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.
| Candles for H.M. The King |
| Written by Richard Barrow |
| Saturday, 05 December 2009 16:03 |
 Millions of people from all around Thailand came together on the evening of the 5th December 2009 to celebrate H.M. The King’s 82nd birthday. In Samut Prakan we also had a ceremony in the City Hall Plaza alongside the river. This was attended by the Governor, Mr. Surachai Kanasa, and the City Mayor as well hundreds of local people. They represented schools, government departments and private organizations.  From 6 p.m. onwards, each group took turns in paying homage to a portrait of H.M. The King by presenting two “phan phums”. This is a lotus bud shaped floral design. They are presented on a small tray. They are not easy to make and it can be time-consuming. Traditionally a mould is made using clay mixed with sawdust. But these days special dry floral foam is cut into the shape of a lotus bud. The stem of the dried flower is cut off and a sharp pointed slither of bamboo is used to pin it into the dry foam.  It took over an hour for all of the organizations to present their “phan phum”. Everything had to be finished before 7.19 p.m. as this was the auspicious time chosen to start the main ceremony that would take place simultaneously around the country. The main event in Bangkok at Sanam Luang was televised and broadcast live around the country. Millions of candles were lit at exactly 7.19 p.m. and the Thai people then sang songs to praise H.M. The King.  The sea of candle light was a beautiful scene but the grand finale of the event was of course the magnificent firework display. We actually had two shows as a district across the river started theirs a little early while we were still singing. At the completion of the songs the sky behind the giant portrait of H.M. The King was lit up with colourful fireworks. A beautiful finish to a wonderful evening.  |
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RichardBarrow: 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.RichardBarrow: A picture from today in Thai history - 17 May 1992: Soldiers on the streets of Bangkok http://t.co/7U3q9lqM - MT @top10thaiRichardBarrow: I post the highlights of the best stories from Twitter in Thailand on my website http://t.co/xocfUzEl #Censorship #TestRichardBarrow: The shortlinks seem to be working again in Thailand. I guess someone was listening and sorted it out (until next time)RichardBarrow: RT @UKYorkie: Can route it through a VPN connection => Yes, but how do I tell my customers when True mistakenly blocked my online store?RichardBarrow: 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.RichardBarrow: I have no idea how they expect us to run an Internet business in Thailand when they keep bungling censorship of websites.RichardBarrow: Coconuts Bangkok: Relaunch of Bangkok’s Leading News & Reviews Website http://t.co/spOlqhSGRichardBarrow: Pictures of the Rocket Festival in Northeastern Thailand by @motorcyrubjang: http://t.co/KiujJAxSRichardBarrow: Pet Expo Thailand 2012 is on at Queen Sirikit (QSNCC) from now until SundayRichardBarrow: BMA may demolish BTS Saphan Taksin station & build a skywalk across the river with travelators to BTS Surasak http://t.co/RGkhAxaDRichardBarrow: According to Jatuporn, 200,000 expected to join 2nd anniversary of red shirt protest on Saturday (MCOT) http://t.co/zswuffxWRichardBarrow: 3pm Srinakarin Road is looking very much like a river: http://t.co/XMPpZ3Kl - RT @ikongggggg: ถนนศรีนครินทร์ตัดทางรถไฟหัวหมากRichardBarrow: After the heavy rain around Bangkok this afternoon, many roads are looking more like rivers - RT @mongriva: http://t.co/jjCj4OOLRichardBarrow: Video interview (Thai/Italian) with Elisabetta Polenghi (@PolenghiE), sister of Italian photographer http://t.co/MEt2XyBBRichardBarrow: RT @forestmat: Interested to hear what developments have been made in investigating the shooting of Fabio Polenghi => Don't hold your breathRichardBarrow: Sister of Italian photographer shot dead during crackdown two years ago meets with Metropolitan Police http://t.co/TgmFxZQn - MT @ter_tnewsRichardBarrow: WANTED: Have you seen this man? Thai police need help in capturing Police Colonel Pichit Kromprasit http://t.co/NquMXFIQ - TR @RawangpaiLatest Festival Blogs
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