You may already have one foot out the office door in anticipation of the year-end break. However, there are still many exciting events ahead to close out 2014. Before you skip town or spend your holidays under the covers, check out the fun activities on offer to end the year with a bang. From an interstellar experience to getting in touch with Mother Nature, we’ve got your schedule covered.
ENGINE ENTHUSIASTS
The 12th Hua Hin Cha-am Vintage Car Parade
- Kick off your weekend with some vintage vroom vroom. The 12th Hua Hin Cha-am Vintage Car Parade starts today and ends on Dec 14. The Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa co-hosts the annual event with The Vintage Car Club of Thailand. A parade of over 50 vintage cars will go from Bangkok to Cha-am, Hua Hin and Pranburi. The public can also see rare cars on display at the hotel. The Tourism Authority of Thailand will organise a cultural event at the hotel’s beach to take you down nostalgia lane with dessert booths, vintage costumes, and vintage make-up demonstrations. Since you’ll be taking pictures with precious cars anyway, don’t forget to post your snaps on the hotel’s Facebook page or Instagram with #vintagecar2014 for a chance to win prizes.
Venue: Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa, 1573 Phetkasem Road, Cha-am, Phetchaburi.
Contact: 032-708-000, www.sheratonhuahin.com.
Price: Free.
- If you’re up for an out-of-this-world experience, check out NASA A Human Adventure which runs until Feb 1 at Bangkok Convention Center. The space exhibition is probably the closest you’ll get to becoming an astronaut. On display are 350 pieces of space equipment, some of which were actually used in real operations.
A G-force simulator lets you learn first-hand what it feels like for astronauts when their spaceships are about to take off or enter earth’s atmosphere.
Sample space food at Space Cafe or take the captain’s seat in the command room. Buy some cool NASA souvenirs such as the write-on-anything Space Pen.
Not all the exhibits are scientific though, as an astronaut-themed Snoopy will also be there. Don’t forget to take a picture of yourself (seemingly) floating in zero gravity.
Purchase tickets from Thai Ticket Major.
There are three rounds for each day; 10am-1pm,
1-4pm and 4-9pm.
Venue: Bangkok Convention Center, 5/F, CentralPlaza Lat Phrao, 1693 Phahon Yothin Road.
Contact: 02-262-3838, www.thaiticketmajor.com.
Price: B500.
NASA A Human Adventure
CREATIVE CROWD
- Night at the Museum takes place from Dec 19-21 at Museum Siam. The three-night event will be an edutainment experience revolving around mythical and creative giants.
Highlights include a stunning two-storey giant figure, an exhibition on Thai giant myths, a showdown between the giants of Wat Arun and Wat Pho, giant-sized food, game booths and more.
Three noted guests – TV host/writer/musician Wannasingh Prasertkul, Tachaya Pratumwan from The Voice Thailand and co-founder of Cheeze street fashion magazine Jiradt Pornpanitphan – will also share their monstrous stories in Yak Talk sessions.
Venue: 4-10pm. Museum Siam, 4 Sanam Chai Road.
Contact: 02-225-2777, www.museumsiam.org, www.fb.com/museumsiamfan.
Price: Free.
- Bangkokians can get some culture without foregoing the comfort of a mall at Mega Bangna’s Music and Street Show until Dec 31. From mime to gymnastics, live painting, butoh, contemporary dance and more, different acts take place at the main entrance up to four times a day while a lighting show will take place at the Food Walk zone. A monster circus parade will happen on Dec 13, 20 and 27 at 7:30pm. The festivities will culminate on Dec 31 when various Thai music acts will perform during the countdown celebration. Share your snaps from the event with hashtag #MegaHappinessSeason for a chance to win a free iPhone 6 or movie tickets. Visit Mega Bangna’s website for complete show schedule.
Venue: Mega Bangna, 39 Moo 6 Bang Na-Trat Road Km 8, Bang Kaeo, Bang Phli, Samut Prakan.
Contact: 02-105-1000, www.mega-bangna.com, www.fb.com/megabangnashoppingcenter.
FOOD FANS
- Have your special dinner with a side of Chao Phraya River views during Riverside Restaurant Week. Until Dec 21, over 25 riverside restaurants will offer a three-course set dinner priced at B999. The eight participating hotels are Anantara Bangkok Riverside & Spa, Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok, Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, Millennium Hilton Bangkok, The Peninsula Bangkok, Ramada Plaza Bangkok Menam Riverside, Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers and Shangri-La Hotel.
Venue: www.bangkokriverexperience.com.
- Escape to Khao Yai with Escape Winter Yard. Escape Khao Yai is offering guests and non-guests a merry place to chill in the embrace of nature. Enjoy picnics, barbecue, salads, and creative cocktails among the lush surroundings. Get comfy with your loved ones in the marquees or al fresco seating areas. A live band will play every Sat night. Until Jan 31, the hotel is offering a special package which consists of a stay in a Deluxe Corner Room, breakfast buffet and barbecue dinner set for two.
Venue: Escape Khao Yai, 329 Pansuk-Kudkla Road, Phayayen, Pak Chang, Nakhon Ratchasima.
Contact: 02-201-3338, www.escape-hotel.com.
Price: From B4,800 for room package.
- Winter in the Vineyard takes place at GranMonte Vineyard and Winery until Jan 1. Located in the middle of the vineyard, VinCotto restaurant offers special dishes for lunch or dinner throughout the event. Holiday feasts for Christmas, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are also available. A one-hour vineyard tour entails long rows of vines that stretch across the land, state-of-the-art winery, wine-tasting room for adults and grape juice for the little ones. Live jazz performances by musicians from Smiles Jazz Club take place on Fri and Sat nights to add more merriment.
A wine bar in the vineyard is also available on weekends and public holidays so you can stroll through the beautiful setting while enjoying GranMonte’s wines. Treat yourself or loved ones with a gift from Montino Cellar Door shop where they are offering discounts on selected bottles of wines and artisan foods.
Venue: GranMonte Vineyard and Winery, 52 Moo 9, Phayayen, Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima.
Contact: 081-734-7049 (Thai), 081-622-6662 (English).
TREE-HUGGERS
- Go to Royal Park Rajapruek in Chiang Mai for two events in one. The park hosts Flora Festival 2014 until Feb 28. Witness the beauty of winter flowers from royal foundations to the tune of live music. Catch cultural performances from neighbouring countries and other activities that are planned for the holidays. Moreover, Thailand Tour & Taste Festival 2014 takes place at the park’s parking space until Mar 1. There will be about 500 booths where you can shop for various products and find the best deals from hotels.
Venue: Flora Festival 2014: 8am-8pm. Thailand Tour & Taste Festival 2014: 8am-10pm. Royal Park Rajapruek, Mae-hia, Muang, Chiang Mai.
Contact: 053-114-110-5, www.royalparkrajapruek.org.
Price: B50 per person, B25 per child (double the price for foreigners, sorry); B400 per person for unlimited entry.
