Spotlight on Bangkok’s Film Festival

Curtain rises on the 7th Bangkok Film Festival, 24 to 30 September.

Now in its seventh year the curtain will rise on the annual Bangkok Film Festival, 24 to 30 September, in the heart of Bangkok’s downtown swank shopping district. The spectacular event promises to deliver more than 80 exciting films with the focus on a new generation of film makers particularly from throughout Asia.

The event is co-hosted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Federation of National Film Associations of Thailand, with the gala opening set in the forecourt of the upscale Central World shopping mall.

The opening ceremony promises to be an extravagant affair reflecting classical art and Thai heritage, while the welcome dinner will be hosted near the Chao Phraya River to accentuate the city’s rich and historical ambience.

Other events and film showings will be at various venues including Paragon Cineplex, Siam Paragon Shopping Complex, SF World Cinema and Central World.

Thailand has for decades earned a reputation as superb location for shooting international movies. A Google search of movies shot on location, in part or whole, in the country confirms its popularity with over 700 examples. Its popularity as movie location has helped to ensure that the local film industry has also prospered and improved in quality.

This development is reflected in comments made recently to Hollywood’s foremost entertainment publication, Variety, which interviewed, Jareuk Kaljareuk, chairman of the Federation of National Film Associations of Thailand, who also acts as the festival director.

He said: "The Thai film industry has expanded both in its technological advances, its professional skills and its artistic development. It is ready to take its place as a leading member of the international filmmaking community."

Although still to be confirmed, the possible contenders for the Golden Kinnaree Awards, according to Variety, are: Canadian helmer Xavier Dolan's "I Killed My Mother," which won three out of four prizes at Cannes' Directors' Fortnight; Jacques Audiard's Cannes' Grand Prix winner "A Prophet"; Lukas Moodysson's thriller "Mammoth"; and "Burma VJ" by Danish documentary maker Anders Ostergaard.

The Golden Kinaree Awards will be held at Chatrium Suites, a Dusit Group hotel in Bangkok.

Popular action actor, Jean Claude Van Damme, will attend the festival. He is no stranger to Thailand having first visited the country to star in the movie, The Quest, shot on location at the Mountain Inn hotel in Mae Hong Son back in 1996. At this year’s film festival he will introduce his latest film “Until Death”.

Other international movie stars attending the event include Byung-Hun Lee, the Korean star who had a role in the blockbuster movie G.I. Joe and Armand Assante, well known for his action movies over the last two decades.

For more information, please visit www.bangkokfilm.org

International Swan Boat Races

Teams compete for prizes in the 21^st annual swan boat races at the Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts and Craft Centre,  19 to 20 September.

Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Centre, Ayutthaya province, is worth visiting any time of the year, but it has a special fascination for visitors in September, when the riverside complex hosts the annual international swan boat races.

Now in its 21^st year, the dates were changed this year to 19 to 20 September moving back a week from its usual mid-month slot. But it still promises to be a tough, contested, series of races with nine international teams, mainly from around Asia, vying for the annual trophy.

Teams that have already confirmed their attendance include Penang Municipal Park Club Malaysia, Singapore Barbarian A, Singapore Barbarian B, Philippines National Dragon Boat Team, China Nanhai Zhonalian Dragon Boat Team, Dragon Boat and Boat Racing Federation of India and Thailand A, B, and  C squads. Two teams surviving the knock-out races will compete for the Prime Minister’s Cup on the final day.

So what’s the fascination for spectators who turn up in their thousands to enjoy the festive spirit and rivalry
For starters it is photogenic and amateur shutter bugs attend in the droves, determined to “catch the moment” in their fancy digital cameras equipped with enormous zoom lens.

Families dominate the spectator profile. They set out their mats on the banks of the river to enjoy a picnic lunch, or just lean back against the trunk of shady tree to watch the races.

They will witness the incredible enthusiasm and energy of the paddlers, who require considerable skill and teamwork to keep their boats stable enough to slice smoothly through the water at incredible speeds.

Swan boats defy the usual logic required to build race-fit craft. They are heavy and built to last. Their long, narrow, round-bottom hulls have high sweeping bows and sterns carved with the head and tail of a mythical swan.  

There are actually two categories that can be seen at the races.

The traditional version’s hull is 29 metres long weighing 2268 kg and is often carved from a single trunk of a thakien tree. Manned by 50 paddlers and two helmsmen they are difficult to manoeuvre requiring exceptional navigational skills and team coordination to keep them on course.

International races use a modified version of the Swan boat, usually 15 metres long and powered by a team of 20 paddlers and a paddling helmsman, who uses a whistle to set the cadence rhythm, which can easily exceed 120 paddles a minute in the heat of a race.

The lighter craft weigh in at slightly over 900 kg. They usually race over a measured 650-metre course on rivers, but village races are often held on canals adjacent to temples.

Adding to the excitement, teams in the international races at Bang Sai face the swift flowing currents of the Chao Phaya River, in full flood.

Swan races are a traditional sport in Thailand and Southeast dating back 700 years. Youngsters race the boats during the rainy season on any available stretch of water in competitions that attract bigger crowds than seen at the country’s football matches.

Linked to the Buddhist lent, the races continue through late September to the full moon celebrations in early October, when the three-month lent comes to a close.

Enthusiasts in Asia would like to see this authentic Asian sport in the Olympic and Asian Games.  Until that happy day arrives, visit Bang Sai to experience a traditional sport that requires team spirit, endurance and precision all of which guarantees unrivalled spectator appeal.

And for a bonus, hire a car and take the Michelin Map’s green scenic route that follows the Chao Phaya River, just a couple of kilometres up Highway 347 from the junction with the Rangsit- Pathum Thani highway.  You can make a stop at Wat Phai Lom, a refuge for migratory storks and follow the minor road that weaves under Highway 9 and brings you to Bang Sai’s handcraft centre.

At the close of the races journey on for another 20 km to Ayutthaya to admire this World Heritage site in the evening as the temple and palace ruins are illuminated. It is also the classic route for weekend cyclists who turn out in their hundreds to enjoy these quiet lanes. There are three-star hotels and riverside restaurants in Ayutthaya making it an ideal stop on a tour northbound Thailand’s heritage towns.

Race highlights:

International Swan Boat Race: nine teams, each craft having 22 paddlers. The winning team will receive the Prime Minister’s Cup. Thai Traditional Swan-boat Race: 12 teams, each with 55 paddlers. Paddlers come from various provinces around Thailand and compete for the Queen’s Cup. Thai Traditional Swan-boat Race: 16 teams, each with 30 paddlers from four regions of Thailand, also competing for the Queen’s Cup. Final rounds for each category will be contested 1600 to 1700, 20 September.  The 21st Thailand International Swan Boat Races will be held from 19 to 20 September at Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Centre, Ayutthaya province. Free admission. The event takes place from 0930 until 1700. Contact TAT Ayutthaya at 035 246 076 to 7

Golf Bargains Hua Hin & Cha Am

Tee of time at the annual Hua Hin/Cha-am Golf Festival.

It could be tagged the best golf offer in Asia and it is perfect timing as the bargains on the greens are now matched  by superb discounts offered on air travel and accommodation.

Hua Hin and Cha-am, twin resorts on the west side of the Gulf of Thailand, annually host the Hua Hin/Cha-am Golf Festival that runs throughout August and September.

For golf enthusiasts it is pure magic. The option of playing eight competition level golf courses all within easy reach of the two resorts, at incredibly low green fees, is undeniably an offer too good to refuse.

Tourism Authority of Thailand’s offices in Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces, in co-operation with the Phetchaburi- Prachuap Khiri Khan Golf Course Association, host the annual event to support tourism and promote golfing, a valuable niche market that helps the resorts to generate substantial business during the traditional low-season.  

Over the last three years, the festival has been fine-tuned to the point it is now recognised as a premier event for Asia’s golfing community.  

The promotional offers include the opportunity to play golf at any of the eight selected golf courses, throughout August and September, for only Bt800 — without doubt the lowest green fees of the year.

The exception is Springfield Golf Course, which will increase its green fee for September.

There are also invitations to compete in organised tournaments every Sunday for just Bt1,200 (includes caddy fee and dinner), with lots of lucky prizes. The player achieving a hole-in-one at designated holes will win a car on the last day of the festival.

There are also prizes presented for the 'longest drive' contests and an opportunity to shop for specially-discounted golf products with 10 to 30% reduction on Pro Shop prices at all courses.

Of course, specialised golf travel firms are keen to tap the potential of this popular festival by offering “Golf Lovers” packages at the “heavenly seaside resorts of Hua Hin and Cha-am”.

Approximate prices for all-inclusive golf packages range from Bt11,000  for two nights’ accommodation, two rounds of golf and transfers.   A five-night stay with four rounds of golf sells would cost approximately Bt19,000.  Trips offered by travel companies can usually be confirmed and paid for online.

For detailed costs and hotel rate information contact the Tourism Authority of Thailand offices in Prachuap Khiri Khan, or Petchaburi provinces.

The following eight golf courses are participating in the festival :

Banyan Golf Club, Hua Hin
Tel +66 (0) 3261 6200
Fax +66 (0) 3261 6222
Email: Stacey@banyanestatehuahin.com

Imperial Lake View Hotel and Golf Club
Tel: +66 (0) 3245 6233 - 40
Fax: +66 (0) 3245 6244
E-mail: lakeview@imperialhotels.com

Springfield Village Golf and Spa
Tel: +66 (0) 3270 9222
Fax: +66 (0) 3270 9233
E-mail: playgolf@springfieldresort.com

Majestic Creek Golf and Resort
Tel: +66 (0) 3261 9168 - 70, (081) 942 3619
Fax: +66 (0) 3260 2784

Sawang Resort and Golf Club
Tel: +66 (0) 3256 2555 - 7
Fax: +66 (0) 3256 2558

Palm Hills Golf Resort and Country club
Tel: +66 (0) 3244 2460 - 1, (0) 3252 0801 - 9
Fax: +66 (0) 3244 2463
E-mail: sales_huahin@palmhills-golf.com

Kaeng Krachan Golf and Country Club
Tel: +66 (0) 3242 2145
Fax: +66 (0) 3242 2146
E-mail: info@kkcgolf.com

Royal Hua Hin Golf Golf Course
Tel: +66 (0) 3251 2475, (0) 3253 1070
Fax: +66 (0) 3251 3038
E-mail: royal_golf@hotmail.com

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