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Sunday , March 23 , 2008

Introducing "SongKran" Festival

Posted by naive , Reader : 780 , 14:08:13

Not april yet! but not too early to plan and review a bit about Songkran festival

picture and history from

http://www.songkran.net/en/

Deriving from the Sansakrit language, the word “Songkran“ means to pass or to move into. In this context, the meaning implies to the passing and the moving of the sun, the moon and the other planets into one of the zodiacal orbit. And the Grand Songkran Festival which falls on the Aries indicates the new era of the Thai New Year. Owing to the ancient Indian belief, the Grand Songkran Festival is most appropriate to be the Thai New Year due to the timing of the best season which is known as the spring of India which comes right after the cold season of winter. Also, there are other aspects supporting this belief such as the blooming flowers, the fresh atmosphere of the nature and the livelihood of all the living creatures.

With the great influence from the Indians, the Songkran Festival portrays the typical ways of life of the Thais which involve the agricultural aspects. Free from their regular routine work, the Thai citizens will find time to perform their annual rites of showing respect to their ancestors. The highlight of the festival will include the younger Thais paying respect to their elders by sprinkling their hands with scented water. And in order to welcome the New Year, the celebration will include the delighted colourful local entertainment which, in fact, suitably unite the mutual relationship between members of the family, the society, the nature and surrounding. Therefore, this Songkran Festival has proved to be the most important and grandest festival of the year. Moreover, our neighbouring countries such as Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos have also organised this type of festival.

Since the old days during the Sukhothai period, the Songkran Festival had been practised both in the royal court palace and among the ordinary citizens. However, the size of the celebration had not been as elaborated as of today. Back in those days, civil servants and other government officials would pay homage to the king, and would drink the oath of allegiance to the king or the government, while the king would provide annual salary to all officials. Later on in Ayutthaya period, the festival had been expanded by including the bathing of the Buddha image. Also, the festivities would include the forming of sand pagodas and entertaining celebrations. In the Rattanakosin period, the rituals had been conducted in the similar pattern as those during the Ayutthaya period.

Hightlight of the festival

Date
12 – 15 April 2008

Venue
at 9 royal temples and around Rattanakosin Island

Hi-Light:

Songkran Celebration of the 4 Regions (southern section of Sanam Luang near Wat Phra Kaeo)
Bathing of Buddha images from the 4 regions, local food and dessert making demonstrations, and cultural shows from various regions.

Open Ceremony on 12th April 2008 18.00-21.00 hrs.
at Wat Arun (Wat Chaeng)

Paying worship at 9 royal temples around Rattanakosin Island.
On 11-15 April 2008 09.00-18.00 hrs. :

Wat Phra Sri Rattanasasadaram (Wat Phra Kaeo)
Wat Chetaphon (Wat Pho)
Wat Suthat, Wat Saket
Wat Bowonniwet
Wat Chanasongkram
Wat Rakung
Wat Arun (Wat Chaeng)
Wat Kalayanamitr

Participants will receive a Passport of the 9 temples at each public relations point of each temple. After receiving the stamp from all the temples, a coupon for a lucky prize will be given.
Fun-filled splashing in traditional Thai dress, Khao San Road with various forms of Songkran fun, on 12-15 April 2008 at 07.00-18.00 hrs.
Banglamphu community at Santi Chaiprakarn Park, Phra Athit Road and Wisut Kasat., on 12-13 April 2008

Further Information :
Events Planning Division, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
Tel. 02 250 5500 ext. 3470-3

TAT Call Center 1672

Bangkok
Ayutthaya
Samut Prakan
Chon Buri
Nong Khai
Chiang Mai
Khon Kaen
Nakhon Phanom
Sukhothai
Nakhon Si Thammarat
Phuket
Songkhla
Suphan Buri

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comment 15
naive date : 25/03/2008 time : 21.36
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/naive
Narrow and wide by "Naive" point of view. ...................................*v*....................................................................For Thai reader visit http://www.oknation.net/blog/wickedgirl

Hehe Ian, That's good idea for my songkran costume this year!

comment 14
Lalida date : 25/03/2008 time : 01.34
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/Real

Nice Pic Naive, feels fresh.....

comment 13
naive date : 25/03/2008 time : 00.18
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/naive
Narrow and wide by "Naive" point of view. ...................................*v*....................................................................For Thai reader visit http://www.oknation.net/blog/wickedgirl

Opps wrong pic'

comment 12
naive date : 25/03/2008 time : 00.18
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/naive
Narrow and wide by "Naive" point of view. ...................................*v*....................................................................For Thai reader visit http://www.oknation.net/blog/wickedgirl

Here you are PasaNinja!

comment 11
PasaNINJA2499 date : 25/03/2008 time : 00.11
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/PasaNINJA2499
Keep walking forward. Don't give up. Don't fed up.

water..water..water.. I need it..it'so damn hot. I'm ready for the fest now.hehe

comment 10
naive date : 24/03/2008 time : 14.23
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/naive
Narrow and wide by "Naive" point of view. ...................................*v*....................................................................For Thai reader visit http://www.oknation.net/blog/wickedgirl

Haha i always do that just spark the idea to all the nephews and niece.. Chieng mai is most fun i've ever play.. the whole city is playing!

comment 9
Lalida date : 24/03/2008 time : 13.52
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/Real

Naive,

These pictures are taken a few yrs back in Phuket and of that good excuse you've mentioned.

comment 8
naive date : 24/03/2008 time : 09.00
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/naive
Narrow and wide by "Naive" point of view. ...................................*v*....................................................................For Thai reader visit http://www.oknation.net/blog/wickedgirl

One way the oldies people (as they think they are)
join songkran is to lead some kids gang to play (for good excuse they can play too)

comment 7
GGrass date : 24/03/2008 time : 08.44
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/GGrass

Yeah... I'm all for that too, Ian...

But I too am too old for this stuff...

comment 6
Ian date : 23/03/2008 time : 22.36
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/anterian36

Naive, I am all in favour of girls in white blouses playing songkran

comment 5
naive date : 23/03/2008 time : 21.53
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/naive
Narrow and wide by "Naive" point of view. ...................................*v*....................................................................For Thai reader visit http://www.oknation.net/blog/wickedgirl

kobb... never say too old for anything!
Ian i've been playing songkran more than twice
i might be a very masochism eh?

comment 4
kobb date : 23/03/2008 time : 18.30
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/kobb

I'd rather 'watch' people having fun throwing water at each other. Too old to get wet and still look cute

comment 3
FelixQui date : 23/03/2008 time : 16.25
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/FelixQui

Despite my comment 1., I tend to agree with Ian - try it once for the experience, like LSD and body piercing, and then you'll know better in future whether or not its for you.

comment 2
Ian date : 23/03/2008 time : 16.04
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/anterian36

it's a bit like crossing the line on a ship, and just as wet. Everyone should experience it once, twice is masochism

comment 1
FelixQui date : 23/03/2008 time : 15.59
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/FelixQui

Best plans: stay home and avoid it as much as possible, or escape to a country that doesn't have it.
Whatever might have been the case once upon a time, the "celebration" today is little more than an excuse for obnoxious anti-social behaviour, actual physical assault, drink driving and other puke. It appears to bring out the worst in Thailand. And teh Ministry of Culture, ever eager to prove its total irrelevance and profound idiocy, thoughtfully suggesting that people visit the temples and not wear too revealing clothes.

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