Samchuk community awarded

The old marketplace of Samchuk, Suphan Buri province, recently picked up a Unesco Asia-Pacific Award of Merit 2009, beating 48 other entries from 14 countries.

The Samchuk market dates back more than 100 years to when Chinese vendors first traded their wares along the Tha Chin River in central Suphan Buri province. The market was vibrant and famous for its forest produce before being renovated over the last five years to meet the demands of weekend visitors. Today, it makes for a nostalgic day out with its timeworn wooden houses and delicious, authentic food.

The Unesco Award of Merit is given in recognition of cultural heritage conservation.

Health between the lines

Thailand has launched a new Medical Travel magazine to promote the kingdom's medical travel industry worldwide.

The full-colour, 120page glossy magazine focuses on the health service industry, particularly hospitals, hospitality, tourism, travel, wellness and support industries such as transport, insurance, translation, pharmacies, information, retail and entertainment.

The Medical Travel magazine is distributed to more than 60 countries through the Kingdom's embassies and consulates, chambers of commerce, trade promotion offices and tourism information centres world-wide.

All jazzed up

Chill out at VIE Hotel Bangkok every Friday and Saturday night where, from 8pm onwards, the Dan Phillips Trio play cool music at VIE39. Phillips, an American guitarist, has recorded three CDs and performed at many jazz festivals over the globe. At VIE39, he teams up with former T Bone saxophonist Pisut Prateepasena and bassist Pornchart Viriyapark.

A river runs through it

Ayutthaya has a racy weekend coming up on September 19 and 20 as Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts & Crafts Centre hosts the international Swan Boat and Long Boat Races on the Chao Phya River. Hundreds of local and international oarsmen will be pulling hard to complete the fast and furious races. The two-day event promises the weekenders neck-and-neck action with a colourful crowd (and funny-looking cheerleaders!) on both banks. There'll be lots of opportunities for shopping and eating too. Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts & Crafts Centre is about an hour's drive from Bangkok.

Source : www.nationmultimedia.com