Thais Observe Family Day as Songkran Celebrations Continue

BANGKOK, Aril 14 (TNA) – As the celebrations of Songkran Water Festival continue, Thais nationwide on Monday also observe the Family Day by making merits at temples and important places of Buddhism. In the North, white-clad local people of Chiang Rai province make merits, worship the revered Phra That Doi Thong pagoda that is over 750 years old and prayed for their good luck. In Lamphun province, local people and tourists enjoy water fights on streets and by city moats where water revelry takes place every year. In the Northeast, people in Chaiyaphum province happily splash water on a 2-kilometer-long road section where local authorities install water and foam sprinklers and a fountain tunnel. In Udon Thani province, there are Songkran processions, a ceremony to extend best New Year wishes to 212 old citizens of the Udon Thani municipality, a papaya salad festival, a local food contest, a Songkran beauty pageant, old-fashioned circle dances and the making of sand pagodas. The activities attract a large number of local people and tourists. In the Central Plain, people make merits and pray for good luck at Wat Muang temple in Wiset Chai Chan district of Ang Thong province. The temple houses the world’s biggest Buddha image. (TNA)