Songkran FestivalThe traditional rites of Songkran involve dousing
everyone around you in water as a symbol of cleansing and
purification at the start of the Thai New Year. Songkran is
celebrated nation-wide around Thailand with great gusto, and
equally enthusiastically in the capital city, Bangkok. The
fun-filled festival is held for about three days, centred on wats
and temples where images of Buddha are bathed and the elderly in
the community are symbolically washed by the youngsters. After the
ceremonials, most people take to the baking hot streets for a
merry, wet free-for-all. In Bangkok the best places to experience
the festivities are on the square in front of the Grand Palace
where the Phra Buddha Sihing is bathed; the Wisutkasat, where a
Miss Songkran Beauty pageant is held; and Khao San Road in
Banglampoo where jovial water-throwing reaches new heights in
battles between locals and tourists.Royal Ploughing CeremonyA Thai traditional ceremony that is popular with
tourists and attended by the King is the annual Ploughing Ceremony,
which draws many of the country's farmers to Bangkok to usher in
the start of the new rice-growing season. The ceremony is held in
the heart of the city and dates back more than 2,500 years. The
chief event is a procession in which a red and gold sacred plough
is drawn by flower-bedecked bulls, followed by drummers in green
costumes, and others blowing conch shells or carrying baskets
filled with rice-seed. After the ploughing and ritual feeding of
the bulls, rice seed is scattered and the watching crowds rush onto
the field to gather some grains for good luck, and a good
harvest.Thailand International Swan Boat RacesRacing the graceful oriental Swan Boats has become an
international sport with more than 20 teams, including England,
Australia and the United States, participating in the annual world
championships held in November in Bangkok, on the river near the
ancient capital of Siam, Ayutthaya. The elegant swan boats are
long, narrow round-bottomed boats with upturned bows intricately
carved that resemble swan heads, while the stern represents a
flowing tail.Bangkok MarathonThe Bangkok Marathon is one of the toughest races in
the world due to the heat and humidity the runners have to endure.
No record times here unfortunately, but it still attracts plenty of
serious runners. The race is divided into three categories: the 26
mile (42.195km) marathon, the 13 mile (21.10km) half marathon and
the 6.5 mile (10.55km) quarter marathon.Silom Soi 4 HalloweenThere's nothing Thais love more than a good festival,
and what better way to celebrate Halloween than with a street party
in Bangkok's trendy pedestrianised bar strip, Silom Soi 4. Many of
the bars, clubs and restaurants along this strip combine themed
decorations with promotions, resulting in a great night
out!Chinese New YearBangkok boasts one of the world's largest Chinatowns
and the best way to experience its cultural legacy is take part in
its annual celebration. Each new lunar year, usually starting in
February, the Chinese celebrate its arrival as tens of thousands
tightly pack into Chinatown shoulder to shoulder. Seas of red clad
people, worn to bring luck in the new year, drift with the current
of the crowd between attractions. Papier-mâché lion dances, moon
cakes, firecrackers and general merriment are all part of the fun
but the biggest event is a visit from a royal family member which
is to the great pride of the city's Chinese. A pickpocket's
paradise, tourists should be careful.
|
Main Locations:
Flight Shops in India
City Square Mall, Rajouri
UGF-09 City Square Mall,
Raja Garden New Delhi
Call
011 4351 3720-26
or
email
DT Mega Mall, Gurgaon
Shop No-G4, Golf Course Road, DLF City, Phase - I Gurgaon
Call
0124 464 9800
or
email
|