Agenda: Songkran festivities in Thailand
Songkran or the Thai New Year is an event celebrated throughout Thailand on various holidays. From April 13 to 15 (with slight variations here and there depending on the region), Thailand is in a festive mood where ancient traditions meet more modern and boisterous pleasures.
For the tourists it is a unique opportunity to attend respectful rituals, but also to take part in crazy water fights in the streets of the various towns and villages. For the Thai, this is the time of fun family gatherings where everyone goes to the temple to do good deeds and keep tradition alive.
This is without a doubt an ideal time to stay anywhere in Thailand. Hence a roundup of some of the best festivals around Songkran to enjoy in 2017.
Bangkok
The National Tourist Board of Thailand (TAT) will immerse you in the Songkran atmosphere from April 8 to 13 with its New Year Party at Benchasiri Park. The 'Amazing Songkran Festival Experience' will give visitors a taste of how Songkran is celebrated all over Thailand. The event opens with a merry and colorful procession on April 8 from 17.30:20.30 PM to XNUMX:XNUMX PM moving from PhromPhong Junction to Pathum Wan Intersection.
The Bangkok Songkran Festival from April 13 to 15 is celebrated on the large open-air area just in front of the Central World Shopping Complex. Besides the water fights, you will also be able to discover some of the more traditional aspects of Songkran in a cozy and family atmosphere. A big “Foam” party will offer a different kind of water entertainment and it will be a good opportunity to refresh during the hottest time of the year.
The S20 Songkran Music Festival , from April 13 to 15 at the Show DC Oasis Arena (Rama 9 Road), has already been announced to be the wettest and most enjoyable event in the capital especially for the youth. Performances by well-known DJs, dance Floor and a fountain that sprays water in all directions are on the program. The 3-day pass costing 3.200 baht is available online at www.S2OFestival.com.
Songkran PhaKhao Ma Yok Siam, also organizes a rendezvous for the young people, from April 13 to 15, at Siam Square to party musically. There are concerts, tasty snacks and numerous water fights from 12.00:22.00 to XNUMX:XNUMX.
Chiang Mai
The Chiang Mai Songkran Festival will brighten up Chiang Mai's Old City from April 12 to 17. The festivities of Songkran in the northern city are well known in Thailand. They strike a wonderful balance between the water-based entertainment and the sacred ceremonies, demonstrating the Buddhist importance of this festival to the Lanna people. Here Songkran is often also called Prapeni P Mai Mueang and it takes 5 days.
Samut Prakan
In Phra Pradaeng, the local people hold the traditional Mon ceremonies and their New Year traditions are very different from the rest of the country and they also take place a little later, viz. from April 21 to 23. Spectacular flower processions, parades of the local Mon people in their traditional dress, the election of Miss Songkran and cultural and folkloric performances take place near the town hall. Visitors will also have the opportunity to join meritorious activities at local temples and pay homage to the elders of the community.
Khon Kaen
KhonKaen celebrates Songkran from April 5 to 15. It is one of the largest Songkran festivals and certainly the most famous in the northeast of Thailand. Many activities reflect the rich local cultural tradition, including a flower parade, competitions, rituals in which people pay tribute to Buddha and the elderly with water, not forgetting the water fights and local handicraft demonstrations.
In the south, the Midnight Songkran will take place from April 11 to 15, in downtown Hat Yai. Most of the festivities will be concentrated in the streets of NipatUhit 3, Sanehanusorn and ThammanoonVithi. The program includes free music, concerts and many other entertainments every day between 10.00 am and 23.00 pm.
Kanchanaburi
Kanchanaburi has its own Songkran traditions, the highlight of which is the spectacular procession with a beeswax candle. We can then link other activities to the local Buddhist faith. The celebrations will take place on April 13 and 14 around Wat Nongprue. The visitor will be able to participate in meritorious activities in the temple and enjoy an exhibition that tells the history of the candle procession. There will also be stalls selling local products and tasty sweets.
Mukdahan
The province of Mukdahanen Isan offers its visitors and residents a unique opportunity to celebrate Songkran in the traditions of the four countries that make up the area dominated by the Mekong (Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and China), united within the framework of a big party across borders. The Mukdahan and 4 Indochinese Countries Sogkran Festival, will take place from April 13 to 15. This year, celebrations will take place around the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge across the Mekong, while other celebrations will be held in Mueang District, Mukdahan, Chalerm PhraKiatKanchanaPhisek Park. The Samran Chai Kong Road will be transformed into an Indochinese pedestrian zone.
Sound and light shows that tell the history of the ancient civilizations of the region, cultural representations of the four countries, rituals that pay homage to the holy spirits and the folkloric representations of the eight different ethnic groups of Mukhadan, a dancing fountain, water tunnels, and a foam party are all on the agenda. As well as a food salon, a festival of fish from the Mekong, an exhibition of spices from the four countries, the election of Miss Indochina, spectacles with drums and concerts of all kinds.
Source: TAT Belgium/Luxembourg