Raptor-watching in Chumphon

Every year when winter descends on the northern hemisphere, birds of prey of various species flee the cold and head for warmer climes, many migrating via the Malay Peninsula. In October, more than 100,000 migrating raptors, such as the Chinese goshawk, Japanese goshawk, grey-faced buzzard, oriental honey buzzard and the black baza, fly past Khao Dinso, a mountainous area in the southern province of Chumphon, providing a great opportunity for enthusiasts to study and count these birds. The annual raptor-watching festival is being held there from October 20 to 23. Sponsored by Kasetsart University, Asian Raptor Research and Conservation, the Thai Raptor Group, Pathiu district authorities and other local bodies, the Tourism Authority of Thailand's Chumphon office and several private-sector organisations, the festival is intended to boost local people's understanding of birds of prey and raise public awareness of the importance of environmental protection. On the first day, there will be an international conference on raptors at Nana Buri Hotel in Chumphon's Muang district. The highlight that day should be a short course on "Field Raptor Identification", which includes a field trip to Khao Dinsor. On October 21, a new birds of prey study centre will be officially opened on the mountainside. For more information about raptor-watching, call Kasetsart University's Faculty of Veterinary Science on 02-579-0058/9 (ext 2226 or 6606) or visit www.thairaptorgroup.com or www.facebook.com/ThaiRaptoGroup.TRG. For more information about tourism in Chumphon, call the local TAT office on 077-501-831 or 077-502-775/6. Trip to Krabi for two festivals The Siam Society will lead a trip to the southern province of Krabi from October 14 to 16 to coincide with the Festival of the Hungry Ghosts (aka Ngan Boon Duan Sib) and the annual Vegetarian Festival. Geoffrey Longfellow, a longtime resident of Krabi and member of the Siam Society, will give participants insights into the cultural and natural beauty of the province. The trip will be based around these two festivals, which reflect local people's traditional understanding and respect for annual rites of passage. The Festival of the Hungry Ghosts, celebrated in the 10th lunar month of the traditional Thai calendar (October 15 this year), focuses on a merit-making ceremony to pay respect to one's ancestors. Based on animistic beliefs and Buddhism, there are special oblations made to the pret ("hungry ghosts"). The pret are imagined as tall, skinny and hungry since they have no one to make merit for them. After making offerings to the ghosts, the merit-makers sit down to enjoy a feast. This is also a family occasion for people in the South who customarily visit older relatives on this day. The Vegetarian Festival begins at the start of the ninth lunar month in the Chinese calendar (which also falls on October 15 this year). It was initiated by Taoists who adhere to a strict vegetarian diet to purify themselves and make merit and later adopted by Thai people of Chinese origin in many provinces. One of the big celebrations takes place in Nua Khlong district, Krabi. The tour group will visit several clan houses, taste special food, witness religious processions into the night and visit the shrine of Jee Liang, 5km from the centre of Krabi town. The itinerary also includes visits to several local temples and natural attractions, including Noppharat Thara beach, the shell-fossil deposits and Ao Nang. A contribution of 9,500 baht is requested from Siam Society members and 11,500 baht from non-members. From bangkokpost