up pandas arrived, the zoo’s gate rose to around 3,000 visitors on a weekend. But there is a good deal more to see at this zoo. It is credited with being probably the best in the country and even has a night safari zoo.

There are various activities arranged by the zoo to attract visitors. This month, 12 to 21 June the zoo hosts the World Animal Art and Photo Gallery, that encourages visitors and residents to enter their favourite animal photos in a contest. They have to depict animals smiling, not an easy task if the subject is a crocodile. In addition, the zoo features a water colour painting workshop; rare animal photo auction, finger paint, photo fair and gallery. Check out http://www.a-plusgroup.com/

Tourism Authority of Thailand

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Tour de Isan 2009 Itinerary
Date : 27 June – 7 July 2009

The 2nd Annual Tour de Isan is an 11 day charity bicycle tour through the Northeast region of Thailand, known as “Isan.” This event starts in the town of Nong Khai and the Thai/Laos border and then winds 800 kilometers along the mighty Mekong River to Ubon Ratchathani with some days off along the route for rest, relaxation, and sightseeing.
We will take you through the emerald green rice fields of the northeast heartland and show you the beauty and ecological importance of the Mekhong River. This ride shows you where few tourists have ventured before and finishes in the city of Ubon Ratchathani during their lovely Annual Candle Festival.
All riders must raise a minimum of US$ 1000 in donations to participate in the Tour de Isan 2009. For further information

Website : http://www.tourdeasia.org/ ,http://www.blogger.com/www.tourdethailand.com/tour-de-isaan.html

This 11-day tour will include 8 days of riding (760 kilometers/470 miles) and 3 days of rest, relaxation, and sightseeing.

Friday, June 26th

It is recommended that all riders plan to be in Nong Khai by this day to get ready for the trip and leave time for scheduling mishaps or delays. If you are taking the train to Nong Khai you will need to leave Bangkok by this evening to get to Nong Khai on time to join the start of the Tour de Isan.

Saturday, June 27th

All riders must be in Nong Khai by this day to join the start of the Tour de Isan. We can arrange for transportation from Udon Thani should you decide to fly there. We will check into our hotel and have dinner along the Mekong looking across to Laos.

Sunday, June 28th – Ride from Nong Khai to Pak Khat (63 Miles/101 KM)

Opening Ceremony and start of the 2nd Annual Tour de Isan 2009. After a brief ceremony we will leave Nong Khai riding a small country road lined with potted trees and colorful flowers along the Mekhong River. This is the day you realize you made the great decision to do this event after seeing the beauty of Isan, but I assure you that this is only the beginning both literally and figuratively!

Monday, June 29th – Ride from Pak Khat to Beung Khan (40 Miles/64 KM)

More riding down small country roads, through small villages that hardly ever see foreigners, switching back and forth from dirt and gravel to cement and paved tarmac and we have a unique stop at a temple with all these boulders that look more like giant dinasour eggs. Today is short and very sweet! After cleaning up we will take the support vehicles to Wat Phu Tok so that riders can see this really cool temple that has 7 levels of walkways along the side of the mountain to get to the top.

Tuesday, June 30th – Ride from Beung Khan to Ban Peung (57 Miles/92 KM)

Today is the first day we will see some rolling hills (very gentle) with more of the incredibly beautiful dirt and gravel roads through some small villages.
Wednesday, July 1st – Ride from Ban Peung to Nakhon Panom (62 Miles/99 KM)
More gorgeous riding along small country roads near the mighty Mekhong River into the rather large city of Nakhon Panom. It’s party time tonight, we have a day off tomorrow!

Thursday, July 2nd – Day Off in Nakhon Panom Day off for rest, relaxation, and sightseeing.

Friday, July 3rd – Ride from Nakhon Panom to Mukdahan (68 Miles/110 KM)

Saturday, July 4th – Ride from Mukdahan to Khemarat (56 Miles/91 KM)

Sunday, July 5th – Ride from Khemarat to Khong Chiam (72 Miles/117 KM)

Monday, July 6th–Ride from Khong Chiam to Ubon Rathchathani (52 Miles/84 KM)

The Closing Ceremony of the Tour de Isan 2009. Then shower and go to enjoy the Ubon
Ratchathani Candle Festival Celebration with plenty to eat and drink all around.

Tuesday, July 7th – Day Off in Ubon Ratchathani
See the Candle Festival Parade in the morning and early afternoon and prepare for your trip home. Riders can take the overnight train back to Bangkok, fly directly from Ubon Ratchathani to Bangkok or other parts of Thailand, or come with us in the support vehicles and visit the Khmer Ruins of Wat Panom Rung on the way back to Bangkok with an overnight stay along the way, arriving in Bangkok on the 9th.

Tourism Authority of Thailand

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