Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 10, 2007 - (Page 9)

lime juice, garlic, and fish sauce. Tom Saeb is a spicy herb soup to accompany grilled meats. People in Northern Thailand prefer glutinous or sticky rice, rolling the rice into balls with their hands to dip into dishes and sauces. No visit to the North is complete without sampling a khan toke dinner. The food will be served in a khan or bowl and on a toke, a low, round table made of woven bamboo. Typical northern dishes include Khao Soi, a curry broth with egg noodles and chicken, pork or beef; and Kaeng Hang Lay, a pork curry that is seasoned with ginger, tamarind and turmeric. TRADITIONAL MUSIC & DANCE It’s likely that most visitors will be exposed to classical Thai music and dance at a tourist-oriented restaurant, or at the National Theater in Bangkok. One of the most popular Bangkok venues for cultural performances is Siam Niramit, which has a theater seating up to 2,000, a recreation of a Thai Village on a canal, and three restaurants. Festivals often feature folk and classical performances. For example, Likae folk performances, accompanied by traditional music and dance, are staged at temple fairs and community gatherings. Thai classical music generally consists of a tuned percussion ensemble called pi phat; or mahori, composed phat of musicians playing stringed instruments. Thai classical dance is the masked dance originally performed only in the royal court, depicting scenes from the epic work of Indian literature, “The Ramayana.” Nang yai shadow theater uses puppets made of leather manipulated by light bamboo rods. A flickering light from a bonfire helps to bring the puppets to life. Nang talung is another version of the shadow puppet depicting humorous folk tales. Performances of Hun lakhon, utilizing small traditional Thai puppets, are regularly given by The Hun Lakhon Lek Joe Louis troupe at Bangkok’s Suan Lum k Night Bazaar. Bangkok for ultimate spectacle and authenticity. Bangkok stadiums include Lumphini, Ratchadamnoen, Channel 7 and Omnoi stadiums. Those who want to learn the sport themselves can contact the Muay Thai Institute at www.muaythai-institute.net/. THAI MASSAGE Thailand is practically the land of massage. While all types of massage are available in top-flight spas throughout the country, visitors may wish to enjoy an authentic Thai massage. Traditional Thai massage is based on the principle that invisible lines of force called sen run through the body. The point of the massage is to release blockages that exist along these lines in order to allow a free flow of energy throughout the body. Combining yoga and acupressure techniques, the therapist applies pressure using their thumbs, fingertips, hands – even their feet, arms and legs. Thai massage is a deepmassage technique that leaves the body loose and relaxed, ultimately fostering flexibility and relieving tension. www.tourismthailand.org/la THAI BOXING As colorful as it is brutal, Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, is an action-packed, culturefilled evening. Contestants wear international-style gloves and trunks and their bare feet are taped. Boxers duke it out for five rounds to the accompaniment of a three-piece orchestra as the audience makes their bets. Any part of the body except the head can be used offensively, and all parts of the body are fair game, except for the groin. There are Muay Thai stadiums across the country, but those in the know recommend catching a match in |9 http://www.muaythai-institute.net/ http://www.tourismthailand.org/la

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 10, 2007

Contents Make the Most of Amazing Thailand, Land of Heritage and History Planning a Trip to Thailand: Essential Information Transportation: Convenient Options, from Tuk Tuks to Skytrains Thailand's Vibrant Culture: Experience the Art of Thai Living Sampling Thailand’s Top 20 Delights Hotel Choices: From Luxury to Budget-Friendly Map of Thailand Overview of Thailand’s Regions Central Thailand: The Delights of Bangkok and Beyond Northeastern Thailand: A Distinct Culture All Its Own Northern Thailand: Experience the Iconic Heritage Southern Thailand: Balmy and Beautiful Days International Festivities in Thailand: Let Yourself Be Enchanted Water Sports: The Fun, Sun, Surf and Serenity of Thai Beaches Ecotourism: Encounter the Sheer Beauty of Thai Nature The Beauty of Wellness and Wellbeing in Thailand Shopping: Excite Yourself with a Myriad of Thai Trends

Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 10, 2007

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