Squid catching and bird watching in Cha-am

The Shellfish Eating, Birdwatching and Squid Catching Festival is an annual event in Phetchaburi's Cha-am district. It takes place during August-September, when squid swim near the shoreline. Also during this period, when it is getting cool in the northern parts of Asia like Siberia and Korea, various types of birds migrate to Cha-am where it is warm. The Tourism Authority of Thailand Phetchaburi Office, the Muang Cha-am Municipality and the public and private sectors in Phetchaburi are organising the festival, to be held from Sept 8 to 16 at Cha-am lookout. The festival comprises boat trips to catch squid, birdwatching in the Takad Plee field and in Khao Nang Phanthurat Forest Park, sightseeing, seafood stalls along Cha-am beach, shopping, and live music concerts along with traditional performances. The cost of riding a boat to catch squid from 7pm to midnight is 100 baht per person. There is no charge for the birdwatching, where you will see local and migrating birds and listen to experts' explanations. However, advance registration must be done at the meeting point, north of the beach's sightseeing zone. On Sept 3, there will be boat races off the southern stretch of Cha-am beach between 9.30am and 3pm and fishing contests off Saphan Hin Cha-am between 6pm and 7am. Contact TAT's Phetchaburi Office on 032-471-005 or the Muang Cha-am Municipality on 032-472-550. Elephant Polo in Hua Hin After a four-year run in Chiang Rai and last year's comeback to Hua Hin, the King's Cup Elephant Polo Tournament is celebrating its 11th anniversary. This year, it will take place at Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa from Sept 12-16. This year's highlights include an opening parade through the streets of Hua Hin, first day elephant-blessing ceremonies performed by Thailand's last elephant spirit man, Kruba Yai, buffets for elephants, a baby elephant camp, and polo matches by famous teams and newcomers, which include former New Zealand All Black Robin Brooke, Olo Brown and Adrian Cashmore, Germany's Prince Carl-Eugen von Oettingen-Wallerstein, his wife Princess Anna and daughter Princess Joanna, along with Miss Tiffany Thailand. International and local celebrities, including US actress Isabelle Fuhrman, former Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, supermodels Cindy Bishop, Methinee Kingpayome and Australian Marie Claire editor in chief Jackie Frank, have donated their elephant-themed paintings, which will be on display throughout the event and auctioned for charity at the final gala dinner. Also, there will be a funfair and food and beverage outlets. Admission is free. Visit http://huahin.anantara.com/Elephant-Polo Food festival in Kanchanaburi Kanchanaburi province's public and private sectors invite food enthusiasts and tourists to the annual "Visiting Muang Kan And Savouring Delicious Food Festival", which will be held from Aug 31-Sept 2 in front of the Hok Sib Phansa Maharaj Pavilion in Muang district. On the first day, visitors will be given the opportunity to taste more than 100 delicacies on display at the booths of many restaurants and hotels from the province's 13 districts. On Sept 1, the festival will highlight local food, signature dishes from various ethnic groups, and cultural performances by Thai, Karen, Mon and Lao Song villagers. On the third day there will be exhibitions and the sale of a wide range of food and desserts from all over the province. Contact Kanchanaburi's Food Sellers Association on 034-613-074 for further details of the event. Airfare deal Thai AirAsia is offering all-inclusive fares for its new Bangkok-Mandalay flights at the starting price of 1,500 baht per person, one way. The airline operates four flights a week on this route. Also, a special starting price of 1,290 baht applies to the Bangkok-Yangon route on which Thai AirAsia flies three times a day. Reservations must be made online at www.airasia.com until Aug 26 for the travel period covering Oct 4-Dec 31. Terms and conditions apply. Please check the website for further details. From bangkokpost