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Songkran (สงกรานต์)
is the most important feast for Thai people. Often called "water festival",
Songkran is the ancient Thai New Year's Day happening mid-April.
Nowadays the official Thai New Year's Day happens the 1st January.
SONGKRAN ELDER CEREMONY
Traditional dance
A Thai traditional event for elder people is organised to celebrate the Thai new year.
It includes games and dances ("RAM WONG" - รำวง).
Following funny games, gifts are offered such as umbrellas,
soft drink bottles...
Pay respect to Buddha
Thai elder people pay respect by pouring water on Buddha statues.
A speech is performed by local officials and by a monk. References to Thai King Rama IX are
mentioned during the speech.
Pay respect to monks
Statues of famous monks are also displayed in order for Thai people to pour water on them.
During Thai traditional new year, respect is paid to elders.
Adults and kids are pouring water on elders' hands.
Pay respect to Buddha
So to celebrate Songkran, Thai traditional New Year, local officials
invite elders to a celebration.
Traditionally the Songkran ceremony was to pour water into the palms hands
in order that bad actions, bad thoughts flow away with the water. It was a way to purify.
Pouring water
Adults are pouring water (รดน้ำ) on elders' hands as act
of purification for the start of Thai New Year.
Water poured on elders' hands has been blessed by Thai Buddhist monks.
Pouring water
This young Thai girl pouring clean water on all elders' hands.
Pouring waterPouring water
Free rice
A 5 KG rice packaging bag is offered by Thai government to all old people. It is part
of the gifts given to elders joining Songkran celebration.
Hundreds of people are present in this traditional event.
Free food
Free food is offered to all participants to this Songkran celebration.
Those Thai people are preparing Satay skewers.
Free food
Free food is offered to all participants to this Songkran celebration.
Those Thai people are preparing pork chop.
Free food
Free food is offered to all participants to this Songkran celebration.
Those Thai people are preparing Thai noodle soup.
SONGKRAN FAIR
A Songkran fair is often happening during Songkran festival.
It is organized inside Buddhist temples or on a land belonging to local administration. The
Sonkgran fair lasts a few days.
Songkran fair
This Songkran fair is organised by local officials but they are using the Buddhist
temple compound. Officials are present for the Songkran fair opening.
Songkran fair
Thai boxing is organised during this Songkran fair.
Seven Thai boxing matches are taking place.
Songkran fair
Most of the Thai boxing matches feature teenagers or adults.
There is even a match featuring nine years old kids boxing and
also a match featuring girls boxing.
Thai boxingThai boxing
Songkran fair
Multiple games stalls offer entertainment for children. Car racing stall is very popular.
Songkran fair
Carousel games are also very popular with young Thai children.
Songkran fair
There is a big attendance to Songkran fair. Ballon games stalls
are also very popular.
Traditional music is performed by local kids during Songkran fair
Songkran fair
Darts games stalls are also very popular. Winners can get stuffed animals and various
toys.
Songkran fair
Delicious fresh Thai food can be purchased at many busy food stalls present all over
the Songkran fair.
Songkran fair
This mobile stall is selling Thai noddle soup. A noddle soup bowl is around
30~40 THB.
Songkran fairSongkran fair
Songkran fair
Outdoor cinema ("NANG KLANG PLAENG" - หนังกลางแปลง)
is shown in open-air during this Songkran fair. This company is still
using a 35mm projector. It becomes very rare nowadays as the cinema industry
has moved to digital.
Songkran fair
Movies shown on a silver screen have always a very sharp image.
The scratches on the film show that the movie was popular as the film
was often used.
Songkran fair
Young people often sit on their motorbike to watch movies. Elder people
bring a mat and sit on it to watch movies.
Songkran fair
Due to heat, movie reels can be damaged, broken and burnt. Celluloid film burn less but
will have strong smell. After a while, they cannot be used anymore.
Songkran fair
Big audience today to watch open-air cinema during Songkran fair.
