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Sawasdee! Welcome to Thailand Musings!

Thailand Musings I first went to Thailand in 1997 and immediately fell in love with the country. Thailand at that time to me was mysterious and exotic, full of potentials and pitfalls. Fast forward to 2010 and here I am after 13 years and many trips to the LOS sharing, with the help of my Thai wife Golf, my experiences and knowledge with you here at Thailand Musings. Thailand may have lost some mystery for me, but it is still exotic and wonderful and I will always remember that first feeling when I stepped out into the Bangkok smog for the first time. I have yet to learn everything about Thailand and thankfully for all of us Golf is here to correct me when I err.

03 April 2008 ~ 3 Comments

Chiang Mai Songkran Festival

Songkran in Chiang Mai

One of the best places to experience Songkran in Thailand is in Chiang Mai, featuring Lanna Thai style celebrations throughout this northern capital of Thailand. Songkran in Chiang Mai is celebrated on a grand scale with a flavor uniquely and entirely its own, attracting visitors from far and wide.

For 2008 the Songkran Thai New Year festivities in Chiang Mai are scheduled for April 13-15. However you’ll find merry making and sanook throughout the city for most of the month of April. Festivities will be held at temples, in the vicinity of the city’s gates and around the city moat.

One of the highlights of the festival is the ‘Songkran Beauty Queen Procession’ that takes place on Songkran Day itself – April 13. Here you will see Thai girls in traditional Lanna costume vying for the title of Miss Songkran. Meanwhile, many other events leading up to the main attraction are spread over several days and it is here that the visitor gets to see various aspects of Chiang Mai, first hand, — its culture, cuisine, arts and crafts, as well as the friendly people.

Devout Buddhists visit the temple for merit-making and to listen to sermons. Lustral water is sprinkled on sacred Buddha images, such as the Phra Buddha Sihing image, and also poured over the hands of monks in a gesture of reverence. Donations are also made to the temple. Enjoy traditional Thai cultural performances held in the temple ground.

Highlights of the Chiang Mai Songkran festival will include:

  • Lanna Thai cultural performances and folk games
  • Sand-stupa building contest
  • Songkran water-splashing
  • Phra Buddha Sihing procession
  • Buddha images bathing ritual
  • Merit-making activities and presentation of offerings to Buddhist monks
  • The release of fish and birds in observance of ancient Buddhist merit-making customs
  • ‘Rod nam dum hua’ bathing rituals as a gesture of respect to elderly relatives and other respected individuals

For more information contact the Tourism Authority of Thailand Northern Office : Region 1 (Chiang Mai)
Tel: +66 (0) 5324 8604 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              +66 (0) 5324 8604      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              +66 (0) 5324 8604      end_of_the_skype_highlighting, (0) 5324 8607

If you need a hotel in Chiang Mai check out the low rates at Agoda.com

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About the Author

Steve started Thailand Musings in 2006 after meeting and marrying Golf on the site Thai Love Links. The site was started as a way to share information about Thailand, it's people, culture and traditions and has grown substantially since that time. As a long time visitor to the Kingdom Steve hopes you enjoy his thoughts and observations about Thailand and it's culture. He can be contacted here.

3 Responses to “Chiang Mai Songkran Festival”

  1. Stefan 17 May 2008 at 5:06 pm Permalink

    Your site thailandmusings.com has just been added to Thai-Stars.com.

    It is now listed and participating in the election of the “best websites about Thailand”.

    Vote for your site to boost it’s ranking!

  2. Michael 25 May 2008 at 5:37 pm Permalink

    wha! i wanna go there O_o

  3. italy30 22 June 2008 at 2:00 pm Permalink

    beautiful the header of this blog


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