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Deputy Prime Minister General Thanasak Patimaprakorn
(middle), H.E. Mrs. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Minister of Tourism and
Sports (2nd right), Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of TAT (2nd left),
Mr. Visanu Jaroensilp, TAT Deputy Governor for Tourism Products and
Business (1st left), MG. Kuntapon Aukkaranuluk, Deputy Commanding
General, 1st Army Area (1st right)
Bangkok, 11 April, 2016 – Thailand is
elevating the profile of the annual Songkran Festival to ensure local and
international travellers enjoy a more ‘authentic experience’ and get the
chance to ‘discover more amazing stories of Thainess while joining the
celebrations for Thai New Year in the kingdom. This year’s festivities
began with the “Songkran Splendours: The Procession of Three Kingdoms”
grand opening ceremony, which took place on 10 April, 2016.
Deputy Prime Minister General Thanasak Patimaprakorn
Deputy Prime Minister
General Thanasak Patimaprakorn said, “Songkran is the
holiday that unites the nation in a spirit of fun and devotion
to the family. The New Year rituals are observed
differently in all parts of the nation, and this variety is
something that should be celebrated and showcased.
The Royal Thai
Government is dedicated to preserving all aspects of the nation’s
culture in every region, as it is the source of our strength,
character and national pride. While we are enjoying the fun of
the festivities, we should remember that this is a vital part of our
heritage and deserves our pride and protection so that
future generations can enjoy it in the same spirit.”
Songkran or the Thai New Year has been
celebrated in the kingdom for hundreds of years.
Traditionally this
was the time when agricultural work could come to a halt for a few
days, so that the Thai people could pay respect to their ancestors
and senior members of the family by sprinkling their hands with scented
water. It is also a time to enter the temples and bathe the sacred Buddha
images. As Songkran is a time when families come together and the country
is unified for several days of fun and togetherness, the Royal Thai
Government wants to ensure these traditions are preserved.
One
way of doing this is by promoting the festival internationally, so
that other countries can enjoy this unique time of year and come to join
the celebrations.
H.E. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Minister of
Tourism and Sports said, “The Songkran Splendours: The
Procession of Three Kingdoms” is aimed at giving visitors a taste of
Songkran and show how important it has been to the culture and the unity
of the nation over the centuries. We want to show how the festival differs
in how it is observed nationwide and celebrate these unique
elements of our culture.
"Above all, we want to show that for all
Thais, Songkran is about family and a time to be with loved
ones – this is the true spirit of Songkran.”
Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Tourism Authority of
Thailand (TAT) Governor said, “Songkran is the most important festival in
the Thai calendar and is celebrated in different ways up and down the
country. We want travellers to discover more about this unique
Thai event and to get a taste of the huge range of distinct local
festivals.
"So we are getting Songkran off to a great start with our Grand
Songkran Celebrations that will help people learn about Songkran’s long
history and special traditions.
“The grand Songkran procession in Bangkok is aimed at
setting the tone for the 2016 Thai New Year celebrations nationwide,
including special festivities in 8 key locations supported by TAT.
Furthermore, TAT is following the government’s water-saving policy which
encourages people to use water more conservatively when celebrating
Songkran,” Mr Yuthasak added.
The main stage for the 2016 grand Songkran
celebrations was at the Maha Jesadabordin Royal Pavilion in Bangkok’s old
quarter or Rattanakosin Island. This was the setting for the grand
opening ceremony on Sunday, 10 April.
Throughout the Songkran period,
other activities have been scheduled to be held in areas around the
historic parts of the Thai capital, including around the Bangkok
Metropolitan Office, the Banglamphu community, Khao San Road, Suan Santi
Chaiprakan, Wisutkasat, Nagaraphirom Park, and other surrounding temples.
People joining this grand event had the chance to
witness the grand city parades themed Songkran Splendours: The
Procession of Three Kingdoms, which was aimed at telling some of the
stories, legends and history behind the Songkran festival in Thailand by
looking at how it has evolved through the reigns of three
of Thailand’s most important kings.
The first procession ‘The Kingdom of King Rama III
represented the Songkran celebration during the reign of King Rama III,
with displays from Thai mythology as depicted on the walls of Wat Pho.
The second procession ‘The Kingdom of King Rama V the Great’ focused
on 13 April, known as Songkran Day in Thailand. The final
procession ‘The Kingdom of King Rama VII looked at
how the Songkran celebrations have spread around the world.
The Procession of Three Kingdoms was followed by
a parade that showed how the five distinctive regions of
Thailand celebrate Songkran. Representing the North
was Lampang’s Salung Luang known for its ritual of
parading sacred Buddha images around the streets to bring blessings to
the people.
From the Northeast was the procession of ‘Dok Mai’ trees
from Loei. From the Central Region was a Thai-Mon cultural
procession, as seen in the Ratchaburi region. The Eastern
region was represented by a parade of Si Maharaja Rice Stacks from
Chon Buri province.
Finally representing the South was a Nang
Dan procession from Nakhon Si Thammarat.
The parade culminated in a cultural procession aimed
at strengthening the relationship between Thailand and Lao PDR., as the
two nations both celebrate Songkran and share common beliefs.
In this
spirit, there were representatives from the
Lao-style Phra That Phanom in
Nakhon Phanom province and Phra That
Sri Kotabong in Lao PDR.
In addition, there are many other activities to enjoy
including an ancient market, Thai traditional plays including a Lakhon Nok show
and a Royal puppet show at Wat Pho from 10-12 April,
10.30-20.30 Hrs.
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