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Festivals D-Brief August 2010

D-Brief Edition 1 - Festivals

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Monthly Newsletter from the Diethelm Travel Group. This August, we focuss on festivals and events in Asia.

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Bangkok, 01 August 2010

Dear Partner,

At Diethelm Travel, we are always looking at new and innovative ways of bringing interesting information to ourpartners. The newest introduction is „D-Brief‟, our monthly themed feature e-book, addressing a different topicin each edition.

Designed as a keepsake, D-Brief is intended to give you in-depth information on a particular subject, which canbe used as a training tool for you and your team.Just part of the level of service you have come to expect from us at Diethelm Travel.

Monthly topics will vary from architecture to food around the region with a regular feature on weather, essentialinformation on visas & borders. Moreover can collect our tried and tested recipe of the month.

Augusts‟ edition of D-Brief is a collection of the most interesting festivals, coming up around Asia till the end of2010. In the pages to follow we cover, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Laos, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, SriLanka, Vietnam and Singapore.

Don‟t forget about „Passport‟, which we launched last month with its unbeatable value added offers around theregion. „Passport‟ provides you with interesting tips on what is 'hot' at the moment and ideas of new ways todiscover our wonderful destinations, with the convenience of booking by simply [email protected].

Sincerely yours,

Victoria SerticChief Sales OfficerDiethelm Travel Group

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Festivals are a great way of discovering the localculture and religion of a country.

In many countries, the same celebration takesplace, although sometimes in a different way or aslightly different date, however all celebrating thesame religious event. Buddhism, Hinduism andIslam are the main influences, although moreAnimist believes are expressed in festivals as well.

Apart from the religious meanings, festivals are alsothe time to meet family or friends and strengthenthe community. Many festivals are combined withan annual market, the sales of religious artifacts,and off course special food.

Although you might not hold the same believes, ifculture allows it, you are welcome to join thecelebrations and participate in the ceremonies, orjust be a spectator.

Some festivals are very crowded and attended bylots of visitors. Accommodation might therefore betight and it is recommended to book well inadvance.

We hope that the following pages will give yousome useful information. For more details and howto combine festivals into a journey, please docontact us!

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Above: A richly decorated camel during the Pushkar CamelFair.Left: The Holi Festival is well known forthe throwing of colored powders.

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Bhutan

The Royal Troupe Dancers in full costume, wearing masksof demons, heroes, gods or caricatures of commonpeople.

If there is one country where there is always afestival, then it is in the Kingdom of Bhutan.

We counted a staggering total of 37 religiousfestivals throughout the year – 2 upcoming onesare:

Thimphu Tsechu (17 -19 Sep)The festival was established by the 4th TemporalRuler,Tenzing Rabgye{1638-1696}in 1670 on the8th month of the Bhutanese calender tocommemorate the birth of Guru Rinpoche. Thefestival last for 3 days with many different maskeddances by the Royal Troupe Dancers and themonks.

Jampa Lhakhang Drup (22-26 Oct )The Jampa Lhakhang Drup‟s origin and purpose isunknown. But what we do know is that it is one ofthe most important, oldest and sacred festivals inthis region.

Some historians believe that the festival includessome remains of an old Agricultural New Yearcelebration, which is held in the mid of winter.

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Cambodia

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Phcum Ben Festival (07-09 Oct)A colourful religious festival, blessing the souls ofancestors, relatives and friends alike who havepassed away. The festival does not just begin andend on one day. In fact, it lasts 15 days. During thefirst 14 days, people take turns offering food to themonks of their local pagoda. The final day of PhcumBen is the most important. At every pagoda aroundthe country, a mass collection of offerings takesplace. If this duty is ignored, it is believed that thesoul is cursed and will haunt the neglectfuldescendents for the rest of the year.Also celebrated in Vietnam as the Dolta Ceremonyin the Mekong Delta.

Water Festival (20-22 Nov)The water festival in Cambodia does not mark theBuddhist New Year like it does in Thailand, andMyanmar, but the reversing flow of the Tonle SapRiver and the fishing season. The highlight is theboat races – a three day event in both Phnom Penhand Siem Reap. In the evening the festivalatmosphere continues with fireworks and a lightedflotilla of boats. Everyone gathers on the bank ofthe Tonle Sap for several days and nights. Colourfuland very busy, but not to be missed! Alsocelebrated in Vietnam as the Ngo Boat Festival onthe same day.

The Water festivals‟ highlight are the boat-races. Differentteams in different colored shirts fight for the grand prize.

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China

Mid Autumn Festival (22 Sep)The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 15th day ofthe 8th lunar month, usually in October on theGregorian calendar. A traditional festival for peopleto get together with their families, appreciating thefull moon and eating delicious Moon cakes.Also celebrated in other countries with inhabitantsof Chinese descent.

Double Nine Festival (16 Oct)The Chongyang festival, or Double Ninth Festival,has it‟s origin in the strong, masculine and positivenumber “9”. So – when the number nine is in boththe month and in the day, it makes for a great dayof celebrations. In addition, Double Ninth ispronounced the same as the word “forever”, namely“Jiu Jiu”. So – no better reason to have acelebration and this festival has been held forcenturies.

Lisu Spring Festival (20 Dec)“Kou shi” means New Year in Lisu language, andduring the festival, activities such as dance, singingand swing are very popular for young people.

The Lisu ladies are easily recognizable by their brightlycolored dresses.

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India

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Autumn Navratri (08-16 Oct)This festival lasts for nine nights, a period in which

evil forces in the form of the demon Mahisashura

are destroyed by the Goddess Durga and her nine

different forms. The festival is celebrated all over the

country with great devotion and purity. In some

areas, the images of Mother Durga are set on

beautifully decorated pandals and carried through

the city.

Pushkar Camel Fair (12-21 Nov)This fair is held at Pushkar town, 11 km from Ajmerin Rajasthan for twelve days annually. This culturaland trade, cum religious fair, is a colourful and livelyspectacle with Rajasthani men and women dressedin brilliantly vivid traditional attire, saffron-robedand ash smeared Sadhus (holy men) and thousandsof bulls, cows, sheep, goats, horses as well ascamels with richly decorated saddles. Perhaps thelargest cattle fair in the world, it attracts more thanone lakh (100,000) people, from all over Rajasthanas well as tourists from different parts of India andabroad.

The Goddess Durga, here shown destroying the evilMahisashura.

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Laos

End of Buddhist Lent (Boun Ork Phansa)(24 Oct - Vientiane)Once a year, the rivers are covered with a sparklingpanorama of dots of light as a fleet of thousands ofcandles floats down steam. It is the end of the rainyseason, and the end of Buddhist Lent, or locallycalled “Ork Phansa Pavorana” (Phansa comes fromthe Pali word Vassa, meaning “ rain”, Ork Phansameans “going out of the rain” ).

The next morning, the Lao people wake up to thetraditional boat racing festival. The racing in themorning gets the crowds‟ excitement started as thesmall boats competition is run. The festival reachesfever pitch when the big boats start racing at 1 pm.

Also celebrated in Thailand‟s Nong Khai and KhonKaen cities, as well as in Myanmar as the TadingyutFestival.

That Luang Festival (20-21 Nov)The most important religious festival in Laos is thecelebration of the That (stupa). The grand stupa inVientiane, That Luang, is believed to contain a relicof Buddha, a bone or hair, according to differentversions of writings on traditions. This stupa is thecentre point for the celebrations.

Wat That Luang: religious centre of the Laos Republicand main festival ground during the That Luang Festival.

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Malaysia

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Deepavali (05 Nov)Deepavali , or The „Festival of Lights‟, is the mostimportant Hindu Festival and is celebratedextensively. Apart from religious ceremonies, it isthe time to meet family, friends, and celebrate inthe community. And no celebration is completewithout an array of traditional goodies.This festival is also celebrated in Singapore andIndia.

Hari Raya Aidiladha (17 Nov)The Hajj pilgrimage to Mekah is performed bymillions of Muslims every year. The end of thispilgrimage is marked by the Hari Raya Haji Festival– also known by “Hari Raya Qurban. Thecelebrations include prayers and the sacrifice ofcattle.

Sarawak Bead Bazaar (08 – 10 Oct)Sarawak‟s beadwork dates back many centuries andthe Orang Ulu of the Baram/Miri region are themost skilled bead workers in the area. The SarawakBead Bazaar shows traditional and modern workfrom many workers of Sarawak State. Agate, jasper, howlite, Malaysia jade in all colours, and

bronzite and just a few of the treasures available at

Sarawak‟s Bead Bazaar.

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Myanmar

Kyakse Elephant Dance Festival (22 Oct)Yearly cultural highlight of Kyaukse, 26 miles to thesouth of Mandalay. The whole town competes, notonly for the best “elephant dance” performance, butat the same time for the best decorated “elephant”.For the dance itself: two men get inside at life-sizehollowed-out papier-mâché elephant figure andimitate the movements of a real elephant.

Tadingyut Festival (22 – 24 Oct)End of Buddhist lent and as well the festival oflights. Pagodas, houses and streets are brightlyilluminated. It is not only a time of joy but alsothanksgiving and paying homage to teachers,parents and elders. Celebrated in northeastThailand and Laos too.

Phaung Daw Oo Festival (09 – 26 Oct)The biggest occasion of the Inle Lake. The imagesof the Buddha from Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda areplaced on a decorated Royal Barge and takenaround the lake, stopping at villages for people topay homage. The festival is full of pageantry andcolour. There are fun fairs, music, dances and boatraces. Since this festival lasts for a long time,please check with us for exact dates and events!

The Inle Lake leg-rowers guide the Royal Barge along theshores of the lake, from village to village. The barge oncetoppled in a heavy storm once, but the Buddha statueswere miraculously re-discovered on the bottom of the lake.

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Sri Lanka

Galle fort was built first by the Portuguese, then modifiedby the Dutch during the 17th century.The City of Galle is the site for the uniqueLiterary Festival.

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The Galle Literary Festival(26 to 30 Jan 2011)

This unique festival affords visitors an opportunityto appreciate the work of Sri Lankan andinternational authors, engage in literary discussionsand other intellectual and artistic activities. It's setin and around the UNESCO World Heritage city ofGalle.

Workshops, topical debates, panel discussions,cooking classes, poetry readings, literary lunchesand theatre workshops are held during the day.

In the evening, the city buzzes with more lightactivities: jazz music, late night movies and artexhibitions.

There is also an extensive children‟s programme,teaching art, eco workshops, writing and teachingdebating skills.

The festival is easily combined with a visit to thegardens of the Bawa brothers in Bentota, or theantique shops of Ambalangoda. Why not go whalewatching off Mirissa on your way to the Festival orvisit the inland temples and rainforest in the Gallehinterland.

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Thailand

Phimai Festival (12-14 Nov)The stupas of Phimai can be found in Isarn, close toKorat. During this festival, watch the outdoorRamayana drama from the Nakhon RatchasimaDramatic Arts College, visit the exhibition on thehistory of Phimai sanctuary, Korat cat contest,demonstration of the Royal Barge Procession,exhibitions and sales of locally produced products,as well as a boat race.

Thailand International Balloon Festival(02 - 05 Dec) AyuthayaThe balloon festival is a great activity for the entirefamily.

There are demonstrations of balloon flying, with thethe opportunity to actually fly in a balloon. Inaddition, visitors can buy some local agriculturalproducts, there are wine tastings by Thai andforeign producers in which visitors can enjoy abarbecue and taste the local wines.

Dancing performances, arts and crafts booths, andvarious games and contests make this a great dayout!

Balloons are rising behind one of the ancient statues inAyuthaya – a perfect combination between the old andnew.

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Vietnam

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Hanoi’s celebration of the 1,000 yearfounding anniversary

UNESCO has adopted a resolution on thecelebration of Hanoi‟s 1,000 year foundinganniversary, providing for international status ofthis event.

About 100 countries have registered or acceptedthe invitation, 30 of them will join the event withspecial programmes and performances. Italy‟schildren‟s choir from Trento and the La ScalaTheatre will attend – so are the Dutch, who send30,000 tulips and a Dutch village. Thailand will joinwith cultural road shows, while Japan‟s Fukuoka citywill hold Japanese Culture Days in Hanoi during thistime.

The opening ceremony is to be held on 01 October2010 at the Ly Thai To Monument Park, Dinh TienHoang Street, and around Hoan Kiem Lake. From02-09 October 2010, artistic performances, tourismfestivals, craft villages‟ festivals and more will bestaged. The grand ceremony on state level will takeplace 10 October 2010 at Ba Dinh Square (Hanoi)and a grand cultural festival to celebrate the 1,000year founding anniversary of Thang Long (Hanoi)will be held in the West Lake area of Hanoi.

The busy streets in the Old Town of Hanoi – a treasuretrove for tourists, artisans and locals alike.

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Singapore

The Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple – the oldest Hindutemple in Singapore, located in the middle of Chinatown.

Thimithi (16 Oct)This famous Hindu fire-walking ceremony brings outthe devotees and the tourists alike. At the SriMariamman Temple in the centre of Chinatown,Hindu devotees walk across a four-metre pit of red-hot coals in honour of the bravery of the GoddessDraupadi. They complete the fire-walking ceremony,a test of endurance and faith, emergingmiraculously unhurt.The day-long Thimithi festival celebrations begin at14:00, with the fire-walking ceremony starting at17:00.

Singapore Marathon (05 Dec)Calling all marathon enthusiasts. The Marathon, anannual event in the local sports calendar, featuresboth local and international athletes.

Apart from a severe contest, the Marathon alsoserves as a platform for local participants. They getthe chance to run with professional marathonersand learn skills from them. The Singapore SportsCouncil also focuses on mental fitness, apart fromonly the endurance part of the sport. And off course– finishing a marathon is the ultimate crown onone‟s running carreer.

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Happy New Year!

While in western countries the “Happy NewYear” cheer can be heard once a year, in Asiawe love to celebrate on multiple occasions.The Chinese New Year and the Buddhist NewYear are the most prominent.

But, others can not be forgotten: Thet inVietnam, the Muslim New Year in Malaysia andother Muslim countries, the Naga New Yearand the Karen New Year in Myanmar, theSinhala and Tamil New Year Festival and theVesak Festival in Sri Lanka.

Lots of reason to celebrate and you areinvited to join!

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C o o k i n g u p a s t o r m

1. Put the rice noodles into a large bowl, cover with lots ofboiling water and leave to soak according to packetinstructions.

2. For the broth: put the beef stock cube into a largesaucepan and cover with 1.5 litre boiling water. Add themarrow bones and the shin of beef.

3. Add the spices and ginger to the broth pan and simmer,skimming off any scum that rises to the surface.

4. Meanwhile put the mint and coriander leaves, chilli, limewedges and some fish sauce into separate small bowls sopeople can help themselves to each later.

5. Divide the rice noodles among 6 serving bowls.

6. Bring the broth back to a vigorous simmer. Take a largesoup ladle and lay a quarter of the fillet steak slices over thesides of the ladle. Dip the ladle into the boiling stock so themeat is covered and leave for 5-10 seconds, or until the beefhas changed to pale pink. Pour into one of the bowls and topup with extra broth to cover the noodles.

7. Repeat the cooking of the steak for each of the bowls.Serve immediately with the small bowls of herbs, chilli andspring onions on the side for scattering over and the bowls oflime and fish sauce for seasoning.

Ingredients • 175g dried rice noodles • a few handfuls mint leaves and coriander leaves, roughly chopped • 1 red chilli, seeds removed, thinly sliced • 6 large spring onions, thinly sliced • 1 lime, cut into wedges • fish sauce • 75 gr bean sprouts • 275 gr fillet steak, thinly sliced

For the broth• 1 cube of beef stock • 900g beef marrow bones • 225g shin beef, chopped into large chunks • 1.5 tsp black peppercorns • 5 cloves • 4 coriander seeds • 1 cinnamon stick • 3 star anise • 5 pods green cardamom • 3 cm piece fresh ginger, sliced but not peeled

Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup

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The visa regulations to Myanmar can be complicated. Here are thecurrent rules and regulations for entry into Myanmar:

Travellers are advised to obtain a visa in their home country priorto entering Myanmar. Otherwise since 01 May 10 it is possible toobtain a visa on arrival at Yangon Airport. Specific advice on up-to-date requirements should be obtained from the consulateoffices in your country. For general guidance, please note thefollowing:

Passport must have at least 6 months remaining validity at time oftravel. Foreigners must always carry their passport whilsttravelling.Visa processing time is between 5 and 10 working days at mostMyanmar Consulates or Embassies.Tourist visas are valid for 28 daysSome Embassies require a „confirmation letter‟ which DiethelmTravel can provide.

Please leave your passport at your hotel in the safe deposit boxeswhile sightseeing. When you are travelling overland or by air,please ensure that your passport is in your hand luggage. NEVERpack your passport in your suitcase.

Pre-arranged visaIn order to issue a visa, some Myanmar Embassies require a"confirmation letter" to confirm that visa applicants have pre-booked and pre-paid their travel arrangements inMyanmar. Please let us know where you intend to obtain the visaand provide us with your exact names (as per passports),nationalities and passport numbers. We will then fax or email our"confirmation letter" to you, enabling you to obtain your visa.

Visa on Arrival – Only available at Yangon AirportIf you prefer to obtain a visa on arrival at the airport, please beprepared for a possible long wait ie minimum of an hour duringlow season and much more during high season. You will require 2passport photographs, USD 30 per person for the visa fees onarrival and proof of onward or return ticket. Please do not writejournalist as a profession on your application form as may mean arejection.

Note: Due to the uncertainty of the approval process, DiethelmTravel Myanmar cannot guarantee that an approval will beobtained on arrival. In the event that services are booked, butpermission cannot not be obtained, we reserve the right to chargecancellation fees as applicable and shall not be held liable for anycost or inconvenience caused by the rejection. There is norestriction on Nationality for visa on arrival.

Children: Children under 7 years accompanying their parents arenot required to pay but the visa fee but should bring photographs.

OVERLAND BORDER CROSSINGSThe standard immigration rule in Myanmar is that one has to leavethe country the same way as one entered apart from the 2international airports. (Yangon/Mandalay) Every deviation of thisrule needs a special permission from several ministries in Yangon.Any licensed travel agent can arrange permissions for an overlandborder crossing, provided that guests book a full package with thisagency. Therefore it is not possible to book only a border crossing.

The special permit, which will be arranged by Diethelm Travelwhere applicable, is only the permission to cross the border butnot the actual visa. The Myanmar visa must be stamped into theclients' passports prior to their arrival at the Myanmarborder. When applying for visa, the entry and exit points have tobe clearly stated. Special permission where required takes at leasta month to process.

Entry into Myanmar

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B o r d e r s

Tachilek / Mae Sai (North Thailand)

Border Crossing Permission. For those who enter at Tachileikborder and exit from a different point (eg either Yangon orMandalay International airport) a visa is required before travelingplus a border crossing permission.

Day Visa. For those (including Thai Nationals) who enter and exitMyanmar at the same place, a day visa can be obtained. A day visaonly allows a visit to Mae Sai (within city limits) and not further.

Entry Permit. With a special entry permit issued locally at theborder, visits to Kyaing Tong and Mong La for up to about 14 daysare permitted. Travel is other parts of the country is not allowed.To apply for an entry permit, clients are required to pay USD 10per person for entry permit and Baht 50 per person for formalitiesfees (documentation cost) directly and submit 3 passport photos.Clients have to leave their passports at border until their return. Itis allowed to check into hotels using the entry permit.

Overland trips are possible for both ways between Tachilekand Kyaing Tong, but driving from Kyaing Tong to Taunggyi / InleLake is not allowed.

The following 3 border checkpoints are currently open fortourists:

Muse / Ruli (Yunnan China)For those who enter at Muse boarder and exit different points(either Yangon or Mandalay International airport) a visa is requiredbefore travelling plus a border crossing permit.The same permission is needed for any overland drive after Lashio(driving up from Mandalay).A day visa normally issued only to Chinese Nationals to visitMuse is currently not allowed.

Kawthaung / Ranong (South west Thailand)Visa. A Myanmar visa is required for tourists visiting the MerguiArchipelago. Visa on Arrival can be arranged on the spot. Visa feeis USD 30 per person plus documentary fees USD 5-10 per personand visa handling fees for agent which is to be advised.

Entry, Exit & PermissionIt is possible to enter the country in Kawthaung and exit viaYangon or another route. The service charge will cost USD 30.

Special permission is not required for Kawthaung and Myeik or forentry or exit via Kawthaung to Ranong for the time being.Special permission is required for those visiting the MerguiArchipelago.

Royalty Fees (Zone Fees) for visiting the MerguiArchipelago.The royalty fees apply for a 5 day/4 night programme ranges fromUSD 100- USD 200 per person depending on whether the boat isowned by a local or foreigner and whether it departs fromKawthaung or Myeik. Any additional day will cost USD 25 perperson.

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We a t h e r

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Low Season - When Koh Samui Shines

November through to mid-April is known as„high season‟ in Thailand. Doubtless this isthe busiest time, when the beaches arecrowded and travellers are enjoying blueskies, little rainfall, low humidity andcomfortably hot temperatures. Most gueststhink that a beach holiday in Thailand isonly enjoyable during this season. However,the avid traveller to Thailand will tell youthat the west coast of the Gulf of Thailand,especially Koh Samui, enjoys its own „microclimate‟.

Due to its geographical location and warmSouth China Sea winds, the island‟sweather patterns are different from the restof Thailand. In April throughout September,when most of the country experiencesmonsoon, Samui stays fairly dry, but fromOctober to December, it's wet in Samui anddrier elsewhere.

Koh Samui therefore is just the right spotto escape the monsoon winds that bring alot of rain to Phuket and the rest of theAndaman Coast during „low season‟.

Koh Samui is Thailand's third largest island (247square kilometers) and lies just offshore theprovince of Surat Thani. Dubbed "The CoconutIsland," Koh Samui is one of the most popularbeach and island resorts in Thailand with over halfa million visitors each year.

It has come to world fame due to its beautiful,long beaches with powdery white sand and crystalclear waters, surrounded by coconut groves.

Koh Samui can be reached by direct flight fromBangkok, Phuket , Krabi and Pattaya, and alsodirect from Singapore by Bangkok Airways.

Thailand is truly an all year around destination;with some insider knowledge, a well informedagent can send off its clients to enjoy the sun,clear skies and calm sea of Thailand while othersare missing out.

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Festivals in 2011

The festival named in this brochure takes place on the following dates in 2011:

• Bhutan - Thimphu Tsechu - 06 to 08 Oct 2011• Bhutan - Jampa Lhakhang Drup - 10 to 14 Nov 11• Cambodia - Phcum Ben Festival - 26 to 28 Sep 11• Cambodia - Waterfestival - 09 to 11 Nov 11• China - Mid Autumn Festival - 12 Sep 11 • China - Double Nine - 05 Oct 11• China - Lisu Spring Festival – to be announced• India - Holi Festival - 19 March 2011• India - Autumn Navratri - 28 Sep to 06 Oct 11• India - Pushkar Camel Fair - 01 to 10 Nov 11• Laos - Boun Ork Phansa - to be announced• Laos - That Luang Festival - to be announced• Malaysia - Deepavali - 26 Oct 11• Malaysia - Hari Raya Aidiladha - 07 Nov 11• Malaysia - Sarawak Bead Bazaar – to be announced• Myanmar - Kyakse Elephant Dance Festival - 11 Oct 11• Myanmar - Tadingyut Festival – 10 to 13 Oct 11• Myanmar - Paung Daw Oo Festival - 28 Sep to 15 Oct 11• Thailand - Phimai Festival - 11 to 13 Nov 11• Thailand - Thailand International Balloon Festival - tba• Singapore - Thimithi Festival - 17 Oct 11• Singapore - Singapore Marathon - 03 Dec 11

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Unbeatable Special offers – ‘PASSPORT’

Diethelm Travel launched "Passport" - your essential document to maximize your client's travel experience with us.

"Passport" provides you with interesting tips on what is 'hot' at the moment and ideas of new ways to discover our wonderful destinations.

Exclusive value-added offers which we have negotiated on your behalf top "Passport" off.

Go to www.diethelmtravel.com to read, download or print a copy.

NewslineThe most important breaking travel news, updates,information and special promotions from our 12countries.

Make sure to update your profile – just click on thelink in our e-mail. Not receiving our mail yet?Go to www.diethelmtravel.com and look for “Join OurMailing List” on the home pageand sign up!

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Diethelm Travel GroupKian Gwan II Bldg, 14/F140/1 Wireless Road,

Bangkok 10330, ThailandPhone: +66 2 660 7000 / Fax: +66 2 660 7027

E-mail: [email protected]

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