http://thailand.prd.go.th/rss/news_around_thailand_rss.php http://thailand.prd.go.th/mail2friends/prd-logo.jpghttp://thailand.prd.go.th/ http://thailand.prd.go.th/view_news.php?id=6273&a=4 A number of exquisite and rarely seen traditional Thai crafts have been displayed at a permanent exhibition “Arts of the Kingdom,” in the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall in Bangkok, where visitors may appreciate Thailand’s national heritage. http://thailand.prd.go.th/view_news.php?id=6274&a=4 The rice-planting season in Thailand usually starts in May, with two royal ceremonies held in Bangkok marking the official opening of the season. http://thailand.prd.go.th/view_news.php?id=6272&a=4 The northern province of Nan and U Thong district of Suphan Buri province in the central region were designated special sustainable tourism areas. http://thailand.prd.go.th/view_news.php?id=6268&a=4 Thailand has launched “Discover the Other You” to promote creative tourism in the Kingdom. This global digital campaign promotes learning about Thai culture on your holiday and offers a chance to win one of three 7-day creative tourism experiences for two people in the Land of Smiles. Each is worth $ 10,000 including $ 2,000 cash. http://thailand.prd.go.th/view_news.php?id=6251&a=4 Two tourist attractions in Thailand’s Sukhothai province have won Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Awards 2012. The first PATA Gold Award-winning project is the Organic Agriculture Project at Sukhothai Airport, which won in the Environment-Ecotourism category.The second PATA Gold Award-winning project is the Na Ton Chan Community in Si Satchanalai District, which won in the Heritage and Culture category. http://thailand.prd.go.th/view_news.php?id=6230&a=4 The travel website www.cnngo.com recently ranked Thailand’s capital of Bangkok as one of Asia’s 10 greatest street food cities. The website proclaimed the city as a street food "heavyweight" due to its easily accessible choices of street food. http://thailand.prd.go.th/view_news.php?id=6221&a=4 The UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has chosen Chiang Mai as the host of a Regional Conference on Green Tourism on 3-5 May 2012, which is being billed as a “warm-up” event in preparation for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro in June. http://thailand.prd.go.th/view_news.php?id=6210&a=4 Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year celebrations, takes place on 11 April 2012. Across the country, it's a time for laughter and entertainment ... for religious ceremonies and merit-making ... for families and friends. http://thailand.prd.go.th/view_news.php?id=6218&a=4 Today Google, together with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, announced that Street View imagery of three major areas in Thailand is now live on Google Maps. This imagery allows users in Thailand and around the world to view and navigate 360-degree street-level imagery of greater Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. Thailand is the 35th country where Street View imagery is available. http://thailand.prd.go.th/view_news.php?id=6209&a=4 The Poi Sang Long ceremony will take place on 4-6 April 2012 at Pang Lor Temple in the northern province of Mae Hong Son. It is a Buddhist novice ordination ceremony, but it is unlike any other ceremony of its type in Thailand. Young boys aged between 7 and 14 are ordained as novices so they can spend time studying Buddhist doctrines. It is believed that by pursuing ordination for their parents, they gain merit. http://thailand.prd.go.th/view_news.php?id=6199&a=4 The Government Public Relations Department, as Secretary to the Committee on Public Relations for the Royal Cremation of Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana, will establish the Main Press Center (MPC) for the Royal Cremation at the small auditorium of Thammasat University, Tha Phra Chan, near the Sanam Luang ceremonial site, to facilitate the operations of the media during the Royal Cremation from 8 to 12 April 2012. http://thailand.prd.go.th/view_news.php?id=6196&a=4 Earth Wind and Fire and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) are joining hands to reintroduce the Chiang Mai Fest to the cultural surroundings of the Three Kings Monument from 23 March 23 to 7 April 2012. http://thailand.prd.go.th/view_news.php?id=6189&a=4 Krabi province will join forces with alliances in the government and private sectors to organize the Krabi Rock and Fire International Contest 2012 during 28-29 April 2012 at Railay Beach. http://thailand.prd.go.th/view_news.php?id=6188&a=4 The Thai government is preparing an area of about three million rai to hold floodwater. The map shows two major sites that could potentially be used as kaem ling (monkey cheek) wter retention areas. http://thailand.prd.go.th/view_news.php?id=6186&a=4 Thailand was again named the “Most Popular Destination” by Go Asia, at the International Tourism Exchange (ITB) Berlin 2012, the world’s leading B2B platform for the travel and tourism industry. This is the ninth year in a row that members of Go Asia have chosen Thailand as Asia's most popular destination.