20th Thailand International Swan Boat Races are scheduled to be held September 13-14, 2008 on the Chao Phraya River (River. of Kings), Bangsai Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Center, near the ruins of the golden city of Ayutthaya, former capital of Siam (1349 to 1767 A.D.) Over twentyinternational teams including teams from the Peoples Republic of China, Germany, Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, Myanmar, Indonesia, England, Thailand, the United States, Australia, and the city of Hong Kong are anticipated to be compete at the 2008 World Swan Boat Championships. |
|
|
|
| |
| Philadelphia Boat Races |
If you are looking for the Philadelphia Canoe Club Canoe, Kayak, Outrigger, Surfski Race Enter
|
|
| |
| Join Us |
If you a good paddler and want to races and having fun in Thailand, join us for the team this year. Contact |
|
| |
| Fun & Friends |
There are many of the US Swan Boat Boat Team make good friends in Thailand. Friend makes world goes round.
|
|
|
2008 AMERICAN SWAN BOAT TEAM ITENERARY:
Monday, September 8, 2008:: American team departs United States.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008:: American team arrives Thailand.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008:: U.S. team practice in morning/afternoon tour in Bangkok.
Thursday, September 11, 2008:: U.S. team practice A.M./Sight-seeing P.M. (i.e. Grand Palace).
Friday, September 12, 2008:: All teams practice (pre- assigned times)/Reception Dinner P.M.*
Saturday, September 13, 2008:: Opening Ceremony, preliminary heats/Ayutthaya ruins P.M.**
Sunday, September 14, 2008:: Repechage, Semifinals, Finals/Celebration Banquet***, team skits.
Monday, September 15, 2008:: Free Post Tour Thailand (individuals may leave later).
| * The Swan Boat Reception Dinner is held the night before the opening ceremonies. After being offered a tremendous selection of oriental delicacies and beverages, the teams are treated to traditional Thai dancers in traditional costumes: |
| **Team members will be taken to the Ancient City of Ayutthaya on the banks of the "River of Kings" to celebrate the national festival of Loy Krathong which takes place during the first full moon in the 12th lunar month . Thousands of decorated miniature rafts shaped in the form of lotus blossoms from banana leaves, illuminated by candles and burning incense, float down the rivers of Thailand. These "krathong" are filled with flowers and coins as a symbolic gift drift on the lifegiving Mother Water to the sea: |
-
| *** The Swan Boat Celebration Banquet is the most luxurious of all the Long-Boat/Dragon Boat celebration parties in the world. It is held at the conclusion of the races in an authentic replica of a traditional Thai village spanning two acres of the Bangsai Royal Folk Arts & Crafts Center. After being offered a tremendous selection of oriental delicacies and beverages, the teams are treated to traditional Thai dancers in traditional costumes and then serenaded by some of Thailand's most famous contemporary Thai singers. The evening then turns into one huge international block party, with singing and dancing by all: |
--------
----------- ^ Thai Rock Star at banquet
^ Traditional Thai costumes and the gracious Thai gesture, the "Wai" greeting.
^ U.S. athletes partying with a member of the Italian women's team.
^ American paddler showing trophy to local Thai beauties.
Thailand International Swan Boat Races September 11-12, 2004: The Tourism Authority of Thailand is graciously picking up the tab for and most meals for 5 nights/6 days, and is providing a team bus for transportation to and from the airport, hotel, race venue and sight-seeing trips for the American Men's and Women's Swan Boat Team. Wives/husbands of team members will be offered discount hotel rooms, transportation on team bus, free admission to the race venue and ability to purchase tickets to the reception and celebration banquets. Between 1978-96 the exchange rate in Thailand was 24 Baht/dollar. Currently the exchange rate is around 40 Baht/ dollar (e.g. a hotel room costing $100 in the United States, goes for around $20 in Thailand). Round trip airfare to Thailand including earning frequent flyer mileage will cost approximately $1000 per person. A checklist of helpful trip tips is provided towards the end of this homepage. |
|
