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november
Sporty in Phuket
Get your fix of live sporting events this month in Phuket. First, watch an unconventional football tournament, the Phuket International Soccer 7s (28 to 29 November, www.thai7s.com/phuket), where 40 soccer teams from as far away as England and the UAE will kick off seven-a-side games in the two-day tournament. Then, stick around to set sail with one of the biggest and most popular regattas in Asia, the King’s Cup Regatta (30 November to 5 December, www.kingscup.com).
Until 2
On the full moon of the 12th lunar month (29 October to 2 November) Thais give thanks to the water goddess in a candlelit ceremony called Loi Krathong. During the festival, people send krathongs – floating lotus-shaped offerings made from banana leaves that hold lit candles – into lakes, rivers and even hotel pools. These drift away to the river goddess, who, they believe, can grant wishes for the upcoming year. In Chiang Mai, krathongs are paper-thin tubular lanterns which rise like hot-air balloons into the sky, propelled by the candle inside. Sukhothai is a wonderful place to experience Loi Krathong too. (See In Focus on page 22 for more.) www.thailandgrandfestival.com
6
Singapore’s up-and-coming fashion designers will showcase their collections at the Next Next Fashion Show at PARCO@Millenia, a brand new shopping mall in the island’s south. Featuring 18 young local labels, the show at 8pm will include Kanwal Jit Kaur’s eponymous clothing line and avant-garde bow ties and broaches by accessory label L’Ile aux Ashby. The event is part of the Fashion Incubator project, which aims to showcase emerging Singapore’s so-called ‘designpreneurs’ in the mall’s prime retail space. www.taff.org.sg
12-15
Hong Kong is getting ready to teeoff with its annual golf tournament, the UBS Hong Kong Open, where gentlemen golf pros from the PGA European and Asian tours will compete in four rounds at the Hong Kong Golf Club’s rolling greens to determine who will make or beat par and pocket the HK$2,500,000 prize. Last year’s flrst-place champions included regional sports icon Lin Wen-Tang from Taiwan with a score of 15 under par. www.ubshongkongopen.com
28
Best known for her warm vocals, Danish songstress Sinne Eeg is coming to Koh Samui for a one-night appearance at Samui Jazz (see Terminal Tunes on page 15 for more). Hosted at the swish Koh Samui Airport, Eeg will entertain from 7.30 to 11pm with hits like ‘Waiting for Dawn’ and ‘What a Little Moonlight Can Do’. www.samuijazz.com
december
This month in Luang Prabang
Study the beauty and diversity of Luang Prabang’s ethnic groups in Splendour and Sacriflce: Taoism of Northern Laos, an exhibit of otherwise obscure tribal customs and costumes at the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (www.taeclaos.org). Taking these displays to the catwalk, Hive Bar (www.hivebarlaos.com) is featuring Ethnik Fashion Shows, every Tuesday to Saturday at 7pm, with more than 90 customary outfits from 20 ethnic groups.
5
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand – the longest reigning monarch in the world (63 years) – will celebrate his 82nd birthday on 5 December. Recognised as a nationwide holiday, people honour his birthday by wearing yellow, the Thai Buddhist lucky colour for Monday. Many will flock to Bangkok’s Sanam Luang, outside the Grand Palace, for festivities featuring music and the giving of alms. www.tourismthailand.org
11 onwards
Thai artist Maitree Siriboon and British photographer Tim Brightmore present Isarn Boy Soi 4, an autobiographical art exhibit at Bangkok’s Whitespace Gallery that explores the clash of cultures in the city’s gay and clubbing district. The artists are donating 20% of all print sales to Sarnelli House, an orphanage for abandoned and HIV-positive children. www.whitesp-ce.com
15-22
The Cambodia National Volleyball League (Disabled) is ranked third in the world behind Germany and Slovakia. The only Cambodian team able to compete at an international elite level, the CNVLD national team is in good standing (even on prosthetic limbs) to win the cup this month when the Disabled Volleyball World Cup is held on their home ground at the Phnom Penh National Olympic Stadium. Go along and support this team of inspiring sportsmen, many of whom are landmine survivors. www.standupcambodia.net
19 onwards
Breathe easy through the holidays with Yoga Thailand’s Christmas and New Years retreats.
Set on the breezy beaches of Koh Samui, licensed instructors will work your form and technique throughout two week-long courses: the Christmas Retreat (19 to 26 December) and the New Year’s Retreat (26 December to 2 January). www.yoga-thailand.com
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