Honda LPGA Tour Pattaya Thailand 2009

Media Information Fact Sheet

The Media Centre is located at the basement of the Clubhouse. Media will enter the Clubhouse through the entrance in front of the triple green 4th , 9th ,16th .

Media Centre Facilities

* Fully-equipped with complete WiFi & 56 LAN functionality

* 56 workstations and 33 phone lines

* 9 desktop computers

* photo-copiers

* fax-machines

* beverages and light snacks will be available all day

* a buffet lunch will be served for all media

Parking

* Each media outlet may request up to one parking pass to park at Car Park B, where there are plenty of parking spaces; but if the lot is full, media can park their cars in the public car park area, where there will be tournament shuttle to take them to the clubhouse.

Photography

* An official photographer will be working throughout the tournament to take course and player shots. These photos will be made available to all media outlets at the media center throughout the day

Media Centre 038.909.610 to 038.909.642

Media Centre Team

James Best 083.198.4722

Barakorn Petchnoi (Bee) 086.389.5645

Supawadee Srirojpinyo (Kate) 086.796.9009

Jittima Maekharosthammakul (Jo) 086.907.8340

Hariruck Pewngam (Poh) 086.644.9636

For further information, please contact:

Aziam Burson-Marsteller Tel: 02.252.9871

James Best 083.198.4722

Supawadee Srirojpinyo 086.796.9009

http://www.lpgathailand.com

Honda LPGA Thailand 2009 at Pattaya’s Siam Country Club, February 26 – March 1, 2009

Following the successes of the Honda LPGA Thailand 2006 and 2007, Mr. Kenji Otaka, President of Honda Automobile (Thailand) Ltd. announces Honda’s continued support of the Honda LPGA Thailand 2009.

Since its inauguration in 2006, the Honda LPGA Thailand has now become one of the highlights in the LPGA Tournament, and forms an integral part of the LPGA calendar. The tournament was a huge success last year which attracted more than 25,000 spectators at the golf course and secured the participation of world-class LPGA golfers.”

It is indeed an honour for Honda, in its capacity as title sponsor, to team up with our partners in organizing this Honda LPGA Thailand 2009 which will be held at Siam Country Club, Pattaya. For fans and enthusiasts, they will be treated to four days of world-class golf, watching their favourite players in action as they attempt to beat their personal best scores to win the top cash prize from US$ 1.45 million prize purse.

As well as thrilling the golf fans with a keenly fought contest, the tournament allows them to see top-ranked professionals of the Ladies Professional Golf Association competing this year. Honda is delighted to confirm the participation of the world’s leading female golfers, Ms. Lorena Ochoa, and Ms. Paula Creamer, who will both take part in next year’s exciting tournament. The Honda LPGA 2009 will be spiced up with an additional Hole-in-one prize of the new Honda Accord 2.4 EL valued at 1.5 million baht.

The player field of Honda LPGA Thailand 2009 will comprise of 50 leading LPGA Tour players and 10 sponsor invites, competing for a purse of US$1.45 million over 72 holes stroke play with no cut in the field. The strong player field of Honda LPGA Thailand 2009 will ensure the Thailand crowds experience the most exciting actions at Pattaya in the weekend of February 26 to March 1, 2009.

Mini Light & Sound Show of Akha Hilltribe In Thailand

Dates: 28 February 2009, 28 March 2009 and 25 April 2009

Venue: Chiang Rai Province

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Chiang Rai Office, with the cooperation of the Chiang Rai Social Development Center, will present a series of mini light and sound shows called "The Akha: People of the Hills" at the Chiang Rai Social Development Center, Mae Chan district, Chiang Rai province.

"The Akha: People of the Hills" mini light and sound show has been shown every year since 1999. The schedules of the performance are as follows: 28 February 2009, 28 March 2009 and 25 April 2009. Ticket prices are 150 baht and 300 baht including a meal.

The show presents the way of life and culture of the Akha, one of the hilltribes that live in the north of Thailand. The performers are the hilltribe people who live at the Chiang Rai Social Development Center. The show helps to earn more funds to support the activities of the center and to conserve the way of life of the hilltribe people.

For more information, please contact :

TAT Chiang Rai Office

0 5374 4674-75, 0 5371 7433

Ticket booking:

Chiang Rai Social Development Centre

0 5391 4471, 08 6913 8937

Thai Exotic Fruit Fair : The Marian Plum Orchards 2009

19-25 February 2009

Venue: The ground near the Nakhon Nayok Provincial Administration Office

Nakhon Nayok Province, renowned as an agricultural area full of fertile soil and plenty of water, boasts several kinds of agricultural produce. Among them, the most popular is the marian plum.

The marian plum, an exotic fruit of Thailand, is in season only for a short period from January to March. Therefore, it is now time to visit the marian plum orchards in Nakhon Nayok and savour the freshly harvested fruit.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Nakhon Nayok Office and the Marian Plum Orchards Association of Nakhon Nayok are jointly planning to hold the Marian Plum and Best Products of Nakhon Nayok Fair 2009 from 19-25 February 2009 at the ground near the Nakhon Nayok Provincial Administration Office, Muang County.

The joyful fair features agricultural and other products of the province such as the high quality marian plums and marian plum saplings. Other activities include a marian plum contest, a marian plum arrangement contest and visits to the marian plum orchards.

For more information, please contact :

TAT Nakhon Nayok on tel. +66 0 3731 2282 or 0 3731 2284

AROMA SPA IN BANGKOK : Aromatic by Spa De Concorde

Spa De Concorde on 3rd floor of Swissotel Le Concorde Bangkok lets you feel free through body from head to toe with our aromatic oil massage package, Aroma…Aromatic by De Concorde.

Start by releasing the stiff feeling on your feet from Aromatic Foot Massage, then abandon stress and worry thing with Aromatic Head Massage and get more comfort and relax by Aromatic Body Massage, at price only Baht 2,500.

Spa De Concorde opens daily from 10.00 a.m. – 10.00 p.m., located on 3rd floor of Swissotel Le Concorde Bangkok, near the subway of MRT Huay Kwang Station.

For more information, please call (66) 0 2694 2222 ext. 1717.

For more information, please contact:

Kunjarika Kunjara

Boderat Kuratchatchaval

Sarin Saktaipattana

(Marketing Communications Department)

BANGKOK DAY SPA

What Is A Day Spa ?

Author: Chris Powell

A day spa is a great place where you can take the time to go and pamper yourself. These establishments can be found all over the country and can offer many benefits to the user.

Many of these places offer a wide variety of treatments and relief from the everyday stresses of life. They have a wide variety of things that are designed to make you feel special and pampered in getting you to that level of peace and happiness that you desire to make your body feel good and relieved.

These day spas are located all over the place and some of them will have different themes and styles associated with them. Some of them will even be attached to a hotel or resort in order for you to fully appreciate all that they have to offer in an effort to give you a true feeling of relaxation and enjoyment.

Aromatherapy

Aromas are used to identify the oils, to determine adulteration, and to stir the memory, but not to directly bring about a cure or healing. It is the "essence" of the oil--its chemical properties--that gives it whatever therapeutic value the oil might have. Furthermore, vapors are used in some but not all cases of aromatherapy. In most cases, the oil is rubbed onto the skin or ingested in a tea or other liquid. Some aromatherapists even consider cooking with herbs a type of aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy is a term coined by French chemist René Maurice Gattefossé in the 1920's to describe the practice of using essential oils taken from plants, flowers, roots, seeds, etc., in healing. The term is a bit misleading, since the aromas of oils, whether natural or synthetic, are generally not themselves therapeutic.

Budget Day Spa In Bangkok

If you want to enjoy full quality day spa service in Bangkok and don't wish to pay excessive price, you finally found a right place. Sense of Spa Bangkok is the most popular budget day spa in Bangkok. This Bangkok day spa satisfied thousands of people around the world for the last 4 years.

THAILAND VALENTINE'S : Wedding on Elephant Back, Surin Province

14 February -- Valentine's Day

Venue: Elephant Study Centre, Surin Province (457 km northeast of Bangkok)

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) invites you to join the ceremony of "Wedding on Elephant Back" at Surin Province. This year, there are 41 couples joining the ceremony.

As elephants and Thais have maintained a close relationship since ancient time, many of the creatures are domesticated mostly in the north and northeastern regions of Thailand such as in Lampang and Surin provinces.

Yearly on 14 February, the Elephant Study Centre in Surin Province holds a Wedding on Elephant Back" ceremony. The couples getting married in this style will go through the "sat-te" ceremony which is the traditional wedding ceremony of the kui* people, which is unique and full of meaning. On the wedding day, the brides and grooms will be traditionally dressed. The brides wear a crown made of palm leaf while the grooms wear a three-coloured auspicious rope.

Before the "sat-te" ceremony begins, the elephant processions of the brides will first arrive at the precinct. Then, the majestic elephant procession of the grooms will reach the ritual ground to start the engagement and wedding procedures. After that, the couples will continue the "sat-te" ceremony in cottages specially built. After finishing this stage, the couples will ride on elephants to register their marriages. The last stage is to joyfully feed the elephants.

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*Kui refers to the descendants of the Mon-Khmer people mostly live in Surin Province.

Couples interested in participating the ceremony can contact all district administrative offices in Surin.

For more information :

Surin Local Administrative Office, tel: +66 (0) 4451 1975, +66 (0) 4451 1599

TAT Surin Office, tel: +66 (0) 4451 4447 to 8

www.tourismthailand.org/surin

DO & DON'T IN THAILAND

SOCIAL CUSTOMS Do & Don't in Thailand

THE don't of Thai social behavior are less clearly defined than these concerning the monarchy or religion - especially in a city like Bangkok where western customs are better known and more widely accepted. However, what is acceptable in Bangkok may be much less so in the countryside where the old ways are still strong. Here, then, are a few things to keep in minds.

WAI :

• Thais don't normally shake hands when they greet another, but instead press the palms together in a prayer-like gesture called wai. Generally, a younger person wais an older, who returns it. Watch how the Thais do it, and you'll soon catch on.

POINT YOUR FINGERS :

• It's considered rude to point your foot at a person, so try to avoid doing so when sitting opposite anyone, and following the conception that foot is a low limb, so don't point your foot to show anything to anyone, but use fingers instead.

HOLDING HANDS :

• Public displays of affection between men and women are frowned upon. You may see some very westernized young Thai couples holding hands, but that's as far as it goes in the polite society.

CONTROL YOUR TEMPER :

• Losing your temper, especially in public, will more than likely get you nowhere. The Thais think such displays denote poor manners, and you are more apt to get what you want by keeping a cool head and concealing your emotions.

HEAD :

• Thais regard the head as the highest part of the body. As a result, they don't approve of patting anyone there, even in a friendly gesture. Similarly, if you watch Thais at a social gathering, you'll notice that young people go to considerable lengths to keep thier heads lower than those of older ones, to avoid giving the impression of "looking down" on them This isn't always possible, of course, but it's the effort that counts.
  

Thailand Straw Birds Fair & Red Cross Fair

6-15 February 2009
Venue: In front of Chai Nat Administration Hall and at Riang Hin Dam, Muang County, Chai Nat (194 km north of Bangkok)

Straw birds fair of Chai Nat is held annually in February. In the fair, tourists will witness the fantastically decorated floats of large, brightly coloured straw birds, which will join in a contest later.

There will be many other activities like students’ performances on stage to entertain visitors, exhibitions and booths from government officers and private sections, OTOP booths and stalls selling 5-star local products and food, and much more on entertainment programmes.

In addition, Chai Nat Bird Parks, situated nearby keeping more than 100 species of birds and fishes, is worth visiting.


ABOUT CHAI NAT

Chai Nat is located in the central of Thailand. In the south of formerly Chai Nat, there is a dam impounds the Chao Phraya river for flood control and to divert water into the country's largest irrigation system. The dam, part of the Greater Chao Phraya Project, was finished in 1957 and was the first dam constructed in Thailand.

CHAI NAT TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

1. Chai Nat Bird Garden or Suan Nok Chai Nat

This place is the most famous traveling place in Chai Nat. It is the biggest Bird park in Asia. There are many bird species here, This garden is open from 8 AM – 5 PM

2. Chainatmunee National Museum

It is in area of Wat PhrabharomThatviharn. The museum is a two storey building. The second floor was the place for the Buddha from Tarawadee time till present. The first floor is for the Sankalok Buddha, ornaments, and ancient tools.

3. Wat ThammaMulviharn

The main temple of Chainat since Ayudhaya time. This temple was located at Thammamul hill slope, on the bank of Chaophraya river.

4. Chaophraya Dam

There are ten thousand teals here in January. The viewpoints here attract visiting travelers.

Thailand Top Travel Destinations

There are many top travel destinations in Thailand from 2008 Travelers' Choice Destinations Awards by tripadviser.

1. Koh Phi Phi Don, Phuket, Southern Thailand



The largest island of the group of The Phi Phi Islands in Phuket. It is the only island with permanent inhabitants. There are no accommodation facilities on this island, and the rest of the islands in the group, including Bida Nok, Bida Noi, and Bamboo Island, are not much more than large limestone rocks jutting out of the sea.

Phi Phi Don was initially populated by Muslim fishermen during the late 1940s, and later became a coconut plantation. The Thai population of Phi Phi Don remains more than 80% Muslim.But the actual population if counting laborers, especially from the north-east, from the mainland is much more Buddhist these days.

2. Chiangmai, Northern Thailand


The largest and most significant city in northern Thailand. The province is located some 700 km (435 mi) north of Bangkok, among some of the highest mountains in the country. The city stands on the Ping river, a major tributary of the Chao Phraya river. There are many tourist attractions for the thousands of foreign visitors who come each year. Chiangmai's historic importance is derived from its strategic location on an ancient trade route. Long before the modern influx of tourists, the city served as an important centre for handcrafts, hand-made paper umbrellas and jewellery.

3. Bangkok, The Capital of Thailand

Bangkok is the capital of Thailand, the largest urban area and primary city of Thailand. Bangkok has been the political, social and economic center of not only Thailand but for much of South East Asia and Indochina as well. Its influence in the arts, politics, fashion, education and entertainment as well as being a business, financial and cultural center of Asia has given Bangkok the status of a global city.

4. Koh Tao, Eastern Thailand

Koh Tao is an island located near the eastern shore of the Gulf of Thailand. It covers an area of about 21 km². The island, Koh Tao is well known for scuba diving and snorkeling, and also offers some hiking. The most popular place for tourists is Sairee on the West coast, which has a white sandy beach of 1.7 km interrupted only by a few huge boulders and a scattering of medium budget resorts and restaurants. A multitude of beautiful granite boulders, which nestle both in the forests and on the beaches of Koh Tao, attract a growing number of climbers who visit each year to enjoy the adventurous aspect of their sport.

5. Krabi, Southern Thailand

Krabi is a southern province of Thailand on Andaman seaboard with the oldest history of continued settlement. After dating stone tools, ancient colored pictures, beads, pottery and skeletal remains found in the province's many cliffs and caves. With its natural beauty, Krabi is superb for canoeing, kayaking, diving, and some other water sports. Apart from those, rock climbing on Pranang Peninsula is gaining more popularity with over 150 challenging pegged routes.

More information about Thailand

TOP FIVE THAILAND SPA RESORTS

#1
Aana Resort and Spa

Location: Klong Prao Beach
Surroundings: Tropical garden alongside a beautiful river body. The sandy beach is opposite the resort which can be reached by kayaking across the calm river.
Price Range: Baht 2,000 – 7,900
Room Types: Hotel rooms, suites and villas
No. of Rooms: A total of 71 units comprised of 42 Deluxe rooms, 6 Grand deluxe rooms, 17 Villas, and 6 Top View Villas

#2
Paradee
Hidden away by the white sands of the beautiful Ao Kiew Beach at the southern tip of Koh Samet (Samet Island), Paradee is the discerning traveler's paradise. Its idyllic seaside location is complemented by luxurious five-star facilities and an impeccable service. If secluded seaside luxury is what you're looking for, Paradee is truly a Heaven on Earth.

#3
Somkiet Buri Resort
The luxury resort beautifully set in natural surroundings with mountain views and tropical garden. Only 300 metres from the most beautiful beach, white sandy and crystal clear sea of Ao nang. A secluded property located in Ao nang beach with mountain view backdrop. 17 kms to krabi town and 34 kms to krabi airport.

#4
Eravana The Hideaway Pattaya
From the ground up, this resort is built with pure nature in mind. The pools, villas, walls are made of natural soil clay bricks. The walls and interior decor is stained naturally. There are very little paint or chemicals to pollute the environment.

#5
Phu Chaisai Resort & Spa
The entire resort was designed and created by M.L. Sudavadee Kriangkrai and it is her creativity and love of Thailand that makes Phu Chaisai unique and awe inspiring. Soaked in dew, the fresh green leaves of trees glisten as day breaks. The entire mountain range and forest is a thick canopy of green humming with the singing of birds and insects. Open your eyes and from the confines of your bed watch the sun moving up the horizon.