TAT to Hold Grand Water Festival in Chiang Mai

The Tourism Authority of Thailand will be holding the Grand Water Festival in Chiang Mai Province this year.

The Director of the Chiang Mai Tourism Authority of Thailand or TAT, Chalermsak Suranan said the TAT will hold the Grand Water Festival in Chaing Mai Province from April 9 to 16, to help boost the tourist sector in the area.

He said the water festival has been one of the most important festivals for Chiang Mai Province.

The Chiang Mai festival will consist of 30 different events and will last 9 days. It's the longest event Chiang Mai has held in five years.

Highlights of the fair include “Pee Mai Meaung”, which is the traditional way of saying Happy Thai New Year.

Concerts as well as art and cultural exhibitions will also be organized.

Both Thai and foreign artists will perform in front of the 3 Kings Monument from April 8 to 10.

An estimated 10 million baht budget has been set for the grand event.

This year's festival is said to be much larger than in previous years, as Chiang Mai wants to attract tourists, both Thais and foreigners, to the city.

He forecast that there will be no fewer than 200,000 tourists participating in the event, generating up to 150 million baht per day.

Chalermsak went on to say that the Chiang Mai Festival will extend the duration of tourist stays from 2 days, to 3 or 4 days.

Some 60 percent of Chiang Mai's available hotels have already been booked, and up to 80 percent could be filled before the upcoming holiday.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-24

What a load of Typically Assinine Thailand (TAT) grandiose, self-inflating TOSH!

The Songkran festival, especially in Chiang Mai, MAY be promoted by TAT (though the Town Hall always has better and more detailed advance info than they do) but no way in the World is it "Held" or organised by TAT.

Northern Thailand TAT Region No 1 could not organise a party in a brewery. Not only because the budget has been siphoned off before it lands there, but because they do not know their ass from their elephant.

Songkran, especially in CM has grown (like Topsy, out of control) and has a life of its own. It will be the usual dangerous, fun, liquid mayhem attracting masses of young Thais from Bkk and know-nothing young foreigners, whether TAT sinks into the River Ping or not.

Please!

I thought this stuff was edited before being foisted upon us.......!

"Both Thai and foreign artists will perform in front of the 3 Kings Monument from April 8 to 10."

What is the work permit situation for the foreign artists?

Pity there is no water shortage and the event is limited to 1 day