To ring in Thai New Year, temples and public spaces around the country have been transformed into entertainment hubs. During the Songkran Festival, tourists can experience religious ceremonies, cultural performances and water fights, all of which honour the charm of Thai cultural heritage.
In Chiang Mai, Paweni Pi Mai Mueang continues until April 20, allowing worshippers to pour water on revered Buddha statues at 11 temples, including Wat Chiang Yuen, Wat Jet Lin, Wat Lok Moli, Wat Pa Pao and Wat Chiang Man, in an effort to conserve Lanna-style traditions.
From Saturday until April 15, the Songkran Chiang Mai Water Fest will take place at Tha Phae Gate and feature a beauty pageant, Lanna lantern and sand pagoda competitions, a Lanna-style offerings contest as well as a three-day water splashing celebration.
Until tomorrow, the ancient town of Sukhothai is hosting the Song Nam Oi Tan ceremony at Phraya Lithai Monument and Si Satchanalai Historical Park to mark the start of the new year. In Mueang district, visitors can gather on Khao Tok Road and wear colourful floral shirts to join in the Flowery Shirt Songkran festival from tomorrow until April 15.
The northeastern town of Nakhon Phanom will organise a Songkran festival on Khao Pun Road and Hat Sai Thong Sikotbun from tomorrow until April 16. It will feature a visually striking parade of floral floats, nine different ethnic cultures, a khao pun eating contest, a som tam competition, building of sand pagodas, a water tunnel and a handicraft exhibition.
The southern town of Songkhla is drawing tourists with the Hatyai Midnight Songkran festival tomorrow and on Saturday. To greet guardian deities at the start of the new year, a procession of the Rap Thiamda rite, which includes various offerings, and banana floats with triangular flags will take place from Thammanoon Vithi Road to Saneha Nusorn Road. The midnight water splash fight will begin with a grand carnival parade and a Songkran beauty pageant.
In the old town of Ayutthaya, Songkran fun is scheduled to take place from Saturday until April 15. At a temple, pilgrims can see a parade of elephants, Buddha statues, the goddess Nang Songkran and Thai customs. Meanwhile, on Saturday, Wat Thong Bor in the Bang Pa-in district will have a Songkran celebration in honour of the distinctive Mon cultural heritage. Visitors dressed in traditional Mon outfits can pour water on Buddha images and participate in a swan and centipede flag procession and a robe procession to wrap around a pagoda.
Visit facebook.com/ThailandFestival.
Fusion Suites Phuket Patong.
Beat the heat at Fusion Suites Patong
To celebrate the Songkran festival, Fusion Suites Phuket Patong is offering a special "Beat The Heat" package for those booking a stay until April 20. With prices starting at 4,599 baht per night, it offers a Grand Deluxe Jacuzzi Room for two persons, breakfast, a cocktail bucket, a crispy spicy fried chicken meal and a 45-minute spa treatment.
Visit fusion-suites.com.
Visama Mae Chan.
Special Songkran deal at Visama Mae Chan luxury camp
Visama Mae Chan luxury camp in Chiang Rai rings in the Thai New Year with the Songkran Bliss package, available until the end of the month.
Starting at 9,000 baht per person, vacationers can book a two- or three-night stay and enjoy round-trip transfers from Chiang Rai airport, daily breakfast and dinner, on-call butler service, one signature excursion per stay, 20% off food and drink, one in-house activity per stay for two, and a movie night at the Ambalama fire pit.
Visit visamalodges.com.
