Mum's the word

Mum's the word

Drive to Wang Nam Khoew district and see the chrysanthemums in the Misty Mountains Festival. Tucked away in the coldclimate valley, 250 kilometres east of Bangkok, Wang Nam Khoew is a play¬ground for citydwellers who enjoy life on the farm. There are rolling hills of corn, small vineyards and, of course, 'mum farms. This weekend, the farmers are celebrating the blooms in a display of various forms and colours amid a market selling the best of Wang Nam Khoew - seedless grapes, passion fruit and mushrooms. Call (044) 249 654.

Lampang every day

Bangkok Airways has opened up a new route between Bangkok and the northern province of Lampang. The daily service operates on a 70seater ATR72 via Sukhothai. Flight PG211 departs Suvarnabhumi International Airport at 6.40am and arrives in Lampang at 9.20. Return flight PG212 takes off from Lampang at 9.50am and reaches Bangkok at 12.30pm. Throughout February, the airline has introductory rates starting at Bt2,000 (BangkokLampang), Bt1,240 (SukhothaiLampang) and Bt1,090 (LampangSukhothai). Visit www.BangkokAir.com.

Lop Buri gets nostalgic

You can't revisit the past, the people of Lop Buri agree, but you can reinvent it. From February 16 to 22, everyone in town - from motorcycletaxi guys to cops, fruit vendors to nurses - will don traditional cos¬tumes for the King Narai Fair, a week of sweet nostalgia. Get a glimpse of old Siamese ways by browsing in a traditional openair market, watching demonstrations of folk games and Thai boxing, and  checking out the lightandsound show. Call (036) 422 7689

Samui Anantara opens

There are 122 more rooms in Samui now that the Anantara Lawana Resort & Spa is open for upscale holidaymakers.

Tucked away in the north of Chaweng Beach, once occupied by Chinese merchants, the resort brims with SinoThai influence in its design and orientation. All 88 rooms and 34 pool villas are harmonised with lush tropical gardens, while the décor is a mix of woodwork and vibrant silk that evokes Chinese art and style. Visit www.Anantara.com.