Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Songkran Festival

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Schedule : 13-15 April 2002

Venue : Phra Mongkhon Bophit Hall and Khum Khun Phaen, Amphoe Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

Origin :
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province holds the Songkran Festival with the following objectives:
1. To continue traditions, art, culture, religion, and way of life that have been identities of the Ayutthaya people since ancient times.
2. To build awareness and pride in Thai art and culture in order to show respect to elders whose good deeds have been passed down since ancient times.
3. To enable locals to participate in the festival.
4. To promote tourism of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province.

Activities :
- Merit making, bathing Buddha images, releasing birds and fish, and paying respect to elders.
- Miss Songkran pageant and processions of Miss Songkran and floral floats.
- Cultural performances.
- Songkran water throwing.

Nearby Tourist Spots :
- Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan (Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya)
	was built before Ayutthaya became capital. The temple houses the Luang Pho To or Phra Chao Phanan Choeng Buddha image that is the main image in one of the halls.
- Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon (Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya)
	has a pagoda renovated by King Naresuan the Great to celebrate his victory on elephant back over a Burmese king.
- Ayutthaya Historical Study Center (Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya)
	is a research institute and museum about the Ayutthaya Empire. There is a miniature of the old capital. New technology has been used to display exhibits to enable visitors to easily understand the way of life of Ayutthaya people in the past.
- Chao Sam Phraya National Museum (Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya)
	is the first museum in Thailand to incorporate a new style of display in that there are not too many exhibits and colored lights are used to generate interest.
- Chan Kasem Palace or Na Palace (Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya)
	is on the bank of Pa Sak River in the northeastern corner of the island city. Built in 1569, it is now the Chan Kasem National Museum.

For more information, contact :
- TAT Central Region Office: Area 6 (Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya).
	Tel. (035) 246076-7, fax (035) 246078
- TAT.
	Tel. (02) 6941222 ext. 1962, fax (02) 6941384