tourismthailand blog

 Mrs. Malinee Kitapanich, Meetings & Incentives Director of Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB)

Thailand is considered one of the most outstanding Creative Event organizers in the world and TCEB has teamed up with 5 strategic partners of creative arms and tourism agencies both state and private sectors in Thailand to establish “Thailand Creative Event Awards-TCEA”. The objectives of the event are to showcase creative events held in Thailand, to enhance the country’s image as the preferred venue for high quality, creative international business events, to raise the quality of business events in Thailand to international standards and to reinforce the country’s competitive advantage on the global stage.

Impressive Opening Ceremony - TAT Mega Fam 2008 for Buyers and Media

The “Thailand Creative Event Awards (TCEA)” is under the working plan of Creative Event Advisory Panel (CEAP) with its 5 strategic partners including, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT), Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA), Event Management Association (EMA) and Marketing Association of Thailand (MAT), together with one advisory organization Krungthai Card Public Company Limited.These 5 partners and advisor will be screening and selecting the best Creative Events of Thailand.

The “Thailand Creative Event Awards (TCEA)” is open for all the business entrepreneurs in Event organizing business, seminar business from all over the country whether it is small or big companies to enter into this competition. The Creative Event needs to use local resources in Thailand and shows the creativity of blending into its unique selling point of each event and impresses its customers.

Local Thai designers showcase at Zen (CentralWorld)

Both Thai and foreign owned organizations are invited to submit entries. The entry should be within the past 5 years by the time of submission and must be approved by the client/event owner prior to the submission. The Entry must highlight on creativity in organizing and delivering the event and has unique “out of the box” characteristic.

TCEB only accept online submission at http://www.tceb.or.th/tcea  in Thai or English languages by November 1 – January 31, 2010. The judging period will be during February 8-12, 2010 and finalist announcement will be on February 15, 2010 and the award presentation has been scheduled for February 25, 2010.

The event will be held annually and those who is selected could have a chance to present its Creative Event idea to the world.Winners will also be entitled to use the TCEA 2009 Winner Logo as recognition and in their marketing communications messages.

TCEA Winner Logo

A Gorgeous Sunset over Sattahip, Chonburi Province

Last week, I was invited to Khun Senee’s belated  farewell party and it has given me  the opportunity to see parts of Sattahip in Chonburi province . The trip was organised by Khun Suchada and staff from the IT department.  We spent a memorable night singing our hearts out at the Royal  Thai Navy Club and visited some places of interest around Sattahip. Karaoke singing has always been hugely popular amongst Thais. 

Karaoke singing has always been hugely popular amongst Thais

Sattahip is a district (amphoe) located at the southern tip of Chonburi province, about 30km from the tourism centre of Pattaya. To the south and the east is the Gulf of Thailand. The Sattahip Naval Base is the largest base of the Royal Thai Navy and is home to the HTMS Chakri Naruebet, the Navy’s sole aircraft carrier. It was my first experience on board a battle war vessel.

Chuk Samet Deep Seaport at Sattahip, Chonburi

 HTMS Chakri Naruebet (เรือรบหลวงจักรีนฤเบศร) with a  28-meter wide runway

Most of the islands around Sattahip have white sandy beaches and crystal clear water as compared with Pattaya. Island such as Koh Kham is managed by the Royal Thai Navy is open for day visits by the public. It is advisable to carry a bottle of insect repellent with you For years, the Royal Thai Navy has collaborated with private and non-profit organisation to protect and conserve the marine envirnoment.  The objective of the Marine Turtle Conservation Center at Sattahip is to create love and the preservation awareness towards Thai sea turtles. Thousands of  sea turtles are released to celebrate  HM The King’s birthday each year.

Koh Kham, Sattahip (Chonburi Province)

Releasing sea turtles (Marine Turtle Conservation Center,Sattahip)

Besides the navy vessels, there is a large number of  fishing boats dotted along the coastline. Squid fishing is a big business in Thailand.  In the village, squids and anchovies are laid out and  left to dry naturally in the sun.  You may also visit clown fish farms  to find little Nemo and feast on sumptuous seafood and other local delicacies before heading back to Pattaya.

Squids are left to dry naturally in the sun

Dried anchovies (Sattahip, Chonburi)

To me, the sunny island  Koh Kham and the  Marine Turtle Conservation Center is worth a visit  and Sattahip is a good place to shop for cheap  Navy gear and apparel.

Sunset over Sattahip (Chonburi province)

Miss Loy Krathong (Bangkok) - Miss Phenthip Kasayakorn

Loy Krathong is considered one of Thailand’s most beautiful festivals. It is celebrated on the twelfth lunar month when Thai people pay tribute to the Goddess of the River (Chao Mae Kongka).  The highlight of the festival will be the most beautiful Krathong contest and beauty pageant set in memory of “Nang Noppamas“, a legendary woman in the Sukhothai period about 700 years ago. Nang Noppamas was the chief royal consort of the King, named “Lithai” in the Sukhothai period. She was said to have made the first ever decorated Krathong to float in the river on the occasion. In order to complete the celebrations, it is traditional to find the prettiest young lady from each area.

Finalists - Loy Krathong Festival 2009 (Bangkok)

Miss Phenthip Kasayakorn (nickname: N’Natt), a student from Rachamongkol Institute of Technology  was crowned Nang Noppamas (Miss Loy Krathong) and also won the Miss Photogenic title and the 100000 baht prize in the Loy Krathong Festival 2009  in Bangkok.

 Wining the Miss Photogenic Title - Miss Phenthip Kasayakorn

Miss Phenthip Kasayakorn (Miss Loy Krathong Bangkok)

Prize presentation (100000 baht)

Group photo with judges (Loy Krathong Festival 2009, Bangkok)