Travellers from all over the world are visiting Thailand this week and next to enjoy the Songkran Splendours Festival, which highlights the many traditional celebrations that take place during Songkran, the festival that marks the Thai New Year.
The Songkran Splendours Festival offers a range of cultural events that will take place in Bangkok and 12 history-rich cities across Thailand from 9 to 24 April 2012.
“Songkran is the annual festival that all Thais look forward to, as it brings together families and friends to celebrate the Thai New Year by honouring their elders, while relieving the summer heat by joyfully splashing each other. It's a uniquely Thai combination of honouring ancient traditions while having a good time together, which makes the Songkran Festival popular with visitors who want a memorable Thai experience,” said Mr Suraphon Svetasreni, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Despite in recent times becoming more of a fun mass water fight/party, the Songkran Festival is actually based on ancient traditions that recognize the importance of family ties and the progression of life by honouring family elders.
A word with roots in the Sanskrit language, “Songkran”, means “move into”. Historically, it marked the end of a twelve-month cycle and the beginning of a new solar year. Water plays a major role in the Songkran Festival, symbolizing the cleansing and purification process.
Communities throughout Thailand really come to life during the Songkran Festival. Cultural traditions include cleaning temples, making merit with monks, bathing Buddha statues and images with scented lustral water to show respect, and decorating temple grounds. Many communities also feature parades, street parties and other events that offer visitors to Thailand a chance to immerse themselves in Thai culture in a fun and fascinating way.
“During the 2012 Songkran Festival, visitors to Thailand can enjoy a series of events taking places throughout the country, so they can experience how people living in different areas of Thailand celebrate the Songkran Festival," Mr Suraphon added.
Highlights of the Songkran Splendours Festival and the 13 provinces include:
Bangkok Songkran Splendours Festival (10 - 15 April 2012)
Songkran Festival in the Capital include pouring scented water on Buddha images, sampling delicious Thai cuisine, and enjoying cultural performances at Nagaraphirom Park during 10-15 April 2012, from 10.00 to 20.00 hrs. (The Opening Ceremony was held on 9 April 2012).
Songkran is also the perfect time to visit royal temples including Wat Phra Kaeo, Wat Pho, Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn), Wat Ratchaorasaram, Wat Ratchaphradit, Wat Ratchabophit, Wat Bowornniwet, Wat Suthat, Wat Phraram Kao, Wat Chanasongkhram, Wat Saket (The Golden Mount), Wat Rakhang, and Wat Kanlayanamit.
From 9 to 17 April 2012, from 10.00-18.00 hrs., visitors should go to the information booth at each temple to receive a souvenir passport for collecting a stamp from each location. Once the passport is filled with stamps, visitors can receive a special gift at Wat Pho.
Visitors can also join in the Songkran Festival activities at Rattanakosin Royal Square, as well as in the neighboring areas including Bang Lamphu, Khao San Rd., Phra Athit Rd., Santhichaiprakan and Wisut Kasat.
Chiang Mai Songkran Festival (12 - 15 April 2012)
Chiang Mai is renowned for holding one of the grandest Songkran celebrations in Thailand. Visitors can participate in the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Songkran Festival by joining in the wonderful procession that takes place around Chiang Mai city. They can also pour scented water on a Buddha image and willing elders, delight in cultural performances and traditions that reflect the Northern style and enjoy a variety of foods available along the streets.
Chon Buri Songkran Festival (13 - 21 April 2012)
There are four key venues for the Songkran festival in Chon Buri province, which are Ko Si Chang, Wan Lai Bang Saen, Wan Lai Pattaya, and Si Maha Racha.
The "Kong Khao" religious ritual, which is also related to the Thai New Year, includes a procession of ‘kong khao’ floats and Buddha images, plus the ritual bathing of Buddha images. Visitors should also make sure they see the tradition of local men carrying a lady to the sea and back at Ko Si Chang, which is followed by a folk dance.
Hat Yai Midnight Songkran Festival, Songkhla (11 - 13 April 2012)
In the south of Thailand’s largest city, Songkran includes water-splashing, beauty pageants and other activities such as Phra Phuttha Sihing Buddha image and Songkran Goddess procession. The Midnight Songkran Festival also features late-night fun on Niphat Uthit Road and Odian Intersection in Hat Yai.
Isan Songkran Festival, Dok Khun Siang Khaen Festival, and Khao Niao Street (11 - 18 April 2012)
Khon Kaen lies in the heart of the Northeast, and is a very nice city to visit. Here, visitors can experience the longest human wave in the world and take part in the water splashing on "Sticky Rice Street or Khao Niao Street" and watch the Flora Cart and Songkran Procession that starts out from Fountain Park. There is also a variety of entertainment to choose from; a mountain bike competition, volleyball tournament, petanque competition for the Royal Cup from HRH Princess Sirindhorn, cooking contest, OTOP product fair, folk plays, and a food fair at Kaen Nakhon Lake in Khon Kaen.
Maha Songkran Festival – Hae Nang Dan Muang Nakhon (11 - 15 April, 2012)
Visitors to this southern province can participate in the Songkran festivities by bathing the Phra Phuttha Sihing image. Other highlights include the Nang Kradan procession and a Swing Ceremony to welcome the god Shiva. Exciting activities will take place at Wat Phra Borom That and Si Thamma Sokarat Park, Sanam Na Muang, Phra Isuan Hall, and Phra Narai Hall.
Nakhon Phanom Songkran Festival (11 - 15 April 2012)
At Sai Thong Sri Kottabun Beach in Muang District and Renu Nakhon Municipality, Nakhon Phanom, visitors can join in a Buddha image bathing ceremony at the birthday pagoda. To encourage good fortune, they can pour some flower-scented water on the seven pagodas that signify the seven days of birth.
Other activities include creating a sand pagoda and participating in the Buddhist ceremony, and making offerings to Phra That Si Khottabong in Lao PDR. For a special cultural experience, visitors can join in making a sand sculpture that is believed to bless people with good health, as well as watch a procession done in the Renu Nakhon tradition.
Nong Khai Songkran Festival (12 - 15 April 2012)
Visitors will find the beautiful procession at Wat Pho Chai enchanting and can see water being sprinkled on the sacred Luang Pho Phra Sai Buddha image in Nong Khai province. Of course, there is plenty of water splashing, while the cultural heritage of the Mekong River area is celebrated through ethnic performances and entertainment.
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Songkran Festival (13 April 2012)
In Thailand's ancient capital, Songkran celebrations take place at various sites around the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya City Island. Visitors can experience Buddhist merit-making and join elephants and their mahouts for some Songkran water-splashing fun. Mon Songkran Celebrations will also be held at Wat Tong Bo in Sao Kradong in the Bang Pa-In district of the province. For great photo opportunities, visits should not miss the procession of swan and centipede flags, as well as the Mon-style Buddha image bathing ritual.
Phra Pradaeng Songkran Festival, Samut Prakan (22 - 24 April 2012)
This is one of the few places in Thailand that celebrates the Songkran Festival in the Thai-Mon style. The not-to-miss highlight is a magnificent parade. Visitors can learn how to play saba, enjoy a Mon folk play and many other forms of entertainment, and also see a procession of swan and centipede flags.
Songkran on the Beach, Phuket (12 - 13 April 2012)
Visitors can join in a communal Thai New Year merit-making ceremony, witness a procession of Phra Phuttha Sihing Buddha images along Patong Beach, and pay homage to elders with scented lustral water. A range of events will be held at Loma (Dolphin) Public Park and the port, and the Jungceylon activity plaza overlooking Patong Beach.
Sukhothai Songkran Festival (9 - 19 April 2012)
The Songkran celebration in Sukothai includes a variety of entertainment and performances, a parade, and food fairs at Si Satchanalai district, as well as at the Sukhothai Historical Park, and Thai Phuan Buddhist Ordination on Elephant’s Back at Ban Hat Siao. Visitors who want to truly experience the the roots of traditional Thai culture must not miss exploring this city.
Suphanburi Maha Songkran 2012 (13 - 16 April 2012)
Along Nean Kaeo Road in Suphanburi, in the heart of Thailand's central region, visitors can enjoy a procession featuring the golden Luang Pho To Buddha Image, along with other processions put together by public and private entities in the province. There will also be folk music performances, a Miss Songkran beauty contest, and water splashing with Suphanburi artists.
Those in Bangkok and less interested in the traditional side of Songkran and just want to get wet, and enjoy a mass water fight/party, should head to Khao San road if they are in Bangkok. There are other areas along Silom and Sukhumvit but Khao San seems to have become party central.
Water guns are readily available throughout Bangkok, but you may want to bring your own water proof protection for mobile phones and the such. You will get wet, very wet, so if you head to any of the main party areas be prepared and dress appropriately. And remember, it is all about fun, so enjoy!
