Chiang Mai celebrates Songkran - AsiaRooms.com

March 18, 2010 (PRLEAP.COM) Travel News
AsiaRooms.com can reveal that people all over Thailand will be celebrating Songkran, the country's traditional new year festival, from April 13th to 15th.

As the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand, Chiang Mai can be the perfect place to experience this fun-filled occasion.

The act of water-throwing has become one of the most well-known traditions of Songkran and Chiang Mai is no exception.

During the festival, parts of the city descend into a huge water fight as local people and visitors drench each other with buckets, water pistols, hoses and anything else that comes to hand.

Particular highlights of Songkran for people staying at hotels in Chiang Mai include the traditional crowning of the Queen of the Water, which is followed by a procession of females through the city.

As the water battles continue, many people take the opportunity to wade into the Ping River and fill up their buckets or water guns.

Songkran takes place during the hottest period of the year, so these wet activities can be a good way to cool down during the heat of the day.

Despite all this fun, it is important that people using hotels in Thailand remember the other aspects of the festival.

Viewed as a time for cleansing and renewal, Songkran usually finds Thai people spending time with their families, paying respects to elders and visiting temples, where Buddha statues are ceremoniously washed.