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july your guide to what’s on
7-29
Get yourself to Bangkok’s Rajamangala stadium on the 7th to watch Thailand play Iraq in the opening game of the region’s premier football tournament, The AFC Asian Cup.
Sixteen countries (including Vietnam, Japan, China and Indonesia) will play in over 30 matches to be held throughout the month. www.afcasiancup.com
15
Thailand’s oldest marathon at Pattaya is ready, set, go to attract the usual mix of world-class and local runners to the race that see participants coast down Jomtien Beach. Besides the top prize of 150,000 baht, any competitor to break the Pattaya Marathon record wins an additional 50,000 baht. www.pattaya-marathon.com
19-22
With award-winning British actor Sir Ian McKellen in the cast, tickets are sure to fly fast for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s adaptation of King Lear (below) at the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay in Singapore. Book your tickets early as this is the only Asian stop on the company’s 2007 world tour. www.srt.com.sg
From 19
Watch the Andaman Sea fill with colourful sails during the 4th Evason Phuket Raceweek, due to take place in the waters off stunning Rawai beach.
Catch the excitement as the winning yachts from last year’s event like Som Tam Express and La Samudra (left) return to compete for the cup. For those who prefer to stay on dry land and watch the action, there’s also nightly prize-giving parties on the beach. www.phuketraceweek.com
26
Night-time at Republic Square in the Maldivian capital of Malé is the place to be for The Maldives Independence Day anniversary celebrations. Expect a colourful procession, performances, traditional dances, ornate floats and more. www.visitmaldives.com
Until 31
The best of Th ai art is on show in a captivating twin-venue exhibition, The Wonders of the Island, on Koh Samui in honour of His Majesty the King’s 80th birthday. The works from over 15 artists off er various depictions of the landscape and culture of their homeland. Held at both The Imperial Samui Hotel, Chaweng Noi and The Imperial Boat House Hotel, Cheong Mon. www.imperialhotels.com
august your guide to what’s on
6
For a special day of remembrance, head to Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Ceremony. The city comes to a standstill as the Bell of Peace at the Cenotaph begins to ring at 8.15am – the exact time the atomic bomb was dropped on the Japanese city in 1945. Once darkness descends, join thousands at the Motoyasu River to send paper lanterns downstream to bring peace to the souls of those who had tragically died. www.pcf.city.hiroshima.jp
12
Happy Birthday to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of Thailand. Join the Kingdom in celebrating the special occasion, which also signifies the country’s official Mother’s Day, and enjoy the coloured lights and flags decorating Bangkok’s Rachadamnoen Road. www.thailandgrandfestival.com
16
After the phenomenal success of her second solo album Sweet Escape, super-stylish Gwen Stefani is ready to rock the Asia World Arena on the Hong Kong leg of her world tour this month. Expect the usual eye-catching outfits and energetic on-stage antics from the platinum blonde. www.hkticketing.com
26
Ethnic Chinese in China, Vietnam and all over Asia begin the solemn Festival of the Hungry Ghosts on this day. During this seventh lunar month, spirits are said to roam earth as the gates of hell open up. Witness the streetside burning of paper “hell money” and food offerings, both of which are said to appease the restless spirits.
25-26
During the Boun Khao Padabdin festival, the people of Laos pay homage to their dead by visiting temples, and making offerings of food and paper money.
In Luang Prabang, the festival is followed with boat racing on the Nam Khan River and a trade fair in the centre of the World Heritage town. www.tourismlaos.gov.la
Until 31
See some of Cameron Hansen’s finest works of photography in a new series depicting Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia at his Koh Samui gallery. The photographer is a purist, preferring to use film over digital, and favours panoramic prints which perfectly depict Indochina’s sprawling landscapes. www.cameronhansen.net
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