Songkran aims for a splashy world record

[Admin]

Songkran aims for a splashy world record  
The Nation: 13 Apr 2011

Many corners of the country got a head start on the Songkran Festival yesterday.

Revellers in Bangkok, for example, did not need to wait until today for the celebrations to kick off.

Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra presided over the launch of a variety of activities to commemorate the important occasion.

The first was to bring the muchrevered Phra Buddha Sihing image out of the National Museum for the public to pay respects to and ask for blessings, as Songkran marks the Thai New Year.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has organised a full slate of fairs, cultural shows and traditional games.

At 7am today, a meritmaking ceremony will be held in front of City Hall, with the governor attending.

Then at 4pm, more than 3,000 challengers will gather at the vast plaza of CentralWorld to shoot water from their cannons at each other for at least 10 minutes nonstop, in an effort to get into the Guinness Book of World Records.

Khao San Road promises to attract huge crowds as usual. The water fights there are always cool, but the turnout may be even bigger this year because Kim Jeong Hoon, a South Korean actor from the popular TV series "Princess Hour", will join a parade down this worldfamous venue.

Security measures are in place to ensure that the merrymaking on Khao San will be not just fun but also safe. Booze is strictly prohibited.

As Khao San is a popular haunt for foreigners, a Miss Songkran beauty contest will be held again, welcoming contestants from various countries.

The Culture Ministry is calling on Thais to celebrate Songkran in a modest manner.

"Don't put ice into the water and don't throw water at someone," permanent secretary Somchai Sianglai said.

The United States has sent New Year's greetings to the Thai people.

On the US Embassy's website appears a message from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

"On behalf of US President [Barack] Obama and the American people, I send best wishes to the people of Thailand as you celebrate the Songkran Festival and the Thai New Year in the coming days."

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2011/04/13/national/Songkran-aims-for-a-splashy-world-record-30153118.html
 

[isanbirder]

"Don't put ice in the water and don't throw water at someone".

Where's he been living all these years?

[Admin]

People urged to celebrate Songkran in traditional way 
The Nation: 13 Apr 2011

BANGKOK, 13 April 2011 (NNT) – The Ministry of Culture will campaign people, notably teenagers nationwide to celebrate Songkran Festival in customary way as a number of young revellers are enjoying the festival against the tradition.

Permanent Secretary for Culture Somchai Sianglai admitted that Songkran celebration had been distorted as people were splashing water violently, using high-pressure water gun, adding ice when they splash water as well as drinking alcohol and driving while enjoying the water festival.

Mr Somchai noted that the majority of teenagers also did not engage themselves in ‘Rot Nam Dam Hua’ ceremony to pay respect to revered adults and seek blessings from them according to the custom while some traditions such as making sand moulds in monasteries had been neglected.

The permanent secretary added that the core of Songkran tradition was fading away as teenagers were focusing on splashing water to relief the summer heat instead of participating in activities in monasteries and among family members.

Mr Somchai hence announced that his ministry would campaign Thai people to celebrate Songkran festival in traditional manner by seeking cooperation from local administrative organizations to help campaign and revive the tradition of making sand moulds in temples during the Songkran Festival.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255404130010