Chonburi Pattaya SONGKRAN Festival2009

CHON BURI PATTAYA BANG SAEN SONGKRAN SAND-STUPA BUILDING FESTIVAL
APRIL 16 - 17, 2009
On the beach in Bang Saen, Siracha district, Chon Buri province

Highlight on 16 April 2009.
Sand-stupa building contests

With no shortage of sand to build sand-stupas, the stupa building contest is a predominant element of the Songkran festivities in Chon Buri Province.

Residents of the each of the villages in the district gather together to take part in community Buddhist merit-making. Monks are invited to conduct merit-making ceremonies and rituals, whilst local residents present merit-making offerings and sprinkle scented lustral water on Buddha images in a Songkran Thai New Year bathing ritual. Families pay respect to elderly relatives and other respected individuals by pouring scented lustral water over the hands.

Festival highlights include the 'Kong Kao' religious ritual, rarely seen folk games and traditional Thai sports, cockfighting — a popular local sport, the Siracha Miss Songkran beauty pageant and Siracha Songkran Parade.


PATTAYA-NA KLEUA SONGKRAN FESTIVAL
APRIL 18 - 20, 2009

‘WAN LAI’ SONGKRAN CUSTOMS IN PATTAYA, CHON BURI
Larn Po Park, Na Kleua sub-district in Pattaya

Except the building of sand stupas on the beach and the local landscape, Songkran Thai New Year rituals and celebrations in Pattaya are similar to those performed in other parts of the country.

Activities A procession of the Buddha image along the Pattaya beachfront road offering local residents and visitors an opportunity to participate in the ritual bathing of a revered Buddha image.

Buddhist merit-making and the ritual bathing of Buddha images at temples
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.
The observance of the ‘Kong khao’ ritual, The building of sand stupas and the performance of consecration rituals. Traditional folk games such as ‘sharp-shooting’ with elastic bands, and traditional folk sports played on the beach such as beach-tug-of-war, hoop takraw and muay talay boxing matches.
Cultural presentations and performances
Miss Songkran beauty contest
Songkran water-splashing by the beach



SI MAHARAJA SONGKRAN FESTIVAL IN CHON BURI PROVINCE
APRIL 19 - 21, 2009
At Koh Loi Park, Si Racha district, Chon Buri province

Highlights and Activities The observance of the ‘kong kao’ religious ritual and other customs related to the celebration of the Thai New Year
Procession of Buddha images and the ritual bathing of Buddha images
Procession of ‘kong kao’ floats
Sand-stupa building contest
Thai cultural performances and folk games
Sales of local food and desserts
Miss Songkran beauty contest
Water-splashing


KOH SI CHANG SONGKRAN FESTIVAL
APRIL 13 - 19, 2009
Koh Si Chang and Koh Khaam Yai Island

Highlights and Activities Buddhist merit-making and the ritual bathing of Buddha images at temples
Scented lustral water is poured over the hands of elders and individuals held in high esteem in a gesture of respect.
The building of sand stupas and the performance of consecration rituals Traditional folk games native to the island of Koh Si Chang such as the ‘Chinese-wok-boat’ races, boat-tug-of-war, and ‘tub jaak’ boxing, dart contests and hoop takraw competitions — a traditional Southeast Asian sport that is a cross between soccer and volleyball and is one of the most spectacular pastimes.
Witness a rarely seen traditional courtship tradition on the island of Koh Kaam Yai, approximately 1 km from the island of Koh Si Chang. The men of the village invite eligible young ladies to join them for water-splashing in the sea. If consent is granted, the man carries the young lady down the beach to the sea and then carries her back to shore again, after which the couples take part in the traditional ram wong circle dance.

Contact information:
Tourism Authority of Thailand, Pattaya Office
Tel: +66 (0) 3842 3990, (0) 3842 7667, (0) 3842 8750
Fax: +66 (0) 3842 9113
E-mail: tatchon@tat.or.th


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

Source from: Tourism Authority of Thailand