Thailand Events Calendar 2002

The summer season is the time when every one's thoughts turn towards the beach, and the world of sports is no exception, as the coming of summer heralds the start of the beach volleyball season. This year beach volleyball kicks off in Pattaya with a special event, the TAT All Stars Challenge for women, which takes place on the beach in front of Pattaya Park Hotel on 30-31 March 2002.

This event involves players from the top 4 Asia-Pacific countries - Australia, China, Japan and Thailand - who will fight it out for the TAT trophy and the winners cheque of Baht 175,000. The tournament features six teams, which are divided into two groups playing a round-robin format. The winners and runners-up in each group will advance to the semi-finals of the competition, semi-final winners will compete for the TAT trophy whilst the losers will play off for third and fourth spot.

This event is part of TAT's 'Thais visit Thailand' programme, which has the theme 'Music and Sport' in March.

Beach volleyball has become popular in Thailand since the women's pairing Pangkha and Arlaisak won the Asian Games gold medal in 1996, at the same venue. The pair will be one of the Thai teams competing in this event and they will be looking to once again get the upper hand over their Asian rivals. Australia and China are the Asian powerhouses in women's beach volleyball, with each country having top 10 rankings. Japan and Thailand also have world ranked teams, with Thailand's top pair of Pangkha and Arlaisak finishing 43rd in the 2001 world rankings.

The TAT All Stars Challenge is promoted by Pentangle Promotions Co., Ltd. and TV Forum Co., Ltd., with the support of the Volleyball Association of Thailand and Chonburi Province. Matches will be played in two sessions, mornings and afternoons, with the finals being held on Sunday, 31 March from 1400 onwards.

For further information on the event please visit Pentangle Promotions website

12-19 April - Pattaya Festival

Held every year in mid April to coincide with the traditional Thai New Year holidays of Songkran, the Pattaya Festival sees the resort's beachside promenade transform into a playground. Apart from the traditional water throwing there are shows, contests, sporting competitions and a parade.

This year the festival will take place between 12 and 19 April, with a parade of floral floats broadcast live on national television. The opening ceremony will be held on 12 April at 1700 and the winning float in the parade will be honoured with a trophy.

This is all part of a government campaign to revive Pattaya and turn it into a festival resort year round.

On the following day, the fun begins with an enthusiasm unmatched in the country. In Pattaya the sprinkling of water to cool friends and pay respect takes on a new meaning throughout the national Songkran Holidays.

Of course elders are treated with respect and at the temples the traditional sprinkling and bathing of Buddhist images is done with deep respect for the religion and national culture. But elsewhere in the resort this is a fun week where everybody is expected to join and nobody is excused from getting a real dousing.

Sometimes the fun knows no boundaries with teenagers riding shotgun on pick-up trucks. Their weapons are hose pipes, water guns and the old fashioned bucket. No one escapes the deluge.

Even so the true nature of Songkran should not be forgotten. The Thai New Year also holds valuable importance for society and religion. Family members gather together to pay respect to their elders by pouring scented water on the hands of their parents and grandparents and to present gifts. They also make merit to respect their ancestors. The elders in return wish the youngsters good luck and prosperity. They may even bless them and give them a little extra pocket money to enjoy the festival.

Thais value the religious significance of Songkran, through making merit to monks and the Dhamma practice, listening to sermons and monks' advice on life.

The Pattaya Festival will take place along the Beach Road from North Pattaya through to South Pattaya with lots of activities such as Thai cooking demonstrations, live concerts, cultural performances, exhibitions and stalls selling goods. A fishing village model has been erected, to reflect Pattaya's past, and a Miss Pattaya Jumbo contest is also part of the fun activities.

Youngsters will also have the opportunity to display their talents on stage and there will be games on offer. Sporting activities will also be on the menu, with windsurfing, Thai Boxing and car rallies.

The Pattaya Festival seeks to promote tourism in Thailand along with making the celebration of the Thai New Year very special.