Pattaya officials mop up details as Songkran final countdown begins

Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh, of Pattaya City, preparing Pattaya’s Wan Lai

Thanachot Anuwan
With the start of Songkran just days away, Pattaya city officials are putting final touches on plans for the water festival’s April 19 finale.
At a March 27 meeting, Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh said Beach Road will be closed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and more than 20 vendors would operate booths featuring everything from concerts to a Muay Thai fight event at Bali Hai.
More than 800 police officers and volunteers will be deployed to keep order and manage traffic around the beach area.
Official area “wan lai” activities begin April 18 in Naklua. Alms will be offered to 99 monks at Lan Po Park at 7 a.m. and a Buddha parade will proceed around Naklua Market beginning at 10 a.m. The elderly will receive gentle water blessings before crowds begin to throw wet stuff on anyone and everyone.
Pattaya takes its turn April 19, starting with religious ceremonies and alms giving at Chaimongkol Temple at 8:30 a.m. The city’s Buddha parade will attempt to roll up Beach Road to the Dolphin Roundabout and back to Chaimongkol at noon.
The annual rice festival closes out Songkran week April 20 in Naklua, with ceremonies and a ghost parade beginning at 6:30 p.m.

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