Songkram in Chiang Mai

Old Jan 7th, 2011, 12:25 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Songkram in Chiang Mai

We will be in Thailand during this time - April 8th - 25th 2011.

We are 3 girls in our late 20's. We want to experience Songkram in Chiang Mai but we also want to do the traditional tourist things while in Chiang Mai.

Will it be possibly to still do this during Songkram? Will things be open?


We are in the early stages of planning and are just trying to figure out how many days and which days to spend in each place.


Any help would be great! Thanks
sharmon is offline  
Old Jan 7th, 2011, 04:36 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,844
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
First off, it's Songkran - with a 'n'.

Most places in Thailand are open during all holidays. That's when the Thais are out shopping and sightseeing. Small shops may close during Songkran but most other things will be open.

Chiang Mai is an extremely popular destination for Songkran, so you should be making accommodation reservations soon, since hotels can fill up during the holidays.
MichaelBKK is offline  
Old Jan 7th, 2011, 05:00 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ha, ha, ha it's "Songkran" as Michael has said not "Songkram" which means war or battle. Two main activities in CM during Songkran. The first will be cultural around all the temples where there will be ceremonies performed. The second will be an out of control water fight, loosely based on the traditional Songkran activities of blessing your elders with blessed water and that will be all over the city with the main concentration around the city moat. I would plan on doing a day of the water fight, another day seeing the cultural celebration - IMO best around nearby Lampoon.

From a local web site:

April 12 is Wan Sungkharn Lohng. This is a day for house cleaning and general preparation for the New Year. In the evening it is traditional for Thais to dress up as a signal of the coming new year.
In Chiangmai, the Songkran procession is held on this day. This is a parade through Chiangmai comprised of Buddha images and attendants on floats, which are accompanied by minstrels and the town's people. The procession begins at Nawarat Bridge on the Mae Ping River and moves the Thapae Gate before approaching its final destination of Wat Prasingh.

April 13 is Wan Nao. On this day people prepare cooked meals and preserved food for the Buddhist merit-making that takes place on the following day.
Activities at Wat Prasingh continue on this day and in the evening local residents go to the banks of the Mae Ping River and gather sand to be deposited in piles topped by flowers in the temples. This practice is the ancient "raising the temple grounds" ritual which was necessary in the old days because then Thai New Year was held at the end of the rainy season in the first month of the old Thai Lunar Calendar.

April 14 is Wan Payawan. On this day a grand new year begins with early morning merit-making at the temples. Preserved and cooked foods, fresh fruit, monks' robes and other offerings are made at the temples. In the home, people do the final cleaning of Buddha images using scented water.
Traditionally this is the day that the pouring of water begins. It was once the practice to pour gently, but the fun-loving Thais have transposed this into a relative water free-for-all.

April 15 is Wan Parg-bpee. On this day homage is paid to ancestors, elders and other persons deserving respect because of age of position. This is called 'Rohd Nam Songkran', meaning 'The Pouring of Songkran Water', and the water is sprinkled on the elder persons while uttering wishes of good luck and a happy future.
In Chiangmai, this is the final day of the celebration and the day on which people have built up to a crescendo of water throwing. It is the day when all family and religious obligations have been completed and the people are totally dedicated to "Sanook...Sanook."

Note that the water fight around the moat will start from the first day of the holiday all the way through to the end. Be prepare to get wet and it will be hot.
Hanuman is offline  
Old Jan 7th, 2011, 05:18 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 29,053
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
possible to do all the things you want soaking wet...
rhkkmk is offline  
Old Jan 8th, 2011, 12:55 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrtsO...eature=related
Kalil_Daoud is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Mango7
Asia
16
Feb 16th, 2007 04:42 PM
kdk1965
Asia
4
Mar 4th, 2006 06:12 PM
rtwguy
Asia
4
Dec 26th, 2005 06:22 AM
coripep
Asia
10
Nov 23rd, 2005 10:14 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -