Bangkok, 8 April, 2016 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is offering its support to the Thai Beverage Public Company Limited in organising the “Water Festival” for the second consecutive year, as part of the Songkran 2016 celebrations, and in expanding the event’s venues to more locations in Chiang Mai and Phuket on top of the seven spectacular sites in Bangkok that hosted the event’s first edition last year.
TAT is backing Thai Beverage’s initiative, as part of its plans to showcasing ‘Thainess’ to the world and promoting the awareness of Thai cultural value among the younger Thai generation.
Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor said, “I am very pleased to extend our support to Thai Beverage or any private organisations who’ve stepped forward to assist us in the preservation and promotion of Thai culture and, of course, the traditional way of celebrating Songkran. This Water Festival 2016 will certainly help strengthen the value of the Thai New Year among the younger Thai generation and foreign visitors.”
The Water Festival 2016 will be held on 13-15 April and will once again take place at the seven charming sites along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok including the four famous temples – Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Wat Kalayanamitr, and Wat Prayunwongsawat – and three popular riverside attractions – Tha Maharaj, Asiatique The Riverfront, and Yodpiman River Walk.
Wat Pho, in particular, will play host to two spectacular Songkran 2016 celebrations. The first event, hosted by TAT was the ‘Songkran Splendours: The Procession of Three Kingdoms’ that took place on 10 April, with many other activities; such as, an ancient market, Thai traditional plays, including Lakhon Nok performances and a Royal Puppet show, that will take place during 10-12 April. The second event, from 13-15 April, is the Water Festival 2016 hosted by Thai Beverage.
To make the Water Festival 2016 more meaningful for the Thai people and foreign visitors, Thai Beverage will also be holding the event in Chiang Mai at the newly-restored 140-year-old Lanna House and in Phuket at Patong Beach.
The Water Festival 2016 is designed to promote the Thai sense of fun and the traditional Thai ways of celebrating the start of the Thai New Year. It also corresponds with the Royal Thai Government’s water-saving policy which encourages both Thai people and foreign visitors to uphold how Songkran is celebrated traditionally; such as, purifying or bathing Buddha statues, and just sprinkling scented water over each other instead of throwing water aggressively or using high-pressure water guns.
In addition, spectators to the Water Festival 2016 are encouraged to worship Buddha statues in the four temples, one of the traditional Thai ways of seeking blessings for the New Year.
For more information on “Water Festival 2016 at: http://www.waterfestivalthailand.com/
For Songkran celebrations throughout Thailand, please see details at: Songkran Festival 2016
Contact Information
International Public Relations Division
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48
Fax: +66 (0) 2250 0246
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.tatnews.org
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