Released on: October 19, 2008, 9:23 pm

Press Release Author: Pete Prinyaroje

Industry: Internet & Online

Press Release Summary: Agoda releases its hot hotel deal for Thailand's Loy Kratong
Festival during the week of Nov 8th - 12th 2008.

Press Release Body: Thailand's rivers, canals and night-sky will all be glowing
during November's Loy Kratong Festival. This traditional and romantic celebration
falls during the week of Nov 8th - 12th this year. Agoda.com, an online hotel
reservation website has secured some hot hotel deals to celebrate this "must see"
festival of Thailand.

Originating during the reign of Thai King Rama IV in 1863, the Loy Kratong festival
is quickly becoming one of the most popular Thai celebrations, one in which both
Thais and tourists can participate. Loi or Loy means "float" and a Kratong is a
small raft made of banana tree leaves. The raft is decorated with elaborately folded
banana leaves, flowers, candles, and incense sticks. After the incense and candles
are lit, the raft is pushed out onto the water in a symbolic act of letting go of
one's bad luck and at the same time venerating the Buddha.

Thai people also float their decorated Kratong to thank and apologize to the goddess
of water (Phra Mae Kongka) for allowing them to use the water from rivers and canals
all year long. In a romantic twist, lovers float a Kratong together with the belief
that if it is still floating until it has left their sight, then their love will
last forever.

Loy Kratong began in the northern province of Sukhothai, and is now celebrated
throughout Thailand. Government offices in each province hold big events to
celebrate the full moon, which falls on November 12th this year. Different areas of
the country celebrate their own versions of Loy Kratong. Chiang Mai celebrates a
unique northern Thailand version with Yi Peng Lantern balloons while Ayutthaya, a
historic city surrounded by the Chao Praya River, reenacts an ancient Loy Kratong
festival in Bangsai with cultural performances, Kratong contests and even a Miss
Noppamas beauty contest. All of Bangkok's waterways, such as the ponds of Lumpini
Park and the churning Chao Praya River will have celebrations underneath a night-sky
filled with fireworks.

Agoda's Vice President of Business Development, Mr. Wilfred Fan commented, "During
Loy Kratong, hotels celebrate by offering special promotions, unique activities,
festive food menus and decorations. Wherever you find a nearby canal, a lake or
river access, tourists will be able to experience this mystical Thai tradition and
staying at one of Thailand's beautifully adorned hotels, will make this celebration
even more memorable."

Agoda's hot hotel deals during Loy Kratong festival are:

Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa, Bangkok Rate Starting at US$ 144

Enjoy a magnificent dinner at the Riverside Terrace restaurant, set next to the
spectacular Chao Phraya River, with a complimentary Loy Kratong candle to float from
the hotel's pier, and chances to win various prizes from the hotel. Alternatively,
enjoy the ambiance of a Manohra Dinner Cruise with the special Loy Kratong set menu
of Thai delicacies served next to a live kim (a traditional Thai instrument)
performance.

Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok Rate Starting at US$ 179

Experience the grandeur of Loy Krathong at a prime location along the Chao Phraya
River. The festival of lights is completed with traditional entertainment and an
impressive fireworks display. By the Riverfront at the Poolside is a perfect
tropical setting to enjoy great entertainment in a charming ambience. Guests can
also join the Horizon Cruise along the river with a delicious buffet dinner and
front row seats for the thrilling fireworks display.

Rati Lanna River Side Spa Resort ,Chiangmai Rate Starting at US$ 119

Experience a distinctively northern-style Loy Kratong Festival with Kratong Sai (A
traditional practice where one thousand coconut-shell Kratongs are lit before being
released one by one down
the Mae Ping river, keeping a consistent distance between one another) and Khom Loy
(candle-lit lanterns which are released to float in the sky), all the while enjoying
a traditional Lanna show with a backdrop of flashing fireworks over the glittering
Mae Ping River.

Woraburi Ayothaya Convention Resort, Ayutthaya Rate Starting at US$ 36

The Pasak River plays host to a hotel cruise and dinner buffet with glimmering
Kratong-floating under the moonlight. Guests can also experience a traditional Loy
Kratong festival hosted by the Ayutthaya government office, located less than 50
meters from the hotel.

Sukhothai Heritage Hotel, Sukhothai Rate Starting at US$ 71

The latest boutique resort at the birthplace of Loy Kratong is located near to the
Sukhothai Historical Park, where tourists can enjoy the Sukhothai Loy Kratong,
Candle Festival, and the Kingdom of Sukhothai light-and-sound presentation.

Ravindra Beach Resort and Spa, Pattaya Rate Starting at US$ 104

Enjoy a Loy Kratong dinner on Jomtien Beach and float complimentary Kratongs out to
sea. Guests can also experience a traditional Loy Kratong celebration given by the
Ban Amphur Municipality, located just two-kilometers from the hotel.

Laguna Beach Resort, Phuket Rate Starting at US$ 223

Not to be missed is the traditional Kratong-floating on the hotel's tropical lagoon.
A joint activity with the Chengtalay Municipality, the night is also accompanied by
various forms of Thai entertainment.

Novotel Phuket Hotel, Phuket Rate Starting at US$ 147

The hotel is very near Patong beach where there are many Loy Kratong festivities
with a mix of locals and tourists. Additionally, there are events at the hotel such
as Pool games in the afternoon, followed by a Loy Kratong Thai gala dinner.

For more information regarding Agoda, please go to the website at
http://www.agoda.com or contact the Agoda customer service team via telephone at +66
2 625 9100 or e-mail at info@agoda.com

###

Note to Editors
About Agoda Company:

Agoda (agoda.com) is an online hotel reservations service which specializes in
securing the lowest discount hotel prices in Asia. Agoda is part of Priceline.com
(Nasdaq:PCLN). Agoda's network includes 8,290 hotels in Asia and more than 49,700
worldwide. The staff of over 300 professionals, located throughout Asia, provides a
first-rate reservation service that uniquely combines local knowledge and local
connections to provide the best hotel deals to both business and leisure travelers.

In addition, Agoda customers participate in the Agoda Rewards Program, earning
further discounts and free stays. Unlike programs that limit travelers to a single
chain, the Agoda Rewards Program allows customers to redeem Rewards Points at
thousands of hotels around the globe, at any time. A member of the Pacific Asia
Travel Association (PATA), Agoda's aim is to promote travel by making it more
affordable and more accessible to more people.


Web Site: http://www.agoda.com

Contact Details: AGODA SERVICE CO.,LTD.
27th Floor, The Offices at Central world,
999/9 Rama I Road,
Pathumwan Bangkok 10330
Tel: 66 2 625 9200
Fax: 66 2 646 1224
Email: info@agoda.com