Siam Paragon transformed for Songkran Festival
To ring in the Thai New Year, the three-day Siam Paragon Enchanting Songkran Festival gets underway from today until Thursday with a showcase of 10 holy Buddha statues and unique traditional activities to celebrate Thailand’s cultural heritage.
This event is a collaboration between Siam Paragon and the Ministry of Culture to transform the Royal Paragon Hall into a temple fair, where guests can enjoy a nostalgic ambience under the concept of “Songkran New Normal: Preserving Thai Culture”.
“Siam Paragon respectfully brings ancient sacred Buddha statues to the public so that Thais and expats can appreciate the beauty of Thai culture. Perfect for family reunions during the Songkran Festival, Siam Paragon offers a variety of promotions and activities to enhance the holiday experience for people of all ages,” said Mayuree Chaipromprasit, president of marketing and corporate relations at Siam Paragon Development.
Visitors can dress in period costumes and pay homage to a collection of ancient sacred Buddha statues such as Phra Bhaisajyaguru, Buddha Partaking a Gallnut Fruit, Buddha Subduing Mara, Replica of Phra Buddha Sihing and Rock Crystal Buddha Subduing Mara, from the Bangkok National Museum and Rattanakosin Treasury.
Meanwhile, religious activities have been designed around the theme of “Dhamma Joy Cools The Mind: Songkran New Normal”, and tomorrow the “Click Jai Hai Dhamma” programme by Phra Maha Vichien Chinawangsothere will conduct a dhamma talk on “Seeing Suffering And You Find A Way Out”.
Besides, the Department of Cultural Promotion is also presenting a variety of cultural performances from different regions. The highlights include the Northern-style dances called Fon Tee and Fon Gai Lai as well as the northeastern-style dances called Praewa Kalasin, Glong Yao, Toey La, Maan Nimit and Leelawadee.
During the day, visitors can also participate in free traditional handicraft demonstrations on how to carve fruit and vegetables, how to make flower garlands, Thai-style scented water and Thai classical perfume, as well as how to cook khao chae (rice soaked in chilled jasmine-scented water), kalamare (coconut caramel sweet), kanom jeen sao nam (Thai rice noodle with coconut milk), and other sweet treats to keep cool in the summer.
The shopping mall is also serving summer menus such as authentic khao chae from Nara Thai Cuisine and The Mandarin Oriental Shop, premium mango sticky rice from Harrods and exclusive sets of noodles by TWG Tea.