His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej very much loved by the good people of Thailand is considered as the Father of the Thai Nation. It is on his birthday, 5th of December that is celebrated as a public holiday commonly referred to as the Nation’s Father’s Day. There are many Bangkok serviced apartments from where one could observe this national holiday but choose a comfortable serviced apartment in Bangkok such as the exclusive Ascott Sathorn Bangkok to ensure a comfortable stay. On this day of many celebrations which is also considered as Thailand’s National Day, households, private and public companies, streets and monuments are decorated with lights in true festive spirits. Sometimes also fondly referred to as  Pho Lhuang – Royal Father,  His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej will make a …

The Loi Krathong Festival is one of the most anticipated celebrations on Thailand’s event packed calendar. The event is celebrated throughout the country and the festivities even spreads to parts of Myanmar and Laos. It is an interesting and somewhat unique festival. There are many places in Thailand where one can take part in the Loi Krathong Festival, although Bangkok, the Thai capital, is one of the best. The festival’s name literally means ‘Floating Decoration’ or ‘Floating Crown’, and refers to the practice of releasing miniature floats on the river. The festival, which typically takes place between the eleventh and twelfth month of the lunar calendar, was originally dedicated to Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, the three main Hindu deities. However, after becoming a Buddhist nation, …

With endless street entertainment, music, fun and fancy dress parades the Halloween festival in Sheffield is happening back again. It is the time when days get shorter and nights get longer. According to locals this extravaganza, is Britain’s top Halloween carnival, drawing over thousands of locals as well as tourists to Sheffield city center. If you are heading over to England this season the Halloween festival in Sheffield is worth experiencing. This colourful celebration is always staged on a Sunday before Halloween. And this year it will be held on the 27th of October. Last year Halloween festival that took place in Sheffield was a big success. It included many fun and exciting attractions like fancy dress catwalk, urban dances, uncle fester on his moving …

A country full of vibrancy, constant movement and development – Vietnam is guaranteed to be a unique cultural experience like no other. With streets full of motorbikes transporting huge televisions and refrigerators wrapped onto them with string, there is always something unusual to witness in this fascinating Southeast Asian city. One event in particular that will fascinate and thoroughly entertain all visitors is the Vietnamese Kiep Bac Festival. This festival is essentially a pilgrimage to the Kiep Bac Temple, which honours the saint Tran Hung Dao and has been carried out for centuries. An old Vietnamese custom, this festival occurs on the 20th day of the 8th lunar month and interestingly displays a revival of a famed battle on Luc Dau River consisting of a …

The colourful celebration of Deepavali is one of the most significant festivals for Hindu communities around the world. The Hindu faithful form a significant proportion of the residents of Singapore and are concentrated in the neighbourhood of Little India. Deepavali or the Festival of Lights as the occasion is also known occurs in the latter part of the year and is much looked forward to. The festival celebrates good overcoming evil and the victory of light over darkness. There are many legends associated with this occasion. The story goes that there was once a tyrannical ruler called Narakasura who oppressed his subjects. The people appealed to Lord Krishna for help and the deity duly vanquished and killed the tyrant. To welcome the victorious Lord Krishna …

Eastern Asia is one part of the world etched with rich culture and tradition. From festivities to rituals to food, each occasion, activity and cuisine is both colorful, interesting and has a symbolic history behind. Visitors to countries like Thailand never fail to be awed by the meticulous detail and fascinating stories that govern each event in the country. It is no different for the famous Hungry Ghost Festival whose name in itself is quite the crowd puller. The ‘Hungry Ghost’ festival is one interesting event that makes its way into the calendars of the Thai’s Singaporeans and the Chinese. The Chinese pay great importance to the satisfaction of their dead ancestors. They believe that their good fortune in this life rests on this deed. …