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 Chiang Mai 2011



April 12 - 15, 2011
All around Chiang Mai

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 12-15 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 Puttha 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.

Highlights and Activities
Procession of the sacred Phra Puttha Sihing Buddha image
Buddha images bathing ritual
Merit-making activities and presentation of offerings to Buddhist monks
Sand-stupa building contest
Rot nam dum hua bathing rituals as a gesture of respect to elderly relatives and other respected individuals
Lanna Thai cultural performances and folk games
Release of fish and birds as a merit-making gesture
Presentation of Lanna art and culture, and folk games
Songkran water-splashing around the ancient city moat

Contact information:
Tourism Authority of Thailand, Chiang Mai Office
Tel: +66 (0) 5324 8604, 0 5324 8607
Fax: +66 (0) 5324 8605
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 06:25
 

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