The Thai tourism industry will celebrate the Thai New Year festival of Songkran with great pomp this April, and is inviting visitors to join the fun and festivities.
All of Thailand will be in a holiday mood from the time the Grand Opening Ceremony of the Maha Songkran Festival is held on April 7, 2002, at Maha Chesdabodin Pavillion and Plaza, Ratchadamnoen Avenue, Bangkok, until April 17.
April 8 as well as April 15 and 16 are public holidays, when the festivities will hit their peak. Because this year also marks the 220th anniversary of the founding of Bangkok as Thailand's capital, the celebrations are being extended over a full nine days.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Mr. Somkid Jatusripitak will preside over the press conference to inaugurate the Maha Songkran Festival 2002 at the Thai Government House today.
Also in attendance were Minister to the Prime Ministers Office and Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Chairman Mr. Somsak Thepsutin, TAT Acting Governor and Deputy Governor for Marketing Mrs. Juthamas Siriwan, Permanent Secretary for Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Mr. Kriengsak Lohachala.
On April 7, 2002, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will preside over the opening ceremony of Maha Songkran Festival 2002 at Maha Chesdabodin Pavillion and Plaza, Ratchadamneon Avenue, Bangkok.
The Maha Songkran Festival is celebrated by Thai people nationwide with a number of religious ceremonies and fun activities. One of the highlights is water-throwing, a tradition dating back to the times when water was the best way to cool off at the height of the summer.
Anyone who ventures out on the streets in major cities is likely to get a friendly drenching, all in a spirit of fun and goodwill.
Apart from the high-spirited splashing, Songkran will also see some serious traditions like merit-making and paying respects to elders. Numerous forms of entertainment will include Miss Songkran beauty contests, flowers parades, fun fairs and local cultural performances.
Mrs. Juthamas said that the TAT is working with provincial administrations and tourism- related businesses associations to promote the festival in the
provinces and organise appropriate activities.
The festivities fall within the scope of the Thailand Grand Festival tourism promotion campaign under which different themes are identified for every month of 2002.
In Bangkok itself, Songkran-related festivities and activities will be celebrated on Khao San Road, Phra Arthit road and Visutkasat road.
Cultural and traditional festivals will include a Musical Show on Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue, International Miss Songkran Beauty Contest on Visutkasat road, and Show from Sam Praeng Community, Bangkok Tales, Pridalai Opera and a Chinese Opera.
The prime tourist area of Rattanakosin island and Sanam Luang, where the Grand Palace and Temple of Emerald Buddha are located, will be the venue of a series of afternoon and evening events, including entertainment shows and beauty contests.
Provincial officials in the well-known tourist destinations of Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya, Nong Khai, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Samut Prakarn and Songkhla have also arranged special activities for visitors this year.
Many of the Songkran festivities will be broadcast on cable and regular TV channels between April 7-15. These include TV Channels 9 and 11, ITV and TGN. They will be accompanied by special messages to promote Travel with Safety to prevent road accidents.
Several Songkran events will be held by the TAT offices abroad, too.
In Sydney, the Songkran bash attracts more than 40,000 people each year. This years festival will be held at Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour, with religious ceremonies, cultural performance, food and handicraft stalls, and cultural exhibitions.
In Wellington, New Zealand, the Songkran festival and Food Festival 2002 will be held at Overseas Terminal with cultural shows and plenty of Thai food.
In Taipei, festivities take place in the Tao Yuan Municipal Sports Stadium. This event will bring 140,000 Thai workers and their families in Taiwan to meet and have a good time, both amongst themselves as well as local Taiwanese to promote good relations between the two peoples. |
