From 12 to 17 April 2010, the Cha-Am Municipality and local communities in the area organized the Songkran Festival to celebrate traditional Thai New Year’s, bringing colorful and lively atmosphere to the famous beachfront town of Thailand. In downtown Cha-Am, the Festival begins on 13 April at 7 a.m. in front of the Cha-Am Municipality where local people joined in an alms offering to Buddhist monks, showering Buddha images and pouring water on hands of the senior of 27 communities to ask for their blessing, said the Cha-Am Mayor Mr. Nukul Pornsomboonsiri.
In the afternoon, starting from 1 p.m., the Petchaburi Governor Mr. Chai Panitpornpan presided over the 11 Songkran lady procession from the Long Beach Hotel Cha-Am to the Cha-Am Municipality. Afterwards, fun activities, namely beach boxing and traditional games from Cha-Am communities, were carried out at the Cha-Am Center of Local Culture. At night, the ‘luk thung’ music performance by Tai Orathai wowed the big crowd of Thai and foreign tourists. Not only does the Cha-Am municipal area enjoy the Songkran Festival but many other communities there also celebrate the Thai New Year’s.
On 12 April, the Baan Sra Community organized a luncheon offering to Buddhist monks and pouring water to hands of the senior and asking for their blessing, whereas the Baan Nong Tapod Community held a retro-Thai dance activity and traditional folk singing. On 14 April, the Ban Sai Yoi Community organized a luncheon offering to Buddhist monks. The Thung Takaad Pli Community donated money for the senior of over 70 years old and the Baan Nong Jaeng held an activity of making sand Chedis at temples.
On 15 April, the Baan Nong Jaeng organized a luncheon for Buddhist monks. On 16 April, the Saha Khaam Community organized an alms offering to Buddhist monks in the morning, whereas the Boh Putsaa Community held a luncheon for monks, pouring water on the senior’s hands and dinner for members of the community committee. A joint-sport event was hosted by the Baan Khlong Thien, Saphan Hin and Baan Pak Klong Communities.
On 17 April, besides an annual festival at the Wat Cha-Am Khiri monastery and the water festival, Buddhist ceremony was organized at the Boh Khaem, Baan Phli, Nong Ta Phod, Cha-Am Market and Hua Baan Cha-Am Communities as well. Not only do all activities for Songkran represent diverse culture of local people and communities in Cha-Am but they also offer a lot of fun and blessing for the dawn of the Thai New Year’s which is considered the hottest time in Thailand.
