Songkran Festival 2010@ Bangkok Thailand Guide 360 Virtual tours Attractions, Accommodation, Restaurants, Events

Have you ever seen a picture of a street full of people throwing water at each other with a smile under the very hot sun? If not, this time of the year would be a great chance for you not only to watch the fantastic Songkran festival but to join it yourself. The number one popular place where people gather for the festival should be "Khao San" road.

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It's crowded everyday during the festival by both Thai and foreigners. Some use a squirt gun, some use water from a rubber tube from their houses, some use powder and some just have fun by walking through the road and have other people splashing water at them. If you would like to see some different plays of Songkran, "Soi Cowboy" and "PatPong" where the whole street becomes a water theme park + party. It starts in the evening until late at night. A more cultural oriented venue would be Sanam Luang. You will find a demonstration of Thai culture and traditions from many parts of region. You will see people pouring water on the Buddha Image to pay respect, which is the tradition way of Songkran. Another interesting place outside of Bangkok far away to the north-east is "Khon Kaen". An 8-lane street is closed for the festival. Songkran festival is held in every provinces of Thailand; another popular place is Chiang Mai.

Traditionally, Songkran will be held on April 13-15. In some parts of the region, the dates of the Songkran festival maybe different plus or minus a couple of days. Some provinces have it on April 8 and some ends on April 21.

This April seems to be hotter than last year. Luckily, the pleasant Songkran festival comes to alleviate our hot weather. Not only Thailand celebrate this festival but also Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Sibsongpanna State in China and Srilanka. The word “Songkran” means move or change. This is the period that the sun moves close to our earth. It is regarded as the new year. It is also the harvest season. India is the first country holding this festival but not much water was involve. After this festival spread over the Asia, water started to play the vital role in the celebration, being the symbol of richness.

There are three days for this festival :
First day is called Songkran day, the last day of the year. People will clean their home to welcome the coming new year.
Second day is Wan Nao. People will bathe the Buddha image and all children will Rod-nam-dum-hua (pour water on the hands of revered elders and ask for blessing) their parents. Furthermore, they believed that saying the rough word on that day will bring the bad luck.
The last is Payawan Day, People will make merit at the temple. In the north, people will bring tree branches and line them around a big tree in a belief to prolong life. All male and female teenagers will water each other in a gentle way. In the old times there are only few occasions boys and girls will meet, this is one of the few days that they will meet each other, doing activities at the temple together. It was a good opertunity for boys to meet girls.

Now this belief is still visible only in the up-country because most people put more importance on water war. Cold water and ice replace Num-ob (Thai perfume). Water war at Kao Sarn Road in Bangkok, Road around Chiangmai moat, Kao Nheaw Road in Khon kaen reflex new Thai Songkarn lifestyle. Change can happen everywhere, it isn’t wrong. It is inevitable. It is the way the world turns. For some it’s good for it’s not. Still this festival is remains wonderful roots and charm.

Have you ever seen a picture of a street full of people throwing water to each other with a smile under the very hot sun? If not, this time of the year would be a great chance for you not only to watch the fantastic Songkran festival but to join it yourself. The number one popular place where people gather for the festival should be "Khao San" road. It's crowded everyday during the festival by both Thai and foreigners. Some use a squirt gun, some use water from a rubber tube from their houses, some use powder and some just have fun by walking through the road and have other people splashing water to them. If you would like to see some different plays of Songkran, "Soi Cowboy" and "PatPong" where the whole street becomes a water theme park + party. It starts in the evening until late at night. A more cultural oriented venue would be Sanam Luang. You will find a demonstration of Thai culture and traditions from many parts of region. You will see people pouring water on the Buddha Image to pay respect, which is the tradition way of Songkran. Another interesting place outside of Bangkok far away to the north-east is "Khon Gaen". An 8-lane street is closed for the festival. Songkran festival is held in every provinces of Thailand; another popular place is Chiang Mai.

Traditionally, Songkran will be held on April 13-15. In some parts of the region, the dates of the Songkran festival maybe different plus or minus a couple of days. Some provinces have it on April 8 and some ends on April 21.

This April seems to be hotter than last year. Luckily, the pleasant Songkran festival comes to alleviate our hot weather. Not only Thailand held this festival but also Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Sibsongpanna State in China and Srilanka. The word “Songkran” means move or change so this festival is the period that the sun moves close to our earth and all southeastern people regard this time as their new year. Moreover, this period is also the harvest season. India is the first country holding this festival before the end of the year but there wasn’t water war as today. After this festival spread over the Asia, water started to play the vital role in celebration, being the symbol of richness. There are three days for this festival : First day is called Songkran day, the last day of the year. People will clean their home to welcome the coming new year. Second day is Wan Nao. People will bathe the Buddha image and all children will Rod-nam-dum-hua (pour water on the hands of revered elders and ask for blessing) their parents. Furthermore, they believed that saying the rough word on that day will bring the bad luck.

The last is Payawan Day, the beginning day of New Year. People will make merit for their happiness. In the north, they will bring a timber to prop the big tree for their long life. All male and female teenagers will water each other for removing all bad things. This is only one day that they will meet each other, doing activities at the temple together. Now this belief is still visible only in the up-country because most people put more importance on water war. Cold water and ice replace Num-ob (Thai perfume). Powder and …. are new Songkran charm. Water war at Kao Sarn Road in Bangkok, Road around Chiangmai moat, Kao Nheaw Road in Khon kaen reflex new Thai Songkarn lifestyle. Change can happen everywhere, it isn’t wrong. It is inevitable. It is the way the world turns. For some it’s good for it’s not. Still this festival is remains wonderful roots and charm.

Some Ideas of Places to go

Bangkok Songkran Festival
Date: 10-15 April 2009
Venue: 9 royal temples and around Rattanakosin Island
Hi-Light:
- Paying worship to the 9 royal temples.

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Songkran Festival
Date: 12-14 April 2009
Venue: Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park
Hi-Light:
- Splashing water with elephants

Songkran Festival at Phra Pradaeng, Samut Prakan
Date: 17-19 April 2009
Venue: Phra Pradaeng District and Municipality
Hi-Light:
- Traditional local games (Sa-ba Raman and Sa-ba Toi)

Hat Yai Midnight Songkran Festival, Songkhla
Date: 10-13 April 2009
Venue: Niphat Uthit Road and Sanehanusorn Road, Hat Yai
Hi-Light:
- Midnight Songkran Festival

Nakhon Si Thammarat Songkran Festival
Date: 11-15 April 2009
Venue: Wat Phra Boromthat and Si Thamma Sokarat Park, Sanam Na Meuang, I-suan Hall and Phra Narai Hall
Hi-Light:
- Paying worship to the Phrathat Songkran
- A procession of Phra Puttasihing and Nang Kradan
- The Yam Pa Wai Swinging Ceremony

Thai-Lao Songkran Festival, Nong Khai
Date: 11-15 April 2009
Venue: Wat Pho Chai
Hi-Light:
- A procession of Luang Pho Phra Sai

Chiang Mai Songkran Festival
Date: 12-15 April 2009
Venue: All around in Chiangmai city
Hi-Light:
- Grand Opening Songkran Festival at Royal Flora Garden (Ratchaphruek)
- A procession and bathing of the Phra Phuttasihing
- Splashing water around the city ditch

Wan Lai Bang Saen Songkran Festival
Date: 18 April 2009
Venue: Larn Phoe Na Klue and Wat Chaimongkol
Hi-Light:
- A procession of Buddha image

Dok Khun Siang Khaen Festival at Khao Neaw Street Khon Kaen
Date: 8-15 April 2009
Venue: Area of Beung Kan Nakhonand and Si Chan Road
Hi-Light:
- A procession of floral carts

Nakhon Phanom Songkran and Lao New Year Festival at Khao Phoon Street
Date: 12-15 April 2009
Venue: Mueang District and Renu Nakhon Municipality
Hi-Light:
- To leave offerings for the priests due to King’s birthday at Phra Thad Sri KhotTa Boon

Songkran The Water Festival on the Beach, Phuket
Date: 10-13 April 2009
Venue: Loma Park and Jungsilon Department Store
Hi-Light:
- Making merit

Sukhothai Songkran Festival ,Sukhothai
Date: 8-12 April 2009 Venue: Si Satchanalai and Sukhothai Historical Park Hi-Light:
- Parade of elephants
- A procession of ancient carts

Suphanburi Songkran Festival,Suphanburi
Date: 12-14 April 2009
Venue: Mueang District and Nane Gaew Village Park and Road
Hi-Light:
A procession of Luang Pho To

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Updated :10 APRIL 2009
Last Edit :08 April 2010
Page View : 52308

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