The annual Songkran festival, which heralds the traditional beginning of
the Thai New Year, begins today throughout the country. Locally,
however, the official celebrations take place nearly a week later, on
April 18 in Naklua and April 19 in Pattaya.
Warunya Thongrod
Love it or hate it, Songkran is here again and area
officials have finalized schedules for the “official” water-throwing
days and cultural events of the Thai New Year celebration.
Songkran fun begins today
and runs through April 20.
While you can expect to be soaked pretty much
everywhere in downtown Pattaya starting from April 13, the city’s
official “wan lai” (water sprinkling days) are again set for April 18 in
Naklua and April 19 in Pattaya. Chonburi gets wet April 13-15; Bang
Saen, Bang Pra, and Sriracha April 16-17 and Sattahip on April 20.
In Naklua, festivities kick off April 18 at 7 a.m.
with an alms offering to 90 monks at Lan Po Public Park, followed by
sprinkling of water on Buddha figures and senior citizens and, at 10
a.m., a Buddhist parade with students from Pattaya public schools
participating that runs from Lan Po to Sawang Fah Road to the Sawang
Boriboon Foundation office and back again.
The next morning, similar ceremonies begin at
Chaimongkol Temple at 10 a.m. with a short parade on South Road to
Walking Street and back at noon.
Beach activities run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., including
shopping and food booths. City officials also made their usual - and
usually ignored - announcement forbidding PVC water pipe guns and glass
containers. Water trucks will be provided for revelers on Naklua Road.
The more-sedate rice festival will take place in
Naklua on April 20, with the devout offering various dishes to ghosts
and spirits. The afternoon event also features games and cultural shows
with the actual ceremony commencing at 6 p.m.
Traffic will be closed in Naklua on Naklua Road to
the Dolphin Roundabout on April 18 and Beach Road in Pattaya will be
closed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the 19th. Parking will be offered at
Pattaya School No. 8 and area hotels.
