The International wax sculpture

The International wax sculpture At Ubon Ratchathani Province 1 - 31 July 2008 Week 1 : 1 - 6 July 2008 "Visit the Artisan Community" Activities - Opening the 3rd International Wax Sculpture - Visit to candle crafting communities and learn the insights into an ancient artistic tradition and local culture. - Gathering of art students from all art institute in Thailand. - Activity "I-san Tourism Year" - Start of wax sculptures by International artists. - Displays of local flags, performances, pottery, etc. Week 2 : 7 - 13 July 2008 "Global Cooling by Wax Sculpture" Activities - Wax sculpture made by representatives of 9 countries from Germany, China, Japan, Turkey, Mexico, Ukrain, Luxembourg, Italy and India including Ubon Rachathani local artist, work under concept "Global Cooling @ Thailand" at Ubon Ratchathani National Museum. Week 3 : 14 - 20 July 2008 "A Touch of Buddhism And Arts" Activities - 18 July 2008, The Buddhist Lenten Candle Procession parade. - Wax Sculpture by International Young Artists from the Greater Mekong Subregion : China, Myanmar, Lao PDR, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand. - Enjoy light and sound Show, Miss candle beauty contest. Broadcasting via www.tourismthailand.org on 18 July 2008 Week 4-5 : 21 - 31 July 2008 "Wisdom on Buddhism Land" Activities - Display of the Buddhist Lent Candle created by Ubon Ratchathani’s local artist - Presentations of I-san flok performances and various kinds of food. - Exhibition of 10 masterpieces created by 9 international artists plus 1 local artist at the Ubon Rachathani National Museum. The exhibition will be until 31 July 2008. - Melting the Candle Cerenony ; "Back to Emptiness" on 31 July 2008 For any further information - TAT Northeastern Office : Region 2 Tel. : 0 4524 3770-1, Fax. 0 4524 3771 Email : tatubon@tat.or.th - Events Planning Division, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Tel : 66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 3475-77 Email : eprodiv@tat.or.th - TAT call center 1672 - Website : http://www.thailandwaxcarving.com/ www.tourismthailand.org

Tags : Candle Festival, Pha Khao Laeng, Ubon Ratchathani, wax sculpture

SUKHOTHAI SONGKRAN FESTIVAL ,SI SATCHANALAI SONGKRAN FESTIVAL
APRIL 8-12, 2007

Gain insights into traditional Thai ways during these Songkran Thai New Year celebrations held at Si Satchanalai Historical Park, one of Thailand’s UNESCO-designated Cultural World Heritage Site.

SUKHOTHAI SONGKRAN FESTIVAL
APRIL 12-15, 2007

Sukhothai Historical Park, Sukhothai

Activities
Journey back in time as local residents, many of whom will be dressed in traditional Thai costumes, celebrate the Songkran Thai New Year, the traditional Thai way. Popular Songkran highlights include a procession of floral carts, Miss Songkran beauty contest, the building of sand stupas at Wat Tapang Thong temple and lots of water-splashing to 'beat the heat' during the kingdom’s hottest season in the year.

Contact information:
Tel: +66 (0) 5525 2742-3, (0) 5525 9907
Fax: +66 (0) 5523 1063
E-mail: tatphlok@tat.or.th

Pattaya Songkran Festival (Wan Lai Fair)

Date: 18 – 19 April 2008

Venue: Pho Na Kleua Public Park, Chon Buri

Activities : Procession of the Buddha image for the people to bathe, along the Pattaya beach, local games, various arts and cultural performances, piling rice tradition, paying homage to the elderly, Miss Songkran Beauty Contest and enjoy splashing water along the beach of Pattaya.

Hi-Light: on 19 April 2008 at 08.00 hrs. : Procession of the Buddha image for the people to bathe and enjoying splashing water along the Pattaya beach.

Further Information : Pattaya City, Tel. 0 3837 1116-9
: TAT Central Region Office : Region 3 (Chonburi), Tel. 0 3842 7667, 0 3842 8750
www.songkran.net

Songkran Festival at Phra Pradaeng, Samut Prakan

Date: 18-20 April 2008

Venue: Downtown district of Phra Pradaeng, Samut Prakan

Activities: Swan and centipede flags parade, Miss Songkran parade, decorated vehicles and all beautiful ladies wearing Thai Raman dresses parades also traditional local games especially Sa-ba of Thai Raman tribe, and paying homage to the elderly, Miss and Mister Songkran beauty contest as well as how to play splashing water as Thai-Raman traditional way

Hi-Light: 20 April 2008, at 13.00 hrs. Miss Songkran festival parade and 3.30 p.m. birds & fishes parade for releasing them back to the nature being held at Wat Protget Chettharam

: 18-20 April 2008, at 19.00 hrs. traditional local game ( Sa-ba Raman and Sa-ba Toi) being held at ancient Plaeng FaiFa fort and Raman village.

Further information: Phra Pradaeng district office Tel: 0 2463 4891 ext. 129-130
TAT Central Region Office, Region 8 (Nakhon Nayok) Tel: 0 3731 2282, 0 3731 2284
Website : www.songkran.net
www.tourismthailand.org

Songkran The Water Festival on the Beach

Date: 10-13 April 2008

Venue: Patong beach, Phuket

Activities: View the procession of Phra Phuttha Sihing along Patong Beach, paying homage to the elderly, demonstrations of Thai culture and Thai games, procession of motorcycles, and enjoy splashing water.

Hi-light: 13 April 2008 at 09.00 hrs. giving alms to monks at Dophin Park, then splashing water “Water Festival on the Beach” at Patong beach and Mid-night Songkran at Soi Bang La.



Further information: TAT Southern Region Office, Region 4 (Phuket) Tel: 0 7621 2213, 0 7621 7138.

website : www.tourismthailand.org
www.songkran.net

Sari New Year Festival of Chiang Mai city, Chiang Mai

Date: 12-15 April 2008

Venue: All around in Chiangmai city, Chiangmai province

Activities: A procession and bathing of the Phra Phuttasihing, paying homage to elderly, local traditional shows and local artistic game demonstration ,

splashing water around the city ditch, walking street and all international food.

Hi-Light: 12 April 2008, at 7.00 hrs. in Royal Flora Garden (Ratchaphruek), there is a piling rice to 99 monks and grand opening Songkran festival by

the Minister of Tourism and Sport Ministry.

: 13 April 2008, at 14.00 hrs. a procession and bathing of the Phra Phuttasihing and Miss Songkran parade from Naowarat bridge to Wat Phra Sing.
: 14 April 2008, at 16.00 hrs. a parade of sand-carrying back to temple & Mai Kham Sari from Saphan Lek (Iron bridge) to the temple on Tha Phae Street.
: 15 April 2008, 13.30 hrs. a parade of paying homage for Chiang Mai Governor from Three Kings monument to the Governor’s Office.

Further information : Municipality Tel: 0 5325 9000

TAT Northern Region Office, Region 1 (Chiang Mai) Tel: 0 5324 8604, 0 5324 8607

Website : www.songkran.net
www.tourismthailand.org

Bangsaen Wan Lai Tradition

Date: 16 – 17 April 2008

Venue: Bangsaen Beach, Meuang District, Chon Buri

Activities : Giving alms to monks, paying homage to the elderly, local games competitions, sand Chedi building,

and enjoying splashing water along the clean and white Bangsaen Beach.

Hi-Light: on 16 April 2008 : Sand Chedi building contest

Further Information : Saen Suk Municipality. Tel. 0 3838 5353-5
TAT Central Region Office : Region 3 (Chonburi), Tel. 0 3842 7667, 0 3842 8750

Website : www.songkran.net
www.tourismthailand.org

Songkran Splendours

While the water splashing will flourish, the traditional values of Songkran are the focus of the 2008 celebrations. Songkran is without doubt the most popular of all Thai festivals and rightly so. It marks the beginning of a new astrological year and its exact dates are determined by the old lunar calendar of Siam. This year the three-day festival falls on 13 to 15 April. Traditionally, April 13 is known as “Maha Songkran Day” and marks the end of the old year, April 14 is “Wan Nao”, while April 15 is “Wan Thaloeng Sok” when the New Year begins. While the festival has its roots in Buddhist heritage, the washing of Buddha images, merit making, traditional family values and the sprinkling of water in respect for elders, it is best known for the fun and “sanuk” everyone gains from splashing copious quantities of water on all who happen to pass by. Songkran is celebrated with gusto by young and old, throughout the country. City communities and villages in rural Thailand forget their troubles and concentrate on the serious of business of having fun as well as cooling off, during the height of the summer’s scorching tropical temperatures. Probably of all the national festivals, this is the one that foreigners love to experience the most. They will come across water splashing festivities wherever they travel giving them an opportunity to share in a festival that is immensely popular, while still retaining a link to its traditional roots and values. One of the traditional values points to the Thai family and the opportunity for family members to express their respect for their elders. Younger members of the family pour scented water on the hands of their parents, and grandparents. They may present them with gifts or tokens of their love. In return, elders wish youngsters good luck and prosperity. In temples, elder members of the family gather to make merit, offering alms to the monks. They may help clean the temple courtyard, or perform bathing rites for Buddha images In by-gone days, the fun of splashing water on friends or strangers had to wait until the late afternoon when the religious duties and ceremonies were over. Today, the lines are often blurred with the younger generation making the most of the three-day opportunity to splash water on everyone in sight. Possibly the most famous of the Songkran celebrations takes place in Chiang Mai. It attracts thousands of visitors, from all over Thailand as well as international tourists determined to share in the fun. Often simply called the Chiang Mai Water Festival, the core of the celebrations will be held, 13 to 15 April, at the city’s main irrigation canal, with parades and cultural performances as well as arts demonstrations. The actual opening ceremony will be held 12 April, at the Royal Flora complex when the Minister of Tourism and Sports will declare the festival open. There are other opportunities to join in Songkran festivities regardless of where you are travelling. In the North: Chiang Saen Water Festival runs from 13 to 21 April, in Chiang Saen district of Chiang Rai province. In the Golden Triangle area, where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet, a ceremony, during the day, will pay homage to the town’s Buddha image. In the evening, the visitors can join a Lanna-style dinner, known as Khan Tok, or shop for handicrafts on a street closed to traffic, also the venue for folk dance performances. Si Satchanalai Water Festival, from 13 to 15 April, at Si Satchanalai district, Sukhothai province, features parades and water splashing in the Si Satchanalai Historical Park. The town is 67 km north of Sukhothai and is a popular stop on Around North Thailand tours. Northeast Thai-Lao Water Festival, from 13 to 17 April, plays out on the banks of the Mekong River in Nong Khai town that faces Laos and its capital, Vientiane. Sports competitions will be organised in the week preceding the festival. Koon Flower and Sticky Rice Road and Water Festival in Khon Kaen province, features parades, performances and water splashing on Si Chan Road, known as sticky rice road for its profusion of vendors selling this staple northeast food. Ubon Ratchathani Water Festival, in the city centre, will feature a Thai-Indochina Food Festival at Thung Si Mueang Park, which will sell speciality dishes and food items representative of Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. Nakhon Phanom Water Festival has an unusual theme of noodles. The main event will be held on Sinthorn Vichit Road or Khao Pun Road (rice flour noodle road) where booths will sell products and dishes made of rice flour noodles, the speciality of this province. Central Bangkok Water Festival gets underway,12 April, with a sound and light show at Arun Ratchawararam Temple, from 1800 to 2100. This year, the city will focus on a traditional style Songkran Festival by supporting and inviting people to make merit at temples and return to their villages up-country to be with their families. Water splashing on streets in the business district will be discouraged. However, the city is promoting its “Passport to nine royal temples” for those who visit temples during the festival, with an incentive to win prizes. Water splashing will be encouraged only in specific areas such as Khao Sarn Road. Phrapadaeng Water Festival, which follows different dates than most of the celebrations, will be hosted, 18 to 20 April, in front of Phrapradaeng district office, Samut Prakarn province. There will be parades, Thai-Mon traditional sports and performances. Eastern seaboard Bangsaen Water Festival, 16 to 17 April, is held a week after national celebrations at Bangsaen beach in Chonburi province. A competition to determine the most artistic sand pagoda takes centre stage with more than 100 miniature pagodas sculptured from the sand. Pattaya Water Festival follows on from Bangsaen, 17 to 20 April. The water splashing celebration first moves to Na-Klua, a village just north of Pattaya, 18 April, Pattaya beach, 19 April and finally moving, 20 April, to Sattahip, a fishing and Naval town on the eastern seaboard. South Ranong Mineral Water Festival runs from 12 to 15 April, at Raksawarin Public Park in the centre of Ranong town, located on the Andaman Sea coast, some 300 km north of Phuket. Here, people will enjoy the luxury of splashing mineral water on one another following the style witnessed in Myanmar’s traditional festivities. Also, during the four days, there will be booths selling tourism products and packages to Ranong province and other Andaman coast destinations. Hat Yai Midnight Songkran, will be hosted 12 to 14 April, at Nipat Uthit Road in Hat Yai district, Songkhla province. The water splashing will start from 2200, 12 April to midnight on 13 April. Ceremonies to sprinkle water on the town’s Buddha images will be conducted on the mornings of 13 and 14 April.

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Songkran Festival Date: 13 – 14 April 2008 Venue: Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park, Wihan Phramongkhon Bophit, and around the island city, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Activities : Merit-making activities and an alms-giving ceremony. Bathing ritual of Buddha images, the releasing of fish and birds to make good karma. Watch the beautiful procession of the Miss Songkran beauty pageant, floral float procession and cultural performances. Hi-Light : on 13 April 2008 06.00 hrs. : Making merit to the monks at the front of Wihan Phramongkhon Bophit 14.00 hrs. : the grand procession of the Songkran tradition, enjoying splashing water with elephants at the old city. Further Information : Education Division, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Municipality : Tel. 0 3525 2168 TAT Central Region Office : Region 6 (Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya), Tel. 0 3524 6076-7, 0 3532 2730-1 Website : www.songkran.net www.tourismthailand.org

Bangkok Songkran Festival

Date: 12 – 15 April 2008

Venue: at 9 royal temples and around Rattanakosin Island

Hi-Light:

* Songkran Celebration of the 4 Regions (southern section of Sanam Luang near Wat Phra Kaeo)
Bathing of Buddha images from the 4 regions, local food and dessert making demonstrations, and cultural shows from various regions.
Open Ceremony on 12th April 2008 18.00-21.00 hrs. at Wat Arun (Wat Chaeng)

* Paying worship at 9 royal temples around Rattanakosin Island. On 12-15 April 2008 09.00-18.00 hrs. : Wat Phra Sri Rattanasasadaram (Wat Phra Kaeo), Wat Chetaphon (Wat Pho), Wat Suthat, Wat Saket, Wat Bowonniwet, Wat Chanasongkram , Wat Rakung, Wat Arun (Wat Chaeng), and Wat Kalayanamitr. Participants will receive a Passport of the 9 temples at each public relations point of each temple. After receiving the stamp from all the temples, a coupon for a lucky prize will be given.

* Fun-filled splashing in traditional Thai dress, Khao San Road with various forms of Songkran fun, on 12-15 April 2008 at 07.00-18.00 hrs.

* Banglamphu community at Santi Chaiprakarn Park, Phra Athit Road and Wisut Kasat., on 12-13 April 2008

Further Information : Events Planning Division, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
Tel. 02 250 5500 ext. 3470. TAT Call Center 1672
website : www.songkran.net