Het Thais nieuwjaar staat weer voor de deur en een van de meest opvallende zaken waar vele Thai en toeristen zich mee vermaken is het massaal water gooien naar elkaar in vele varianten. Van een paar druppeltjes en een veeg bloem erbij tot emmers vol en ijskoude stralen uit hogedruk speelgoedmitrailleurs. Tussen 13 en 15 april mag het weer allemaal. Maar er is meer te doen dan met water te smijten. In diverse regio’s zijn er tegelijkertijd ook festivals met parades en culturele shows zoals in Chiang Mai. In het noordoosten is er het Thai-Chinees voedselfestival in Ubon Ratchathani en in Bangkok wordt een speciaal paspoort aan toeristen gegeven waarmee de negen tempels rond Rattanakosin en het Koninklijk Paleis kunnen worden bezocht. In Chonburi kunt u terecht op het strand waar theatershows worden gehouden en een heuse wedstrijd zandkastelen bouwen.
By: PATSINEE KRANLERT
Published: 2/04/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: Horizons
Songkran, the ancient tradition of splashing others with water, is without doubt a unique fun-filled festival which marks the beginning of the Thai New Year. Every region celebrates this auspicious occasion in its own way.
Below is a list of Songkran events that are taking place in different parts of the Kingdom.
NORTHERN REGION
Chiang Mai will woo visitors with grand celebrations from April 12-15 throughout the city which will be lit up by dazzling parades, cultural performances as well as art demonstrations. In Sukhothai, the celebrations take place within the compound of Si Satchanalai Historical Park during April 8-12 and inside Sukhothai Historical Park from April 12-14.
NORTHEASTERN REGION
Nong Khai is marking the occasion with a festival that runs from April 11-15 along the banks of the Mekong River, while a similar event in neighbouring Khon Kaen, is scheduled from April 8-15 along Si Chan or Khao Nieo road downtown.
Ubon Ratchathani will host the Thai-Indochina Food Festival at Thung Si Muang Park in the city centre from April 10-17, regaling visitors with an endless variety of dishes native to Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia, while Nakhon Phanom will mark Songkran with its own festival planned April 12-15 in Muang and Renu Nakhon districts, when visitors can pour scented water on the seven pagodas that symbolise each day of the week and attend other Buddhist rites.
CENTRAL REGION
Bangkok, the revelry starting April 10-15 revolves around the nine sacred temples around Rattanakosin Island and the Royal Plaza. The city administration has launched a campaign called ‘‘Passport to Nine Royal Temples’’ urging revellers to get their books or ‘‘passports’’ stamped with seals of temples they visit. ‘‘Passports’’ with seals of all nine temples entitle holders to a special souvenir from the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The books can be obtained at the temples.
Meanwhile, the Mon community of Phra Pradaeng in Samut Prakan will hold a festival April 17-19 in front of the district office. Organised in traditional Mon style, on the cards are a colourful procession, folk plays and various forms of entertainment.
EASTERN REGION
Chon Buri plans festivities April 16-17 along the beach in Muang district featuring folk plays, games, sports and a contest involving the building of sand pagodas on the beach. The action then moves to Lan Pho public park in Na Klua during April 18-19 and to Ko Loi public park in Si Racha from April 19-21.
SOUTHERN REGION
Hat Yai plans midnight festivities on Niphat Uthit 3, Sanehanusorn and Thammanoon Withi roads from April 10-13, and Nakhon Si Thammarat from April 11-15 at Wat Phra Boromthat temple, Si Thamma Sokarat Park, Sanam Na Muang, Phra Isuan Hall and Phra Narai Hall. The festival includes paying respect to relics of Lord Buddha, a procession and bathing rites for the Phra Buddha Sihing image, merit-making activities, cultural performances and food fair.
By: BangkokPost.com Published: 17/04/2009 at 05:55 PM The number of people killed on roads during the ‘seven most dangerous days’ of the Songkran festival has risen to 373, with another 4,332 people injured, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.
The number of fatalities increased only slightly over the same period last year, with five more people killed, but there were 55 more road accidents.
Of all provinces, Chiang Mai had the most fatalities with 14 killed. Chiang Rai has the highest number of road accidents with 145 and the highest number of non-fatal injuries with 164 over the period.
Seven provinces have so far escaped the annual tragedy on the roads with Trat, Chachoengsao, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Sakon Nakhon, Nan and Yala reporting no fatalities.
Drink driving was blamed for 40% of all accidents, and speeding for about 20% .
As in every year, most injuries and deaths involved motorycles which this year were involved in 82% of all accidents, the department said.