Bangkok – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is inviting tourists and visitors of Thailand to enjoy the “Colours of Doi Tung” celebration during this festive season to take in the spectacular scenery of the Doi Tung Development Project, and the pleasant weather in the north of Thailand during the country’s cool season.

The “Colours of Doi Tung” celebration is scheduled to take place from 27 December, 2014 to 4 January, 2015. The event is set to see out the old year and welcome in the new with joy and delight at Doi Tung with colours of lives, colours of tribes and colours of celebration mixed together in a lively fair.

Mr. Thawatchai Arunyik, TAT Governor said, “This is the time of the year when families and friends get together to bid goodbye to the old year, and embrace in the new with hopes and wishes for the future. The Colours of Doi Tung celebration is certainly one of the events in Thailand that will create a memorable memory for tourists and visitors looking to celebrate this festive season with a colourful meaning.”

The “Colours of Doi Tung” celebration will take place at the Doi Tung Development Project, initiated by the late Princess Mother. Initially, the Project was aimed to be a training camp for 450 hill tribe youths appointed to lead their communities for the sufficiency economy and sustainable living.

After the basic education developed to reach those hill tribe children in remote areas, the training camp was later turned into an art and culture park (Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park) to house the collections of Lanna wooden art and crafts. The project also covers the 52-rai Production and Distribution Centre of Handicraft Products, established with the aim of creating jobs and generating sustainable income for the communities in the Doi Tung area.

The “Colours of Doi Tung” celebration will offer visitors myriad activities and opportunities to pose for photos at specially designed landmarks created through collaboration of designers and artisans from Doi Tung, Chiang Rai City and Bangkok. The event is eco-friendly as well as fun, following the late Princess Mother’s principle that people should live in harmony with nature.

Apart from the picturesque specially-designed landmarks, the fair also offers plenty of shopping opportunities at the Doi Tung Market, created in a walking-street style. There are 50 stalls selling fresh fruits and vegetables from fields and forests, ethic food and handmade arts and crafts by six ethic groups – Akha, Lahu, Tai Yai, Leu, Lawa and Chinese. Visitors can shop ‘til they drop, and take a rest under the shades of trees and enjoy cold drinks, made from fresh fruits and vegetables.

To make the most out of the event, visitors are advised to purchase a Doi Tung passport, which allow access to all areas in the Doi Tung Development Project. Any Doi Tung passport holder who can get five out of six stamps on the passport – from the Hall of Inspiration, the Nursery, the Royal Villa, The Mae Fah Luang Arboretum, the Statue Continuity and the Maze – will receive special gift from Doi Tung.

A single entry to visit an attraction in the Doi Tung Development Project costs 90 Baht. An all-entry pass is 220 Baht. The Doi Tung Passport is 350 Baht, inclusive of an all-entry pass and special privileges.