Since the 28th of september, the new Suvarnabhumi international airport of Bangkok is operating all international and domestic passenger flights to and from Bangkok, instead of Don Muang, the previous international airport.
Its was named by His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) and it means the golden land. After almost 2 years of late, it finally opened at the end of september. It is a huge structure made of metal and glass, looking very similar to the new Charles-de-Gaulle airport in Paris. They both actually use the same technics, and Bangkok airport is the longest airport of the world...
Meaning, you'll have to walk a bit in there...
As for Don Muang, the domestic airport is adjacent to the international, linked to it with a long boa... If Don Muang was located in the North, Suvarnabhumi is located in the east, 25 kms out of Bangkok. The express way system makes it closer to greater Bangkok and especially Sukhumvit or the center that is now reachable in less than 45 mn by taxi.
After the first chock of modernity, the airport, if big, is still pleasant, and walking around is much more nicer than in Don Muang, as there is a lot of light coming inside due to its glass structure. The real sad point is that it's lacking signalisation, it can be quite difficult just to go out and find a taxi, depending on which level you are, or to find some airlines lounge (Bangkok airways was much more well off in Don Muang for example...). But as it's still a young airport, we can expect all these small worrries to be solved quite soon... Welcoming all the travellers for this new season starting with smiles and efficiency, as Thais do so well. B.P - nov-05-2006
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From the 1st of december on, all mobile phone numbers will change, according to the telecom of Thailand. You will just have to add a 8 right after the first 0 (the one you do not dial if you phone from abroad), for international incoming calls, just add the 8 after the 66. The change is actually already on application, but both numbers are still allowed, with or without the 8, until the 1st of december. After this date, only the new number (with the 8) will be active. You still have 3 weeks to update your phone memories and electronic agendas, after it will be too late... B.P - nov-03-2006
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Since centuries, every november on the night of the full moon, one of the most magical buddhist celebration takes place all over Thailand. It is the "Loy Krathong" festival, a buddhist event where people build small embarcations made of banana trunk and palm leaves decorated with flowers, candle and incense. At dusk, everyone goes to the waterways, sea or rivers depending on the geographic situation, to put their embarcation floating away. Lighting up the night !
The meaning of this celebration is of Brahmin origin, to thank and honor the spirits of water, as it's the most important element for the living (another celebration is Songkran, the thai new year where people throw water at each other...) but as people also put some coins and sometimes hair locks and nails in the Krathong, it's a good luck celebration as well, the embarcation floating away symbolising also the sins and bad luck flying away. This celebration is really amazing and most of the people in
Koh Phangan practice it too, and, as it is the full moon night (but not a Buddha day), the party will also take place on the same night, blessing the island with a real special energy. Many travellers then put their Krathong as well, sharing the ceremony with locals in a very friendly atmosphere. It is celebrated all over the island, but apart from Haad Rin (THE tourist place), Ban Tai, with its pier, is a must to put your Krathong, as most of the people from the south coast go there, making the place a
magical scenery of lights, smells and flowers. A small festival is also organised there with local shows, including a Beauty contest, tribute to Noppamas, famous character of the Sukhotai period, who is said to have made the first Krathong ever, and food stalls, offering you the opportunity to discover that kind of local village attraction before coming back to the modern world (Haad Rin) to party on the beach. J.P - oct-29-2006
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Like every year at the same time, the "Chak Pra on the sea" festival takes place on the new pier plaza in Thong Sala. This year it starts on the 14th
of october. There are Buddhist celebrations until the 17th, but the festival itself lasts until the 23rd with a big rock concert on the pier as finish.
All evenings will be animated, with a big stage and some performances like dance shows with children from differents schools of Phangan, puppet show, local band concert (every nights) and even the election of "Miss Katoy Koh Phangan" (miss "lady-boy") a
crusty show to be expected ! On day times some sports performances will be held on the first days of the festival, like Moto cross
ride and 4x4 off road (on a 2000sqm track built on the beach for the occasion). And like every year, some boat racing, decorated
boat of course, with team belonging to differents businesses of Phangan challenging each other on the water ! Some water joust
will take place as well. All these events are very friendly, with kids swimming and playing together in the water while the races
take place. The festival will then end on the 23rd, public holyday for the celebration of HM the king Rama V, highly venerated King
of the early last century who brought Siam to modernity and who did visit all his country to meet his people and understand their
needs. On the evening a Rock concert with three south rock band will take place with a firework finish.
The "Green Cross Conservation" is an association promoting environmental preservation, such as recycling or keeping places clean. They organise a "Beach Clean-up" operation, that tends to become a monthly event. Last month it was on the 7th of august and as the operation continues to be a success among travellers, others are planned for the coming months, starting with the 5th of this month.
