It's the Thai Lunar New Year-SONGKRAN. Thailand,"The Land of Smiles" welcomes everyone far and near to join in this auspicious celebration from the 11th April till 15th April 2011.
Thai calender year is 2554.That is 543 years difference between the Buddhist calender and the Gregorian year.
The "SONGKRAN" festival happens during the hot season in mid April.
This festival happens in all Buddhist "THEREVADA" countries, i.e. Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Burma (Myanmar).
Songkran is the ancient New Year's Day. Now the official New Year's Day happens on the 1st January.
But the most popular feast in Thailand is still "SONGKRAN".(วันสงกรานต์)
It will be celebrated all across Thailand so choose any one of your destinations here:--Where and when to celebrate SONGKRAN 2011 in Thailand?
Hatyai Midnight Songkran 2009 was a fantastic celebration held at the Hatyai Walk,from Odeon Shopping Center intersection, Niphat Uthit 3 Road,and Sanehanusorn Road.
Never before will you have the opportunity to be honoured as a Thai guest and mixing around with all the local Thai people on the street ,witnessing the water splashing and the events line up.
The Muay Thai boxing ring is right in the middle with the food stalls all along the road will make you busy all night long with non stop entertaiment.
The Programmes This Year 2011(2554):
11April:- 5.30 pm - 10.00 pm
Miss Songkran beauty contest and free concert.
12April:- 7.00 pm - 10.00 pm
Hat Yai Midnight Songkran procession and Opening Ceremony on Sanehanusorn Road (in front of Lee Gardens Plaza)
4.00 pm - 1.00 am
Foam Party on Sanehanusorn Road Street
Performances Muay Thai and dance sport, concerts featuring Big Ass, Neko Jump, Khanom Jean, and local youth bands
13th April:- 9.00 am
The presentation of merit-making offerings to Buddhist monks and temples Seek blessings from elders in the Rot nam dam hua ceremony
Scented lustral water and other ritual offerings are presented to elders and individuals held in high esteem in a gesture of respect.
Procession of the Phra Puttha Sihing Buddha image and the ritual bathing of the sacred Buddha image
It's never too old to join in the fanfare. Catching up good old days of childhood enjoyment.
Modern days splashing with water gun.
She's well equip with her water bullets.
Kids really enjoy all the splashing.
Haadyai has a new added attraction --the KLONG HAE floating market which was opened way back in late 2008.
There will be a traditional Thai Songkran here and do check it out as well.
The celebration theme is "Journey back in time to Songkran Celebrations of Times Past" (Songkran Yon Vithi Thai)
APRIL 13 - 15, 2011
The presentation of merit-making offerings to Buddhist monks and temples.
Seek blessings from elders in the Rot nam dam hua ceremony
Scented lustral water and other ritual offerings are presented to elders and individuals held in high esteem in a gesture of respect.
Be part of the local scene — dress up in a traditional Thai costume and join the fun-filled Songkran water-splashing.
Shop for local handicrafts. Enjoy the delicious local cuisine and colourful entertainment at the floating market throughout the three days.
Hotels around Haadyai have been fully booked days ahead but don't worry.
Songkhla town is also having one to be held at Sala Thai at Laem Samila cape.
The Cat and Mouse statue. Ko Nu and Ko Maeo well-known symbol of Songkhla, is situated off the shore of Laem Samila.
A legend says that a dog, a cat, and a mouse, on a Chinese sampan stole the merchant’s magic crystal and tried to swim ashore but drowned and lost their lives.
The mice and cats became the islands in the Songkhla Lake while the dog died on shore and became the hill called Hin Khao Tang Kuan near the bay.
The crystal was totally destroyed and became the white sandy beach called Hat Sai Kaeo.
A bronze mermaid statue on the Samila beach is the landmark of this cape.
There are other quiet beaches around the cape which are good for swimming.
Restaurants and small resorts are available here.
While in Songkhla,don't miss the Songkhla Aquarium.
Getting to Songkhla by local bus from Haadyai takes about 45minutes.
Bus Fare about Baht18(2009)
At the Kim Yong market,walk across the road to the other market area called Yongdee where there is a newly completed Hatyai Square,there are many buses that pass by the main road here.
Budget Accomodations:-
Guest House Romantic.=with cold shower and TV. The rooms are from 250bht, and 350bht for a large room, with air con.
Songkhla Guest House=Rong Mueang, Bo Yang, Mueang Songkhla (A street behind the National museum, parallel to Th. Chana / night market). For 250 baht, you'll get an average sized clean room with fan and TV, cold shower outside (small and combined with toilet, but clean). Most expensive rooms additionally have a/c and en-suite hot shower. 150-450 baht.
Yoma I Guest House=Rong Mueang, Bo Yang, Mueang Songkhla (same street as Songkhla Guesthouse).
ABC Guest House=Very friendly owner. 140-300 baht.
Queen Hotel. Good value accommodation with hot shower, TV and a/c. 330 Bath.
Beautiful and sweet Miss Songkran Thai.
Songkran consists of four days:
1. The first day is called Wan Sungkharn Long. On this day, houses are cleaned and swept.
2. The second day is called Wan Nao. On this day, food is prepared to be offered to monks the next day.
3. The third day is New Year's Day, or Wan Payawan. This day is celebrated by visiting the temple, presenting food and clothing to the monks, bathing the Buddha image with jasmine-scented water, and taking part in one of the many rituals believed to bring good luck.
4. The fourth and last day is called Wan Parg-bpee. On this day, repect is paid to ancestors and elders. Water is gently poured over the hands or shoulders of an elder while they recite blessings and good wishes for the new year.
Distances from Amphoe Muang Songkhla to Neighbouring Districts:
Ranot 73 kilometres-- northern part of the Songkhla Lake.
Hat Yai 26 kilometres-- largest city of Songkhla Province,
Krasae Sin 74 kilometres--north is Songkhla lake while Thale Luang and Thale Noi on the west,
Na Mom 34 kilometres --Chanonda Lake View Resort near Na Mom Rail Station.
Sathing Phra 36 kilometres-- west is Thale Luang, the north Songkhla Lake,east Gulf of Thailand
Chana 37 kilometres--Kuan Plaithap is a 1,586 ft / 484 m mountain peak
Singhanakhon 26 kilometres-- The Port of Songkhla
Thepha 73 kilometres--Neighboring districts are Nong Chik, Khok Pho of Pattani Province.
Khuan Niang 72 kilometres--Volunteer Thailand
Na Thawi 52 kilometres--beside the state of Kedah, Malaysia.
Rattaphum 60 kilometres--formerly known as Kamphaeng Phet
Saba Yoi 104 kilometres--The San Kala Khiri National Park located here.Also beside Kedah state.
Bang Klam 46 kilometres--a village near Haadyai
Sadao 70 kilometres--or Danok near Changlun Malaysian immigration border
Klong Hoi Khong 43 kilometres--near Haadyai locations
Exiting from the Sungai Golok train station,a map of the district is being displayed and very handy.
