Songkran begins in Chiang Mai

CHIANG MAI, April 13 (TNA) -- Water splashing fun begins on the eve the Songkran Day in perhaps the most famous location for the Thai traditional New Year celebration, Chaing Mai city. Moat surrounding the old city area is flocked with Songkran revelers on Wednesday, the typical scene of water festival returns to the city that celebrates the 721st anniversary of its founding this year. Rich in culture of Lanna civilization, Chiang Mai draws a number of tourists during Songkran every year. This year, official number of tourist arrivals has been estimated at 200,000. Eighty five percent of hotel rooms in the city have been booked. Splashing activities are intense in the municipal area, where people take all kinds of vehicles to join the fun. Besides, water fights, water festival parade and religious rites, tourists are able to experience this auspicious time in the Thai lunar calendar with an orchid fair at Ratchapruek Park. Chiang Mai’s Songkran’s celebration is more vigorous this year with activities marking the 721st birthday anniversary of the northern city. People pay homage to Three Kings Monument of King Mengrai, King Ramkamhaeng of Sukhothai and King Ngam Muang of Payao. (TNA)