Further cuts in discount

Away Patsinee Kranlert

Bangkok Airways has announced further discount to its promotion, ``Summer Fly Summer Fares'' for flights between April 25 and May 10.

On domestic routes, it is offering a discount of 250 baht one-way and 500 baht for a round-trip; on foreign routes 1,000 baht for a round-trip. The promotion is available on Bangkok-Chiang Mai, Bangkok-Phuket, Bangkok-Sukhothai, Bangkok-Trat, Pattaya-Samui and Pattaya-Phuket routes, all priced at 3,700 baht.

Bangkok-Samui is priced at 5,000 baht; Bangkok-Luang Prabang and Bangkok-Siem Reap 6,900 baht; Bangkok-Ho Chi Minh, Bangkok-Yangon and Bangkok-Phnom Penh 4,500 baht; Bangkok-Guilin and Bangkok-Xian 9,000 baht. Bangkok-Hiroshima and Bangkok-Maldives, meanwhile, cost 14,900 baht.

There is no extra fee except on the Yangon, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap routes which you need to pay airport tax. Travel date is valid until June 30 and you need to book before May 10.

For more information and reservation, contact Bangkok Airways at 02-270-6699 or visit www. bangkokair.com.

Region-wise travel roadshow

As part of its tourism promotion campaign, the Tourism Authority of Thailand is organising the Five Regions of Thailand Travel Festival showcasing attractions from each region of the Kingdom.

Also on the tap are cultural performances, attractive hotel accommodations and spa treatment.

This festival rotates from the main city in a region to another. It runs from May 1-3 at Pattaya Beach and moves to the Northeast in Ubon Ratchathani from July 17-19 at Sri Muang Park. Next up is the northern edition at the auditorium of Phibulsongkram Rajabhat University in Phitsanulok from July 31-August 2, then shifts south to Nakhon Si Thammarat's Somdet Phra Sri Nakarin 84 Park from August 21-23, before concluding in Ayutthaya _ September 18-20 _ at the Support Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand.

For full details, contact the TAT's call centre at 1672.

Ploughing ceremony

The Royal Ploughing Ceremony, rooted in Brahmin traditions dating back to the Sukhothai era, falls on May 11 this year.

It is held to predict whether the coming rice harvest will be bountiful. Taking place at Sanam Luang, the rite involves two oxen ploughing the field after which rice seeds are sprinkled. The oxen are then offered food items including rice, corn, beans, sesame, water and whisky. Depending on what the oxen choose to eat, royal soothsayers will make a prediction about rain and harvest in the coming rice season.

Call the TAT's call centre at 1672 for more information.