Self-study and classroom lessons based on newspaper feature stories

This column is for self-study or classroom use and gives guided help with reading the wide variety of writing styles and topics that appear as feature articles in the Bangkok Post. The lessons include background information, skill-building practice and vocabulary explanations.

April 13, 2004

Soaking up Songkran

INTRODUCTION

As you are probably well aware, today is the official start of the Songkran Festival. Perhaps you’re reading this Feature Focus having recently been drenched by someone or maybe learning post is the only dry piece left in today’s newspaper!

This week, we look at a feature about Songkran celebrations in Chiang Mai. Thailand’s second biggest city is a favourite destination for many Songkran revellers and this year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has put on special events to draw attention to ‘Lanna’ culture.

Jarunee Taemsamran’s feature, printed in the Horizons section of the Bangkok Post, takes a peak at what’s in store this holiday season up in Chiang Mai. The purpose of this article is not simply to entertain. It is also designed to give festival details as well as a background to the events taking place. Notice how Jarunee has mixed historical information and lively description with plain facts. This makes the feature both informative and entertaining at the same time.
More info?

In some features, journalists include additional details in separate boxes (often called a ‘sidebar’) that support the article in some way but can be read separately. Whilst we have printed the main section of Jarunee’s article, the full version includes additional information. What kind of information do you think was added? Think about what else you, as a reader, would want to know if your interest was sparked by the article.

When you have thought about this, why not find the article in our learning post section on the Bangkok Post website (www.bangkokpost.com/education) and see if Jarunee’s ‘sidebar’ satisfies your curiosity. If it doesn’t, think about what you would have put in there instead.

Have a safe and ‘sanook’ Songkran!

OUR STORY FROM THE BANGKOK POST

HOT! Let's get drenched

Celebrate the annual water festival
in Chiang Mai in true Lanna style

Dancing and revellery on Songkran day when people sprinkle water on each other. — TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND

JARUNEE TAEMSAMRAN

It’s Songkran time again - the most traditional of Thai festivals and the start of the Thai New Year - and the beginning of celebrations that last anything from three days to a week, fortnight and even longer depending on where or which part of the country you are talking about.

“What are you doing this Songkran?” is the standard line at this time of the year when Thais travel out on a long holiday to be with friends and family and engage in revelry by getting royally soaked throwing water at each other and exchanging greetings. Songkran or the water festival is also the longest holiday time of the year.

The official Songkran dates are April 13, 14, 15 but this year preparations began in earnest long ago as the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is using the occasion to promote the traditional Lanna culture of north Thailand and Chiang Mai has been chosen as the ground zero for festivities that kick off tomorrow.

Traditionally, Chiang Mai is the place to be during Songkran because its distinct brand of charm attracts Thais from all parts of the country, but the celebrations promise to be more extravagant this year as the TAT is spending 70 million baht to promote Thailand's northern capital as the regional hub for tourism by highlighting its warmth, hospitality and its unique Lanna culture.

Called the “Grand Lanna Civilisation, Songkran Festival,” this year’s events will highlight the cultural and historical aspects of the Thai New Year as they evolved over the centuries dating back to the ancient Lanna kingdom that existed some 700-800 years ago. Chiang Mai was its capital. The festivities will run until April 15 and feature a colourful array of processions, cultural shows, music festivals, shopping booths and food fairs — all of which will be based around the Lanna theme.

The main events will centre around Nong Buak Hat public park, the city moat and the Mae Ping River.

Apart from Chiang Mai, eight other northern provinces that were once part of the Lanna kingdom — Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Lamphun, Phayao, Phrae, Nan and Mae Hong Son — will join the events, as will the neighbouring countries of Laos, Burma and the Chinese province of Yunnan, by sending in colourful processions and cultural troupes.

Juthamas Siriwan, the TAT's governor, said: “Lanna civilisation will be the main highlight of this year's Songkran in Chiang Mai and we want to show to the world that this culture is celebrated not only in Thailand but it's also shared by people of the Mekong sub-region. We want it to be recognised as a leading festival.”

Thailand's neighbouring countries also share the Songkran tradition. It's been celebrated since the ancient times and continues until today. In Thailand, the concept of celebrating Songkran has changed over the years and recently it's taken a more tourism bent. Foreign visitors have joined in the fun by splashing water on revellers.

Part of the festivities this year include the Grand Water Festival (Maha Songkran), cultural shows, local entertainment, traditional costumes, exhibition of handicraft, Lanna cuisine and sales of OTOP (one tambon, one product) items.

Keeping with the festive spirit, the entire city of Chiang Mai will be decorated with tung (long flags) and flowers and illuminated with colourful lighting at night time. The locals have been urged to wear traditional dresses, while the city administration has been asked to take steps to ensure security and smooth flow of traffic on key routes in and around the city.

SOME VOCABULARY HELP

standard
usual

revelry
noisy fun

royally
in an impressive way

in earnest
more seriously and with more force and effort than before

ground zero
the centre of activity or impact

regional hub
centre of an activity within a region

civilisation
a state of human society that is very developed and organized

evolved
to develop gradually

procession
a line of people or vehicles that move along slowly, especially as part of a ceremony

moat
a deep, wide channel dug around a castle or city for protection

concept
an idea connected with something

bent
natural interest in something

illuminated
lit with bright lights

• This lesson was prepared by Maureen Paetkau, a professional teacher of English as a second and foreign language and Assistant Manager and Webmaster for Learning Post at the Bangkok Post.

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