Songkran celebrations will be held at various sites around the island city of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya — the ancient capital of Ayutthaya. Songkran or Thai New Year festivities will feature ancient customs and traditions of Songkran that have been observed through the centuries.

Visitors are invited to join local residents in traditional Songkran merit-making activities to seek blessings for the new year and to witness a range of time-honoured Thai traditions and customs, such as paying homage to the elderly.

Other popular Songkran highlights include the Miss Songkran Beauty Contest and the Grand Songkran procession. The ancient city of Ayutthaya is also famous for its elephant corral. Join the elephants and their mahouts for some Songkran water- splashing fun.

	Buddhist merit-making 13 April/ 06.00 – 09.00 In the area in front of Phra Mongkon Borphit Viharn (ordination hall), situated in front of the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya municipal office and Sala Phra Ram pavilion, and around the island city
	Building sand stupas
	Buddha images bathing ritual At temples throughout Ayutthaya, visitors sprinkle or pour scented lustral on to Buddha images.
	Buddhist merit-making — the presentation of rice and dry foodstuff to Buddhist monks and temples as merit-making offerings
	Rot nam dam hua ceremony Scented lustral water is poured over the hands of elders and individuals held in high esteem in a gesture of respect.
	Ancient City Songkran Procession of the 16 districts of Ayutthaya Procession Route 14.30 The procession sets off from the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) situated in front of the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Municipal Office, proceeds past Chao Phrom Market (Talat Chao Phrom), then turns left into U-Thong Road and continues past Chomsurang Upatham School, past Talat Hua Ruea market to the Wat Rajpraditsataan temple intersection. From this intersection, the procession turns left into Sisanphet Road and proceeds past Wat Rataburana to the section of Bang Ian Road that runs along Beung Phra Ram lake. The procession will make a temporary stop at Beung Phra Ram lake to enable worshippers to pay their respect to the guardian Buddha images of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. 17.00 Award presentation ceremony for the winner of the Songkran procession contest and final round of the Pi-Phat Thai classical music contest as part of the Songkran festivities being held along Bang Ian Road
	Thai cultural showcase
	Water-splashing

SONGKRAN CELEBRATIONS ALONG BANG IAN ROAD, AYUTTHAYA
12 – 14 April

12 April/ 16.30 hrs
Songkran Celebrations along Bang Ian Road – Opening ceremony

	Walking Street and Ancient City Songkran Food Street and OTOP Fair along Bang Ian Road with sales of local products from each of the sub-districts, or tambon, of Ayutthaya promoted under the OTOP — One Tambon, One Product campaign and a Food Street promoting the ‘Clean Food, Good Taste’ theme
	Pi-Phat Thai classical music contest featuring well-known Thai musical ensemble from the Central Plains of Thailand
	Cultural performances

MON SONGKRAN CELEBRATIONS AT WAT TONG BO TEMPLE
Tambon Sao Kradong in the Bang Pa-In district of Ayutthaya
14 April
Ceremonies and activities being held at Wat Tong Bo temple in the sub-district of Tambon Sao Kradong in the Bang Pa-In district of Ayutthaya reflect Mon customs and traditions. Local residents will be dressed in Mon costumes.

	In contrast with the Thai Buddha image bathing ritual in which scented lustral water is sprinkled or poured directly on to the Buddha image, in the Mon-style Buddha image bathing ritual, consecrated water flows from a bamboo tube on to the Buddha image.
	A procession of swan and centipede flags
	Mon cuisine

SONGKRAN CEREMONY AT KING NARESUAN MEMORIAL
At Thung Phu Khao Tong

	Buddha images bathing ritual Scented lustral water is sprinkled or poured on to sacred Buddha images
	Rot nam dam hua ceremony Scented lustral water is poured over the hands of elders and individuals held in high esteem in a gesture of respect.
	Building sand stupas
	Folk games
	Songkran water-splashing under a water curtain

Contact information:
Tourism Authority of Thailand, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Office
Tel: +66 (0) 3524 6076-7
Fax: +66 (0) 3524 6078
E-mail: tatyutya@tat.or.th