A community at a canter

The highlight is on January 30, when a dragon procession and lion dance will make their way through the city centre. Acrobats will stun as they climb up and over a 10-metre pole to claim the money reward on the top. Nakhon Sawan, where the Chao Phrya starts its path towards to Bangkok, is home to a large Chinese-speaking community.

D2 opens in Phuket

Dusit has expanded its dusitD2 brand to Phuket, Thailand's best beach holiday destination. The trendy hotel is located just a block from Phuket's popular Patong Beach and within easy walking distance of Jungceylon shopping and leisure complex. With 390 guestrooms, the hotel has a scenic rooftop bar and a spa. Bookings are being accepted for April onwards.

Lotus on the lake

Fly to Udon Thani in Thailand's northeast and bathe yourself in an "ocean" of pink lotus blossoms. From now until late February, the lotus is in full bloom and occupying most of Nong Harn Lake in Udon Thani's Kumphawapi district. The lake is ideal for "slow travel" on a sampan.

Tourists flock to "Amazing Thailand"

About 26.7 million international tourists visited Thailand last year, the Ministry of Tourism and Sport say, and 2014 is expected to see an increase of 2 million that number. China topped the chart with 4.7 million arrivals, followed by Malaysia with 2.99 million tourists and Russia with 1.73 million arrivals. By region, East Asia remains the largest contributor at 16.09 million, while Europe is the second largest market.

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