Songkran 2016 celebrations being enjoyed across Bangkok

BANGKOK – Songkran 2016 has got off to a great start in Bangkok with events taking place across the city, all well attended by locals and international tourists alike. The high temperatures of a Thai summer and the promise of fun at a uniquely Thai festival brought hundreds of people to the streets to cool off while celebrating Thai New Year.
 

Some of the most memorable activities took place at Sanam Luang in front of the Grand Palace, where the revered Phra Buddha Sihing Image was brought out of the National Museum so that people could pay their respects. There were also Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) art and cultural shows held at Wat Pho.
 

This year, there was an emphasis on saving water and many initiatives were put in place to enable everyone to enjoy the traditional water-based fun, while ensuring this precious natural resource was not wasted. People used spray bottles instead of buckets and hose pipes and foam parties were held in front of CentralWorld shopping complex where some of the biggest celebrations took place.
 

As usual, Silom Road was closed to traffic so that Thai and international revellers could join the party and water games. The Banglamphu district and the Khao San Road in particular were the setting for the biggest celebrations in Bangkok. People came from all over the world to join locals with a range of water games and to enjoy shows and live music. The fun continued until well into the evening.
 

In nearby Suan Santi Chaiprakan Park by the Chao Phraya River, tourists got the chance to appreciate the more spiritual side of Songkran by paying respects to the Phra Phutta Bang Lamphu Prachanath Buddha Image.

 

Photo caption: Songkran at Sanam Luang