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Khao Kheow Zoo’s five colors monkey exhibit gains 1 more
Khao Kheow Zoo
Public Relations
The Khao Kheow Open Zoo’s rainbow of colobine Old
World Monkeys got a bit brighter when one of the vividly marked douc
langurs gave birth last month.
“Chompu” is still being highly protective of her
newborn.
More closely related to the proboscis and snub-nosed
monkeys, the so-called langurs consist of three species: red-, black-,
and gray-shanked doucs. Taking into account their universally orange
faces and white tail sections, the zoo created a “Five Colors” exhibit
of the Southeast Asian primate.
The zoo’s Red-Shanked Douc, Chompu (“pink” in Thai)
gave birth Aug. 21 after an eight-month pregnancy. As of press time, the
gender of the baby still wasn’t known as the mother was protecting its
offspring closely. But zoo director Suriya Sangpong was still proud to
show off the latest addition to the facility’s prized monkey habitat.
One of the most brightly colored animals in the
world, the doucs are rarely seen in Thailand anymore, but still common
in other areas of Vietnam and Laos.
The Red-Shanked Douc characteristically has bright
maroon legs and reddish patches around the eyes. In contrast, the Gray-Shanked
Douc is less vibrant, with speckled gray legs and orange markings on the
face. Both have dappled gray bodies, black hands and feet and white
cheeks, although the cheek hairs of the Red monkey are much longer. The
Black-Shanked Douc has black legs. Their long hind limbs and tail allow
these monkeys to be wonderfully agile in their treetop habitat.
Hans Spoerri named new GM of Siam City Hotel
Siam Hotels & Resorts has selected a new general manager
to lead its distinguished five-star Bangkok establishment, the Siam City
Hotel. Hans Spoerri brings 30 years of senior management experience in the
hospitality industry and a track record in hotels and resorts both
domestically and abroad.
Hans
Spoerri, new general manager of Siam City Hotel.
Although commencing his new role on September 1, Hans is
no stranger to the world of Siam. As some industry insiders may recall, he
previously spent 14 years with the Siam Group, first individually managing
the Siam Bayshore Resort & Spa and Siam Bayview Hotel in Pattaya, and later
taking on the responsibility of group general manager and vice president of
marketing. He now returns to take the helm of the group’s flagship Bangkok
property, a post that will no doubt be challenging and rewarding for the
experienced and skilled executive.
“We are delighted to have in Khun Hans such a dedicated
leader who knows the Siam City Hotel and the team so well. He demonstrated
outstanding leadership during his previous tenure and has always
substantially contributed to furthering the Siam brand around the globe. We
look forward to another seamless and successful collaboration,” says Kamala
Sukosol, president, Siam Hotels & Resorts.
Hans will be liaising closely with all departments and
especially sales and marketing. To start things off, he will utilize his
considerable market knowledge and industry credentials at the Thailand
Travel Mart (TTM) 2010, focusing on trade and business talks among operators
and participants.
Pattaya tries to scare up tourists with Halloween Festival
Vimolrat Singnikorn
 Pattaya
will spend 6 million baht on tricks and treats as the city tries to
scare up some tourists during Halloween.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome meets with his team to plan this year’s
Halloween celebration in Pattaya.
The Pattaya Halloween Festival will haunt Pattaya
Beach Oct. 30-31 with concerts, costume contests and other activities.
The city has allocated 5 million baht to stage and promote the festival
while the Chonburi provincial government is contributing 1 million baht.
At an Aug. 25 press conference, Mayor Itthiphol
Kunplome said the event is another attempt to woo tourists back to the
city through engaging activities. The costume contest, for example, will
offer cash awards and prizes worth 100,000 baht, he said.
Chonburi buffalos run wild again Oct. 16-22
Chonburi PR
Department
The buffalos will soon be running again in Chonburi.
The 139th edition of the exciting and often hilarious
race highlights a week-long festival running Oct. 16-22. Public and
tourism officials said this year’s event will offer race fans and
shoppers plenty to enjoy.
Officials announced that Chonburi’s annual buffalo races will commence
next month.
The races, which draw locals and tourists like flies
on, well, a buffalo, are a long-held tradition in the province. The
races divide the buffalos into three categories, small, medium and
large. Additional fun activities will include a Miss Country contest and
a buffalo decoration contest where the animals are judged on beauty and
their costumes on creativity.
Other traditional games such as cow racing, lasso
techniques, a tug-of-war, an oiled post climbing contest (not for the
buffalos) and a boxing contest where the boxers are blind-folded will
add to the gaiety.
The festival this year is split into two segments,
with a local-products market and concerts running the duration of the
event. The second part will be activities tied to the races themselves,
including a “sermon cart” parade and two other parades to celebrate
Chonburi’s heritage and local arts and culture. Two venues will be used,
the field in front of city hall and the field in front of the Chonburi
District Office.
For more information, contact the Chonburi Municipal
Office at 038-287-035, the TAT Pattaya Office at 038-428-750,
038-427-667, or visit www.tat.or.th
Full menu of food, fun set
for 2010 Vegetarian Festival
The
area’s annual Vegetable Festival, which features a Chinese dragon show
at Mike Shopping Mall, this year runs from Oct. 7-17.
Vimolrat Singnikorn
More than 3,000 people are expected to attend
Pattaya’s annual Vegetarian Festival Oct. 7-17 at the Sawang Boriboon
Thammasathan Foundation in Naklua.
The internationally known food fest annually focuses
on introducing new ways to cook and enjoy veggie delights.
The festival kicks off with a “heaven and earth”
ceremony at 9:19 a.m. Oct. 7, followed by a parade at 12:29 p.m. from
Bali Hai Pier to Naklua, stopping to stage a Chinese dragon show at Mike
Shopping Mall. Another ceremony follows, with the official food exhibits
beginning at 4 p.m.
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