Thailand Festivals
 
 
 
 

Festivals in Thailand 2012

The colourful festivals of Songkran and Loy Krathong are well-known to tourists. However, Thailand has many more unique festivals that are not always found in guide books. Please contact us with news about your event.

Songkran Festival in Bangkok 2011



"Love Songkran in Your Home Town"
This year’s Bangkok Songkran Thai New Year celebrations features a combination of colourful festivities and activities being hosted by the various communities of Khao San Road, the districts of Banglumphu-Wisutkasat and Phra Artit Road under the theme, “Love Songkran in Your Home Town”.

BANGLUMPOO- SANTICHAIPRAKARN PARK SONGKRAN FESTIVAL
At Santichaiprakarn Park (Phra Sumeru fortress), Bangkok

Procession of the sacred Phra Puttha Sihing Buddha image and bathing ritual on 12 April

The highly revered Phra Puttha Sihing Buddha image is believed to be the spiritual guardian protecting the local community from harm. This Buddhist land-borne procession through the streets of Bangkok presents an opportunity for local residents and visitors of Buddhist faith to make merit. Scented lustral water is poured over the image as a gesture of respect.
Procession of Phra Puttha Bang Lamphu Prachanart Buddha Image
The Buddha image will be on display at Santichaiprakarn Park.
Present Buddhist merit-making offerings to monks.
The ritual bathing of Buddha images and monks
Lustral water is sprinkled over Buddha images or poured over the hands of Buddhist monks in a gesture of reverence.
Seek blessings from elders in the Rot Nam Dam Hua ceremony in which scented lustral water and other ritual offerings are presented to elders and individuals held in high esteem in a gesture of respect.
Enjoy cultural presentations and performances.
Join in the fun-filled Songkran water-splashing.
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WISUTKASAT SONGKRAN FESTIVAL
Wisutkasat intersection

Activities
Present Buddhist merit-making offerings to monks
Chak Phra land-borne procession of a sacred Buddha image
The ritual bathing of Buddha images and monks
Rot Nam Dam Hua ceremony
Miss Songkran beauty contest
Cultural presentations
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OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY
9 April 2011/ 17.00 – 19.00 hrs
At Nakaraphirom Park by the Chao Phraya River and Wat Pho – Temple of the Reclining Buddha
17.00 Guests arrive at Nakaphirom Park
18.30 Following the arrival of the Chairperson, guests will be treated to a series of special presentations namely – Songkran of the Four Regions, a dazzling water curtain, dancing fountains and light-and-sound extravaganza, ending with “The Legend of Songkran”.
19.00 Welcome address by the Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand
Report by the Chairman of the TAT Board
The Minister of Tourism and Sports presides at the official opening.
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SONGKRAN AT NAGARAPHIROM PARK (Suan Nagaraphirom)
April 9 – Opening ceremony
April 10 – 15/ 10.00 – 20.00

Activities
Witness how the Songkran Festival is celebrated in the four regions of Thailand. Visitors will be able to sample a variety of Thai dishes and local desserts and enjoy captivating cultural performances.
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SONGKRAN THAI NEW YEAR MERIT-MAKING AT THE ROYAL TEMPLES OF THE NINE KINGS OF THE CHAKRI DYNASTY
APRIL 9 - 17, 2011
At royal temples and the royal temples of the nine kings of the Chakri Dynasty situated around Rattanakosin Island

Time-honoured Buddhist customs and ancient Buddhist merit-making traditions, such as the bathing ritual in which lustral water is sprinkled over Buddha images and the building of sand stupas that are decorated with colourful flags and flowers, can be seen at the royal Buddhist temples and the royal temples constructed during the reign of the nine kings of the Chakri Dynasty. These are dotted around Rattanakosin Island. They are:

Wat Phra Kaeo – Temple of the Emerald Buddha
Official name: Wat Phra Si Rattanasasadaram
Wat Pho – Temple of the Reclining Buddha, constructed during the reign of King Rama I
Official name: Wat Phrachetuphon Wimonmangkhalaram
Wat Arun – Temple of Dawn, constructed during the reign of King Rama II
Official name: Wat Arunratchawararam Ratchaworamahawihan
Wat Raja Orasaram or (Wat Rajaoros) in Thonburi, on the western bank of the Chao Phraya River, constructed during the reign of King Rama III
Wat Rajapradit Sathitmahasimaram Rajaworavihara, constructed during the reign of King Rama IV, situated next to Saranrom Park near the old moat, Khlong Ku Mueang Derm Road
Wat Rajabophit Sathitmahasimaram Rajaworawihan, designated the royal temple during the reign of King Rama V and VII
Wat Bwornnivetviharn, designated the royal temple during the reign of King Rama VI
Wat Suthat Thepwararam Ratchaworamahawihan, the royal temple during the reign of King Rama VIII
Wat Phra Ram 9 Kanjanapisek, designated the royal temple of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama IX
Wat Chanasongkhram Ratchaworamahawihan
Wat Saket Ratchaworamahawihan
Wat Rakhangkhositaram Woramahawihan
Wat Kanlayanamit Woramahawihan

The Sacred Nine Temples
All of the above temples are considered particularly sacred Buddhist sites. The temples constructed during the reign of the kings of the Chakri Dynasty are historic sites bestowed with royal rank, and led by abbots from the highest ranking clergy in the sangha — the Buddhist community. All contain at least one Buddha image reputed to be of great power. For these reasons donations and meditation undertaken at any or all nine is considered to be particularly meritorious.

Many Thais will visit a total of nine sacred temples during a round of merit-making at New Year. This is partly because the number nine itself is an auspicious number, owing to the fact that it represents three times three, and three refers to Buddhism’s Triple Gems (Buddha, dhamma, sangha), making it a triply auspicious number. Furthermore, the Thai word for nine – kao – sounds similar to the word for advance, or step forward, (kaao), and hence it is thought that the number represents progress, both spiritual and material.
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BANGKOK MAHA SONGKRAN (GRAND SONGKRAN) CELEBRATIONS
At Laan Khon Mueng plaza in front of the Bangkok City Hall
Procession of Phra Puttha Sihing Buddha image
The ritual bathing of Buddha images and monks

Contact information:
Tourism Authority of Thailand, Bangkok Office
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500
Fax: +66 (0) 2250 5511
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 
Last Updated on Tuesday, 29 March 2011 03:51
 

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RichardBarrowRichardBarrow: 10:20pm Judging by the radar it is raining over much of Bangkok again. Reports coming in of many flooded roads. Drive carefully out there.

RichardBarrowRichardBarrow: A picture from today in Thai history - 17 May 1992: Soldiers on the streets of Bangkok http://t.co/7U3q9lqM - MT @top10thai

RichardBarrowRichardBarrow: I post the highlights of the best stories from Twitter in Thailand on my website http://t.co/xocfUzEl #Censorship #Test

RichardBarrowRichardBarrow: The shortlinks seem to be working again in Thailand. I guess someone was listening and sorted it out (until next time)

RichardBarrowRichardBarrow: RT @UKYorkie: Can route it through a VPN connection => Yes, but how do I tell my customers when True mistakenly blocked my online store?

RichardBarrowRichardBarrow: If Thailand cannot get its act together, one of these days I might be forced to move to a "more open" society like Burma. Very tempted.

RichardBarrowRichardBarrow: I have no idea how they expect us to run an Internet business in Thailand when they keep bungling censorship of websites.

RichardBarrowRichardBarrow: Coconuts Bangkok: Relaunch of Bangkok’s Leading News & Reviews Website http://t.co/spOlqhSG

RichardBarrowRichardBarrow: Pictures of the Rocket Festival in Northeastern Thailand by @motorcyrubjang: http://t.co/KiujJAxS

RichardBarrowRichardBarrow: Pet Expo Thailand 2012 is on at Queen Sirikit (QSNCC) from now until Sunday

RichardBarrowRichardBarrow: BMA may demolish BTS Saphan Taksin station & build a skywalk across the river with travelators to BTS Surasak http://t.co/RGkhAxaD

RichardBarrowRichardBarrow: According to Jatuporn, 200,000 expected to join 2nd anniversary of red shirt protest on Saturday (MCOT) http://t.co/zswuffxW

RichardBarrowRichardBarrow: 3pm Srinakarin Road is looking very much like a river: http://t.co/XMPpZ3Kl - RT @ikongggggg: ถนนศรีนครินทร์ตัดทางรถไฟหัวหมาก

RichardBarrowRichardBarrow: After the heavy rain around Bangkok this afternoon, many roads are looking more like rivers - RT @mongriva: http://t.co/jjCj4OOL

RichardBarrowRichardBarrow: Video interview (Thai/Italian) with Elisabetta Polenghi (@PolenghiE), sister of Italian photographer http://t.co/MEt2XyBB

RichardBarrowRichardBarrow: RT @forestmat: Interested to hear what developments have been made in investigating the shooting of Fabio Polenghi => Don't hold your breath

RichardBarrowRichardBarrow: Sister of Italian photographer shot dead during crackdown two years ago meets with Metropolitan Police http://t.co/TgmFxZQn - MT @ter_tnews

RichardBarrowRichardBarrow: WANTED: Have you seen this man? Thai police need help in capturing Police Colonel Pichit Kromprasit http://t.co/NquMXFIQ - TR @Rawangpai

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