diary

may your guide to what’s on

4-6 
Watch as performers set the stage on fire in Burn the Floor, a show that's made ballroom dance hotter than ever. Championship dancers strut their stuff in waltz, tango, rumba, salsa, swing and jive in this provocative and energetic spectacle. Tickets for the show are available from www.hkticketing.com

5
All eyes in Japan are on the little ones during Children's Day or Kodomo No Hi. It's a time for families to honour their kids, particularly boys, by flying colourful carp-shaped flags called koinobori   - one for each child.

Until 13
Trace the history of Thai design at the Explorations in Thai Modern Design exhibition. Marking the 50th anniversary of Silpakorn University"s Faculty of Fine Arts, the show includes textiles, clothing, film and advertising that charts the evolution of the thai aesthetic. At the Thailand Creative and Design Centre (TCDC). www.tcdc.or.th

13
The One Love Island Jam reggae music festival kicks off Fukuoka's summer on 13 May with live bands, dancing and stalls selling food from all over. Hop on a ferry and head to the beachside campgrounds on Nokonoshima island to enjoy some music on the grass. Tel +81 (0)92 714-2585

13-15
People take to the fields to watch scores of decorated rockets hurtle through the air. Said to goad rain from the skies in time for rainy season, the Rocket Festival is celebrated both in Yasothan, Northeast Thailand, and some parts of Laos. The festive revelry also includes competitions for the best-looking and highest-travelling launches.

25
Enjoy a whole month packed with music, dance and theatre during the Singapore Arts Festival. Th is year's line-up will showcase 22 productions from over 20 countries. Now in its 30th year, highlights include ballerina Sylvie Guillem in Sacred Monsters and the world premiere of 3 years, 8 Months 20 Days, a striking piece on the Khmer occupation by Cambodian theatre company Amrita Performing Arts. www.singaporeartsfest.com

31
One Love Island Jam reggae music festival kicks off Fukuoka's summer on 13 May with live bands, dancing and stalls selling food from all over. Hop on a ferry and head to the beachside campgrounds on Nokonoshima island to enjoy some music on the grass.

7-10
World-class golf comes to the holiday island of Koh Samui with the fourth Bangkok Airways Open. Held at the Santiburi Samui Country Club, the tournament will see thai golfer Chawalit Plaphol return to defend his title. During the four-day event, the region's top golfers will battle it out on Santiburi's challenging course, nicknamed the "Beast of Samui" by the pros. www.bangkokairways.com

Until 2
Soak up the action, both at sea or on dry land, at the Koh Samui Regatta when yachts from Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand and more converge to race around the island. Kicking off at the Central Samui Beach Resort in Chaweng on 27 May, the competition that's been dubbed the "tropical island regatta" will include nightly parties culminating in a glam gala dinner and final awards ceremony on 2 June.

17
Run across Phuket (or, for the less ambitious, stand at the sidelines and cheer) in the second Laguna Phuket International Marathon. Organisers are expecting over 4,000 long-distance lovers, including 1,500 international participants, following the success of the inaugural event in 2006. HOPE Worldwide (Thailand) which helps the country's needy children has been nominated as the official charity, so runners can raise money wiThevery mile.www.phuketmarathon.com

Get arty at Phuket's Vichen Gallery in Rawai's Bzenter. Th is month, catch Neighbour, a compelling exhibition by four thai artists whose diverse works include everything from abstract, conceptual photography to playful, cartoon-like paintings (right). On from Th ursday to Sunday at 5 to 9pm (or by appointment) until 13 July. Tel +66 (0)76 289740

Go mad at the Amazing Thailand Grand Sale Fair 2007 from June until mid-August, when participating malls in Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket and Bangkok slash prices by up to 50 per cent. On top of the usual shopping fare, traditional Thai crafts and cottage industry products will be among the goodies on sale. Bring a spare suitcase! www.amazinggrandsale.com

Make a date with the new Angkor Night Market on Siem Reap's Sivutha Street. This open-air bazaar off ers everything from art and handicraft s to DVDs and freshly-cooked Khmer delicacies. While here, be sure to check out Frog Princess, a funky shop that stocks limited edition, locally-made products like the bamboridoo, a Cambodian hill tribe instrument similar to the Australian didgeridoo. Tel +855 (0)92 655143, www.angkornightmarket.com