SWEET GRAPE & ‘BEST OF DAMNOEN SADUAK’ FAIR

March 30 – April 1, 2007 Wat Chotikaram Pier, Amphoe Damnoen Saduak district, Ratchaburi province

FAIR HIGHLIGHTS

• A colourful boat procession
• Sweet Grape Contest
• Fruit Contest
• Food Contests
• Delicious Kuay Teow Reua boat noodles
• Kuay Teow Reua boat-noodles eating competition
• Miss Sweet Grape beauty contest
• Folk sports
• Sales of OTOP products

Damnoen Saduak district is home to Thailand’s world-famous floating market. The colourful spectacle of its bustling floating market with myriad paddle boats, laden with produce from nearby orchards and plantations or offering other merchangise, is perhaps one of the world’s most photographed sights. Described as the ‘land of fruit and Thai life by the riverside’, Ratchaburi province is situated in fertile agricultural heartland. Its rural landscape is characterised by lowland plains dotted with vegetable plots, plantations and fruit orchards nurtured by the Mae Klong River and numerous other tributaries, natural and man-made irrigation canals and waterways.

Blessed with ideal conditions for crop cultivation, the area is famous for its sweet White Malaga dessert grapes, mango, fresh young coconut and sweet orange. Grapes were introduced into the kingdom some seventy years ago and several varieties are grown. The White Malaga variety are oval-shaped, yellowish-green in colour with a distinctly sweet taste.

The Sweet Grape & Best of Damnoen Saduak Fair presents an excellent opportunity to shop for good buys, particularly fresh agricultural products and native products from each of the sub-districts (tambon) of Ratchaburi participating in the One Tambon One Product — OTOP programme being promoted by the Thai government.

Following the visit to the fair, take a leisurely cruise along the waterways of Damnoen Saduak. Retrace the historic journeys made by King Rama IV and King Rama V. During his reign, King Rama IV had a 32-km long canal dredged at Damnoen Saduak. The canal connects the Mae Klong River and the Tacheen River.

Archaeological evidence found in the province suggests that in times past, given the region’s proximity to the Thai-Burmese border, the town of Ratchaburi was a commercial port and popular meeting point for traders.

Ratchaburi province is also home to several ethnic tribes, who despite their varied beliefs and way of life, live together in peace and harmony. The province presents a rich and varied cultural landscape, much of which has been preserved and can still be seen today.

Ratchaburi — ‘land of fruit and Thai life by the riverside’ offers history, culture, way of life, beautiful handicrafts and natural splendour in the form of caves, streams, forests and mountains. It is without a doubt a colourful destination to explore.

Contact information:
TAT Central Region Office – Region 1
Areas of responsibility: Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi and Suphan Buri
Tel: +66 (0) 3451 1200, (0) 3451 2500
Fax: +66 (0) 3451 1200
E-mail: tatkan@tat.or.th

IMPORTANT

Event dates and programme details may be subject to change.Many of the festivals and events listed on Thailand's official calendar of annual events are traditional Buddhist or folk festivals, the date of which is either determined by the Buddhist lunar calendar and waxing and waning moon. These are not staged events. The festivals reflect the rhythm of life in rural Thai villages and local traditions as observed in times past. To ensure you have the most updated information, please reconfirm details prior to travel.

Contact:
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Email: info@tat.or.th
Website: http://www.tat.or.th/
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 (120 automatic lines)
Fax: +66 (0) 2250 5511 (two automatic lines)

FOR EVENT INFORMATION,
please call 1672.

Address:1600 Petchaburi Road, Makkasan, RajateveeBangkok 10400Thailand