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BANGKOK GRAND SONGKRAN FESTIVAL 2006
April 12 – 15, 2006
At Sanam Luang (Royal Ground) |
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APRIL 12, 2006/18.00
GRAND SONGKRAN OPENING CEREMONY
At Sanam Luang
PROGRAMME
| 17.30 hrs. |
Press registration |
| 18.00 hrs. |
Arrival of guests |
| 19.00 hrs. |
Opening ceremony of the Songkran Festival 2006
by Mrs. Juthamas Siriwan, TAT Governor |
| 19.20 - 23.00 hrs. |
- Activities
- Display of the Songkran atmosphere in 4 regions
- Fountain show |
Dress code: Thai fabric
APRIL 12, 2006/19.00
PROCESSION OF THE PHRA BUDDHA SIHING BUDDHA IMAGE
The annual procession of Phra Buddha Sihing, a sacred Buddha image greatly revered by the community, to the Sanam Luang ceremonial site marks the commencement of Grand Songkran Thai New Year celebrations.
The sacred Buddha image is escorted in a religious procession through the streets of the Kingdom's capital crossing from the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River to the western bank, the site of the former capital of Thonburi, offering an opportunity for residents of the city to participate in the ancient bathing ritual performed as a gesture of respect and worship. Once the journey has been completed, the Phra Buddha Sihing Buddha image is installed in a ceremonial pavilion or mandapa at Sanam Luang (Royal Ground) for three days, presenting further opportunities for the residents of Bangkok to pay their respects in accordance with the ancient Songkran New Year Buddhist merit-making tradition and customs.
The procession of the Buddha image will be broadcasted live on Thai TV and via the www.songkran.net web site. |
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AQUATIC THEME PARK
Free-flowing water becomes a compelling media for artistic expression, story-telling and entertainment. Embellished by impressive light-and-sound and state-of-the-art mixed media presentations, its amorphous yet graceful form becomes the vehicle for a spectacular theatrical extravaganza – the highlights of the Aquatic Theme Park, in which three key themes will be presented.
- The Sixtieth Anniversary Celebrations of His Majesty the King’s Accession to the Throne
A magnificent showcase about His Majesty’s Life, Royal Activities and Royal Projects
- Songkran Folk Tales from the Four Regions of the Kingdom
Highlighting the unique cultural identity and distinctiveness of each of the regions as well as the fascinating variations in local culture and traditions
- Water and the ‘Festival of Happiness’
This interactive zone of the Aquatic Theme Park enables visitors to experience the countless ways in which life-giving water bestows happiness and well-being
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APRIL 9 – 15, 2006/ 10.00 – 23.00 hrs
SONGKRAN CELEBRATIONS OF THE FOUR REGIONS OF THE KINGDOM
Songkran customs and traditions from the four regions of Thailand will be staged with live demonstrations of traditional Thai food and desserts associated with the Songkran Thai New Year celebrations, including those that are now rarely found. |
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APRIL 12 – 15, 2006/ 18.00 – 23.00
SONGKRAN ACTIVITIES
ART AND CULTURE AND CONTEMPORARY PERFORMANCES
The observance of traditional rituals to mark the Thai New Year including bathing rituals in which scented lustral water is poured into the hands of elders and respected individuals in a gesture of respect; the construction of sand stupas; folk games, presentations and live demonstrations of Thai art and culture, stage dramas and contemporary performances and other forms of festive entertainment. |
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APRIL 13 – 15, 2006
KHAO SAN ROAD SONGKRAN FESTIVITIES
with an International Miss Songkran Contest and fun-filled water-splashing being the main attractions
KHAO SAN ROAD SONGKRAN FESTIVAL
Thai New Year Buddhist Merit-making Rituals and
Khao San Road Songkran Parade
April 13, 2006
PROGRAMME 13 APRIL |
07.00 |
Upon arrival at the ceremonial site, Khao San Road community residents and visitors proceed to the altar and light incense sticks and candles to offer prayers to Lord Buddha and the Buddhist trinity in a gesture of respect and reverence. |
07.05 |
The Khao San Road Songkran Festival chairman presides over the Official Opening Ceremony |
07.10 |
Buddhist merit-making rituals are performed |
07.40 |
Songkran Thai New Year Blessing Ceremony |
08.40 |
Participants in the Khao San Road Songkran Parade assemble |
08.50
09.00 |
KHAO SAN ROAD SONGKRAN PARADE
The Songkran parade proceeds along Khao San Road heading towards Rajdamnoen Avenue. The colourful parade featuring a variety of cultural elements is led by a land-borne procession of a Buddha image and Buddhist monks, marching bands, traditional Thai folk dances accompanied by uptempo folk music, including horns and long drums. Highlights of the parade include the Miss Songkran procession, the Grand Songkran procession and the Khao San Road parade.
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11.00 |
The parade returns to Khao San Road where it ends. |
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APRIL 8, 2006
‘CITY OF CULTURE’ SONGKRAN MERIT-MAKING
On April 8, ceremonies will be performed in accordance with ancient customs to designate the area around the following roads a religious site. Pillars will be erected around an area covering Phra Arthit Road, Phra Sumane Road, Chakrabongse Road, Sibsaamhaang Road, Krasi Road and Tanee Road.
APRIL 13
- Buddhist merit-making and the procession of the Phra Buddha Sihing image and other revered Buddhist figures
- Miss Songkran Visutkasat-Banglumpoo beauty contest at Santichaiprakarn Park
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APRIL 14
Bathing rituals
Scented lustral water is poured over Buddha images and sprinkled or poured into the hands of Buddhist monks, elders and respected individuals in a gesture of respect.
APRIL 15
- Procession of the Phra Buddha Banglumpoo Prachanart back to Wat Bowornniwetviharn temple
- Thai stage drama at Santichaiprakarn Park and at the Chakrabongse Road stage
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BANGKOK GRAND SONGKRAN BUDDHIST MERIT-MAKING AT 9 SACRED TEMPLES
APRIL 12 – 15, 2005
Embark on a pilgrimage of the nine sacred temples. For ease of travel, a door-to-door mini-tram shuttle service will be provided. Tickets (100 baht for adults; 50 baht for children) are available at stops near Wat Phra Kaeow temple. |
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| Wat Pho |
Wat Kalayanamit temple |
Wat Suthat temple |
Wat Saket temple |
- Temple of the Emerald Buddha
- Wat Phra Chetupon or 'Wat Pho'
- Wat Suthat temple
- Wat Arun — The Temple of Dawn
- Wat Saket temple
- Wat Chanasongkram temple
- Wat Rakang temple
- Wat Kalayanamit temple
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Time-honoured Buddhist merit-making customs and 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 key Buddhist temples dotted around Rattanakosin Island and in Khao San Road and Phra Athit Road.
Contact information:
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Tourism Promotion Office
Tel: 0 2225 7612 – 5
SONGKRAN IN THE 4 REGIONS OF THAILAND
Please click to view
AN INTRODUCTION TO SONGKRAN
Please click to view
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SONGKRAN:
ORIGINS OF THE FESTIVAL
& THE CULTURAL VALUES BEHIND SONGKRAN
Please click to view
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IMPORTANT
Event dates and programme details may be subject to change.
Many of the festivals and events listed on Thailand's official calendar of annual events are traditional Buddhist or folk festivals, the date of which is either determined by the Buddhist lunar calendar and waxing and waning moon. These are not staged events. The festivals reflect the rhythm of life in rural Thai villages and local traditions as observed in times past. To ensure you have the most updated information, please reconfirm details prior to travel.
Contact:
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Email: info@tat.or.th
Website: www.tat.or.th
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 (120 automatic lines)
Fax: +66 (0) 2250 5511 (two automatic lines)
FOR EVENT INFORMATION,
please call 1672.
Address:
1600 Petchaburi Road, Makkasan, Rajatevee
Bangkok 10400
Thailand |
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