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Whisked Away on Floating Adventure at the Thailand International Hot-air balloon Festival 2008
Combine cool breeze, live music, a majestic display of hot-air balloons,
plus loads of fun-filled entertainment, and the stage is set for a
world-class festival - the 2nd Thailand International Balloon Festival.
The much-anticipated annual extravaganza, held at the War Dog Battalion
in Pak Chong, Khao Yai, Nakhon Ratchasima from December 3 - 7 this year,
promised to be even bigger and better than its predecessor.
Vunsadej Thavarasuksa, deputy governor for Domestic Marketing of the
Tourism Authority of Thailand, along with various distinguished
guests-of-honor including the governor of Nakhon Ratchasima province
delivered the opening speeches and performed the ribbon-cutting
tradition to mark the commencement of the 5-day event. Adding to the
festive atmosphere was a marching parade from the award-winning Rung
Aroon Vitthaya School band drumming to the heartbeat of the hundreds of
cheerful onlookers.
The Thailand International Hot-air Balloon Festival was born out of a
labor of love for flight. From a bantam gathering of ballooning
enthusiasts in 2007, the nascent festival has evolved into an
internationally acclaimed extravaganza that attracted over 300,000
spectators to watch the skies with awe and delight. The 2nd Thailand
International Balloon Festival 2008 showcased a colorful fleet of 60
hot-balloons - signifying the largest gathering of its kind in Thailand
- coming from all corners of the world, including the USA, UK, Germany,
France, Italy, and Malaysia.
Watching vividly-colored hot-air balloons taking off may be an
impressive sight for an onlooker, but being onboard one of these gentle
giants would definitely make for a once-in-a-lifetime-experience. At the
2nd Thailand International Balloon Festival 2008, ten lucky winners each
day joined the dozens of hot-air balloons as passengers to go on a
magical cruise over the azure skies of Khao Yai.
From the thrill of lift off to the exciting landing, participants were
treated to an experience that left them with a memory that will last a
lifetime. Float through the sky on an aerial adventure where they saw
breathtaking panoramic views of the grandiose topography characterized
by vast rolling hills, golden meadows, lush tropical forests and the
beautiful Lam Takhong Dam fringed by pronounced mountain ranges. See
nature’s wildlife from a lofty perspective, as you had never before.
Picture the balloon as it passed over a lake as we slowly descended and
gently touch the basket on the surface of the water. As you float above
the trees, you’d be close enough to pluck a leaf as a souvenir of your
flight.
A highlight of the 2nd Thailand International Balloon Festival 2008 that
both pilots and spectators alike looked forward to was the magical Night
Glow held on the evening of Father’s Day. Dozens of giant balloons are
set up at sunset in the open field and are inflated as if they are set
to take off. Instead the balloons were anchored to the ground and were
periodically lit up from within - against the backdrop of spectacular
fireworks and choreographed to the live music - to produce a most
impressive light and sound display in tribute to His Majesty King
Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand on the occasion of his 81st Birthday
Anniversary. Cheerful onlookers joined in the act of adulation by
setting afloat their own hot-air Yi-peng lanterns into the starry night
sky.
The event would not have been such a success without the generous
support and cooperation from its valued sponsors including the Earth
Wind & Fire Co., Ltd., Tourism Authority of Thailand, Veterinary &
Remount Department - War Dog Battalion, Tourism Promotion Club Khao
Yai-Pak Chong, KTC, Master Card, Robinson Department Store PCL., Gulf
Air Company (G.S.C.), Virgin BEC-TERO Radio(Thailand)Ltd., Honeymoon &
Travel Magazine, The Federation of Photographic Association of Thailand,
Photo Business Association, Fuji Film, Who Magazine, Ford, Europe Car -
Thailand Co., Ltd., Nokia, Cotto, and Ambros Wine.
Of its many noteworthy achievements, the 2nd Thailand International
Balloon Festival 2008 has definitely showcased to balloon enthusiasts
around the world the ideal weather conditions and stunning geography for
balloon flying in Thailand. And more importantly, this aspiring event
has definitely helped raise the visibility and international awareness
of Thailand’s unique tourism scene.
TAT issues statements to
visitors, trade
Sirima Eamtako,
TTG Asia
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has issued two statements - one
for visitors to Thailand and one for members of the travel trade - amid
a positive sign that Thai politics looks set to be more stabilized under
the new Abhisit Vejjajiva administration.
The message for visitors to Thailand is a simple note of apology with
TAT governor, Phornsiri Manoharn, offering her sympathy to tourists
affected by the closure of Bangkok’s two airports.
Ms Phornsiri said in her note, “We hope you have reached home safely and
that your confidence and trust in Thailand has not been affected ... I
am happy to inform that the Thai travel and tourism industry is back to
normal.
“Thailand is and continues to be a wonderfully diverse tourism
destination with great beaches, savory, food, health and wellness
centers, luxury accommodation, unspoiled nature, and of course, warm and
friendly smiles.”
The message for members of the travel trade conveys TAT’s appreciation
for their help and cooperation with the Thai NTO during the incident
period. It also puts into perspective how TAT plans to move forward to
regain the confidence of foreign visitors and investors.
Both statements reiterate how Thailand’s travel trade made it its first
priority to help stranded passengers, reaffirming the industry’s
trademark resilience in the face of crises.
Meanwhile, inbound tour operators reported seeing new bookings for
Thailand coming in.
Asian Trails CEO, Luzi Matzig, said new bookings from Europe for after
the New Year had started to come in, albeit at a sluggish pace, due to
declining spending power of European travelers under the tough economic
situation.
However, he maintained the main reason for the drop in bookings for
Thailand was the global economic situation that was made worst by the
closure of Bangkok’s two key airports.
Diethelm Travel Group COO, Richard Brouwer, said, “Apart from receiving
new bookings, we are not getting any more cancellations. In fact, some
cancelled bookings have been reinstated.”
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