Affiliates
Contact Us
Century International Hotels
TravelSmart.NET

PHILIPPINES
HONG KONG
CANADA
EUROPE
USA
INDONESIA
SINGAPORE
THAILAND


THE WEBSITE
Philippines

Thailand dazzles the world spacer Unveils 3 landmark destinations
Source: Manila Bulletin
Author: By CORNELIO DE GUZMAN
Date: 2006-06-24
 
Thailand recently inaugurated, one after another, three of its newest major tourist destinations, namely: one of the world’s largest theaters; an oceanarium bigger than anywhere in Asia-Pacific; and the world’s largest night safari.

With 13 million international arrivals last year and the clear prospect of increasing it to 14 million by the end of this year, Thailand has to create more new tourist products like these to keep its travel and tourism industry booming.

Over the years, Thailand’s main attractions have been its ancient temples and palaces, arts and architecture, culture , foods, shopping, night-life, golf, beaches and eco-tourism, health and wellness.

But most of these have already been seen and experienced by its "repeat tourists" and so to keep them from coming back, Thailand has to reinvent itself by introducing new world-class attractions.

Upon the invitation of Thai Airways and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), a small group of media people visited Bangkok and Chiang Mai in northern Thailand to explore and discover these new landmark destinations. First on the itinerary was a visit to the newlyopened US-million Ratchada Grand Theater where we watched its first stage presentation titled "Siam Niramit."

With a seating capacity of 2,000, Ratchada’s stage is said to be the world’s largest that can accommodate 500 elephants at one time and a river-like pool where performers can swim or take a boat ride on it. Opened only last November, the huge theatre’s first stage show Siam Niramit is a journey back in time (in dance and music) to the Enchanted Kingdom of Siam (the old name of Thailand). It is staged by 150 performers with over 500 costumes. The 80-minute spectacle of Thailand’s art and cultural heritage uses amazing state-of-the-art special effects.

Other amazing features of the grand theater: Stage is 65 meters in width and 40 meters depth. Proscenium height is 12 meters, and has four lifts: one unit of 6 x 12 meters; one unit of 3 x 3 meters; and two units of 2 x 2 meters.

Examples of special effects that stun the audiences throughout the show are:

* 12 angels floating gracefully through the air in the paradise scene;

* Krathongs (traditioal boats) are floated on an on-stage lake;

* A rian curtain allows articial rain to fall on stage;

* The seven-meter paradise scenery elevated before the audience’s very eyes by spiral stage lift;

* Almost stantan scene changes such as the transition from the Phrathat Phanom scenery to Prasat Phanom Rung scenery.

With an area of 5,600 sq. m., Ratchada Theatre’s other attraction is a permanent Thai Village in capsule showcasing Thai traditional lifestyles and activities, like cloth weaving, umbrella painting, native cake-making, boating and Thai massage given for free to visitors.

It also houses souvenir shops selling selected handicrafts from all regions of Thailand, and a 700-seat capacity restaurant offering all kinds of authentic Thai cuisine in buffet style.

Siam Niramit is a three-act play. The first act transports you back to history with Scene 1 centering on Religious Faith in the Ancient Kingdom of Lanna. Following age-old tradition, the King and Queen worship the relics of the Lord Buddha at their favorite temple. In a royal procession, as the Queen’s maids of honor carry beautiful lanterns, some perform dances, while the guards display their matches in swordmanship.

Scene 2 brings the audience back to the era from the Kingdom of Sri-Wichai up to the Kingdom of Sri-Tammarat. The Thai Buddhist and Muslim cultures blend harmoniously as the natives enjoy their pastimes, singing and dancing. Chinese merchants, attracted by the native products, sail from across the seas to barter or exchange goods.

Scene 3 centered on Issan. . . Heritage of the Khmer Civilization

Issan villagers take part in the festival of Boon Paweht in front of Phra That Phanom, Temple. They are making merit, and also enjoying the religious celebration.

Suddenly the monumental stone castle Prasat Hin Phanom Rung, a legacy of the Khmer civilization, appears before their eyes. Angels "Apsara" intricately carved in stone, magically comes to life.

With heavy political undertones, Scene 4 shows the advent of The Mighty Capital, Ayutthaya showing the wide gap between the rich and the poor.

Life for the peasants is simple. Living along the canals of the Central Plains, their life revolves around the planting and harvesting of rice on this fertile soil.

Life in the palace, by contrast, is rich and extravagant. The capital maintained a strong military force, and developed relations with Western powers who sent ambassadors to the capital. The richness is exemplified by the magnificent processions of royal barges.

Act 2 centers on the spiritual, a Journey Beyond Imagination: The Three Realms: Hell, the forest of Himapan, and Heaven, that await us as life continues after death.

Scene 1: Fiery Hell. . .

Descend deep down to confront Prayon, the King of Hell, and the spirits over which he reigns. These tormented souls are condemned to suffer different tortures reflecting the nature and gravity of the sins they committed as mortals.

Scene 2: Mystical Himapaan

Audience is spellbound by Himapaan forest, a boundary between the human world and the heavens, home to all manner of mythical creatures and plants. Kinaree, half human, half bird. . . Hongsa, graceful, elegant, swanlike birds. . . Nareepon, a tree bearing fruit in the form of beautiful girls. . . etc.

Scene 3: Blissful Heaven

Ascend to Daow-wa-dueng, the second level of heaven, where Indra, the greatest deity of all, presides. Listen to Khontan playing their celestial music to entertain the heavenly beings, while angels perform an elegant aerial dance around them.

Act 3

Journey through Joyous Festivals

Buddhists believe that to go to Heaven, one must gather merit on earth. Thus, Thai culture is full of a wide variety of merit-making festivals, which combine religious ceremony with colorful and joyful celebration.

For example, Khao Pansaa, the ceremony of ordination into monkhood. . .the Song Kran water festival. . the Phi Dtaa Khon ghost parade. . the candlelit ceremony of Loy Krathong. . . etc.
 

Indonesia Thailand USA Europe Canada Hong Kong Philippines