The Mayor of Hua Hin Mr. Nopporn Wutthikul has lately informed that the celebration for the New Year in Hua Hin would take place at 19-Rai Quuen Sirikit Memorial Park between 26 December 2012 and 3 January 2013. According to the Mayor of Hua Hin, the 1st of January is internationally known as the New Year.
Formerly, the New Year in Thailand was in April during the Songkran Day. Later, the Thai government changed the date to 1 January to suit international tradition while maintaining Songkran as the traditional Thai New Year. Although Thai people celebrate the New Year the same as people around the world do, they also have some unique traditional activities for this festive event, namely offering alms to Buddhist monks, cleaning their house and sending New Year cards to friends and relatives.
To bid farewell to 2012, the New Year celebration in Hua Hin highlights a singing contest, selling of good and cheap products and many stage performances, such as a famous Thai drama on stage or ‘Likeh’ by Watthana Anan Group, concerts of Kung Suthirat, Sao Mad Megadance, Blueberry, Khlerm, Paowalee, Khanom Jin, Ice Saranyu, C Manthanawee and other famous Thai stars. In the evening of 31 December 2012, there will be a big countdown to 2013 with a Buddhist ceremony of holy water springing and praying by Buddhist monks. On 1 January 2013, a Buddhist ceremony of giving alms to Buddhist monks will be held to welcome the New Year. For more information, please contact the Education Division of Hua Hin Municipality at tel. 032 532 433 ext. 402-403.
