The Traveler’s Guide to Celebrating Thailand’s Festival of Lights (Loy Krathong) this November

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Thailand is set to sparkle this November as the country celebrates one of its most colourful and picturesque cultural festivals – Loy Krathong, also known as the Festival of Lights.

To celebrate the water goddess Phrae Mae Khongkha, millions of Thais float (loy) a little raft (krathong) commonly made from banana trunk and topped with flowers and candles. The krathongs carry the hopes, wishes, and gratitude of individuals, and represent the act of letting go of the old and ushering in the new.

Loy Krathong is celebrated nationwide every year, on the night of the full moon of the twelfth month of the Thai lunar calendar. The festival takes place on 27 November this year, and is a special occasion for both Thais and travellers who flock to the country for this dazzling festival.

Thailand was the #1 most visited country on Airbnb in Southeast Asia last year, with Bangkok the most visited city in the country. This Loy Krathong, Airbnb has already seen a 17 percent surge in international guests searching for a stay in Thailand*. The most popular destinations during this festive period are Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket, Koh Samui, Hua Hin, Koh Pha Ngan and Krabi.** Many are flocking to The Land of Smiles for the end of year holidays – Airbnb has seen approximately an 88 percent spike in searches by China travellers for November-December travel to Thailand, and an over 15 percent increase in searches by Australian guests in the same period.***

If you’re thinking about visiting Thailand this holiday season, make it one to remember and join the festivities! Read on for Airbnb’s recommendations of the best destinations and places to stay to experience Loy Krathong.

Chiang Mai

Renowned for its mountains and lush forests, Chiang Mai in Thailand’s north is home to the traditional Lanna culture. Loy Krathong celebrations are marked by large ceremonies and illuminated temples and are held at the same time as the Yee Peng festival, where Thais release thousands of  paper lanterns (khom loi) into the night sky – making for a truly incredible sight.

Flowing through the heart of Chiang Mai province is the Ping River, a popular place amongst locals and visitors alike to float krathongs. Tha Phae Gate is another; located on the east side of the old city wall. The surrounding moat is a local favourite and popular gathering place, while Three Kings Monument in front of the old town hall has a lively atmosphere and attracts many to join in the activities.

You can’t leave Chiang Mai without trying the local delicacies, and there are many to choose from. Some must-tries are sai oua (a northern Thai sausage), nam ngiao (sour and spicy noodles with tomato soup), and the always popular khao soi (creamy coconut curry with crispy noodles).

Bangkok

Thailand’s vibrant capital transforms every Loy Krathong, as the city embraces its cultural roots and traditions in a spectacle not to be missed. The main water artery of Bangkok, the Chao Phraya River, is a popular destination for visitors and locals to float krathongs and where you can join in the festivities against the backdrop of iconic landmarks such as Wat Arun. Alternatively, make your way to Wat Saket where you can enjoy a memorable Loy Krathong by one of Bangkok's oldest canals, Khlong Maha Nak, and explore the iconic Golden Mount nearby.

A short stroll from the Chao Phraya is the hip neighbourhood of Song Wat – recently voted  one of the world’s 40 coolest neighbourhoods in 2023 by TimeOut – with an eclectic mix of art galleries and historical buildings to explore. While exploring Bangkok, don’t forget to try the city’s food offerings, from street food vendors offering Thai staples such as pad thai and pad krapow, to markets such as Jodd Fair and Michelin-starred eateries.

Phuket

There’s much more to Phuket than meets the eye. Famous for its beaches and islands, Phuket is steeped in history, and dotted with temples and shrines making for a unique Loy Krathong experience with an island-style vibe. There are more than 30 beaches where locals often float their krathongs. Alternatively, explore some of the less touristy and equally popular spots, such as Sapan Hin Lake and Suan Luang Park in Phuket Town, or Nai Harn Lake in the south or Bang-Ma-Ruan Lake in the north.

When in Phuket, don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy some of the freshest seafood caught daily from the Andaman Sea. Delicious Southern dishes to try include kaeng som (sour and spicy soup), massaman (a flavourful, slightly sweet Thai curry) and kaeng tai pla (an intensely spicy curry with fermented fish). And while enjoying island life, don’t forget to explore the history and Sino-Portuguese architecture in Phuket Town.

Searching for your perfect stay this Loy Krathong? Here are a selection of unique Airbnb stays where you can enjoy the sights and sounds:

●     Bohemian Home, Chiang Mai - Unique home located in a local neighbourhood near Tha Phae Gate and Warorot market.

●     Mango Home No.1, Chiang Mai - Adjacent to Sunday Walking Street and Tha Phae Gate, the old city is within easy reach.

●     Funky Handmade House, Chiang Mai - Beautiful hand-crafted teak house nestled along the foothills of Doi Suthep mountain.

●     Canal House, Bangkok - Antique canal house on the Thonburi side (old capital city) of Bangkok.

●     Antique Colonial Luang Prasit Canal Home, Bangkok - Colonial-style teakwood house located on Bangkok Yai Canal.

●     Chic Loft, Bangkok - Artistic loft-style townhouse located in the vibrant Thonglor neighbourhood.

●     Bella Vista Panwa, Phuket - Stunning sea views from this bungalow in Ao Yon on Phuket’s east coast.

●     Pangolin Villa, Phuket - Private pool villa in the north of Phuket close to Nai Thon and Nai Yang beaches.

●     Duplex-Style Pool Villa, Phuket - Duplex pool villa with garden view, located in the popular northwest area of Phuket.

Note

*Based on internal Airbnb data on inbound guest searches for stays in Thailand for check-in in October 2023 vs check-in in November 2023.

** Based on internal Airbnb data on top destinations in Thailand booked this Loy Krathong (check-in between 24-30 Nov 2023).

*** Based on internal Airbnb data on inbound guest searches for stays in Thailand for check-in November-December 2022 vs check-in November-December 2023.

 

Note: All stays referenced are intended purely to inspire and illustrate. Airbnb does not recommend or endorse specific stay or experience listings on the Airbnb platform.

 

Discover Southeast Asia’s top backpacking destinations with Cebu Pacific

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Cruise the mighty Mekong River in Laos and discover the cities, towns and temples along its shores.

More than just an inexpensive way to travel, backpacking is an exhilarating and enriching way to truly experience a destination. It compels travelers to go beyond their comfort zones, deviate from the usual tourist route, live the way locals do, and make friends along the way.

Cebu Pacific Air, with its low fares and network, empowers travel enthusiasts to satiate their wanderlust and explore the best backpacking destinations of Southeast Asia. The airline offers multi-city tickets that allow you to fly to one country and depart from another, maximizing your trip.

Bangkok, the backpackers’ hub.

A backpacker favorite, Bangkok consistently lives up to its reputation as one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in the world. Eclectic in its offerings and highly accessible from other destinations, it is the usual starting point for many travelers who crisscross the region. Spending at least two nights here should be enough to explore the city’s lively street markets, spectacular temples, and the nightlife in the famed Khao San Road.

Sunny beaches and party nights at Thailand’s south.

Koh Phi Phi, often referred to as Thailand’s most beautiful island, is located in Krabi province around 12 hours from Bangkok or a two-hour ferry ride from Phuket. The island shot to fame among adventure seekers when the film “The Beach” was shot there more than a decade ago. Accommodations start from as low as 50-100 baht a night. Another Southern Thailand hotspot among budget travelers is Krabi, a group of islands off the Andaman Coast. From Phi Phi, it takes about 1.5 hours by ferry. It is a town visited by those looking for nature activities such as rock climbing. Khao Kanab Nam, the most iconic of its attractions, is composed of two karst rocks situated next to each other.

Once among the most powerful kingdoms in Southeast Asia, Ayutthaya in Thailand is now a UNESCO World Heritage site that draws tourists in because of its magnificent ancient structures. 

The cultural and laidback North Thailand. 

Complementing the vivacious energy of the South, the Northern part of Thailand offers a more laidback charm with its cultural attractions, relaxing vibe, and cooler weather. Just two hours by bus from Bangkok is Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Thailand and a stunning city filled with ancient temples and religious structures. Three rivers—the Chao Phraya, the Lopburi, and the Pa Sak Rivers—converge here. The most enjoyable way to get around the ancient ruins is by bicycle, although tuk-tuks are also available to take visitors around the complex. The largest and most culturally significant city in Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai can be reached directly by train from Bangkok. Aside from its quiet and relaxing atmosphere that contrasts the hustle and bustle of the capital, a lot of people come here for jungle trekking, elephant encounters, and adventurous activities.

Scenic small-town life in Laos. Laos’ appeal lies in its vast wilderness and rich culture. 

This country used to be isolated after years of war, but is now gaining cult status among travelers from all over the world. Vientiane, the capital, is accessible from Bangkok by train or by bus from Chiang Mai. The city serves as the starting point to other destinations in Laos. Spending one night here should be enough to recharge one’s energy because of the relaxing small town atmosphere. After doing a round of the temples, a great way to experience this river town is to watch the sun set by the Mekong River.Meanwhile, Luang Prabang is a colorful hodgepodge of traditional Lao wooden houses and what remains of its French colonial past. Set underneath a temple-topped hill, Luang Prabang is also known for its monks who line the streets to collect their only meal for the day. A bit farther away from Bangkok, it is a great take-off point for travelers who want to proceed to Hanoi in Vietnam.

The last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer empire, Angkor Thom in Cambodia is filled with grand Buddhist structures. These include the Bayon Temple, which features 216 massive stone faces and impressive bas reliefs.

Charming Cambodia. Cambodia no longer evokes images of just majestic ruins and lost empires. 

From unspoiled beaches to a distinctive cuisine, the old Khmer kingdom continues to unearth more attractions for tourists and nomads alike. There are several borders in Thailand that provide crossing to Cambodia, the busiest of which leads to Aranyaprathet/Poipet in Northwestern Cambodia. Siem Reap provides access to the Angkor Archeological Park, a 400 square kilometer forested complex of the magnificent ruins of the ancient Khmer empire. The major temples like the Angkor Wat and the Bayon Temple of Angkor Thom can be explored within one day, but to visit the other smaller and hidden ones will require a couple of days more. Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, can also be reached by bus from Siem Reap. The city, with its many museums, memorials, and pagodas, gives visitors a powerful glimpse of the country’s rich history and culture. Other activities to try are river cruises, cooking classes, and checking out the street markets. From Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam can already be reached by bus.

There are many routes and ways to take when exploring these Southeast Asian gems, depending on the time each traveler has and how much they want to immerse themselves in every place they visit. The best way to make the most out of every trip is to plan ahead and plan well. 

Aside from booking flights early, securing the necessary travel permits or visas (if required), and packing efficiently, exciting things happen when one travels with an open-mind. Cebu Pacific allows every Juan to maximize their backpacking adventures as it flies from Manila to Bangkok, Phuket, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh and Siem Reap, the gateways to many other exciting destinations.

Make that dream escapade happen now and book flights atwww.cebupacificair.com.

GrabTaxi secures additional funding from Vertex Venture Holdings

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Number one mobile taxi booking app by downloads and bookings in Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, and The Philippines

The future of taxi booking is now, as more markets embrace mobile taxi booking in Southeast Asia.

GrabTaxi, an automated smartphone taxi booking platform, is poised to extend its leadership position and expand into new markets in the region.

Grab Taxi will be able to support an even larger number of taxi drivers and commuters, thanks to additional funding from investors including Vertex Venture Holdings, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings.

Vertex Venture is the lead investor in additional funding into GrabTaxi, while another group of angel investors from Malaysia are providing financial support to this young start-up. CIMB, a leading ASEAN universal bank, headquartered in Malaysia has been appointed the main financier by GrabTaxi. 

The GrabTaxi concept was developed by two ex-Harvard Business School students back in 2011 to solve two main issues in the taxi industry – create safer and reliable rides for passengers and improve drivers’ livelihood.

GrabTaxi Founder and Group CEO Anthony Tan said, “From our humble beginnings, GrabTaxi has become the largest and most widely used taxi booking mobile app in the region. In fact, we have fifteen times more booking volume than our nearest competitors. Our own regional survey showed that we’re at the top of our consumer’s minds. More than 50 percent of them aren’t aware of any other service available except for GrabTaxi.”

“The additional investment will allow us to tap into new markets and cement our leadership position as the best and biggest taxi booking mobile app in the region. Our teams are growing and passionate about providing the best service to taxi drivers and commuters. We continue to invest in the best local talent in each market because we want to build a world class team that responds to local demands.”

Around the region

GrabTaxi is the clear industry leader in the five countries that it currently operates in. More than 250,000 people in the region use GrabTaxi at least once a month with the app already being downloaded onto more than one million mobile devices to date. There is a taxi booking through GrabTaxi every two seconds across the region.

As a humble for-profit social start-up, GrabTaxi believes that business and social value can be achieved in parallel. They believe that being a double bottom line company, which focuses on social good as well as economic benefit and enriching the lives of our two key stake holders – taxi drivers and passengers – have enabled us to come this far. 

GrabTaxi’s ‘Share your Ride’ function, which allows users to share their journey through social media or messaging apps with friends and family, has provided extra security for passengers that has never been available before. GrabTaxi also allows users to rate their drivers and view their information, giving users peace-of-mind when booking taxis. Drivers under the GrabTaxi network have experienced a 30% to 300% increase in revenue and our passengers feel safer with our service.

Tan was keen to point out that GrabTaxi takes all customer feedback seriously. 

“It is our policy to suspend any drivers and passengers found guilty of wrongdoings upon thorough investigation. Our stakeholders are always pleasantly surprised when we call them to say that action has been taken,” said Tan.

The funding

This additional investment is a testament to the effectiveness of GrabTaxi and how it has made a significant impact in the markets that they have entered. Vertex Venture funding has provided the impetus to ensure GrabTaxi moves ahead at a strong pace in each market. 

“GrabTaxi is a start-up that has shown tremendous potential and we’re confident that it will continue to dominate the taxi booking industry in the region. We invest in potential champions which have developed new technology platforms or business models that disrupt the incumbents and old inefficient ways of doing things. We clearly see GrabTaxi as one such champion in the making. We are very happy to be an investor in GrabTaxi and we will continue to provide strong support both financially and in strategic value-add to strengthen GrabTaxi leadership position in this region,” said Chua Kee Lock, Group President & CEO of Vertex Venture Holdings.

On being the proud financier of GrabTaxi, Dato' Lee Kok Kwan, CEO, Corporate Banking, Treasury and Markets, CIMB Group said, “From a home-grown start-up, to becoming a dominant Southeast Asia powerhouse in the taxi booking industry today in just 2 short years, this is a clear testament of GrabTaxi’s foresight and resolute tenacity. Similar to how CIMB had grown to become the leading ASEAN bank from our humble beginnings as a small Malaysia investment bank, we are glad to be able to support start-ups like GrabTaxi in achieving their greater aspirations.”

About GrabTaxi

GrabTaxi is a for-profit social start-up with a mission to revolutionise the taxi industry. GrabTaxi started in Kuala Lumpur and now has operations in Singapore, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Runner-up in the 2011 Harvard Business School Business Plan Contest, its core product is a taxi-dispatch service with GPS-enhancements, allowing passengers to hail the nearest taxi with extreme ease. Since year 2012, tens of thousands of taxi drivers have been using the GrabTaxi smartphone-based technologies to receive bookings. 

Passengers can book taxis on their smartphones and tablets (tablets (iOS: http://bit.ly/myteksi-ios, Android: http://bit.ly/myteksi-android, Windows: http://bit.ly/myteksi-windows and Blackberry: http://bit.ly/myteksi-blackberry). with ease and great user experience.

As a humble start-up, GrabTaxi believes that business and social value can be achieved in parallel. It hopes to make a difference in Singapore’s public transportation, by making it easier, safer and more efficient to book taxis. For more information, please visit: http://www.grabtaxi.com. 

Star Cinema shares to Pinoy moviegoers Asia's funniest ghost story...PEE MAK

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MARIO MAURER'S BLOCKBUSTER HORROR-COMEDY MOVIE "PEE MAK" TO HIT PH CINEMAS IN AUGUST

In its continuing celebration of its two glorious decades in the movie industry, Star Cinema distributes to Philippine cinemas Thailand's highest-grossing film of all time--"Pee Mak," a one-of-a-kind horror-comedy film that stars Thai superstar Mario Maurer. Asia's funniest ghost story "Pee Mak" is slated to be shown on theaters nationwide on August 28 (Wednesday).

After tackling relevant family issues in "Four Sisters And A Wedding," eye-opening connected tales of life, dream, and love in Skylight Films' drama-comedy film "Tuhog," and highly relatable ordeal of moving on from heart break in "Bakit Hindi Ka Crush Ng Crush Mo" that was shown nationwide started July 31, Star Cinema and its loyal viewers will soon talk about a scary but funny tale of great love shared through Thailand's popular legend of Pee Mak and his ghost wife Nak (Davika Hoorne).

Directed by blockbuster director Banjong Pisanthanakun, who had previously helmed box-office horror films like “Shutter”, “4BIA” and “Phobia 2”, "Pee Mak" was also released in other Asian countries including Taiwan, Singapore, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

Produced by GTH Films, "Pee Mak"s fresh take on a familiar tale, quickly rode high to Thailand's box-office as it reached USD 33 million with 10 million tickets sold nationwide.

Together with Mario and Thai sweetheart Davika in "Pee Mak" are Thailand's funny foursome namely, Nuttapong Chartpong, Pongsatorn Jongwilas, Kantapat Permpoonpatcharasuk and Attharut Khongrasri.

· Synopsis 

During the beginning of the Rattanakosin Dynasty, many Thai men were drafted to serve in the war. “Pee Mak” or “Mak” (Mario Maurer) was no exception and had to leave his pregnant wife to join the fight. While at war, he met, saved, and formed a close bond with four fellow soldiers: “Ter” (Nuttapong Chartpong), “Puak” (Pongsatorn Jongwilas), “Shin” (Attrarut Khongrasri), and “Aey” (Kantapat Permpoonpatcharasuk) – (The 4 main cast from Phobia 2 Episode “In The End”)

Once the war was over, Mak invited his four best friends to visit his home at a town called Phra Khanong. When they arrived to Phra Khanong, Mak introduced them to his beautiful wife “Nak” (Davika Hoorne) and “Dang” his newborn baby boy. Ter, Puak, Shin, and Aey decided to stay in Phra Khanong for a while and moved into the old house across from Mak’s house. Despite having met Nak and Dang, a village rumor was going around that Nak had died giving birth to her stillborn baby, Dang.

It turns out that Auntie Priak, owner of the local liquor shop, was the source of the town rumor. This was completely absurd to Ter, Puak, Shin, and Aey. The four friends refused to believe this to be true and were determined to prove the rumors wrong.

Aunty Priak was found dead a few days later, her body floating along the river. Up until this point Ter, Puak, Shin, and Aey had never considered the possibility that Nak and her baby could be dead and now lingered on as haunting ghosts.

Initially, the four friends didn’t dare tell Mak about their suspicions because they were afraid that they would end up just like Aunty Priak. It didn't take long before their conscience caught up with them and they realized they owed Mak the truth since he had once saved all of their lives. Now they must risk their own lives to somehow convey to Mak that the living and dead shouldn't coexist together.

In the end, it will be up to Pee Mak to choose between love and reality.

Don't miss "Pee Mak," a comedy-horror film for the whole family that will be shown on Philippine cinemas in August 28, 2013.

For more updates about "Pee Mak" and other Star Cinema's 20th anniversary offerings, visit www.StarCinema.com.ph, http://facebook.com/StarCinema and http://twitter.com/StarCinema.

More photos during red carpet advance screening and premiere PEE MAK  held at Trinoma Mall Cinema 7 last August 3, 2013. 

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