The Grand Songkran Festival 2006

[Jai Dee]

TAT opened a press briefing on Grand Songkran

As the Grand Songkran Festival 2006 nearly approaches, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, together with Bangkok, prepared a press conference on this celebrative event at Santi Chaiprakarn Park.

The TAT Governor, Mrs. Juthamas Siriwan and the Bangkok Governor, Mr. Aphirak Kosayothin, presided over this event.

Many activities were displayed to simulate the actual atmosphere of the festival in ten distinctive areas of Thailand, such as Chiang Mai, Khao Naew (ข้าวเหนียว) Road, Khon Kaen, Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom (นครพนม), Lao’s New Year, Bang Saen (บางแสน), Samut Prakarn, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Midnight Songkran in Songkhla’s Hat Yai, and the Water Festival on the Beach in Phuket Province.

The fair will be held from the 9th to the 23rd of April.

For more information on the Grand Songkran Festival, please dial the TAT’s call center at 1672, or log on to www.songkran.net.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 01 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

Touring Safely during Songkran with Highway Police

Highway police officers are getting ready to facilitate and help out the commuters during the upcoming Songkran Festival, to ensure their safety and convenience.

On March 31st, Pol. Maj. Gen. Surira Songmettha (สุริระ ทรงเมตตา), the Commander of Highway Police, was the guest of TATV’s Tourism Talk, and discussed the measures to handle the travelers during the Songkran holidays.

Highway police have prepared safety measures, while inspecting 160 locations across the nation, to prevent any possible public danger. Safety and warning signs are being put up in various locations, where road accidents usually happened, so people would be more conscientious and careful while they are traveling.

Laws on wearing safety helmets, seatbelts, drunk and reckless driving, and speed limitation are stringently enforced. This is aimed at reducing the number of road accidents during Thailand’s New Year holidays. Police are also helping travelers from criminal activities, such as theft, while they are driving on the royal highway.

Resting spots with chewing gums, non-alcoholic drinks, and foot massage service are being set up at various locations to help drivers while they are slumbering. And if you face any emergency situation such as your car breaks down, please call the Highway Police at 1193.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 01 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

TAT prepares Songkran celebration in Khao San Road

The Association of Traders in Khaosan Road has informed that the annual Songkran celebration along the Khaosan Road will be held between the 12th and the 15th of April.

The best part of Khaosan Road’s celebration is that it sticks to the traditional Songkran roots and practices for over three decades, and this is why it is one of the world’s most popular places for such carnival. The eminence of Khaosan Road is eminent in many countries because every year, Thailand will publicize the festivities to the international media. Many foreigners have expressed their interest to travel to Thailand to join this event.

This year, the event organizers in Khaosan Road continue to cling on to the Songkran traditions, so they are campaigning for vendors, traders and tourists along the road to play engage in Songkran activities properly. They will not play with powder or water pipes. Meanwhile, public cooperation has been well-received. The Chana Songkram Police Station prepares to dispatch officers to take care of the people’s safety during the 4-day celebration.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 07 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

Celebrate Songkran Festival in Sukhothai Province

During this year’s Songkran celebration, for anyone who would like to engage in the authentic Songkran activities, please come over to Sukothai Province and visit the Grand Songkran Festival. This year, the event will be held more imperiously. Sukhothai Province was once the capital city of Thailand over 7 centuries ago. Now, it has countless of attractions, including one of the world’s treasures Sukhothai Historical Park and the provincial entrenched traditions.

This year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Sukhothai Province will jointly organize this annual festival from the 8th to the 16th of April. Mr. Jatuporn Hemlaksanapairoj (จตุพร เหมลักษณ์ไพโรจน์), the Deputy Major of Tambon Muang Kao, said the province is ready to welcome tourists as accommodations and safety measures have already been prepared.

The highlight of the fair is the Si Satchanalai Songkran, which will be held on April 10th to 12th in Si Satchanalai National Park, Sukothai Province. Elephant parade, ritual ceremonies, local sports, local arts, and traditional presentations are some of the features here.

The province also campaigns for people not to splash water aggressively, particularly in the national park. Instead, the public has been encouraged to play with water in a courteous manner.

For more information, please call the local TAT’s office at 0 5525 2743.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 07 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

TAT provides information on Songkran Festival in Ayutthaya Province

The Tourism Authority of Thailand‘s 6th Central Regional Office would like to invite tourists to Ayutthaya Province, to celebrate the Songkran Festival this year. Ayutthaya is 86 kilometers north of Bangkok.

The TAT and Ayutthaya Province are inviting tourists to take part in the Songkran festivity on April 13th and 14th in front of Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit. The event will start at 6:00 hours onwards. Many captivating and moral activities will be held such as making merits, giving food offerings to monks, pouring water onto revered adults, traditional plays, concerts, Miss Songkran contest, and many more.

The Songkran Festival in Ayutthaya Province will showcase the ancient practices and the distinctive traditional ways of life in this region. Since the province is rich in natural resources, the historical tourism agency has made Ayutthaya to become to tourism center in this region. At the present, tourism continues to grow at a rapid pace, and therefore, it is necessary to set up interesting activities to keep up the attractions, especially during the important festivals. Tourists who travel to Ayutthaya would also be interested in Thai history.

For further details, please call the local TAT’s office at 035 322730-1 or 1672, or visit the TAT’s website at www.tat.or.th.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 07 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

The Grand Songkran Festival in Bangkok

As many may already know, a large number of people from other provinces are working in the capital city of Bangkok, and during this time of the year, many of them usually return to their homelands to celebrate the festival with their families and friends. Many provinces across the kingdom will help preserve these wonderful Songkran traditional practices, such as giving food offerings to monks, pouring water onto revered adults, splashing water, and making merits.

However, if you would like to see or join in the Songkran celebration in Bangkok, we guarantee you that you will not be disappointed because this year, the TAT will organize many fresh and cool activities during this hot summer, which is under the theme “Chilly across the City…the Grand Songkran”. The event will also celebrate His Majesty the King’s 60th anniversary to the throne.

The festival will be held during the 9th to the 15th of April, and it will happen in many locations such as the Fountain Park in Sanam Luang, the four regions of Bangkok, and the nine royal temples.

The TAT will prepare many activities for all tourists in accordance this year’s theme. And for more information, please log on to www.songkran.net or call 1672 hotline.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

Tourists from Malaysia and Singapore have flocked to Betong district in Yala to join in on the Songkran festival

Thai and foreign tourists have entered Betong (เบตง) District of Yala Province to join in the Songkran celebration.

On April 11th, many tourists were spotted in the district of Betong. A large number of visitors were sighted at the markets in Betong Municipality and also at various tourism sites throughout the district. Most tourists were from Malaysia and Singapore, and demand for vehicles-for-hire rose as the tourists went on their trips to visit each attraction in Betong.

Betong Municipality Mayor Mr. Khunnawut Mongkholprachak (คุณวุฒิ มงคลประจักษ์) disclosed that every year tourists would occupy 90% of rooms available in the district during the Songkran festival. The room booking rate has already reached 70-80% at present, with most bookers being tourists from Malaysia and Singapore.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 12 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

The Grand Lanna Civilization Songkran Festival

The Tourism Authority of Thailand and the eight northern provinces of Thailand are cooperatively hosting the Grand Lanna Civilization Songkran Festival, to help preserve and carry on the beautiful and unique traditional customs.

Lanna Songkran Festival, or commonly known in Thai as Prapayni Pee Mai Muang (ประเพณีปี๋ใหม่เมือง), has originated from the Lanna civilization. The legacy has been inherited from Buddhism, which underscores the custom’s authenticity. As a result, the celebration reflects the true way of life of the Lanna civilization, and this charm has drawn in more tourists to this region during the Songkran holidays.

The Public Relations Office in the 3rd region of Chiang Mai Province would like to invite tourists to join the Lanna Songkran celebration in the North. Tourists will be able to truly get in touch with the exquisite way of life of the locals residing in the eight northern provinces of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang, Phrae, Nan, Phayao, and Mae Hong Son.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 12 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

The Amazing Aquatic Theme Park

The Tourism Authority of Thailand is organizing the Aquatic Theme Park in Sanam Luang at the Bangkok Grand Songkran Festival 2006, to celebrate Thailand’s New Year and His Majesty the King’s 60 anniversary of accession to the throne.

The TAT Governor, Mrs. Juthamas Siriwan, visited Sanam Luang to see the event’s preparation. Many activities are being held for tourists, including the procession of the Phra Buddha Sihing Buddha Image, the construction of sand pagoda, the art, culture and contemporary performances, the Songkran celebrations of the four regions, and the Aquatic Theme Park. The festival will be held until April 15th, from 10:00 to 23:00 hours in Sanam Luang, Bangkok.

The Aquatic Theme Park is a light and sound display, and free-flowing water becomes a compelling media for artistic expression, story-telling and entertainment. Embellished by impressive light-and-sound and state-of-the-art mixed media presentations, its amorphous yet graceful form becomes the vehicle for a spectacular theatrical extravaganza. The highlights of the Aquatic Theme Park will present two main performances.

The first performance is “The Legend of Siam Songkran”. It will present the history of Songkran tradition and its unique cultural identity and distinctiveness of each region. The second show is the 60th Anniversary Celebrations of His Majesty the King’s Accession to the Throne, which is a magnificent showcase about His Majesty’s Life, Royal Activities and Royal Projects.

Tourists can witness and admire the splendid Aquatic Theme Park at the Grand Songkran Festival in Sanam Luang.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 12 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

Many tourists visited the beaches during Songkran

The Tourism Public Relations Center has reported the tourism atmosphere during this year’s Songkran celebration. The center has revealed that many people were celebrating along the coastal destinations of Thailand.

On April 13th, room reservation rates in many tourist destinations were quite high. For instance, Rayong Province had 70-95 percent of reserved rooms out of 8,131 total rooms, while public boat operators in Samet Island were rigorously implementing safety measures for their passengers, to prevent accidents from happening during this season. The number of tourists in Rayong this year significantly rose from last year, especially along the coastal areas and its islands.

Moving to Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan Provinces, tour operators offered many interesting tour packages between April 12th and 16th, and the reservation rates were quite full. Krajan (กระจาน) National Park and the provincial coastal areas were packed with lots of tourists. Samut Sakhon and Samut Songkram Provinces meanwhile were filled with tourists from Bangkok, since the provinces are located nearby the capital.

For island destinations such as Pha-ngan (พะงัน) and Tao (เต่า) Islands in Surat Thani Province, tourists continued to enter the hotels there since the beginning of April until the celebration of Songkran. About 80-85 percent of rooms were reserved, and most tourists were Thai tourists with their family members. Most of them drove to the destinations. Bangkok Airways also offered 58 flights between Bangkok and Samui Island. A ferry to Samui Island can hold up to 40-50 vehicles. Pha-ngan Island held a full moon party along the beach on April 13th, and accommodations there were almost fully occupied. Tao Island welcomed many travelers who would like to take on marine activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, and seeing coral reefs. The coastal accommodations were clearly booked, especially in Tsai Ri (ทรายรี) and Mae Had (แม่หาด) Beaches as well as Chalok Ban Kao (โฉลกบ้านเก่า) Gulf.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 18 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

Thailand and Laos celebrated Songkran together

The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s 5th Northeastern Regional Office organized the Songkran Festival in Nong Khai Province between the 6th and the 18th of April. The festival was also being celebrated along the border areas of Thailand and Laos, and the atmosphere was simply exuberant prior to its finale.

This year’s event was also held to celebrate His Majesty the King’s 60 anniversary of his accession to the throne, which is under the Thailand Grand Invitation 2006 project. At the event, the procession of Luang Por Sai (หลวงพ่อพระใส) was on a parade for people to pay homage during Thailand’s New Year.

At the same time, tourists can visit Thailand's neighboring country, Laos, and see its unique traditions and culture. Tourists can pour water onto the Buddha’s image and receive blessings. Some of the attractions in Vientiane City of Laos include Phra That Luang (พระธาตุหลวง) Temple, the Triumphal Arc, Phra Kaew (พระแก้ว) Temple, and Sri Muang (ศรีเมือง) Temple.

The Songkran occasion also helps enhances both countries’ bilateral relations.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 18 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

Trang province generated income of 300 million baht during Songkran

Trang (ตรัง) Province has generated approximately 300 million baht of income from tourists during Songkran Festival.

Head of Trang Tourism Center Charal Chuennaitham (จรัล ชื่นในธรรม) revealed that the province has welcomed 100,000 foreign visitors and tourists from nearby provinces during Thailand’s New Year holidays.

All accommodations in the province were fully reserved. In addition, all modes of transportation such as coaches, trains and airlines have offered more services for passengers to travel to Trang.

He indicated that tourism in Trang Province has expanded from last year and said the increase of fuel prices have not yet affected the tourism sector. Tourism operators in Trang will not increase the prices of their services since lots of tourists are visiting the province.

According to Mr. Charal, the majority of tourists are Thais, Malaysians and Scandinavians.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 18 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

Phra Pradaeng Songkran 2006 Festival to start next week

The Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Municipality of Phra Pradaeng in Samut Prakarn Province, and the Phra Pradaeng community will host the Phra Pradaeng Songkran 2006 Festival. Many interesting events will be organized here.

The festival, locally known as Songkran Paklad (สงกรานต์ปากลัด), will be held on April 21st to 23rd at Tesabarn Pomplang Faifah (เทศบาลป้อมแผลงไฟฟ้า) School in Phra Padaeng District, Samut Prakarn Province. The event is one of the Songkran celebrations in the four regions of Thailand, which is under the Discovery Thailand project. The project aims at upholding the beautiful customary culture and practices of the Thai Raman tribe. So if tourists are not yet fulfilled with the previous Songkran festivities during the 13th to the 15th of April, they can take a visit to Phra Padaeng and enjoy the celebration further. Here, tourists can participate in many tourism activities and taste many delightful local food items.

Some of the many interesting activities include the local concert performed by Phra Padaeng youths, the light and sound presentation, the cooking demonstration, the water rituals, and various Songkran parades. Tourists can see Ms. Songkran contest and traditional sporting events. The festival will be held extravagantly and it will also preserve the authentic traditions of Songkran. Tourists are invited to the festival in Phra Padaeng.

For more information, please call the local TAT’s office at 0-3731-2282 or 0-3731-2284.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 April 2006