SONGRKAN THAI NEW YEAR IN CHIANG MAI

SONGRKAN THAI NEW YEAR IN CHIANG MAI

APRIL 11 - 15, 2007

Featuring Lanna Thai New Year celebrations and festivities at temples, the city gates and around the city moat throughout the northern capital of Chiang Mai,

Highlights and Activities

Phra Buddha Sihing procession

Buddha images bathing ritual

Merit-making activities and presentation of offerings to Buddhist monks

The release of fish and birds in observance of ancient Buddhist merit-making customs

‘Rod nam dum hua’ bathing rituals as a gesture of respect to elderly relatives and other respected individuals

Lanna Thai cultural performances and folk games

Sand-stupa building contest

Songkran water-splashing

One of the best places to experience Songkran is in Chiang Mai, where it is celebrated on a grand scale with a flavour uniquely and entirely its own, attracting visitors from far and wide. This year, Songkran Thai New Year festivities scheduled for April 11-15, will be held at temples, in the vicinity of the city’s gates and around the city moat.

Devout Buddhists visit the temple for merit-making and to listen to sermons. Lustral water is sprinkled on sacred Buddha images, such as the Phra Buddha Sihing image, and also poured over the hands of monks in a gesture of reverence. Donations are also made to the temple. Enjoy traditional Thai cultural performances held in the temple ground.

One of the highlights of the festival is the 'Songkran Beauty Queen Procession' that takes place on Songkran Day itself - April 13. Meanwhile, many other events leading up to the main attraction are spread over several days and it is here that the visitor gets to see various aspects of Chiang Mai, first hand, — its culture, cuisine, arts and crafts, as well as the friendly people.

Contact information:

TAT Northern Office - Region 1

Tel: +66 (0) 5324 8604, (0) 5324 8607, (0) 5324 1466

Fax: +66 (0) 5324 8605

E-mail: tatchmai@tat.or.th