Phuket Vegetarian Festival, Ayuthaya regatta and more

Phuket Vegetarian Festival will take place from September 29 to October 7.

Song and dance back in Bangkok

Stepping lightly past the street protests, Bangkok's International Festival of Dance and Music returns, with the Russian Symphony Orchestra's requiem in memory of HRH Princess Galyani, the fouract opera "Aida" and the jazzy James Morrison among highlights of the cul¬ture buffet that's being served from September 15 to October 13. For show times and details, visit www.BangkokFestivals.com. Snap up tickets at www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.

Ayutthaya regatta

Ayutthaya has a racy weekend ahead. Today and tomorrow, hundreds of local and international oarsmen will be pulling hard at the Best of Siam Boat Races, starting from Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts & Crafts Centre. The race promises neckandneck action with a colourful crowd cheering competitors on from the riverbank. There'll be lots of opportunities for shopping and eating too. The racing begins at 9am, and Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts & Crafts Centre is about an hour's drive from Bangkok.

Dinner with a difference

Foodies visiting Hua Hin might want to check out Asara Villa & Suite's beachside Kampu restaurant, where you get control over your dining experience. In the colonialstyle mansion's welcoming mix of earthtones and oversized furniture, the diner chooses between "Kampu by Design" and "Kampu by Choice". Opt for the first if you want to select your own ingredients and get the chefs to cook them up for you, the latter if you're happy to hand the decisions over and watch things develop in the open kitchen. The Asara grill New Zealand lamb rack and pasta beau rivage come recommended.

For table, call (032) 547 555 or visit www.AsaraVillaAndSuite.com.

Phuket Vegetarian Festival

Take a trip to Phuket and make your peace with our fellow creatures. The Southern province is flying the yellow flags of the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival from September 29 to October 7.

One legend has it that the annual festival was inaugurated two centuries ago when a travelling Chinese Opera troupe successfully warded off a mysterious plague through a period of ritual vegetarianism. Whatever its beginnings, visitors these days can expect eyepopping displays of face and body piercing - not for the squeamish! Visit www.PhuketVegetarian.com.