Countdown to Songkran begins

BANGKOK, 1 April 2013: To mark the Thai New Year or Songkran festival, Bangkok’s municipality will organise special activities, 12 to 15 April, at the City Hall Plaza while a four-region Songkran fair will be held at four main temples in the capital.

Bangkok Culture, Sports, and Tourism Department director Pranee Satayaprakop said the activities are scheduled to start at 0800, 12 April when the Phra Buddha Sihing will be moved from the Putthai Sawan Pavilion at the National Museum to be housed at a ceremonial site at City Hall.

The Buddha image will be carried in a floral procession to arrive at City Hall about 1900 to mark the start of an official opening ceremony, presided over by the Bangkok governor.

On 13 April, a ceremony to offer food to 186 monks during the morning alms round will begin at 0800 with a ceremony to sprinkle scented lustral water on the palms of the elderly to pay respect to them on the Thai New Year.

Free rides to nine temples will be offered to the public to make merit. Cultural performances and music shows will be on stage. Local products from Bangkok’s 50 districts will be sold at the event.

Making merit, donation, and paying respect to Buddha Images at nine temples is all part of the symbolism to begin the new year on a worthy note and encourage good luck. The temples are:

• Temple of Dawn (Blessing: A glorious life);

• Wat Rakang Kositaram (To be admired and loved);

• Wat Phra Kaew (Endless wealth and prosperity);

• Wat Pho (Calmness is happiness, to live peacefully);

• Wat Chanasongkram (Conquer all obstacles);

• Wat Suthat Thepwararam (To posses great vision);

• Wat Kalayanamit (Having a safe journey and good friends);

• Wat Sraket or Golden Mount (Create auspicious vision);

• Wat Bowornniwet Vihara Rajaworavihara (Having good things in life).

The fair will run through 15 April when the Phra Buddha Sihing will be moved back to the Phuttai Sawan Pavilion.

Paying homage to the sacred Phra Buddha Sihing, giving alms to 186 monks and trips to nine temples are the traditional highlights of the capital city’s Songkran festivities.

In addition, four region activities will be held at four Bangkok temples, to coincide with activities at City Hall, 12 to 15 April. The four-region Songkran fair will be held at Wat Pho, Wat Suthat Thepwararam, Wat Ratchaorasaram, and Wat Srakateratchaworamahaviharn.

This year officials are asking festival goers to tone down the celebrations. They are asked not to play with talcum powder or high pressure water guns while alcoholic beverage sales will banned in specific locations close to the main water throwing areas to ensure safety. Police and municipal officials will provide security and direct traffic at the festival venues.

Residents and foreigners are being warned not drive and drink as they will face hefty fines and even imprisonment. The death toll during the holiday is a national tragedy and mainly due to drunk or drugged driving.

In Chiang Mai, the Songkran procession will be held, 12 April for five days. There will be a parade through Chiang Mai with Buddha images displayed on floats. The procession will begin at Nawarat Bridge on the Mae Ping River and move to the Tha Pae Gate before approaching its final destination of Wat Pra Singh.

Visitors can take part in the opening ceremony of the Songkran festival with a parade around Chiang Mai town. They can also go local and pour jasmine-scented water on a Buddha images and elders, enjoy Lanna-style cultural performances and traditions, and try out various northern foods along the streets.

On 15 April is Wan Parg-bpee. This is the final day of the celebration when people splash water on each other water. According to the traditional view of Songkran the water throwing only begins after religious obligations have been completed.

The splashing of water is symbolic, an act of respect and offering wishes for the New Year. It is supposed to be a gentle splashing and usually limited to areas around the temple after religious duties have been completed.

Officials are hoping they can turn the clock back and convince residents to revive the traditional acts of blessing, rather than engaging in water battles that can continue for three to four days.

Meanwhile, Songkran festival will be celebrated one week later in Pattaya, 18 to 20 April. This event is called ‘Wan Lai’ Songkran festival, translated as “Flowing Day” of Songkran festival.

Wan Lai Pattaya Songkran Festival features making merit at temples, building sand-pagodas, and watching cultural performances and beauty contests, as well as water-throwing sessions.

Na Kluea Wan Lai Festival will take place at Lan Pho Public Park, Na Kluea on 18 and 20 April and Na Kluea Kong Khao Fair on 19 April at Wat Chai Mongkhon in South Pattaya.

Sourced: TravelDaiyNews