The three most important holy days of the year for Thai Buddhists all include the word "Puja," which means to pay homage. Asanha Puja commemorates the day the Lord Buddha preached his first sermon. Makha Puja marks both the occasion when 1,350 of the Buddha's disciples gathered without prior notice and listened to the Buddha elaborate some of his most important teachings in a sermon, as well as the day he foresaw his own death and attainment of Nibbana (Nirvana).

But the most auspicious of the three is Visakha Puja, which simultaneously commemorates three important anniversaries in the life of Siddharta Gautama, the Lord Buddha: his birth, his enlightenment, and his death.

Visakha Puja Day falls every year in the month of May. This year it is Friday, May 28.

On Visakha Puja Day, Buddhists demonstrate their high regard for the Triple Gems of Buddhism philosophy: The Lord Buddha, the great teacher; The Dhamma, Lord Buddha's teachings; and The Sangkha, the brotherhood of Buddhist monks.

At the first light of dawn, Thais visit the temples to listen to sermons by revered monks and make merit. Shortly after sunset, candle-lit processions take place at major temples throughout the country. The devout Buddhists walk three times around the principle chapel clockwise, each clasping three incense sticks, a lighted candle and lotus buds. The air is filled with burning incense and smoke from the candles as the faithful complete this most sacred of Buddhist celebrations.

Source: Public Relations Department of Royal Thai Government

Born of the traditional beliefs of the I-san people, the “Bun Bang Fai” Rocket Festival, the most celebrated of I-san’s merit-making rituals, has been strictly observed by the residents of I-san for generations. It is essentially an annual ritual to ensure that the seasonal rains fall at the appropriate time in the planting cycle. In this process, Buddhist merit-making traditions are also observed and reinforced.

The Bun Bang Fai Rocket Festival is scheduled to be held from 5-9 May 2010 at Phaya Thaen Park, Yasothon province, about 531 kilometers northeast of Bangkok. Highlights of the celebrations being held this year include a procession of rockets mounted on traditional carts, a beauty pageant and OTOP product fair.

The festival, which is held over a period of three days, strengthens community spirit. The first day known as wan suk dip features lively processions as rocket teams transport the rockets in a procession and perform a ritual to pay homage to chao pu, the spirit of the city pillar. Each is escorted by a colouful dance troupe.

The second day is the rocket procession day. Modern-day rockets are mounted on vehicles or traditional carts to be drawn in the parade. The “Bang Fai” rockets come in different sizes, packing with one to 120 kilograms of nitrate. The rocket-making technicians play a vital role in deciding the right amount of nitrate to be mixed with the charcoal. With the wrong formula, a rocket could blow up prematurely before it is launched high into the sky. The rocket cylinder is usually made from the bottom half of the bamboo plant.

It is also a day for the ordination of novices with festive celebrations following merit-making rituals. Dance, music, song and revelry are integral elements of the processions as the parade of beautifully decorated rockets wind their way through the village on their way to the temple offering an opportunity for the residents and visitors to admire the impressive works of art.

The rockets are finally launched on the third day in which various rocket contests are held. With the launch of the rockets, predictions are made with regard to the fortunes of the coming harvest. The Rocket Festival in Yasothon Province is spectacular and provides a tremendous opportunity to experience I-san-style festive fun.

Source: Foreign Office, The Government Public Relations Department. Photo from Reuters.

This week sees the celebration for the start of the traditional Thai new year. From the 13th-15th April, Thai people will be dressing up in new clothes and visiting the local temple to make merit and to their grandparents in order to receive blessings. Afterwards, the youngsters will be out on the street taking part in the world's biggest water fight.

* If you go out during Songkran, then you are fair game. Don't complain if you are squirted in the face with a water pistol or someone rubs white powder on your face. Although it might not seem like it, they are actually taking part in a centuries old tradition of paying respect to their elders. Let them do it and smile. Resistance is useless.

* If you are a woman, try not to dress provocatively - particularly spaghetti strap tops or white t-shirts that become revealing when wet. Thai people are traditionally conservative, but some young men will take advantage of Songkran to grope you. Many of them have been partying all night and are drunk.

* Keep your cool at all times. Everyone is just having fun. Be prepared for the buckets of water which have been pre-chilled with ice. Also beware that people might come up to you from behind to smear white powder on your face. If they are polite they will ask first. But, you won't see that happen often. Try not to move too much when they are doing it as you might end up with the paste in your eyes. However, that is inevitable the longer you stay out.

* Don't wear your best clothes. If you take your camera then make sure you also have a plastic bag. Better still, buy a camera that is waterproof. Last year, many people ended up with soggy mobile phones that stopped working. The mobile phone vendors do good business during Songkran repairing them.

* By law you have to carry your passport at all times. However, during Songkran you are running the risk of your important documents getting wet. Make photocopies of your passport to take out with you and leave all important documents in the hotel safe.

* If you don't want to take part in the water fights then you will need to stock up for at least 3-4 days. Some expats go out to buy enough DVD movies and food to last them the holidays. If you do venture out, the chances are high that you will get soaked by one of the mobile water units on the back of a pick-up truck.

* The shopping malls and movie theatres are all open during Songkran. So, you can use these places as a safe haven. However, getting to them safely might be a problem. If you have to use public transport, make sure you use an air-conditioned bus or meter taxi. If you use a normal bus with the windows down or a tuk tuk then you will get soaked.

* If you are going out in your car, try to stick to the main roads. There is no point in washing your car before or during Songkran. Wherever you go your car will get plastered with white paste. Make sure that you have topped up your windscreen wipers with plenty of water. You will use them often. Whatever, you do, don't forget to LOCK all car doors. If you stop at traffic lights or in a traffic jam, they will try to open your doors.

* Songkran is not just about water fights. Do make an effort to see the more traditional side. Early in the morning Thai people will be going to the temples to make merit. They will also bathe the monks and Buddha images with rose scented water. In the afternoon, they will build sand pagodas in the temple grounds.

If you are in Thailand, then I hope you go out and have some fun! The temperature is above 35 degrees Celsius and this is a good way to cool down. However, if you are not in Thailand, then try visiting your local Thai temple. Many of them will be holding Songkran activities. Hopefully some of our bloggers abroad will be writing about that.

Happy New Year!

(This blog was originally published at thai-blogs.com)

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) invites foreign visitors to join the Thai people in celebrating the Thai New Year festivities between 13-15 April 2010, in Bangkok and major provinces nationwide.

In true Thai style, the “Songkran Splendours 2010” will be marked with great fun in the Thai capital as well as in the popular tourist provinces of Chiang Mai, Sukhothai, Khon Kaen, Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Chonburi, Samut Prakan, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, and Phuket.

The Royal Thai Government has announced 16 April 2010, as a national holiday so the Thai people will have a long holiday from 10 -18 April 2010 (including the weekend) to celebrate the Songkran Festival. Bangkok especially becomes entirely traffic-free during this period, and hence very easy to get around, with all the department stores, shopping complexes, and other tourist attractions all still open. Tourists can enjoy Songkran in Bangkok; such as, the Grand Songkran Festival at Wat Pho on 10 April, 2010 and the Songkran Festival Celebration along Silom Road during 13-15 April 2010.

The Songkran Festival is a fun-filled national celebration that pays tribute to the role of water in Thai social, cultural, economic and spiritual life. Marked during the peak of the summer heat wave, it includes the annual bathing of Buddha images carried out at temples and homes across the country.

The word "Songkran" means a passage or course and refers to the position of the sun within the solar system. As the sun enters each of the houses of the zodiac constellation, a songkran cycle is completed.

Over time, the use of the term has become more generic. During this time, the sun is equidistant to the earth, so there is an equal number of hours during the day and night, a phenomenon known as "maha songkran" (the supreme cycle). This marks the beginning of the Thai New Year. During this period, many men also enter the monkhood as an expression of respect and gratitude to their parents and ancestors.

A spirit of good-natured fun permeates the holiday season. Songkran embodies the essential caring and unity at the core of Thai society — enduring qualities that make Thailand truly amazing.

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The “Chulalongkorn Day or “Piya Maharaj Day” is considered as the memorial day for King Chulalongkorn, or King Rama V, which falls on 23 October every year. King Chulalongkorn the Great was one of the most important kings of the Chakri Dynasty. The most prominent contribution he made was slavery abolition as well as numerous national reforms undertaken to modernize the country.

King Chulalongkorn “Phra Chula Chom Klao Chao Yu Hua” succeeded to the throne at the death of his father, King Rama IV “Phra Chom Klao”. He was born on September 20, 1853, the first son of Queen Ramphai Pamarapirom (Thepsirindra) and the 9th surviving son of King Mongkut. King Rama V ascended the Throne in 1868 at the age of 15, with Chao Phraya Sri Suriyawongse as Regent. His death on 23 October 1910 was a great loss to the entire nation as he was one of the most honored and beloved kings, who was praised as “Somdej Phra Piya Maharaj- the Great and Beloved King”.

The King’s reforms have greatly benefited every aspect of Thai life, especially the abolition of slavery, the expansion of the communication system through the construction of railways, the establishment of post, telegraph services and the creation of a ministerial system, which all the current ministries and departments owe their origin of his initiatives. Moreover, the King established a variety of public utilities as well, particularly in the fields of health care and education. At that time, the world did not allow him to proceed smoothly with his administrative reforms as it coincided with the age of colonialism. The King, therefore, had to adapt his foreign policy to maintain a balance and multilateral relations as well as avoid confrontation with the major powers. In the last period of his reign, the nation lost a lot of lands to France. At the time of the crisis, Thailand was eventually able to keep independence even if some of the territories were sacrificed.

King Rama V’s long reign of 42-years was a prosperous era of national reforms and the emergence of Thailand into the modern epoch. He learned the systems of Western Governments and also sent the royal children to receive education in the West. Furthermore, he was the first Thai monarch who traveled frequently to neighboring and other countries around the globe.

During his reign, King Chulalongkorn wished to make His people less subservient. After the coronation in 1873, he proclaimed that prostration in front of the king be abolished. Later, in 1905, the slavery was completely ended. This slave abolition was the most important royal contribution to the nation. The Slave Act was enacted by the King in 1905 to prohibit slave trade. Apart from slavery abolition, all of his numerous contributions and reforms for the prosperity and sustainable development for the nation were too numerous to mention.

Up until now, Thai people believe in the King’s miraculous power of bringing good luck and prosperity to the persons who pays respect to him. Thus, the King’s pictures are normally seen in almost every house across the nation. People from all walks of life generally pay tribute to the Great King and lay wreaths at the Equestrian Statue, which is located at the Royal Plaza in the Capital City of Bangkok.

Source: Thai Public Relations Department

Thailand celebrates Her Majesty the Queen’s birthday today with many activities to pay tribute to the “Mother of the Land.” Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has urged the people to conduct good deeds in order to show gratitude to Her Majesty, who has contributed tremendously to the nation.

Her Majesty turns 77 on 12th August 2009. She was born in 1932, when Thailand changed its administrative system from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. Her birthday is also observed as National Mother’s Day.

Originally, Thailand observed April 15 as National Mother’s Day as designated by the Cabinet in 1950. The celebration of National Mother’s Day was later discontinued, but in 1976, the National Council on Social Welfare of Thailand proposed that Her Majesty’s birthday be designated National Mother’s Day. The Cabinet approved the proposal and the celebration of National Mother’s Day was resumed in 1976. To celebrate Mother’s Day each year, the National Council on Social Welfare of Thailand selects outstanding mothers of the year, who are presented with awards as model mothers.

One of the activities launched jointly by several organizations to mark Mother’s Day is to take mothers to travel for pleasure. The activity provides an opportunity for family members to spend time together, thus promoting the bonds of love and care for mothers. In Thai society, a mother is accorded the highest significance as the giver of life and the person who nurtures and brings up family members. She is also someone who works for a living to help sustain the household and who teaches knowledge and skills until the children become self-supporting, all this without demanding anything in return.

Her Majesty the Queen devoted her time and energy to the caring for the four royal children during their younger days. With all her official functions and duties, she still arranged her schedule to spend as much time as possible with her children. When the royal children approached adulthood, Her Majesty found more time to involve herself in many areas of public life, especially concerning public welfare and the plight of the poor and the underprivileged.

For almost 60 years Her Majesty has worked side by side with His Majesty the King to eliminate difficulties within the Kingdom. Throughout the long period, she has never complained of weariness but has always been happy to be in the middle of people. Her kind heart and deeds are known not only to Thai people but also to the world at large. She appreciates good deeds conducted by the people in celebration of her birthday, saying that they reflect the spirit of giving and dedication, as well as the unity of the people.

It is truthful to say that Her Majesty the Queen is deeply loved and admired by her subjects. August 12 each year is a special day for Thailand’s people to pay tribute to their beloved Queen, who is recognized as Mother of the Land and who has always been a loving and devoted mother.

Source: Public Relations Department

The Day of Vesak, or Visakha Puja, falls on the full moon day of the sixth lunar month, coinciding with May 8 this year. About 2,000 Buddhist leaders from all over the world have joined an International Buddhist Conference on the United Nations Day of Vesak in Thailand, scheduled for May 4-6.

Visakha Puja commemorates the birth of the Buddha, his attainment of enlightenment, and his passing away. An extraordinary aspect of the occasion is that the three incidents took place on the same day but different years. The Buddha attained enlightenment at the age of 35 and passed away at the age of 80. He spent 45 years propagating his principle of freedom from suffering.

The United Nation General Assembly at its 79th plenary meeting in late 1999 adopted the resolution for international recognition of the Day of Vesak. The resolution recognizes that the Day of the Full Moon in the month of May each year is the day most sacred to Buddhists. The international recognition of Visakha Puja also acknowledges the contribution that Buddhism has made for over 2,500 years.

The Buddha taught mutual loving-kindness and forbearance for the sake of peace and happiness in society. Since these principles are shared by the United Nations Charter, the United Nations declared that Visakha Puja was a day of universal significance, and directed that observances be held, as appropriate, at the United Nations Headquarters and other United Nations offices in May each year.

Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana represented His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn in presiding over the opening ceremony of the International Buddhist Conference on the United Nations Day of Vesak 2009. In her address, she said that the Buddha’s teachings provide all of the virtues necessary for discovering the Dhamma and preaching it throughout the world for the sake of peace, happiness, and welfare of both the individual and the world as a whole. Major topics of discussion at the conference included Buddhist Approach to the Environmental Crisis, Buddhist Approach to the Economic Crisis, and Buddhist Approach to Political Conflict and Peace Development.

Buddhism began to make its way into Thailand during the time of King Asoka the Great of India in the year B.E. (Buddhist Era) 218. After its introduction into Thai society, Buddhism gained wide acceptance because of its emphasis on tolerance and individual initiative, which complemented the Thais’ cherished sense of inner freedom. It has had a profound influence over Thai arts, culture, tradition, and learning. More importantly, it has dominated the character of the vast majority of the Thai people.

At present, Thailand is the location of the headquarters of the World Fellowship of Buddhists, an international Buddhist organization which promotes coordination and cooperation to enhance Buddhism throughout the world. There are currently around 32,700 Buddhist monasteries and more than 350,000 monks across the country.

Source: The Government Public Relations Department