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 Wan
Lai Festival
The heat in Thailand intensifies once the month of April comes.
People of old were wise enough to initiate the Songkran festival to
cool t hemselves
off from the heat and celebrate it as the Thai New Year. In the
central region, the festival is usually held on the 13th, l4th and
15th of April while in the East there is a difference as the water
throwing activities commence on the l6th or 17th, 18th or 19th known
as "Wan Lai" (Flowing Day).
Pattaya City holds its Wan Lai festival annually on April 19th with
activities such as water pouring for the elders, processions and the
fun of dowsing and another with water, a time for Thais and foreigners
alike.
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Pattaya
Festival
usually held at the middle of April to promote tourism and Pattaya's
reputation. Floral floats are paraded along the streets. The Miss
Pattaya Beauty contest is held as well as traditional aquatic sports
competitions and construction of sand castles. A spectacular fireworks
display takes place on the beach and fire crackers are also set off.
Simultaneously, there are arts and cultural performances, exhibitions
and souvenirs for sale.
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Chonburi
Buffalo Races
is held in Chon Buri during October every year. The water buffalo is
one of the mainstays in the life of a Thai farmer, but in this annual
event it is put to more amusing uses than ploughing the local fields,
such as buffalo races and contests pitting buffalo and man. Beauty
contests add to the fun a festival that attracts crowds from nearby
seaside resorts.
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Ancestral
Spirits Ceremony Festival
is at Si Racha District. It is based on an old custom of the people of
Chonburi only practiced now in Si Racha. It is held every year between
April 19-21 on the grounds in front of Tambon Si Racha Municipal
Office and on Ko Loy Si Racha. Activities comprise a parade by the
elderly group and personnel from differrent government agencies,
dressed in traditional folk costumes, ceremonies for the appeasement
of the spirits, demonstration of Kong Khao or rice piling, folk games,
demonstration and sales of local cuisine and delicacies.
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Koh
Pra Sai Wan Lai Festival at Bangsaen
is based on an ancient tradition practiced by generations of
Tambon Saensuk residents, formerly called the Wan Lai Merit-Making
Ceremony. Villagers from various places would gather to make merit for
the Thai New Year(Songkran). Monks from every temple in Tambon Saensuk
congregate to perform religious rites that start with merit-making and
food-offering and the bathing of Buddha images. These are followed by
other activities such as building sand stupas, water-throwing, games
and folk sports.
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Boon
Klang Ban and Phanatnikhom Basketware Festival
is a festival that dates back several years ago usually taking place
during the 3rd to the 6th month of the Thai
lunar calendar. An elder or respected villager determines a day for
merit making and the ridding of ill luck for the well-being of the
people. The religious ceremonies are followed by the sharing of meals
and performances of folk games.
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Loy
Krathong( Light festival)
Thailand's waterways rivers, klongs, even hotel swimming pools will be
ablaze with dazing lights on the evening of Nov. 14, when the Kingdom
celebrates "Loy Krathong" one of the year's most-awaited festivals.
The annual festival, also celebrated in other neighboring countries,
is held on the full moon day of the 12th lunar month. Thais place
great importance in this event and while the best celebrations are
said to be held in Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Sukhothai and Chiangmai, the
event and while the best celebrations are said to be held in Bangkok,
Ayutthaya, Sukhothai and Chiangmai, the event is marked with great
funfair all over the Kingdom.
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The
New year's day
The International New Year Day has been adopted. On
the first of January, people offer food to monks at the temple or at a
particular site designated by government offices of private
organizations. In Bangkok, the Phramaane ground and the lawn in front
of the district offices are popular places.
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