Rattanakosin on show

BANGKOK, 27 March 2013: Thailand  will organise a cultural show marking the birth and development of the present Rattanakosin period.

“Thailand Heritage Highlights”, will be organised 20 to 22 April at Rattanakosin historical district in  Bangkok, where most of the city’s historical attractions are located.

It will focus on the Chakri Dynasty particularly King Rama I, King Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke the Great who established Rattanakosin (Bangkok) 21 April 1782.

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Thai builds cultural ties in China

BANGKOK, 27 February 2013:  To improve awareness of Thai culture in the East Asia region, the government will establish a Thai culture centre in China.

Ministry of Culture permanent secretary, Pritsana Pongthatsirikul, said during the recent visit of Chinese Minister of Culture Cai Wu that both sides had agreed to set up a centre to provide Chinese citizens information about Thai cultural heritage and traditions.

“The move will strengthen cultural ties between the two countries and in addition building robust bilateral trade relations.”

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From prison to plaza

CHIANG MAI, 29 January 2013: Chiang Mai will add a cultural plaza on a plot of land that once housed a century-old prison.

Chiang Mai governor, Thanin Supasan, said the cultural plaza called Khuang Luang Wiang Kaew will benefit both locals and tourists.

“The plaza also will be used to organise religious activities and ceremonies  related to Buddhism,” he said.

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Taiwan increases quota for Chinese tourists

TAIPEI, 24 January 2013: Taiwan is to increase its quota for tourists from China by 40% to allow 7,000 arrivals a day, the government announced Wednesday in a fresh bid to boost travel from the mainland.

The daily quota for solo tourists was being doubled from 1,000 to 2,000, while 5,000 group tourists will be allowed in from the current 4,000, said the Tourism Bureau, adding that both measures were expected to take effect in May.

China has replaced Japan to become the biggest source of visitors to Taiwan, with 2.58 million arrivals in 2012.

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Vietnam needs concert venues

HO CHI MINH CITY, 3 December 2012: Vietnam’s commercial capital, Ho Chi Minh City should be the venue for large-scale musical concerts to add entertainment appeal  for visitors.

Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association general secretary, Ton That Hoa, said the city needs a modern theatre where Vietnamese artists can perform traditional music programmes for international travellers.

Supporters claim it would help to increase length of stay and give the southern city an opportunity to become a cultural or musical centre.

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Hanoi elevates pavilion as official symbol

HANOI, 3 December 2012: Vietnam’s National Assembly approved a law, last week, that makes the Khue Van Cac (Pavilion of the Constellation of literature) in Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature) the symbol of Hanoi.

The votes were cast at the 13th National Assembly with 77.31% of the deputies favouring ‘Khue Van Cac’ as the symbol for Hanoi, while 14.86% disagreed.

According to the committee, Khue Van Cac reflects the country’s ancient culture and the city was already using the symbol.

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Movies build ASEAN awareness

KUALA LUMPUR, 2 November 2012: Malaysia’s Information, Communication and Culture Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, says hosting more film productions could build awareness for the ASEAN community which is due to commence in 2015.

The minister said: “The region’s cultural richness should attract more Hollywood and Bollywood film-makers to shoot on location, which is another way to boost awareness of ASEAN tourism.”

Malaysia’s multi-cultural and racial layers would appeal to a broad base of film producers, worldwide, but particularly China and India. The country also has cultural links to Europe through its Portuguese and colonial British architecture as well as the dominant Malay, Chinese and Indian cultures that make up Malaysian society.

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Twenty nine sites due for makeover

BANGKOK, 2 November 2012: Thailand’s Department of Tourism, which is supervised by Ministry of Tourism and Sports, said 29 tourism sites have been selected for an upgrade as part of a larger plan to generate more tourism revenue.

The department acting deputy general director, Arnupap Gaesornsuwan, said 29 sites have been selected out of 100 screened by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

“The improvement project at sites in 18 provinces could cost Bt1 billion. Each site is popular with local and foreign tourists, but improvements are deemed necessary.”

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Lightning beheads temple demon

BANGKOK, 26 October 2012: Ministry of Culture’s Fine Arts Department says the department will install a new lightning rod on the Temple of Dawn after lightning struck and broke a sculpture, last week.

The department said Wednesday it has already, started fixing the sculpture of a Yaksa demon at the temple — the head of which was  chopped by lightening.

“The repairs will include cleaning of the broken parts, strengthening the structure of the demon and reconnecting the head to the body,” artisan Pasom Narata said.

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Temple of Dawn under repair

BANGKOK, 20 August 2012: Thailand’s Ministry of Culture will allocate around Bt80 million to restore Bangkok’s must-see attraction the Temple of Dawn which suffered from floods, seepage from the river and rain damage in recent years.

Initial repairs will close some parts of the temple to tourists over the next few months. The full restoration is not due until 2017.

Culture Minister, Sukumol Kunplome, said the Fine Arts Department will conduct a thorough check on the foundations and structure of the famed temple after damage was reported last year.

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