So, what is the celebration for?

Wednesday, 29 September 2004

This week, we were asked to come up with a short 5 - 7 minute evening performance for the EP students to do at the end of November as part of a festival that will be going on. We asked what the topic should be or what the festival is about, but no one seems to know. One says it's celebrating water, another says it's just thanking the chedi, and yet another says we're just celebrating the queen all year long because of her birthday. Ajarn Ong-Ard, our principal, wants this performance to somewhat be an advertisement for the English Program, so we know we'll probably do a poem or song of some sort in English. But, every time we ask someone what the purpose of the festival is, they don't know. Today, we're supposed to submit our idea, and the Thai dance teacher and Miss Matt suggested we dress the students up in 30's gear and lip sync a song. We asked, "Why??", and they said it's American. We're thinking, no it's not!

So, we looked up information on the internet, and this is what Christy found on thaiairport.com...And, if you are thinking of visiting us here in Nakhon Pathom, check out the other festivals .....The Miss Jumbo Pageant (at the bottom) I think is the best. When I first decided to come here, I actually saw a snippet on King5 News about this pageant. Quite amusing.

Songkran Traditional Festival: April
* Organized in the vicinity of Phra Pathom Chedi area, it features the processions with decorated floats, dragon and lion groups, as the bathing Buddha images rite and the rite to pay respects to the elder, the honorable persons.

Gliding Luang Por Wat Rai Khing Festival: Held during the 13 th waxing moon day to the 4 th, waning moon day of the 5 th lunar month, every year, altogether 8 days and 8 nights.
* Many forms of entertainment are available such as musical performance, Lie-Kay (Thai song and dance performance), Movies. Local goods are also available for sale.

Food Stuff and Fruit Fair: During Chinese New Year period
* Venue: In the precinct of the Phra Phatom Chedi, Amphoe Muang, Nakhon Phathom.
*Background/Rationale: Phra Pathom Chedi fare held annually during the Chinese New Year period aims at introducing well-known agricultural products of Nakhon Pathom such as pomeloes, coconuts with flavored milk, oranges, guavas, bananas, grapes, Chinese pork sausages, dried and crispy sweeter pork. Additionally, the fair's purpose is to promote tourism in Nakhon Pathom.
* Activities: 1.Exhibiting and selling well-known food products and varieties of vegetables and fruits.
2. Displaying and selling local handicrafts.
3. Showing of local culture and tourist attractions and activities of Nakhon Pathom.

Loi Krathong Festival:November
* Held within the Sanam Chand Palace ground, contests of many interesting items are held such as Krathongs (decorated baskets), hanging lamp shades, Miss Nopamart, including the interesting folklore playing and displaying of fireworks.

Paying homage to Phra Pathom Chedi Fair: Taking place during the 12 th, waxing moon day to the 4 th, waning moon day on the 12 Th, lunar month of every year.
*Venue: In the precinct of the Phra Pathom Chedi, Amphoe Muang, Nakhon Pathom.
*Background: The festival fair for Paying home to Phra Pathom Chedi is held annually for nine days and nights. There are all kinds of entertainment as well as displays of the local products.
*Activities: 1. Paying homage to a relic of Lord Buddha and Phra Pathom Chedi and making
merit.
2. Attending red cross activities.
3. Participating in activities of local schools and government sections.
4. Practicing gun shooting organized by the police.
5. Buying various kinds of goods and products from factories, companies and stores.

Jumbo Banquet & Jumbo Queen Contest:
*Samphan Elephant Ground & Zoo host Jumbo Banquet in May 1 st in honor of the gentle elephant which are so well loved in Thailand. 2 Tons of elephant's favorite edibles are selected for them to feast on and Jumbo Queen contest is provided to find the participant of XL ladies that best exhibits the characteristics of the titanic elephant.