Love jazz, will travel

The great jazz drew thousands of music-lovers and weekenders alike last year. Next weekend, world-class artists such as the Kenny Garrett Quartet, Mike Stern, Dave Weckl and Chris Minh Doky will jazz it up alongside local artists Kop Songsit, T-Bone, Luk Pad Cholanan, Surachai Jantimatorn, Rudklao Amaraditra and Jirasak Panpoom. Visit www.HuahinJazzFestival.com.

Central spruces up its spas

Central Hotels and Resorts were taking the idea of holiday therapy seriously when they spent Bt100 million on a recent upgrade of their Spa Cenvaree branches across the country.

The group's flagship spa outlet, the new Spa Cenvaree at CentralWorld's Centara Grand, sucked up a whole Bt45 million of that budget.

Spa Cenvaree delivers some age-old therapies in hi-tech ways, and offers the latest hydro equipment, an infrared sauna and science-based slimming technologies among its facilities.

Other spruced up branches include the properties in Samui, Trat province and Phuket.

Running under the sun

So what if you're feeling too energetic for the spa? You could try the Laguna Phuket International Marathon, taking place next weekend. All levels of fitness are catered to, with distances ranging from the full 42-km marathon to a four-km fun run. The race, which attracted around 1,500 runners from more than 40 countries last year, takes place on June 15 at the Laguna Phuket Resort. To apply and for details, visit www.PhuketMarathon.com.

Orchids galore

More than 108 species will make Bangkok Royal Orchid Paradise 2008 the best orchid show ever held in Thailand's urban jungle. The event begins next Friday at Siam Paragon and continues until June 18. Under the theme "The Amazing Orchid: Beyond the Frontier", flower fans and serious botanists will get the chance to experience gorgeous blooms in various colours and shapes. There will also be cultural shows and flower-arranging demonstrations from five-star hotels and booths selling orchid-related products.