TRAVEL TIPS - October 2007

Beauty contest at the Thapae Gate in Chiang Mai, Thailand during Loi Kratong Festival

National Radio Text Service - Tuesday October 30, 2007

Thailand's Loi Kratong Holiday - Cambodia's Water Festival - Cell Phone Vending Center for International Travelers Flying into Las Vegas - Internet Theft

THAILAND'S LOI KRATONG HOLIDAY

Thailand will be celebrating their Loi Kratong holidays from November 23rd to Monday November 26th. The main day is the night of the full moon. The roads will be filled with travelers returning to their provinces to celebrate with their families.

Typically the celebration includes floating candles on water and launching hot air paper balloons into the sky in the evening hours. Beauty contests are abundant throughout the country.

Chiang Mai is said to have the most elaborate festivities. We took in their festivities in 2003. There was a lot of activity around the Thapae Gate area in the center of town that included a beauty contest. Many restaurants along the Ping River where most of the revelers gather feature a dinner and private riverfront access to the activity. Reservations are advised.

Beware…. After we left the restaurant firecrackers and cherry bombs were being haphazardly tossed by youths and some were thrown up in the air. One Thai youth had a bandage on his eye. This is a dangerous situation so take heed. In the riverfront area the crowds are thick so beware of pickpockets.

Cell Phone Vending Center for International Travelers Flying into Las Vegas

011 Mobile provides easy access to cellular products and services in McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada USA. Through the use of a touch screen vending system, a customer can select a cell phone that activates as it dispenses.

Each 011 Mobile handset is customized with an International calling feature, which allows the customer to get the same rate for an international call as they would get from a landline. For example, a customer can place a call to London for as little as 1.5 cents per minute. International Travelers can also purchase 011 SIM cards for their existing phones to take advantage of the discounted rates.

“We are definitely excited to partner with McCarran to help service the international traveler. McCarran’s commitment to stay at the forefront of both technology and convenience for its passengers allows us to reach our customers in the most efficient manner possible,” states 011 Mobile CEO, Joseph Koppy.

011 Mobile phones and SIMS can be purchased from the automated vending center located in Terminal 2 of the McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, as of October 31, 2007. 011 Mobile

Since 1989, 011 has provided telecommunications and enhanced cellular services to over 1.2 million businesses and consumers worldwide. 011 has leveraged its buying power in order to provide its end-users exclusive access to Tier-One providers and is among one of the first companies to offer cellular service targeting international business consumers.

Floats parade on the Tonle Sap River during Water Festival - NR photo One of many entertainment stages at the Cambodian Water Festival in Phnom Penh - NR photo Medal winners from 2005 competition - NR photo Indoor Arena entrance at Olympic Stadium - NR photo

011 Mobile provides service to an international customer base in the United States, Australia, Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom.

For more information about 011 Mobile products and services, or to find out what typical calling card companies are charging for international calls, please visit http://www.011mobile.com or call 1-866-912-3948.

011 Mobile is a service offered by Exit Mobile, which is a federally registered trademark of the United States, and all rights are reserved worldwide. 011 has been providing enhanced cellular and communication services since 1989.

(BUSINESS WIRE)

THE WATER FESTIVAL IS HAPPENING IN PHNOM PENH IN NOVEMBER

November will be a busy month in Phnom Penh where the Water Festival also known as Bon Om Tuk will be celebrated from November 23rd to Monday November 26th. During this period Cambodians flock to the city to celebrate and visit family and friends. Phnom Penh will be crowded.

Celebrations are mostly held along the Tonle Sap riverfront areas between the Naga Casino and Wat Phnom. Activities include boat races during the day whereas provinces compete against each other for a cash prize. Vendors are everywhere selling food. Some of the downside is that banks are closed, heavy road traffic with people coming into town and many of the foreign owned business in the area closed and their owners leave town during this time citing that customers can't access their business due to the crowds and closed roads. NOTE: BEWARE OF PICKPOCKETS.

Roads are closed usually from Norodom Boulevard to the riverfront.

In the evening there are fireworks that begin at nightfall. Colorfully lit floats parade in a circular motion on the Tonle Sap River. The floats are assembled by various Provinces and compete for a cash prize.

Entertainment stages are set up in the parks. There are two trains of thought on the event. Avoid it or enjoy it.

For those that prefer not to watch boat races under the hot sun the festivities are also televised.

VOLLEYBALL WORD CUP

Volleyball is on the menu at Olympic Stadium's Indoor Arena beginning Saturday November 24th to Saturday December 1 when 2007 WOVD World Cup will take place.

World number Canada is scheduled to compete as well as Cambodia, Germany, India, Malaysia, Poland, Slovakia and Mongolia. Gerald Brouwers WOVD Sport Director and WOVD Competition Manager responded to the question why hold the event in Cambodia?

"There were several arguments why Competition Management supported the bid of Cambodia: first of all Cambodia has proven to be well structured and organized, having a real national competition, competent leaders, being geographically in the center of possible development of standing volleyball and last but not least the enormous enthusiasm showed by the Cambodia Standing Volleyball Management."

Brouwers also offered his opinion who he felt would win the tournament. "My top list consists of Canada, Germany, Czech Republic and Cambodia." FULL STORY - ADMISSION IS FREE

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