A good place to enjoy the traditional side of Songkran, and probably learn a bit about its culture and history, is at the Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall on Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue in Bangkok. For this month, until 30th April 2011, they have a free exhibition where you can learn about Songkran in the four regions of Thailand. I certainly learned a lot and you will find the information boards in both Thai and English.
Outside of the Rattanakosin building, there is an old style food market where they are selling a wide range of delicious Thai food. A lot of this food you don’t often see and so it is a great opportunity to come and try them out. The vendors are also dressed up in traditional costume of the era.
Next door at Wat Ratchanaddaram, there is an opportunity to bathe 32 revered Buddha images around the base of the Metal Castle. Thai people believe this brings them good merit by sprinkling rose scented water on the images. This takes place only this week during Songkran.
Also next to the Rattanakosin Hall, there are cultural shows being performed free of charge in the Mahajesadabodintr Pavilion Court. They have different shows each night between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. up until Sunday 17th April 2011. The night that I went they put on a performace of Khon, a masked play.
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Isn’t it amazing that you can celebrate New Year no less than THREE times in Thailand?
I will probably spend Songkran with some Thai friends in Amsterdam for the third time in a row, although I hope to be back in Chiang Mai next year, if all goes well.
Songkran in Chiang Mai has been one of the best times ever for me, albeit somewhat overcrowded.
Instead we decided to go to a resort for a few days in Nan Province right after the celebrations.
Now that they have got good road system there it is so much easier to reach and certainly worth while for a visit in the company of a crowd of good people.
Everyone in and outside Thailand: have a wonderful Songkran and a happy (Thai) New Year!!