BANGKOK SONGKRAN SPLENDOURS FESTIVAL
April 9 – 17, 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/ from 08.00 hrs onwards, 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.
- Banglumpoo Songkran Festival Opening Ceremony, 12 April/ 17.00 hrs onwards
- 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.
- Khao San Road Songkran Procession, 13 April/ from 08.00 hrs onwards
WISUTKASAT SONGKRAN FESTIVAL, Wisutkasat intersection
Activities
- Present Buddhist merit-making offerings to monks
- Chak Phra land-borne procession of a sacred Buddha image 12 April from 13.30 hrs onwards
- The ritual bathing of Buddha images and monks
- Rot Nam Dam Hua ceremony
- Miss Songkran beauty contest
- Cultural presentations
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.
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.
SONGKRAN THAI NEW YEAR MERIT-MAKING AT THE ROYAL TEMPLES OF THE NINE KINGS OF THE CHAKRI DYNASTY
APRIL 9 - 17, 2011/ 08.00 - 16.00
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.
BANGKOK MAHA SONGKRAN (GRAND SONGKRAN) CELEBRATIONS
At Laan Khon Mueng plaza in front of the Bangkok City Hall
- Buddhist merit-making to mark Songkran, the Thai New Year 13 April/ from 07.00 hrs onwards
- 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: tatbangkok@tat.or.th
Credit: Tourism Authority of Thailand (www.tourismthailand.org)
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