NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS (January 1) Al Sanam Luang
An annual event, normally held every January I in locations around Sanam Luang, Bangkok,and marked by early morning Buddhist meritmaking and afternoon and evening folk entertainment.

AMAZING CHINATOWN (January 10 Dccember) Al Yaoioarat Street
Amazing Chinatown project arranged to promote Amazing Thailand Year will be held on Yaowarat Street on the first weekend of each month. Activities include Chinese-style flower decorations; Thai & Chinese cultural perfor¬mances; various contests and product sale.

MUSIC IN THE PARK (January-December) Al Lumphini Park
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is hosting a Thai music festival performed by a symphony orchestra every Sunday between 17:00 and 19:00 hours in Lumphini Park Between Jalluary and April and in December it wilI be held outdoors at the Palm Tree Garden and indoors at Lumphini Hall between May and November .

FEBRUARY

MAGHA PUJA HOLY DAY Highlight Sport : Temples in Rallanakosin Island
This important Buddhist holy day celebrates the occasion when 1,250 of the Lord Buddha's disciples spontaneously gathered to hear him preach, Meritmaking ceremonies take place during the day at temples throughout the country, while at night triple candlelit circumambience are staged around monastery chapel.

MARCH

THAI SPORTS & KITE FLYING SEASON ( March-April) Al Sanam Luang
Lolourful kites from many countries including Thailand will be flown in March and April Each afternoon at 16:00 hours, you can enjoy watching teams launching huge Thai Chula kites to battle the small Pakpao kites, each trying to pull the other out of the sky, The coordination and teamwork is fascinating, In the Northwest corner are Talamo competi¬tions, in which teams vie with one another to kick a rattan ball into an overhead basket.

THE 21st BANGKOK GEMS & JEWELLERY FAIR (March 14-17) At The Queen Siriki National Convention Centre
Time for the precious stone lover. The 21st International Trade Fair fix Gems & Jewellery, precious stones, loose stones and accessories.

APRIL

THE 19th INTERNATIONAL BANGKOK MOTOR SHOW (April 1-9) At Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC)
This show presents car lovers with a taste of future technology and new cars. The 1998 show will be at Bangkok International Trade & Exhibi¬tion Centre (BlTEC), where cars, motorcycles and autoparts companies come to sell their products. BITEC's facilities include a main exhibition hall, outdoor exhibition areas, a loading area, a convention hall, and parking areas. Showtime will be from noon until 20.00 hours each day.

THE 13th BANGKOK INTERNATIONAL FASHION FAIR (April 1-5) At Queen Siriki National Convention Centre
The international trade fair for garments, textiles, and fashion accessories.

SONGKRAN FESTIVAL (April 13) Highlight Spots: Sanam Luang and Khao San Road and Man's area in Phra Pradaeng district
The traditional Thai New Year is an occasion for merriment in Bangkok and other parts of the country, with religIOus ceremonies as well as public festivities. Anyone who ventures out on to the streets is likely to get a thorough soaking, but all in a spirit offun, and a welcome respite from the peak season heat. This tradition is celebrated citywide, most notably at Sanarn Luang, close to the Grand Palace, where the revered Phra Buddha Sihing image is displayed and bathed by devotees. Also at Wisut Kasat area, where a Miss Songkran beauty contest is accompanied by meritmaking, and paying respect to elders. Khao San Road is one of the high-spots in the city to experience day and night water¬throwing activities between locals and tourists - all conducted in good humour. At Phra Pradaeng, along the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya river, where most of the Mon people live, Songkran is celebrated in more rowdy fashion between April 14 and 16.

THE 9th BANGKOK INTERNATIONAL GIFT & HOUSEWARE FAIR (April 18-22) At Queen Siriki National Convention Centre
The international trade fair for gifts, decorative items and handicrafts, household products, home textiles, artificial flowers and plants, stationary, toys and games, christmas decorations and small electrical appliances.

THAILAND FOOD FESTIVAL (April 29 - May 3) At Queen Siriki National Convention Centre
This festival will confirm Thailand's role as a major food exporter and manufacturing centre, attracting food import¬ers from far and wide. The festival will also feature food exhibitions, business meetings, product sales, and food-makinj demonstrations.

MAY

ROYAL PLOUGHING CEREMONY (May 8) At Sanam Luang
This ancient Brahman ritu: celebrates the official com mencement of the rice-planting season and is staged at Sanam Luang, in the large field across from the Grand Palace. Colourful costumes are worn bv the participants who perform ' various ceremonies which are believed to forecast the abundance of the next rice crop.

VISAKHA PUJA (May 10) Highlight Spots : Wat Benrhamabophit (Marble Temple)
This is the holiest of all Buddhist relig-ious days, marking the birth, enlig-htenment, and death of the Lord Buddha. As on Magha Puja holy day, temples throughout the country are crowded and candlelig-ht processions take place around major temples. Shortly after sunset, Wat Benchamabophit will be crowded with devotees, and this temple is one of the best for taking photog-raphs of the ceremonies.

JUNE

AMAZING THAILAND GRAND SALE (June 1-30) At World Trade Centre Plaza
This event will promote the Amazing- Thailand Year. The Amazing- Thailand Grand Sale is organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Export Promotion Department. Many famous shopping malls and stores will jointly sell their goods and products at heavily discounted prices.

JULY

ASALHA PUJA (July 8) Highlight Spots : Temples on Rallanakosin Islund
This event will promote the Amazing- Thailand Year. The Amazing- Thailand Grand Sale is organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Export Promotion Department. Many famous shopping malls and stores will jointly sell their goods and products at heavily discounted prices.

AUGUST

HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN' 5 BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS "Thai Mother 's Day" (Augustn 12) Highlight Spot: Sanam Luang
Throughout Thailand, public buildings are decorated to honour Her Majesty Queen Sirikit on the occasion of her birthday. The most splendid are to be seen in Bangkok, particularly along Ratchadamnoen Avenue and in the area around the Grand Palace, where both govern men t offices and streets are garlanded with coloured lights .

SEPTEMBER

THE 22nd BANGKOK GEMS & JEWELLERY FAIR (September 9-12) At The Queen Sirikit Nationa Convention Centre
Again, for the precious stone lover. The in ternational trade fair for gems & jewellery, preciolls stones, loose stones and accessories.

BANGKOK LEATHER WEEK '98 (September 30 - Oaoher 6) At Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre
An international trade exhibition for leather g-oods from factory outlets.

NOVEMBER

VENICE OF THE EAST (Novemher)
Taking place on both sides of the canal at Rattanakosin Island are cruises passing- by canals called Khlong Lot, Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem, Khlong Maha Nak, Khlong Bang Lamphu Bon and Khlong Bang Lamphu Lang. There is also boat racing.

LOI KRATHONG AND CANDLE FESTIVAL Highlight Spots: Along the Chao Plirava River Banks
Loi Krathong, is an ancient tradition that first originated in Sukhothai, the first Thai capital. It is appropriate to hold this memorable festival in the charg-ed atmosphere of the ruins of this ancient city. Krathong-s are floated on rivers to take away bad luck.This full-moon festival is celebrated nation-wide. In Bangkok, krathongs with lighted candles can be seen from the banks of rivers and canals.

DECEMBER

TROOPING OF THE COLOURS (December 3) At the Royal Plaza
Their Majesties the King and Queen preside over this impressive event held each year in the Royal Plaza near the equestrian statue of King Chulalongkorn. Dressed in colourful uniforms, amid great pomp and ceremony, members of the elite Royal Guards swear allegiance to the King and march past members of the Roval Familv.

HIS MAJESTY THE KINGS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS " Nation's Day " "Thai Father's Day" December 5) Highlight Spots : Sauam Luang
The deep reverence felt by all Thai people for their king is perhaps unique in the modern world, and his birthday provides an annual occasion for public expression, Government buildings, busi¬nesses, and homes all over the country are elabo¬rately decorated and the area around the Grand Palace is spectacularly illuminated. The yeal 1999 mark the nnd birthday of His Majesty the King, a hIghly auspIcIOUS occasion celebrating the completion of his sixth 12-year cycle. The whole nation will join hands in celebrating this
auspICIOUS year.

ASEAN ART FESTIVAL (December 6-20) At Silpakorn University
This festival features arts and architectural exhibitions, and various art performances including paintings, dances and music from ASEAN countries.