December 2002 84th Issue

Destination of the year

Thailand wins Destination of the Year for 2002! The award was presented at Sofitel Central Plaza in Bangkok.Thailand scored a first by winning this accolade for the second time since this category was introduced in 1997 at the annual Travel Awards. Since clinching the Destination of the Year Award for the first time in 1998, Thailand has moved from strength to strength in winning first-time visitors and fans on repeat trips from the Asia Pacific region and all over the world.
When tourism in the whole world declined due to the global economic downturn and the turmoil following September 11 last year, Thailand continued to post positive results. Despite the odds, it received 10.1 million visitors last year, an amazing increase of 5.78 per cent, and tourism receipts in 2001 amounted to more than 299 billion Baht.
In 1998 when Asia was in the throes of its currency crisis, Thailand grew 7.53 per cent with 7.76 million visitors and chalked up 242 billion Baht in tourism receipts.
Putting statistics aside, the appeal of the destination has remained fresh as it has consistently delivered quality, good service, value and diversity. This is all due to its creative and high-profile marketing initiatives and the ability to attract tourism investment. The destination remains in the forefront and is sought after. Coupled with the leadership and commitment of the players in an industry, which receives strong support from the government and the personal endorsement of the prime minister, Thailand is truly a winner.
The travel awards are organised by TTG Asia Media Pte. Ltd. Which is a subsidiary of China.com and Hongkong.com. It publishes leading travel trade publications such as TTG Asia, and TTG China.
The winners received a distinctive trophy, a statuette of Hermes the God of Travel.
Other nobable winners: Thai Airways, Asia Trails, and Six Senses Spas.

A month of celebration

December 10 marks the Constitution Day which is held annually to commemorate the advent of the regime of Constitutional Monarchy in Thailand.
Previously, the government of Thailand was an absolute monarchy until June 24, 1932 there was a transition to constitutional monarchy led by a group of young intellectuals educated abroad and inspired by the concept of western democratic procedures. The group which was known as “People’s Party or Khana Rasdr” was led by Luang Pradit Manudharm (Pridi Panomyong). To avoid bloodshed, King Rama VII (King Prajadhipok) had prepared, even before being asked, to hand over his powers to the people.
All Thai constitutions, however, recognise the King as Head of State, head of the Armed Forces, Upholder of All Religions and sacred and inviolable in his person. His Majesty the King’s sovereign power emanates from the people and is exercised in three ways, namely; legislative power through the National Assembly, executive power through the Cabinet and Judicial power through the law courts.
Even though the Revolution of 1932 brought an end to the centuries old absolute monarchy, the reverence of the Thai people towards their kings has not been diminished by this change.
Portraits of Thai kings are prominently displayed throughout the kingdom. On Constitution Day, the entire nation is greeted with festivity. The government offices, private buildings and most high rises are decorated with national flags and bunting and are brightly illuminated. On this day, all Thai citizens jointly express their gratitude to the king who graciously granted them an opportunity to take part in governing the country.

CHRISTMAS
A Christian holy day held on December 25th in honour of the birth of Jesus though no one knows the exact date of his birthday. The word Christmas comes from Cristes Maesse, an early English phrase that means Mass of Christ. During the Christmas season, Christians exchange gifts, decorates their homes with holly, mistletoe and Christmas trees and they prepare special foods and join in a carol singing.The first Christmas celebrated in A.D. 336. By 1100, Christmas had become the most important religious festival in Europe and Saint Nicholas was the symbol of gift giving but then replaced by Santa Claus in the United States and other countries.
The word Xmas is sometimes used instead of Christmas. X is Christ’s first letter in Greek.
The Celebration of Christmas.
Religious practices. For most Christians, the Christmas season begins on the Sunday nearest November 30. The first Sunday of the month of December is the first day of Advent, a four-week period where Christians prepare for the celebration of Christmas. The word ADVENT means a COMING and refers to the coming of Jesus on Christmas day.
During the Christmas season many houses and churches display a creche (Nativity scene). It has figures of Mary and Joseph praying beside the infant Jesus in the stable and figures of the Magi, angels, shepherd, and various animals surrounding the Holy Family.
For many Christians, the Christmas season reaches a climax at midnight mass or other religious services on Christmas Eve. Most churches also hold services on Christmas day. Christmas ends on January 6, Epiphany. Epiphany celebrates the coming of the Wise Men to the Christ child and it falls on the 12th day after Christmas.
Gift Giving. The people give each other small presents as part of their year-end and Christmas celebrations. This custom probably began in ancient Rome and northern Europe.
Today, Santa Claus brings presents to children in many countries. A number of other countries have their own versions of Santa Claus, such as Father Christmas in the British Isles, Pere Noel in France and Weihnachtsmann in Germany.
The custom of hanging stockings or socks by the fireplace or near their window probably developed when Magi put small gifts in the shoes during the night.
Christmas feasting. The preparation of special foods became an important part of the Christmas celebration thoughout the world, many of which last for several days.
At the first Christmas feast people roasted boars, pigs and peacocks over large open fires. Today, roasted turkey is the most popular main course in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Popular beverages served specially at Christmastime include eggnog in the United States and hot, spicy wassail in England and hot punch made with spices, sweet liquors, raisins and nuts in Sweden.
In the United States the favorite Christmas desserts are include fruitcake, mince pie and pumpkin pie. Plum pudding is traditional in Canada and British Isles.
Christmas decorations. The traditional colors of Christmas are green and red. Green represents the continuance of life though the winter and the Christian belief in eternal life through Christ. Red symbolizes the blood that Jesus shed at His Crucifixion. Wreath, holly, mistletoe and Christmas trees feature these colors.
The Christmas tree probably developed in medieval Germany from the “Paradise Tree”, a type of evergreen. This tree decorated with red apples used in a popular Christmas play about Adam and Eve.
Holly is an evergreen tree with glossy leaves and bright red berries. It is used in making Christmas wreaths and other decorations. They called it holy tree, and the word holly may have come from this name.
Mistletoe is an evergreen plant with dark leaves and shiny white berries. Ancient Celtic priests considered the plant sacred and gave people sprigs of it to use as charms.
Christmas carols. The word carol came from a Greek dance called a choraulein, which was accompanies with a flute music. Most of the carols sung today were originaly composed in the 1700’s and 1800’s. They include “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”. The words of the famous carol “Silent Night” were written on Christmas Eve in 1818 by Joseph Mohr, an Australian priest while at the midnight Mass in 1847 “O Holy Night” introduced, another famous carol.
Christmas card. “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you” was the first message on the card created in 1843 by John Calcott Horsley, an English illustrator.

Dusit Press Release

Incentive / Convention Buyers Delegates welcomed to Dusit, Cha-am.
Incentive/Convention Buyers Delegates were visiting Thailand recently to participate IT & CMA Trade Show at IMPACT. During the post trip, which was arranged by TAT and TICA, they visited Dusit Resort and Polo Club, Cha-am / Hua Hin, where they were welcomed by the hotel's Sales Manager, Niti Ratcharit (2nd row 3rd left).

Sad Death of Popular Lady

We are very sorry to report the sad and needless death of Khun Yu, who was killed by a hit and run driver last month.
Khun Yu was known as the hardest working person in town, she carried her cakes and pastries on a bicycle to all corners of the town, at all times of the day and night, it seemed she never took a day off.
She will be missed by all her many regular customers.
Thanks to Jim at Coconuts for the picture.

Where can you Smoke?

New anti smoking legislation came into effect on November 1st and as it's caused a certain amount of confusion to say the least, we'll attempt to clarify the areas where smoking is not allowed: 1 Business areas allowing internet access that are air conditioned. 2 Retail shops. 3 Fitness rooms or areas for undertaking exercise. 4 Areas for drinking or dining. 5 Toilets. 6 Areas inside a hotel that also have air con, which have not been mentioned in the previous 5 points.
Places you can smoke, 1 areas where drinks are served but no food. 2 Pubs, bars and discos. 3 Waiting areas in restaurants and lobbies, where no food and drink is served.
Individuals found smoking in no-smoking areas can be fined up to 2,000 Baht and businesses which break these laws are subject to fines up to 20,000 Baht.

Baby Girl For Alain And Tukky

Alain received the perfect gift from Tukky for his birthday, on Nov 10: A baby, Doreen weighing 3,5 kilos. Happy birthday and congratulations, Alain and Tukky.

Features

this month

regulars

stories

sports

golf

funnies

back issues