Issue 15 / October 2012
Exclusive Interview
Mr. Peter Csajaghy General Manager of Hotesmarketing Ltd.
http://www.facebook.com/lomprayah
TIMETABLE
Editor’s Talk Welcome to the month of October!
This is the month of merit festival, or Vegetarian Festival, to be more specific. It is the tradition for Thai Chinese continuously practiced for a long time ago. It is believed that observing religious precepts and taking vegetarian food can create tranquility in one’s mind, and cause of merits for oneself and one’s ancestors. Hi-Light column in this issue will mainly focus on stories of travel industry’s trend, in particular, the trend of Chinese tourists to Thailand, the direction of Chinese tourists, the favorite tourist attractions for Chinese, Thai culture and Thai Chinese community locations where the two cultures are perfectly combined both in term of culture and religion. Lomprayah Magazine has a chance to talk casually to Mr. Peter Csajaghy (Director of VIP Section), who works for Nagypihenes.hu, a man with different perspective from others. Please follow inside this issue. Apart from the afore-mentioned interesting contents, Lomprayah Magazine also features other interesting stories. For example, in Destination Guide, you are guided to Thai Chinese community where it is also called China Town of Thailand, and where Thai and Chinese cultures merge flawlessly. In Place Guide, you are introduced to San Chao Pho Suea (meaning the Shrine of the Tiger Guardian Spirit), a sacred place respected by Thai Chinese who visits here to worship and ask for blessing, and pays their spiritual trust in the Tiger Guardian Spirit. Then, in Restaurant Guide, we bring you to taste the Chinese cuisine on Koh Samui, where the food is delicious and the atmosphere is quite like being in China which increases your enjoyment of the food. The year-end is coming close, don’t forget to set up your time for recreation! Lomprayah has set up an activity called “Lomprayah Weekly GiveOut” via its Facebook Fan Page. Its members are eligible for a weekly draw for various prizes of at least 15,000 baht worth. You merely have to apply for membership and share the page to others. Then, you are eligible for a lucky draw every week; you may even win a free traveling trip. Follow the activity and information at http://www.facebook.com/lomprayah.
Photjanard Kantiwong
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Lomprayah Team Editor in Chief
Photjanard Kantiwong
Executive Editor
Wanitcha Sukchet
Senior Writer
Thanabat Ouiwongpaisal
Editorial Staff
Vorapong Vongvarothai Juntiya Laoniyomthai Nuttavoot Hinjit Jiraporn Boonta Jiwako
Art Director
Methakritsada Wanngoen
Graphic Designer Seattakit Meunnak
Hilight
Chinese Tourist
Chinese tourists are the group of people with prominently high impact on Thai tourist industry. It is obviously attributed to China’s economic and population sizes. In recent poll, Thailand is overwhelmingly targeted by Chinese tourists for future trips, based on their information sources which is capable of changing tourist behavior, i.e. words of mouth giving their comment about their feeling upon traveling to Thailand to their friends, acquaintances, or posted on travel websites, including the scoop relating to television programs.
The important factor that determines the choice of tourist destination is the need to build safety confidence, particularly those concerned with the crime and other domestic problems. Therefore, we need to distribute public information to assure safety for tourists, including the explicit costs of tours, products, and promotions. Products and services that Chinese tourists are interested in are natural tourist destinations. Thailand’s main competitor is Australia. So, our country should focus on communication and more integrated services, improving on the time used in traveling and reducing the paper work process. The main objective of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand is 73% for recreation purpose,according to the poll on 908 Chinese people who plan to visit Thailand in 2012. Culture China to Thai Chinese’s New Year The sounds of firecrackers can be heard exploding all over the place. Young happy children with ‘Ang Pao’ (red envelopes containing money) in hand and processions of dragon dancers make their way down the roads of Chinatowns around the world. They represent the coming of the Chinese New Year--the most important day on the Chinese calendar. The Chinese New Year is also known as the Lunar New Year, is on the first day of the first month based on the Chinese style lunar calendar. Some people call New Year’s day ‘The Spring Festival’ because it is the beginning of spring. Two days before New Year Chinese people go to the market to buy food and other offerings on this day. It is also the last day for shops and stalls to open. All the shops will be closed until after the New Year. The last day of the year Chinese pray and prepare offerings to the gods and to their ancestors on this day. There are three different kinds of prayers that must be performed, including prayers for the Gods of the Land in the morning, prayers for the ancestors at noon and prayers for the wandering souls with no relatives in the afternoon.
These prayers show respect to the gods and ancestors. They believe that these prayers will bring merit and blessings. After each prayer, the Chinese burn golden paper, believing that the paper will become money in the after life New Year’s day More prayers are done on New Year’s day, this time for the gods of luck and good fortune. This prayer is usually held in the early morning and you need to look at the ‘Lear Yik Tao’ (the collective book of Chinese culture and tradition) to know the best time to pray. After this prayer, some families perform another prayer for their ancestors. New Year’s day is the most festive day of all the three days. People go to their relatives’ houses to give and receive blessings. They exchange oranges and give away ‘Ang Pao’ to the younger children. Chinese
believe that doing this will bring them good luck in the New Year. During the celebrations, there are also lion dance performances--believed to ward off demons. People also refrain from fighting or being mean to each other during this time because it would bring them bad luck throughout the year.
Festival China in Thailand Vegetarian Festival on the Thai Calendar Every year, the people of Thailand celebrate a vegetarian festival. This Thailand festival is an annual celebration that occurs during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar. The ninth lunar month can occur during the months of September or October in any
given year. Many Thai people observe this vegetarian festival, even if they do not eat Thai vegetarian food throughout the rest of the year. The festival is popular throughout Thailand, and especially in areas with large populations of Chinese immigrants, such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. The festival is for 10 days (as is the keeping to the precepts), and begins the day before the new moon of the 9th lunar month of the Chinese calendar. For 2012 it should be The Thailand Vegetarian Festival should be October 14-23. It officially starts on the new moon of October 15, but some events may begin the day before. Many Thai people observe this vegetarian festival, even if they do not eat Thai vegetarian food throughout the rest of the year.
Top Things To Do In Thailand for Chinese tourists. Chaweng Beach The Chaweng Beach is the eastern coast of Samui Island. It is the longest and the most popular bustling beach on the island. Hotels and resorts occupy the beach, and there are bars, restaurants, shops, diving schools and some other places of entertainment on the beach road. It is indeed a popular tourist destination and the center of nightlife there. The soft and white sand on the beach matches perfectly with the blue sea. Various water recreation facilities are available, such as sailing boats, water scooters and snorkeling, all of which can help you enjoy a pleasant vacation there. At the variety of restaurants on the beach, you can taste traditional Thai cuisine as well as the fresh and delicious local seafood. Koh Tao Island (The Turtle Island) Koh Tao Island boasts the best water area in Thailand. It has become the nation’s famous snorkeling
destination due to the ideal snorkeling environment because of the clear water, beautiful corals and abundant marine life. On Samui Island and Koh Tao Island there are more than 40 snorkeling companies that you can choose from with the price of about 800 THB for one time and about 5500 THB for ten times. Being in the crystal water and among the bright-colored tropical fishes, you will feel like stepping into the magical underwater world of “Finding Nemo”.These prayers show respect to the gods and ancestors. They believe that these prayers will bring merit and blessings. After each prayer, the Chinese burn golden paper, believing that the paper will become money in the after life New Year’s day More prayers are done on New Year’s day, this time for the gods of luck and good fortune. This prayer is usually held in the early morning and you need to look at the ‘Lear Yik Tao’ (the collective book of Chinese culture and tradition) to know the best time to
pray. After this prayer, some families perform another prayer for their ancestors. New Year’s day is the most festive day of all the three days. People go to their relatives’ houses to give and receive blessings. They exchange oranges and give away ‘Ang Pao’ to the younger children. Chinese believe that doing this will bring them good luck in the New Year. During the celebrations, there are also lion dance performances--believed to ward off demons. People also refrain from fighting or being mean to each other during this time because it would bring them bad luck throughout the year. Temple in Thailand for Chinese tourists Wat Phra Kaew Wat Phra Kaew is located in the northeastern corner of the Grand Palance in the capital city of Bangkok. It is the venue where Thai royalties consecrate Buddha statues and hold religious ceremonies. It got
its name for the emerald Buddha inside the temple. Wat Phra Kaew is part of the Grand Palace, accounting for one fourth of the area of Grand Palace. It is regarded as the most famous and the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand with the full name of “Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram”. It is the only Buddhist temple without resident monks. Among the more than 400 temples in Thailand, Wat Phra Kaew is the most well-known one. Inside the temple there are central ubosoth, Phra Sri Ratana Chedi, Phra Mondop, the Royal Pantheon, bell tower and golden pagoda. Central ubosoth is the main structure of the temple, housing and enshrining the Emerald Statue, which is considered as the most important icon in Thailand. The emerald Buddha is 66 cm tall and 48 cm wide, carved out from a single jade stone. It is very valuable and listed as one of Thailand’s three national treasures. Wat Lengnoeiyi II Wat Boromracha Kanchanapisek Anusorn (Wat Lengnoeiyi II). This Chinese temple (Wat) was built by the collaboration of Buddhist priest and Thai Chinese community in honour of His Majesty the King and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the King’s reign. No doubt, this is the most spectacular Chinese temple I have seen in Thailand… The temple is located in Sanoh Noi, Bang Bua Thong District in Nonthaburi Province covering around 12 rai in the present day.
Thailand Food In Thailand, Thailand boasts a variety of famous seafood dishes, such as Tom Yam Kung (a kind of lemon shrimp soup), Mikrop (a delicious and crispy noodle made from shrimp, pork, egg and sweet and sour sauce), Chicken Curry, Tom Kha Kai ,Yam Nua, Haw Moek and steamed lobster. The recipe of China’s roasted duck was spead to Thailand, combined with Thai flavors, and made into the popular Thai roasted red duck curry. Shark fin soup and Teochew-style braised goose are common dishes in Chinatown.
Trend of Chinese Tourists Visiting Thailand in Year 2013 In 2013, the target is set for 2 million Chinese tourists to visit Thailand, which would be the record number of Chinese tourists ever. This is attributed to the fact that for the past twenty years the number of Chinese tourists to Thailand has not yet reached 1% of total population which is now 1.350 million people. So, there is still 99% of Chinese population that has not yet traveled to Thailand. Due to economic growth forecast for the next five years, the middle-class Chinese people will be ready to travel to Thailand in the future. At present, Chinese tourists have a lot of purchasing power. In the past, they used to stay in 3-4 star hotel, but now they change to rest in 5-star ones. In the past, they traveled by using tour companies. Now they can travel to Thailand by themselves, with increasing frequencies. During the past three years, Chinese tourists have more purchasing power, because of China’s strong economic growth.
Destination Guide
Bangkok’s
China Town
Best time to go there During 4 important festivals: Chinese New Year Festival approximately on January or February; Nguan Chioew Festival held 14 days after the Chinese New Year Festival; Chinese Sart Festival on August; and Chinese Lunar Moon Festival usually held a month after the Chinese Sart Festival. About Yaowarat China town is situated in one of the oldest areas of Bangkok. Originally, it was gradually settled up by Chinese traders who came by junks to trade with Siam during the Sukhothai era. By the end of 1891, King Rama V had several more roads cut through the area, which are Songwat Road, Phatsai Road, Anuwong Road and Yaowarat Road. Therefore, China town does not consist only Yaowarat Road, but also cover some other roads: Charoen Krung Road, Songwat Road, Songsawat Road, Chakkrawat Road and the Wanit 1 area. However, Yaowarat Road is the center of the area. According to the Feng-Shui principle, the shape of Yaowarat Road is curvy like the dragon’s curvy body, making it an ideal location for business. Many prospering businesses in Thailand originated and are still thriving in this age-old downtown. What visitors can find here vary from leading gold shops, textiles, garments, souvenirs, second-hand parts and equipment, electric goods, computer parts, antiques, imported musical instrument and definitely local delicacies. Food around China Town China town is the paradise of food lovers who quest for Chinese cuisine. Both sides of its main street are flanked with restaurants and food vendors throughout the day. Local delicacies include Dim Sum, Teachew-style steamed Chinese mullet, shark fin in red sauce and various single noodle and rice dishes such as stir-fried noodles, casserole pork in noodles soup, rice with boiled chicken, rice with crispy pork or duck toppings, rice with curry and etc. Other appetizers and sweets are stuffed sheet noodles, pork sate, dumplings, bird’s nest soup, soybean milk, lotus root juice and toasted chestnuts (locally called Kaolat).
Chinese Shrines There are numerous shrines in China town. Among them, there are four oldest shrines of the area: 1. Leng Buai Eie Shrine. It is the Teachew Chinese shrine that houses the big bell constructed in the 23rd year of the Seng Phi Dynasty and the bell donated by King Rama V. 2. Bunyasamakhom Shrine (Rong Je Trokkrai) was named by King Rama V. 3. Ah Mha Geng Shrine is dated back more than 150 years. Inside, it houses Goddess Thapthim who is highly revered by local people. 4. Wat Leng Nei Yi is the first Mahayana Buddhist sect temple in Thailand. It was constructed during King Rama V by donation from the Chinese living in Sampheng area.
Place Guide
The Tiger God Shrine
In Bangkok’s harmonious blend of culture, shrines dedicated to ancient Chinese divinities are esteemed by both Thais and the Chinese. The Tiger God Shrine or San Chao Pho Suea is an important Chinese temple in Bangkok, dedicated to the tiger guardian spirit. Paying homage to the Tiger God by offering strip of raw streaky pork, fresh chicken, eggs and sweet sticky rice is supposed to bring you power’ prestige and if you wish ,fertility. This southern Chinese-style temple is located on Tanao Road. What makes this old Taoist shrine attractive is the fame of the Tiger God who is believed to have an extreme power of blessing worshippers with good fortune as well as protecting them from the evil forces. According to the legend of the holy tiger, the statue housed here is where his bones and spirit are kept.
Restaurant Guide
Namcha Samui the Tea Haven
Tea is indeed one of the greatest ways to relax and let go of our worries. Tea help the body to cope with the stress and the burdens that the body has undergone as it is a good anti-oxidant and it helps the body flush away toxins, leaving the body cleaner and purer. Tea also helps in preventing health conditions such as cancer
Great tea and great place; these are just some of the things offered by Namcha Samui Tea Room. Namcha Samui offers relaxing tea time and relaxing ambiance with its four tea rooms, namely: the African Room, the Chinese Room, the English Room, and the Japanese Room. Each room offers different atmosphere for your desired tea party. If you are a tourist who travels to Thailand, remember to visit the Namcha Samui Tea Room and see the richness of their tea. Namcha samui is indeed one of Thailand’s finest Tea Rooms. The Chinese Room offers the Chinese Tradition of tea drinking, with the belief that tea drinking after meals washes away the oil from food. Chinese tea has sweet-bitter taste, bringing with it the benefits of mental alertness and freshness of the mind. Chinese tea also helps in relieving dizziness, head ache, heat stroke, and even relives pain as it is a diuretic and anti-oxidant. Namcha Samui is located at the Fisherman’s Village, opposite Kalara in Samui.
Real Story
Guide to
n a u y g n Koh Na
Taking a day trip to the teeny island of Koh Nang Yuan is one of my top recommendations to those heading to Koh Tao- other than go diving, of course! Koh Nang Yuan is actually made up of three little teardrops of land connected by a massive sandbar. It’s a place where post-card dreams are made: unique topography, blindingly white sand beaches, and shores teeming with fish and coral.
Due to it’s tiny footprint, Koh Nang Yuan is the perfect size for a day trip. Technically you can stay at the Nang Yuan Resort (the only one on the island!) but it’s fairly pricey and seems to cater mainly to Asian tourists. However, you would get to wake up to totally abandoned beaches before the day-trippers arrived. Somehow, despite having lived in Koh Tao for so many months and the short journey to get to Nang Yuan, I’ve only been three times! I first visited in 2009 (before I knew how to resize photos-sorry internet), then again with my parents on Christmas Eve 2011 (when the weather did not cooperate). My most recent trip with Olivia and Zoe was so blissful it convinced me it was time for another post dedicated to this special place. Thus, the Complete Guide to Koh Nang Yuan was born.
Getting There Koh Nang Yuan is but a 10-15 minute journey from the west side of Koh Tao. There are advertised speed boat times and mega-catamaran Lomprayah offers a package day trip, but the cheapest and easiest option is to charter a longtail. At anytime of day you can head to the beach and find a boat driver looking for customers. If it’s a particularly busy day head to Lotus Bar which functions as a bit of a boat-taxi stand during the day. The cost is 200 Baht roundtrip. You must settle on a return time with your driver. At first I was suspicious of paying up front and felt I would be left on the island but they always come back! Alternatively, if you have a Thai phone you can ask them to swap numbers so you can call when you would like to go back to Koh Tao.
Entrance Koh Nang Yuan is privately owned and visitors are charged a 100 Baht entrance fee in order to step foot on the island. I managed to escape the fee once when I inadvertently shared a longtail with a dive instructor working on the island, but that aside, there’s no sneaking around this fee! Nang Yuan also requests that you bring no plastic onto the island. Everything on Nang Yuan is served in reusable glass bottles.
Eating and Drinking With it’s one resort, Nang Yuan also has just one restaurant and one beach bar. It is a resort restaurant, so food is more expensive than you would get on Koh Tao at an independent establishment. Menu offerings are somewhat limited- this is no major culinary destination. Still, it works for a quick ice cream binge lunch break. The beach bar is, unsurprisingly, located on the beach and is on the expensive end of Koh Tao prices.
What to Do So, you’re there, you’ve paid the entrance fee, you’ve refueled. What’s next? Koh Nang Yuan has the perfect amount of activities to keep any day tripper happy.
The Beach Without a doubt- this is the main attraction. Moments after arrival on my most recent trip my sis Olivia declared that it was already her favorite day of the trip- and we hadn’t even started on the banana daiquiris yet. Depending on the day, the season, the tides and your luck, the beach can be a tiny ribbon on sand slammed with sunbathing bodies, or a wide, deserted stretch of paradise. Amazingly, it remains beautiful either way.
Snorkeling There’s really no need for exaggeration- Koh Nang Yuan simply is one of the best snorkeling spots in Thailand. The shallow reefs surrounding the island are lined with intricate soft and hard corals as well as schools of colorful parrotfish and shy angelfish. Shelter from the islands means the water is calm and clear. You will often see dive boats surrounding Nang Yuan to visit the popular dive sites of Twin Peak and Japanese Gardens, which lie just off the island and are shallow enough for snorkelers. Gear can be rented in the Koh Nang Yuan Resort’s Dive Shop, or of course you are free to bring your own.
Viewpoint Another very popular activity at Koh Nang Yuan is taking the 10-15 minute hike up to the viewpoint of the three islands’ highest peak.Despite its short distance, the path can get steep and in the heat of day might seem pretty tricky! But the view from the top, a vista that graces postcards across the country, is one of the most beautiful I have ever laid eyes on. By hiking the viewpoint at the end of the day right before heading back to the boat you are more likely to have a lovely abandoned beach in your photos. Not to mention, it will be cooler, and photos of yourself will be less embarrassingly sweaty.
Ziplining Last but clearly not least is Koh Nang Yuan’s newest attraction: ziplining! Earlier this year I wrote a detailed, photo and video packed post about ziplining in Koh Tao. The course consists of two lines that go between the the islands…. the world’s first inter-island zipline! The whole course takes about an hour and costs 1,000 baht, making it totally do-able during a Koh Nang Yuan day trip. There’s really nothing like it! If you’re coming to Koh Tao, I know it’s hard to resist the urge to spend every day diving. But schedule in an extra day and explore the topside wonder of Koh Nang Yuan. You won’t regret it!
Special
The
Vegetarian Festival
The Vegetarian Festival is observed nationwide on a grand scale. The most famous place holding this festival is absolutely Phuket province where the most spectacular event takes place yearly. In other provinces such as Trang, Songkhla (Hat Yai) and Chon Buri (Pattaya), people of the Chinese descendants keep this festivals commonly. However, the most known part of the festival as is shown through the media is the blood-curdling presentations, such as, piercing the cheeks with a pointed steel rod, walking barefoot on burning charcoal, sprinkling oneself with boiling oil, cutting one’s tongue and climbing a ladder with rungs made of sharp blades. The festival occurs yearly during the period from the 1st to the 9th of the 9th Chinese lunar month, which corresponds to 15-24 October. During this time almost all food shops and restaurants will fly yellow flags signifying that vegetarian food is available there. It is so convenient to have vegetarian meals during this time. In recent years, the Vegetarian Festival has become more popular and has been increasingly observed by young people. This is so because of the belief that the observers will have better health and the purer mind and gain merits from taking vegetarian foods. This aspect, though being the main purpose of this festival, is less mentioned than the spectacular processions. There are several interesting perspectives of the festival in Thailand
Agency PR
Exclusive Interview
Mr. Peter Csajaghy General Manager of Hotesmarketing Ltd.
Today, we are glad to meet Mr. Peter Csajaghy, he currently holds the position of General manager for the Hotesmarketing Ltd. his lifestyle of living
Let’s start from the beginning tell us about your childhood and growing up year. I was born in Budapest in 1980. I studied communication technology. During my childhood, I travel around in Europe with my parents. I loved to travel to get experience of the other cultures. For a short time I studied in the US. What are your responsibilities at Nagypihenes.hu Travel Agency Our company is a family business. I responsible for public relations and marketing tasks, and serving our VIP passangers. What are the difference products that last frontiers tourism offer? What new product do you have planned? Mostly we serving individual travellers. The main market is the leasure market. But we can sell more and more on some of the cultural trips combinated with leasure. For next year I’d like to target high end passangers, with luxury resorts, golf courses, and services of their special needs. New product for the hungarian market will be the island hopping. Including Koh Tao, Koh Nang Yuan, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. Lomprayah will be our main partner for this program. You have also branched out into the marketing business with Hotes Marketing. Tell us a little about them. Hotesmarketing Ltd. is established in this year. We are specialised for tourism marketing. We are strongly cooperate with Royal Thai Embassy to promote Thailand in Hungary and some of the neighbour countries. Central Europe is a booming market, so the promotion is very important. We’d like to show more for the public about this beautiful country.
You are work hard. Do you have time to relax and how to. Ofcourse I need to relax a bit sometimes. Every year I try to get time to have vacation. Ofcourse it’s Thailand. The program is changing every time, during my holiday I try to explore new places, new destionations, meet with my friends and enjoy the beautifull beaches. Do you prefer travelling? What are your styles of journey. Ofcourse! I prefer to explore new places, get more experience of the culture. What do you like about Thailand, memories place of you and your family. I like the nature, the beautifull beaches and smiling people. Family I like Koh Samui, because I met with my girlfriend there and spend beautiful time. Where would you like recommend an attraction place in Thailand The Grand Palace in Bangkok with the magnificant buildings. Last question, what is stopping Thailand from archiving its full potential as a great travel destination. Excelent destination for families, couples for relaxing. Thank you so much for your time. Anything else you would like to add. Thank you so much for giving this opportunity to interview me in your magazine.
Horoscope
October 2012 Predictions for the month of
By Mr.
Rup Krishen Baqaya
Aries: The focus this month will be on the work arena and spiritual life.A strange combination but it makes for an exciting and fulfilling period. Work and family will not only demand hard work and effort but also investments and outlays in finance and time.You will have to cope with several demands on you.With Venus favouring you,romance,love and passion too are highlighted;as are partnerships and trade.You have a busy time ahead both professionally and emotionally.
Taurus: You may want to have it all your way,but please remember that it pays to be flexible. The focus this month shifts from creativity and interpersonal equations to money matters like income,taxes,rentals,signing important documents etc.Health precautions are necessary.With the full Moon in Taurus at the month end,you want to go after everything and indulge yourself.You want to get as many possessions as you can.You are advised to work with others in a spirit of sharing and mutual growth.
Gemini: Those in the creative fields will do well.Many new relationships will be forged.There could be many sensitive and emotional moments in the bargain.Family,finances and fortune remain at the center of your attention during the month.A wide spectrum of business and professional transactions,deals and negotiations wil have to be handled.
Cancer: The focus is on domestic affairs and the attention is riveted on kin.community and family.As the month progresses,the good moves and wise choices of previous weeks start paying off.There is new hope,greater joy in the future and long term stability.You could acquire a new home or property in the month.The health of an elderly relative may cause concern.
Leo: Expenses soar as there will be material acquisitions.The month also has some very real possibilities for inner growth.You could face some opposition,challenges and roadblocks,but you manage to surmount it all and grow in many ways.The period will also be important for contacts,contracts and communication.You could be looking at new tends in technology for both personal and professional benefit.
Virgo: There is a lot going on this month and you make rapid progress on all fronts.The continued favourable impact of Mercury makes life pleasing.There is also great love and passion in store for you.Make the right choices as your plate could be overflowing with plenty.This is a very profitable month for you.There will be many family gatherings and celebrations.
Libra: You are introspective and contemplative. The new Moon is in your sign and this would be a significant period indicating growth in all areas.You are going full steam ahead and may even look for a change of scene in your work/ career.There may be some fresh new deals,hectic romance,slightly cloak and dagger stuff,journeys and collaborations.New money making opportunities may open up after the13th of the month.
Scorpio: You are advised to curb unnecessary expenditure and not to neglect loved ones. Mercury is very favourable for you this month.It helps you to position, perks and privileges.There could be a foreign travel,a marriage or a birth in the family.There is also love,achievement,contentment and peace.Your health will be fine,the mood will be upbeat as you feel positive,energetic and enthusiastic.
Sagittarius: Valuable time will be spent on domestic issues that hog your time and attention.The health of elders may need attention.While you work hard,you also pay close attention While you work hard,you also pay close attention to your inner voice for guidance.Mercury which is all favourable for you now will make you zoom ahead like a spacecraft.
Capricorn: The domestic scene will take a lot of your time. The truly interactive,sociable side of you will be at the forefront.There will be gatherings,reunions,ceremonies and get-togethers. There will be all kinds of functions, celebrations, outings with near and dear ones and also meetings with close relatives and kin. Towards the month end you feel happy and fulfilled.
Aquarius: This will be a very busy month with love and romance occupying you most of the time along with legal and financial matters.You have plenty of both,money and honey.You make new plans for the future.The full Moon in Taurus at the end of the month gives you stability and progress.Your quest for new ideas and concepts,the constant desire for achievements will be further stimulated.
Pisces: You may have many emotional moments with the children and family.You may also need to visit hospitals,clinics,healing and health resorts and even places of worship.It could all be a part of your growing spirituality and spirit of caring for the whole of humanity.There will also be journe ys,ceremonies,publicity,meetings,interviews and conferences.Romance and marriage too for the unattached cannot be ruled out.
By Mr.
Rup Krishen Baqaya
Trend
WHAT TO WEAR TO THE BEACH? When you are headed to the beach or pool, wear a cute swimsuit, protect your skin and accessorize with function and style. Our beach fashion guide tells you everything you need to wear at the beach
1 Ruffled Swimwear Flirty ruffles have made their way into swimwear this season. From halter bikinis to swimdresses, you’ll find ruffles everywhere. One look we love is the ruffled tankini (seen above). This two-piece swimsuit provides just enough coverage while still being sexy and fun.
beach tote 2 Roomy Your beach bag needs to be large enough to carry your towel, a paperback, sunscreen and all your other beach essentials. This summer, carry a beach tote with nautical stripes, tiny flowers or bold colorblocking. This Straw Studios Willa tote is available in several colors at eBags.
Colorful cover-up 3 When you step out of the water, instead of tying a towel around your waist or throwing on a T-shirt, put on a breezy, colorful cover-up. Pick a cover-up that provides enough coverage that you can wear it to a beachside cafe for drinks.
hat 4 Wide-brimmed Protect yourself from the sun and look glam too with a wide-brimmed beach hat. Straw hats don’t have to be boring. They come in fun colors, unique shapes and dramatic designs. Check out this big floppy sun hat from Lauren by Ralph Lauren.
headband 5 Fabric If you don’t love hats, pull back your hair with a wide fabric headband instead. A stretchy headband offers an easy way to get your beachy locks away from your face while looking adorable
sunglasses 6 Oversized Oversized sunglasses are oh-so-glamorous, and they’re functional too. Sunglasses protect your eyes and the skin around them from the sun’s harmful rays. This summer, we love shield style sunglasses as well as large Jackie O-type shades.
7 sandals Leave your rubber flip flops at home. Look chic at the beach with a cute pair of jeweled thong sandals. Flat sandals are a must for walking on hot sand. Shoes in citrus colors (tangerine, lemon yellow and lemon green) are sizzling for summertime this year.
of sunscreen 8 Lots It goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway. At the beach, sunscreen is a must. Re-apply every two hours (and even more often if you are going in and out of the water). Don’t miss often overlooked places like the top of your feet, back of your hands and behind your ears. Use haircare products that contain sunscreen to protect your head and scalp, too.
Lompraya News
Bus service between Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi launched The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) will rearrange a bus route to service passengers between Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports. Passengers can take a public bus between Suvarnabhumi and get off inside Don Mueang from Aug 1. The travel time is at least two hours. EPA/NARONG SANGNAK “Since more low-cost airlines will use Don Mueang as their base, BMTA will prepare for the increasing number of passengers between the two airports,” said BMTA Deputy Director for Bus Operation Department Narade Boonpiam. At present the No.555 bus, which has a terminus station at Talat Rangsit, passes Don Mueang at Vibhavadi Rangsit Road before taking the motorway at Rama XI entrance to Suvarnabhumi.
Thailand is set for a boom in tourists from China Thailand is fast becoming a hot destination for tourists from China, providing a boost for the country’s economy. 15 years ago fewer than 500,000 Chinese people chose a Thai holiday, but soon the country’s beaches and historic sites will be seen by more tourists from China than any other nation. The BBC’s Jonah Fisher has been sharing holiday fun in Thailand, with some Chinese visitors, to discover what it means for Thailand’s tourism industry.
Surat Thani gears up for lent extravaganza Surat Thani is preparing for the big celebration of the end of Buddhist Lent next month with three festivals combined into one merit-making ceremony in town. The budget for the nine-day event will be 25 million baht, according to Theerakit Wangmuthitakul, the newly-elected mayor. “We want the event to be grand because we want people to remember us and think of Surat Thani when it is the final day of the Buddhist Lent, the same way people relate Ubon Ratchathani and its candle festival with the first day of the Buddhist Lent,” he said. This year the last day of Buddhist Lent falls on Oct 30.
Global News Miss Tourism World focuses on Thailand Thailand will be the first country in Asia to host the Miss Tourism World beauty pageant in December. The aim of the upcoming event, which is the 12th of its kind, is to promote and highlight the tourism sector of the kingdom, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Suraphon Svetasreni. “This is also a great opportunity to demonstrate confidence and safety in travelling in Thailand,” he noted. About 60 finalists will visit Thailand and will have a chance to explore Thai culture and history in places such as the old city of Ayutthaya, the Grand Palace and Chitralada Royal Villa in Bangkok, white sandy beaches in Krabi, the old town in Hat Yai and several places in Pattaya during Dec 2-14. “The finalists will also look beautiful and graciously dressed in Thai traditional outfits,” he said, adding that TAT will ensure that the finalists enjoy their time in the country. Organised by Media Empire in conjunction with the Tourism World Organisation and supported by TAT, the final round of the Miss Tourism World 2012 will be held on Dec 16 at Siam Niramit theatre in Bangkok and will be broadcast on Channel 7. The winner of the contest will receive 1 million baht cash, a trophy, and other prizes. The first and second runners-up will receive 500,000 baht and 300,000 cash respectively.
Halloween festival Straddling the line between fall and winter, plenty and paucity, life and death, Halloween is a time of celebration and superstition. It is thought to have originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints and martyrs; the holiday, All Saints’ Day, incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows’ Eve and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a secular, community-based event characterized by child-friendly activities such as trick-or-treating. In a number of countries around the world, as the days grow shorter and the nights get colder, people continue to usher in the winter season with gatherings, costumes and sweet treats.
Oktoberfest festival Oktoberfest is a 16-day festival celebrating beer held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, running from late September to the first weekend in October. It is one of the most famous events in Germany and is the world’s largest fair, with more than 6 million people from around the world attending the event every year. To the locals, it is not called Oktoberfest, but “die Wiesn” - after the colloquial name of the fairgrounds themselves. The Oktoberfest is an important part of Bavarian culture, having been held since 1810. Other cities across the world also hold Oktoberfest celebrations, modeled after the original Munich event. The Munich Oktoberfest originally took place during the sixteen days up to, and including, the first Sunday in October. In 1994, the schedule was modified in response to German reunification so that if the first Sunday in October falls on the 1st or 2nd, then the festival would go on until October 3 (German Unity Day). Thus, the festival is now 17 days when the first Sunday is October 2 and 18 days when it is October 1. In 2010, the festival lasted until the first Monday in October, to mark the 200th anniversary of the event. The festival is held in an area named the Theresienwiese (field, or meadow, of Therese), often called Wiesn for short, located near Munich’s center. Large quantities of Oktoberfest Beer are consumed, with almost 7 million liters served during the 16 day festival in 2007
Tip to Trip
Tour Group
Pros andCons Once you’ve chosen your travel destination, you’ll need to decide whether you want to journey independently or with a tour group of some kind. Some senior travelers always choose tour groups. Others prefer to plan their own trips. Here are some things to consider when deciding whether a tour group is right for you. When you take a tour, someone else handles all the details. You choose a pre-set itinerary, pay the tour group operator and sit back while the professionals deal with airlines, bus drivers, local guides and hotel managers. All you need to do is arrive at your departure point on time, suitcase in hand.
Cost
Learning Experiences
Large tour operators capitalize on economies of scale. They have buying power with airlines, hotels and ground transportation companies. Some of those savings are passed on to you. When you combine these savings with senior discounts or travel memberships (such as AAA, Costco, or Sam’s Club), you may discover that you’ll pay the same for independentlypurchased airfare alone as you will for a tour, which might include not only airfare but also hotels, meals and guides.
Tour groups offer many ways to discover other cultures, learn new skills and study the subjects you’ve always wanted to know about. You can practice your French in Québec, weave baskets in the Appalachian Mountains and watch migrating birds on Virginia’s Eastern Shore – all with tour groups. Tour operators understand senior travelers’ preferences and continue to add to their senior-friendly itineraries and programs.
Access to Unusual or Overcrowded Destinations
If you want to visit Antarctica, you probably have to go with a tour group. Fortunately, you can find senior tour groups going to Antarctica, Nepal and many other exotic places. Tour operators can set up trips to just about anywhere, even to places most individuals can’t reach on their own. Popular sights, such as the Vatican Museum in Rome, are so crowded during peak months that many would-be visitors are turned away after spending hours in line. Guided tour groups have their own Vatican Museum access times and even enter through a different door. If standing in line is difficult for you, or if you have limited time available to visit your “mustsee” attractions, you can maximize your sightseeing time’s value by traveling with a tour group. Worry-Free Travel
Some travelers like the challenge of solving problems themselves. Language barriers and transit strikes, to them, are part of the experience. If you’d rather worry about what to wear to dinner than where to eat, a group tour can provide a stress-free travel experience. Your tour operator and guide have to worry about dealing with difficulties. Problems are rare on group tours because your tour operator developed the itinerary in advance and, most likely, has conducted this tour many times before.
Tour Guides
If you’re visiting a place for the first time, you’ll especially enjoy taking a group tour with a knowledgeable guide. Well-informed, organized guides add value to your tour experience. Your guide is likely to know the best photo opportunities and can tell you how to walk around Venice when the streets are flooded. You’ll always know where you’re going, and you won’t have to worry about outdated maps and broken ticket machines. Social Opportunities
In a tour group, meeting new people is part of the fun. Some senior tours are created with social interaction in mind. Whether you would like to travel with other single seniors or take tea with fellow Red Hat Society members, you can find a tour that meets your needs.