From Dec 7 to Dec 16, the "Ayutthaya World Heritage 2018" fair will take place at the Ayutthaya Historical Park to celebrate the 17th anniversary of Unesco's declaration of the park as a World Heritage Site.
A highlight is a nightly light and sound show titled, "Ayutthaya: The Land Of Good Fellas", at Wat Mahathat. Visitors can visit a retro market at Wat Langkha Khao and the Soom Kai Chon area, a farm produce fair, a fair selling One Tambon One Product (Otop) goods, a walking street and food street. Also, there will be several talent contests and beauty pageants.
The area from the Pridi-Thamrong Bridge to the old provincial hall and several landmarks, including the city pillar shrine, the Khun Phaen Residence, Phra Mongkolbophit Hall, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, the statue of Ayutthaya's first monarch King U Thong and Wat Phra Ram will be illuminated with decorative lights.
The provincial Red Cross fair with the sale of goods and lucky draws will take place at Wat Phra Ram from 4.30-10pm.
Visitors are encouraged to wear traditional Thai costumes to the event. They can take tram-lookalike buses to see the illuminated areas.
Call the provincial administrative office on 035-335-665 ext 26 or the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)'s Ayutthaya Office on035-246-076/7.
Remembering Death Railway
On Dec 12, the newly-renovated Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre in Kanchanaburi province will officially reopen to the public. Hellfire Pass is a railway cutting on the former Burma Railway, aka "Death Railway".
Visitors can watch the centre's permanent exhibition with newly shown objects, join audio guide tours and stroll the trail.
The centre is in memory of English, American, Australian, Dutch and New Zealand prisoners of war (POWs) who were forced by the Japanese Imperial Army to construct the Death Railway during World War II. The construction ended when Japan lost the war in 1945. During the war, Kanchanaburi was used as a base by the Japanese Imperial Army to invade British Burma. The Japanese wanted the railway for them to move their troops, weapons and supplies. An estimated 61,700 POWs died there mostly of malaria and war-related causes.
The centre is open daily during 9am-4pm. Call the centre at 034-919-605 ext 601 or 061-405-9343.
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