Asia International Guitar Festival

By MEGAN COLLINS | Wednesday April 11, 2012 06:03 PM

The Asia International Guitar Festival is a stage for many guitarists to show off their skills plus listen to others. Amateurs have a chance to win prizes for their few pieces they will perform for a set of judges. If you don’t want to join in on the competition watch the professionals perform, sit in on master classes or take the classes. All activities concerts, competitions, exhibitions, and master classes are held in the hotel.

The Asia International Guitar Festival activities including concerts, competitions, exhibitions, and master classes will all be held in the Siam. Each day there is a schedule of pretty similar. There are master classes in the morning, except on June 16 when the junior competition is held. Then there is an afternoon concert series and a concert series at night.

There is a wide range of pricing so check out the link below to see the pricing and the different concerts. It shall be a harmonious treat.

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Royal Ploughing Ceremony

By RILEY STEVENSON | Tuesday March 20, 2012 04:01 PM

To celebrate the beginning of a new rice-growing season, hundreds gather at Sanam Luang in Bangkok to partake in ceremonial rituals, presided over by the monarch. This year, the celebration will be held on May 9 beginning at 8:30 in the morning. This culturally rich event will be sure to interest anyone looking to witness a traditional Thai holiday.

The ceremony follows a strict agenda, beginning with two sacred oxen attached to a wooden plough walking across ceremonial land. Brahmins sow seeds into the ground behind the oxen. After the ploughing is complete, the oxen are offered a plate of food, containing rice, corn, beans, and sesame. Depending on what the oxen eat, court soothsayers predict whether or not the upcoming growing season will be plentiful.

This ceremony is supposed to ensure good harvest and is an important annual tradition for the Thai. If attending the event, be sure to dress in appropriate, conservative attire. After the event, check out one of the neighboring restaurants, like the Gazebo club, to taste some typical Thai cuisine—rice included!

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Vimanmek Mansion

By RILEY STEVENSON
Saturday March 17, 2012 02:01 PM

Get lost in scalloped trimming, tiled patios, and wall-to-wall windows at the world's largest teakwood mansion. Built as a personal residence for King Rama V, this gorgeous building is now open to the public for viewing. Glimpse into the lives of royals and visit Vimanmek Palace on your next visit to Bangkok.

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Thai Puppetry

By RILEY STEVENSON
Tuesday March 06, 2012 10:50 PM

Puppetry is an ancient Thai form of storytelling and entertainment that represents the cultural diversity of Bangkok. Various forms of puppetry are practiced in the city, including shadow play, Hun Krabok, and Hun Luang. Each contributes something different to culminate a grandiose, beautiful art.

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Chakri Memorial Day

By RILEY STEVENSON
Tuesday February 28, 2012 11:07 PM

In order to commemorate the current ruling dynasty, the Chakri family, who founded Bangkok in 1782 and liberated its people from the grip of the Burmese, residents of Thailand spend April 6th displaying the national flag and making offerings of flowers and garlands to statues of Chakri kings and queens.

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The Dos and Don'ts of Bangkok

By RILEY STEVENSON
Wednesday February 22, 2012 02:11 PM

When traveling to another country, it is important to learn the customs and etiquette of the local culture. To do so, this article will provide a comprehensive overview of the dos and don'ts when traveling through Thailand in order to ensure a safe and respectful visitation for all.

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Traditional Thai Spa and Massage

By RILEY STEVENSON
Thursday February 16, 2012 10:23 AM

After a long day of walking and sightseeing, relax at one of Bangkok's many spas, and spoil yourself with a traditional Thai massage, facial, beauty treatment, or steam bath. Submit to teams of highly skilled massage and beauty therapists and escape into a world of much-deserved tranquility.

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Bangkok on a Bike

By RILEY STEVENSON
Thursday February 09, 2012 09:56 PM

SpiceRoad Cycle Tours offer tourists thrilling bike-riding adventures through Bangkok and beyond. Multi-day or half-day tours trek through dense jungles, expansive countryside, and bustling downtown streets. This alternative mode of travel will provide any explorer with photos and memories to last a lifetime.

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Mae Klong Market on the Tracks

By RILEY STEVENSON
Wednesday February 01, 2012 01:22 PM

Just a short bus ride from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, awaits the cultural hubbub of Samut Songkhram--complete with a cultural museums, authentic dining, and a winding river. The town also boasts a variety of public markets, one of which has a daily run-in with the local train.

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The Songkran Festival

By RILEY STEVENSON
Sunday January 29, 2012 01:30 AM

Partake in a nation-wide water fight this April at the Songkran Festival in Bangkok. To revitalize and renew, Thai residents cleanse everything from the Buddha belly to an innocent passer-by with water. The festival commemorates the beginning of the Thai New Year with a splash.

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