Songkran celebrations in Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai

AYUTTHAYA, April 13 (TNA) - Songkran wars of water are spreading among locals and tourists in provinces while Thai cultures are actively promoted. In Ayutthaya, the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Elephant Kraal welcomed tourists to splash water with three elephants on Phra Si Sanphet road. The elephants were painted with flower patterns with Songkran messages in Thai and English. Mahouts and tourists wore flower-patterned shirts which are popular in the Songkran festival. Visitors enjoyed water wars there as the TAT placed about 20 big jars of water along the road. There was also an area for traditional sand pagodas to recall the history of Ayutthaya. In Chiang Mai, tourists and local people enjoyed water splashes especially along its ancient moat. Many tourists were Chinese. Local residents wore traditional Thai and northern clothing which promoted politeness and Thai cultures. Local residents traditionally cleaned their houses today which they considered as their New Year’s Eve. A highlight in Chiang Mai was a contest of Lanna-styled women who arrived at their contest venue on bicycles while holding paper umbrellas. In Songkhla, large crowds of Malaysian, Singaporean and Indonesian tourists were celebrating Songkran at the venue of Hat Yai Midnight Songkran in Hat Yai district. The Hat Yai municipality closed local roads for people to enjoy water wars. Tourism-related operators in Songkhla said more Thai tourists were visiting the southern province as the government promoted secondary tourist destinations. (TNA)