April

Date(s): 25 March-15 April 2003 Venue: Wat Chongkhamklang, Mae Hong Son Mae Hong Son is unique in its natural surrounds, art and culture, and traditions. It is noted for its Poi Sang Long (ordination of novices in the Thai Vai or Tai) tradition that has its root in the Buddhist belief of the thai Yais who founded the town in 1831. It is believed that assisting in It the ordination of novices (generally aged 10 years and above), who are pure of heart, brings the greatest merit to the practitioner. Of interest are the Khrueang Thai Than and Sang Long processions, the Klong Yao and Klong Mong Soeng processions, and Thai Yai art and cultural shows. Date(s): 1-7 April 2003 Venue: Ranong Ranong is blessed with natural resources ideal for tourism including the sea, islands, dive sites, and fishing, a marshland noted by UNESCO as a biological conservation area, a sulphurless hot spring with beneficial properties, traces of WWII, mountains, forests, and waterfalls. It also benefits from its proximity to the Myanmar border. The festival has been conceived to showcase the many of Ranong's attractions. Car rallies, fishing competition, tour of the forests, town, WWII sites, hot spring, Pushing a Motar up the Mountain Competition, Southern Cultural exhibitions, Tourism exhibitions, camping, barbeques, local handicraft shows, photography competition, and hot spring and herbal health presentations, etc. For more information, please contact the Ranong Provincial Office Tel:66 (0) 7771 1123. Date(s): 1-9 April 2003 Venue: All over Chiang Mai The festival was conceived as a means to preserve and highlight Chiang Mai's art and culture. Lanna Tradition Fair at the Lanna Tradition School, Poi Sang Long at Pa Pao Temple, local artists' exhibitions, local puppet shows at the Chiang Mai Puppet Concert Hall, Concert at the Three Kings Monument, cultural tour, and local produce fair. Date(s): 5-6 April 2003 Venue: Phanom Rung Historical Park, Buri Ram Traditionally, the locals would go up to the Phanom Rung Temple for alms giving and to worship the imprint of Buddha's foot on the 15th night of the waxing moon in the fifth month. The Phanom Rung Temple is a large temple on top of a mountain (Phanom translates to Mountain, and Rung translates to vast, therefore Phanom Rung C translates to large mountain). It is a religious site built in the Saivite Brahmin style set on top a mountain, 360 meters above sea level. According to records, the temple was built by Hiranya, who dedicated it to his sadhu father, Narenthrathit, in the reign of Suryajvarman II. The structure's construction is dated between 1078 and 1178 C.E. in the same period as the Phimai and Phanom Wan Temples of 1080-1106 C.E., in Nakhon Ratchasima. When the Khmer Empire was centred at Yasotharapura, there existed a city called Mahitharapura that had established relationships with it. Each city had its own ruling dynasties which were related to each other; Athittayawong in Yasotharapura and Chantharawong in Mahitharapura. While Suryajavaman killed his uncle in battle, the latter's wife, Phupatinatharlakshmi Devi and son, Narenthrathit, were spared. Narenthrathit was said to be a handsome man, well-liked by the female sex, skilled in archery, being able to shoot an arrow on target without looking, and brave enough to hunt down an elephant, cut its head off, throw it into the river, turning it into a sea of blood. For his own safety, he renounced the world and became a sadhu (holy man), building Phanom Rung. The construction took into account astrological aspects, and was built so that the Sun's ray would beam through all fifteen doors of the temple in a straight line, with small intersections, on the 15th day of the waxing moon in the 5th month. As time passed, Phupatinatharlaksami Devi, missing her son and grandson, left Yasotharapura for Phanom Rung with Chariya, her Lady-in-waiting, and entourage in attendance. She constructed statues of celestial bearers in all 10 directions in worship of all the gods in the universe. She also gave 10 cows and 100 goats to the sadhu Narenthrathit. The main attraction of this festival is the fact that it is the only day when one can observe a single shaft of light going through all fifteen doors of the structure. There is the re-enactment of Phupatinatharlakshmi Devi Procession including Chariya, the lady in waiting, and entourage, together with the 10 bearer animals-swan, elephant, cow, rhinoceros, ,lion, peacock, naga, horse, raksot, and buffalo. Up to 1,000 people, in ancient Khmer costumes, would normally take part in the procession. Additionally, there is also the Great Temple of the Gods Phanom Rung light and sound show, and local fare.For more information, please contact the Chaloem Phra Kiat District Tel: on the 1,5th 66 (0) 4462 8119. Date(s): 7-8 April 2003 Venue: Wat Hat Siao, Si Satchanalai, Sukhothai The tradition of setting Buddhist novices atop elephants in a procession around the village comes from the legend of Vessandorn (an incarnation of Buddha) in the Buddhist sutras. On the day Phra Nang Phutsadi gave birth to Vessandorn, Patchainakhen, the auspicious elephant, came into Chetudon, ensuring rain during the rainy season. It came to pass that 8 Brahmins from the neighbouring district of Kaningkarat sought relief from Vessandorn, who gave them Patchainakhen to alleviate the calamity. Vessandorn was then forced into exile in the Himalayas. This legend sits well in the village of Hat Siao where elephants are raised to be hired out to haul logs in Phrae and Lampang. They only get to rest from work in April coinciding with the ordination festivities, and have been enlisted in the merit making ordination procession.The ordination celebrations are planned a year in advance, when the parents of the monks or novices to be ordained (Chua Hua and Chua Ai) learn the ropes by helping with the ordination of other people's sons, and hinting to their own son(s)' ordination the following year. The abbott of Wat Hat Siao is advised of the names of those boys/men to be ordained the following year. The necessary equipments are bought. The elephants and the mahout are booked, the entertainment and band organized.Three to four days prior to the celebrations, the host prepares his home, building necessary extensions and stages, elephant corrals for the beasts that would normally arrive in the evening of the Suk Dip Day (Half cooked) or in the early morning of the procession day. Banana flowers, bamboo, bananas and sugar canes are bought in to feed the elephants. According to tradition, the Celebration takes place over two days-Procession Day and Ordination Day; three days if one includes the Suk Dip Day. The Suk Dip Day always fall on the 6th of April. The ladies of the house, dressed in local costume and carrying colourful umbrellas, would venture out in the morning to invite all to make merit.The articles used in the ordination of novices amongst the Thai Phuan of Sukhothai differ from that of the central region in that it includes a Kruai Attha. This is a small loosely woven bamboo basket decorated with brightly coloured patterned cellophane, and contains bananas, cooked rice cakes, khao kiap wao (rolled rice crackers). There are two offering trays carrying rolled rice crackers, sweet sticky rice in banana leaves, sugarcane, bananas incense and candles, and Trai cloth; all of which serves to remind the novice of the things his parents had brought him up with. Suk Dip Day is the day of greatest celebration. The novice procession takes place after breakfast the following morning; after the novice's relatives take turns in shaving his head and eyebrows, bathe, and don a white long sleeve shirt with matching pha nung (sarong) (some prefer navy). His faced is also heavily powdered, and in some cases, he is also bejewelled. While the novice to be is cared for, his ride is also preened for the procession. Once the novice to be and his elephant are ready, he puts on a hat and sunglasses, and gets onto his elephant. He then clasps his hand together with palms flat together. In between the palm he holds onto incense sticks, candles, and fresh flowers. Before the procession moves off, the host hands out straw hats (sprayed or with the novices name on it) to all those present. When the procession ends at Wat Hat Siao, Pho Thao (old man) helps the novice to be down from the elephant and leads him to worship at the spirit shrine on temple grounds, after which the novice to be is left with a piece of coloured paper with a naga engraved on the reverse. Once all the novices to be have gathered together, the procession, novices atop the elephants, continues into the temple grounds proper. In general, the celebrations include preparation of the novice to be, elephant procession, taking the novices to the temple, religious ceremonies at the temple, and various festivities. For more information, please contact the Si Satchanalai District Tel: 66(0) 5567 1466. Date(s): 13-15 April 2003 Venue: Nationwide The word Song kran is derived from a Sanskrit word meaning “passing” or "moving" , measuring the movement of the sun through the twelve astrological signs beginning with Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces; each passing taking approximately 30 days through each sign. It takes a year for the sun to pass through all the signs. This calendar is in use in India and the Southeast Asian Nations that have been influenced by India-Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, etc.The 13th is Maha Songkran day, the first day of the new year celebrations, when the sun moves from Pisces into Aries, and when the lengths of the day and night are equal. Songkran is an important merit making period lasting three days, being Maha Songkran Day, last day of the old year (13th) Klang or Nao Day, New Year's Eve (14th) New Year or Thaloengsok Day (15th) The legend of the Songkran Goddess There is a specific godness associated with each day upon which the Maha Songkran Day falls i.e. Thungsa, Khorak, Raksot, Montha, Kirini, Kimitha, and Mahothon for Monday through to Sunday, respectively. The goddesses are the daughters of the god Maha Songkran, otherwise known as Kabinlaphrom, who lost his head in a wager with Thammabankuman. They are tasked with carrying his head so that it would not touch the ground lest the earth were to be incinerated, or the air lest the rain not fall, or the oceans as they would dry and up. So each year, the goddesses each take their turn in carrying his head on a celestrial salver.The tradition has long been celebrated in Thailand; the celebrations providing families with an opportunity to get together, allowing youngsters the chance to pay respect to their elders and for the elders to bless the younger members of the family. It is a time of community, friendship, and renewal of ties. The community also gets a chance to pull together in making merit and engaging in other activities such as building sand stupas, splashing of water, and general spring cleaning of the home and temples. Giving alms, releasing of birds and fish, Nang Songkran procession, bathing buddha images, and seeking the benediction of family elders. Date(s): 7-15 April 2003 Venue: Sanam Luang, Ratchadamnoen IS of the day Klang Avenue, Maha Chetsadabodin Square, Phra Athit Road, Khao San Road, ays, being Wisutkasat Road, Phraeng Phuthon Square, Santichaiprakan Park and Silom Road, Bangkok The Songkran tradition has long been observed by Thais over a period of three days, being the 13th, 14th, and 15th of April when the locals would give alms, release birds and fish, bathe Buddha images, build sand stupas, hold Nang Songkran and floral processions, and splash water, as in any other region of Thailand. The most well known celebrations take place in Khao San Road, Bang Lamphu, Sanam Luang, Wat Mahathat, and Wat Pho. Maha Songkran procession, alms giving at Sanam Luang, various activities around Rattanakosin Island, Phra Phuttha Sihing Bathing Procession, Songkran in Khao San Road, Songkran in Wisutkasat, splashing of water, release of birds and fish, Miss Songkran procession, bathing of Buddha images in general, and seeking the blessing of elders. Date(s): 8-15 April 2003 Venue: Bueng Kaen Nakhon, Khon Kaen The Northeast of Thailand has a strict code of conduct called the Hit Sip Song that normally governs religious activities that also require the making of merit in the fifth month i.e. during Songkran on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of April. The rites will vary from area to area. However, there are elements in common including the bathing of the Buddha image in the central pavilion or a specially constructed cleansing tower. There is also the splashing of water. In some villages, there are processions of flowers to be offered to the temple, and listening to sermons in the evening. Any individual village will take turns to host the processions by providing the meals on the day; however, this practice is slowly dying out. The Dok Khun Siang Khaen Songkran Festival commenced as a revival of merit making in Khon Kaen Hit Sip Song tradition. Food Fair, local games, floral procession, Miss Kaen Nakhon pageant, seeking elders' blessings, sports competition, release of fish and birds, alms giving, concerts, and Mo Lam Luk Thung shows. For more information, please contact the Khon Kaen Municipality Tel: 66 (0) 4322 4031 ext: 401. Date(s): 11-15 April 2003 Venue: Chiang Mai For the Northerners the Maha Songkran Day is known as Sang Khan Rong Day (the completion of a year) and is the last day of the year. At dawn, guns are fired to chase away bad luck and evil, houses are cleaned, folks bathe and wash their hair, dress up in clean clothes, and go out to Aeo Pi Mai (relax in the New Year). Water splashing starts on this day.The following day is the Nao or Da Day when everything is readied for merit making. In the afternoon, sand is carried up from the embankment to the nearest temple for the construction of sand stupas which are decorated with tungs or thongchais (a long piece of cloth on a stick). The third day is Phaya Wan or Thaloengsok Day. Food is prepared for offerings at the temple in the morning, and to be given to respected elders and to make merit to one's ancestors. The latter is called Than Khan Khao. Once completed, merit making continues at the sand stupas, birds and fish that also are released, stupas and Buddha images cleansed, and Pho trees on temple grounds and villages are propped up. On this day, everyone gets ready for kan dam hua (blessing by water) in order to su ma kharawa, where the youngsters (relatively) seek forgiveness for trespasses against their elders. Kan dam hua continues into Pak Pi Day when a Dam Hua procession, comprising people in local costumes and large bouquets of flowers, is led by dancers to ask forgiveness from elders, village heads, district heads and senior officials (the Governor) for example. On this day there is also the kan dam hua ku where forgiveness is asked of our forbearers. The dam hua tradition is a significant part of the Northern culture reflecting forgiveness, respect, friendship, and cohesion. Merit making, Buddha image bathing, Lanna cultural shows, local games, seeking forgiveness, morning market, carrying sand to the temple, building sand stupas, local costume parades, pageants and processions.For more information, please contact the Chiang Mai Municipality Tel: 66 (0) 5333 8048. Date(s): 12-15 April 2003 Venue: Sanam Luang, Bangkok The Northeast of Thailand has a strict code of conduct called the Hit Sip Song governing religious activities; it requires the making of merit in the fifth month i.e. during Songkran being the 13th, 14th, and 15th of April. The associated rites will vary from area to area; however, there are elements in common including the bathing of the Buddha image in the central pavilion or specially constructed bathing tower. There is also the splashing of water. In some villages, there are processions of flowers to be offered in the temples, and listening to sermons in the evenings. Any individual village will take turns to host the processions by providing meals on the day; however, this practice is slowly dying out. Traditional alms giving, bathing of Luang Pho Phra Sai (a Buddha image) that is paraded around town, Nang Songkran Procession, bathing Buddha images, seeking forgiveness from elders, water sports competition, Thai-Lao cultural exchange exhibitions, various competitions in the vicinity of Chommani Beach. Date(s): 6-13 April 2003 Venue: Songkhla The Songkran tradition has long been observed by Southern Thais over a period of three days, being the 13th, 14th, and 15th of April when the locals would give alms, release birds and fish, bathe Buddha images, build sand stupas, hold Nang Songkran and floral processions, and splash water, as in any other region of Thailand. The most well known celebrations are held at Sala Thai, Samila Penninsula, from the 6th onwards until the 15th. The celebrations are well attended by visitors from Malaysia and Singapore. Another popular site is at Mueang in Nakhon Si Thammarat where the Phra Phuttha Sihing is brought out to be bathed. There are also the alms giving at the central lawns, and Nang Songkran and Nang Kradan processions, etc. Phra Phuttha Sihing procession, seeking the elders' blessings, sand stupa competition, water splashing, local games e.g. Khe Lak Yop, head wrestling, Midnight Songkran, Miss Songkran Pageant. For more information, please contact the Hat Yai Municipality Tel: 66 (0)7424 4777, (or) the Songkhla Tourism Association Tel: 66 (0) 7443 9490-6. Date(s): 13-15 April 2003 Venue: Wihan Mongkhon Bophit and Khun Phaen’s house, Ayutthaya The Songkran tradition has long been observed by Thais over a period of three days, being the 13th, 14th, and 15th of April when the locals would give alms, release birds and fish, bathe Buddha images, build sand I stupas, hold Nang Songkran and floral processions, and splash water, as in any other region of Thailand. Songkran celebrations in Ayutthaya are held at Khun Phaen's House on the grounds of the Ayutthaya Historical Park, replicating the atmosphere and setting of yesteryears.Miss Songkran Pageant, processions and shows, water splashing, alms giving, release of birds and fish, bathing Buddha images, seeking elders' blessings. Date(s): 13-15 April 2003 Venue: Nakhon Si Thammarat The dictionary definition of Songkran is given as the traditional celebration of the New Year as dictated by the passage of the Sun, falling on every t where the Phra 13th, 14th, and 15th of April. The Songkran tradition in Nakhon Si Thammarat is different from those of other provinces, given its unique environment, varying factors, and beliefs.The 13th, or the Maha Songkran Day, is called the Chao Mueang Kao Day or the Song Chao Mueang Kao Day (Old Overlord or Farewelling the Old Overlord). The gods entrusted with the fate of the land and its people must leave the land that they are in charge of, and congregate in heaven. The 14th, the Nao Day, is known as the Wang Day (Empty/Free), as all the gods have congregated in heaven leaving no representative on earth. At the gathering, the gods brief all present on the events of the year, detailing the good and bad deeds of those in their charge, and presenting their problems. The celestial committee then reshuffles the various god postings as seem fit. At the end of the meeting, the gods remain in heaven for a social get together in the evening. On the last day of Songkran, the Chao Mueang Mai or Rap Chao Mueang Mai Day (New Overlord or Welcoming the New Overlord), the gods bid farewell to each other and take up their new postings on earth. Alms giving on the grounds of the Central Lawn, Bathing Phuttha Sihing, Nang Songkran procession, Nang Kradan procession in the Brahmin tradition, cultural shows, local festivals, traditional Thai markets, and water splashing. Date(s): 19-20 April 2003 Venue: Phra Pradaeng, Samut Prakan There is the Songkran tradition of the Phra Pradaeng area in Samut Prakan. This Raman tradition differs from that of Bangkok in that there is a procession of birds and fish (to be released) in containers held by maidens. There is also the Khao Chae (rice in chilled water) procession where girls pair up to take the khao chae and accompaniments to the various temples in the early morning, and the playing of Saba, a traditional game. The locals would normally dress up in Raman style. The Phra Pradaeng Songkran Festival used to be called the Pak Lat Songkran (at the mouth of the Lat Stream) and is known for its impressive Nang Songkran processions.Processions, Thai Raman costume procession with some girls leading the procession, some carrying fish bowls and bird cages, flanked by men in round neck shirts and sarongs, set off by a sabai (length of cloth) draped loosely around the neck, hanging down their backs. There is also the playing of the Saba (a Raman Game), and pageants. For more information, please contact the Phra Pradaeng Municipality Tel: 66 (0) 2463 4841 ext: 129-130.