Date Added:
12/4/2010
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) invites foreign visitors to join the Thai people in celebrating the Thai New Year festivities between 13-15 April, 2010, in Bangkok and major provinces nationwide.
In true Thai style, the “Songkran Splendours 2010” will be marked with great fun in the Thai capital as well as in the popular tourist provinces of Chiang Mai, Sukhothai, Khon Kaen, Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya, Chonburi, Samut Prakan, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Songkhla, and Phuket.
The Royal Thai Government has announced 16 April, 2010, as a national holiday so the Thai people will have a long holiday from 10-18, April, 2010 (including the weekend) to celebrate the Songkran Festival. Bangkok especially becomes entirely traffic-free during this period, and hence very easy to get around, with all the department stores, shopping complexes, and other tourist attractions all still open. Tourists can enjoy Songkran in Bangkok; such as, the Grand Songkran Festival at Wat Pho on 10 April, 2010 and the Songkran Festival Celebration along Silom Road during 13-15 April, 2010.
The Songkran Festival is a fun-filled national celebration that pays tribute to the role of water in Thai social, cultural, economic and spiritual life. Marked during the peak of the summer heat wave, it includes the annual bathing of Buddha images carried out at temples and homes across the country.
The word "Songkran" means a passage or course and refers to the position of the sun within the solar system. As the sun enters each of the houses of the zodiac constellation, a songkran cycle is completed.
Over time, the use of the term has become more generic. During this time, the sun is equidistant to the earth, so there is an equal number of hours during the day and night, a phenomenon known as "maha songkran" (the supreme cycle). This marks the beginning of the Thai New Year. During this period, many men also enter the monkhood as an expression of respect and gratitude to their parents and ancestors.
A spirit of good-natured fun permeates the holiday season. Songkran embodies the essential caring and unity at the core of Thai society — enduring qualities that make Thailand truly amazing.
Mr Suraphon Svetasreni, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand said, “We would like to invite all foreign visitors from overseas and neigbouring countries to celebrate this important and joyful festival with us.
According to the President of the Hat Yai-Songkhla Hotel Business Association, Mr Somchat Pimthanapoonporn, the business outlook of this tourist city is rosy, for over 12,000 rooms are fully booked during the Songkran celebration, when water splashing, both the traditional ceremonial pouring in terms of religious and cultural respect, and contemporary water warfare, tops the list of various available and popular activities during the holiday.
Visitors to Phuket Thailand are invited to join the Songkran festival and Phuket Bike Week during 12-13 April, 2010, at Loma (Dolphin) Public Park and the Port, Jungceylon Shopping Destination Patong, Patong Beach.
Here is the list of Songkran celebrations and activities in Bangkok. GRAND SONGKRAN FESTIVAL OPENING CEREMONY
April 10, 2010/ 18.00 – 20.00 Hrs.
At Wat Phrachetuphon Wimonmangkhalaram (Wat Pho), Bangkok
BANGKOK SONGKRAN SPLENDOURS FESTIVAL
SONGKRAN THAI NEW YEAR MERIT-MAKING AT NINE ROYAL TEMPLES
April 10 - 15, 2010
Nine royal temples around Rattanakosin Island
70th WISUTKASAT SONGKRAN FESTIVAL
April 10 – 11, 2010
At Wisutkasat intersection, The Mod Hotel, opposite Wat Tridhosthep temple
BANGKOK SONGKRAN SPLENDOURS FESTIVAL
April 12 – 15, 2010
At Lan Khon Mueng Plaza in front of the Bangkok City Hall
BANGLUMPOO - SANTICHAIPRAKAN PARK SONGKRAN FESTIVAL
April 12 – 14, 2010
At Santichaiprakan Park (Phra Sumeru fortress), Bangkok
KHAO SAN ROAD SONGKRAN FESTIVAL
April 12 - 15, 2010
Along Khao San Road, Bangkok
SONGKRAN FESTIVAL CELEBRATION
April 13 - 15, 2010
Along Silom Road, Bangkok
Apart from Bangkok, Phuket is another interesting location to enjoy Songkran activities, which is going to be held at Patong Beach (12-15 April, 2010) and Old Town Phuket (13-15 April, 2010 at 17.00-22.00 Hrs.)
For further details on the Songkran festival, please check out, www.tatnews.org or contact the TAT Call Center 1672.
SONGKRAN SPLENDOURS 2010
Songkran Celebrations in Bangkok and in the four regions of Thailand |
