APRIL 13, 2007
SONGKRAN FESTIVAL IN THE ANCIENT CAPITAL OF AYUTTHAYA
April 13, the Songkran celebrations will be held at various sites around the island city of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya – the ancient capital of Ayutthaya.
Songkran or Thai New Year festivities will feature ancient customs and traditions of Songkran that have been observed through the centuries.
Highlights and Activities
Merit-making activities at nine sacred temples
Offerings are presented to Buddhist monks on the morning of April 13
Bathing ritual of Buddha images at temples throughout Ayutthaya
The release of fish and birds in observance of ancient Buddhist merit-making customs
The building of sand stupas and other merit-making activities
Scented lustral water is poured over the hands of elders and individuals held in high esteem in a gesture of respect
Grand Songkran Procession
Miss Songkran beauty contest
Miss Songkran Parade
Water-splashing
Contact information:
TAT Central Region Office - Region 6
Tel: +66 (0) 3524 6076, (0) 3524 6077
APRIL 15 – 17, 2007
RATCHABURI LAO SONGKRAN FESTIVAL
At Wat Ban Singh, Tambon Ban Singh sub-district, Amphoe Potharam district,
Ratchaburi province
Several communities in Ratchaburi province are home to descendants of Lao Wiang ethnic origin who continue to perform rituals and ceremonies to celebrate Songkran in accordance with ancient traditions and customs.
Highlights and Activities
The day after New Year’s Day, community residents participate in a floral procession to present floral offerings to temples
Bathing ritual of Buddha images at temples
Merit-making activities
Scented lustral water is poured over monks in a bathing ritual
Ancestor worship rituals are performed.
Scented lustral water is poured over the hands of elders and individuals held in high esteem in a gesture of respect
Folk games and sports
Pad Thai stir-friend noodles prepared in a giant wok
Thai boxing
Miss Lao Wiang Songkran parade and beauty contest
Musical concerts (free admission)
Contact information:
TAT Central Region Office – Region 2
Areas of responsibility: Petchaburi (Cha-am), Ratchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan
Tel: +66 (0) 3247 1005, (0) 3247 1502
Fax: +66 (0) 3247 1502
APRIL 20 - 22, 2007
SONGKRAN FESTIVAL AND THAI RAMAN FLAG CEREMONY IN PHRA PRADAENG, SAMUT PRAKARN PROVINCE
Highlights and Activities
Songkran traditions of the Ramen community: The Thai Raman Flag Ceremony and traditional Raman games such as 'saba', a pitch and toss game played with beans
Miss Songkran Beauty Queen (Paklat) Parade and Contest
Floral floats parade
Procession of Raman maidens
Raman dances
Boat races
Bathing ritual of Buddha images at temples
The release of fish and birds in observance of ancient Buddhist merit-making customs
Paying respect to elders and respected individuals
The Phra Pradaeng Songkran Festival differs from others in that it is held a little later than in most other locales. The Songkran rituals and celebrations here are held on the Sunday that follows after Songkran Day on April 13. Hence in 2007, the festival falls on April 20– 22.
Ancient traditions are still being observed and is a source of pride passed on to future generations.
THAI-RAMAN FLAG CEREMONY
Each village makes its own centipede flag, which is carried in a ceremonial flag procession along the road to be draped on the swan pillars at various temples. The flag, the symbol of the Thai-Raman people, is of Buddhist significance and incorporates spirit of unity.
SABA
A demonstration of traditional Raman games such as saba, a pitch and toss game played with beans. Various indigenous games of Thai-Raman origin being staged in designated villages from 08.30 to midnight during the festival period.
In Bonsaba, a traditional Raman games, young Raman lads and lasses engage in a lively dialogue, accompanied by song and dance. This is a quaint custom, which is now rarely witnessed.
ORIGINS OF THE PHRA PRADAENG SONGKRAN FESTIVAL
The Phra Pradaeng Songkran Festival, formerly known as the 'Pak Lat Songkran Festival', was similar to Songkran celebrated in the other regions of the country, with the notable addition of a colourful and elaborate Songkran procession staged by the Mon, or Raman, residents of Phra Pradaeng.
The highlight of the festival is a grand procession of floral floats carrying beautiful maidens dressed in a traditional Mon, or Raman, costume. Each holds a fish bowl in one hand and a bird cage in the other. Other maidens, accompanied by men dressed in traditional Raman costume of sarong and round-necked shirt and sash (the costume is called "choot loy chai"), walk in front of the 'Songkran beauty queen'. The fish and birds are released as an act of merit to ward off bad luck and bring prosperity.
Each year the Phra Pradaeng Songkran parade features between 10 to 20 processions. Each procession is made up of a Songkran vehicle decorated with beautiful flowers. The vehicle of the lead procession transports the incumbent Miss Songkran surrounded by her entourage. She is seated and holds a replica of the severed head of the Lord Tao Maha Songkran. The procession also includes a file of graceful girls dressed in traditional Thai-Raman costumes. Some of them hold a fishbowl; others hold a birdcage and the remainder walk ahead of the Songkran vehicle. They in turn are flanked by Raman youths dressed in Choot Loy Chai costumes, consisting of a sarong, round-necked shirt and scarf which is worn with the tails dangling behind. The men's job is to ensure that everything goes smoothly.
The procession of the Tao Maha Songkran "head" is a unique aspect of the Phra Padaeng Songkran celebrations. According to ancient beliefs, there was once a kind and benevolent god who cared greatly for mankind. His name was Tao Maha Songkran. He had seven daughters, each one a goddess representing a day of the week. The annual Miss Songkran winner is seen holding the head of Lord Tao Maha Songkran, (also known as Tao Mahapraphrom) - a gesture believed to bring good fortune to mankind.
Noted for the continued preservation of ancient customs and traditions, the Songkran festival at Phra Pradaeng is no less of an attraction and draws local and overseas tourists alike.
Contact information:
Phra Pradaeng Municipality
Please contact the Education Section
Tel: +66 (0) 463 4841 Ext. 129-130
APRIL 2007
CHON BURI BANG SAEN SONGKRAN SAND-STUPA BUILDING FESTIVAL
On the beach in Bang Saen, Siracha district, Chon Buri province
The Songkran celebrations in the Saensuk district Chon Buri province are of particular interest as the festivities reflect the local culture and environment. With no shortage of sand to build sand-stupas, the stupa building contest is a predominant element of the Songkran festivities in Chon Buri.
Residents of the each of the villages in the district gather together to take part in community Buddhist merit-making. Monks are invited to conduct merit-making ceremonies and rituals, whilst local residents present merit-making offerings and sprinkle scented lustral water on Buddha images in a Songkran Thai New Year bathing ritual.
Families pay respect to elderly relatives and other
respected individuals by pouring scented lustral water
over the hands.
Festival highlights include the 'Kong Kao' religious ritual, rarely seen folk games and traditional Thai sports, cockfighting - a popular local sport, the Siracha Miss Songkran beauty pageant and Siracha Songkran Parade.
Contact information:
TAT Central Region Office: Region 3
Tel: +66 (0) 3842 7667, (0) 3842 8750
Fax: +66 (0) 3842 9113
APRIL 18 - 19, 2007
‘WAN LAI’ SONGKRAN CUSTOMS IN PATTAYA, CHON BURI
At Wat Chaimongkon, South Pattaya; Pattaya beach and other sites around Pattaya
Except the building of sand stupas on the beach and the local landscape, Songkran Thai New Year rituals and celebrations in Pattaya are similar to those performed in other parts of the country.
Highlights and Activities
The building of sand stupas
Bathing ritual of Buddha images at temples
Scented lustral water is poured over the hands of elders and individuals held in high esteem in a gesture of respect
Traditional Songkran Parade
Cultural presentations and performances
Miss Songkran beauty contest
Water-splashing
Contact information:
TAT Central Region Office: Region 3
Tel: +66 (0) 3842 7667, (0) 3842 8750
Fax: +66 (0) 3842 9113
APRIL 19 - 21, 2007
SI MAHARAJA SONGKRAN FESTIVAL IN CHON BURI PROVINCE
At Koh Loi Park, Sriracha district, Chon Buri province
Highlights and Activities
The observance of the ‘kong kao’ religious ritual and other customs related to the celebration of the Thai New Year
Bathing ritual of Buddha images at temples
Procession of Buddha images
The building of sand stupas
Light-and-sound presentation
Thai cultural performances and folk games
Sales of local food and desserts
Miss Songkran beauty contest
Water-splashing
Contact information:
TAT Central Region Office: Region 3
Tel: +66 (0) 3842 7667, (0) 3842 8750
Fax: +66 (0) 3842 9113
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