Chiang Mai to host 'Grand Lanna Civilisation, Songkran Festival'

Thailand's northern province of Chiang Mai is to host a major festival that will combine the cultural heritage of the country’s popular New Year festival with the historic heritage of its ancient Lanna kingdom, during which Chiang Mai was founded.

The “Grand Lanna Civilisation, Songkran Festival” will be organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in Chiang Mai between 2-15 April 2004. It will feature a colourful array of cultural shows, music festivals, shopping and food fairs.

The event will commemmorate the culture and civilisation of the Lanna Kingdom whose founder King Mengrai established Chiang Mai in 1297. The Lanna kingdom flourished for 200 years, and its culture remains a strong part of Thailand's northern provinces of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Lamphun, Phayao, Phrae, Nan and Mae Hong Son.

In turn, the Songkran Festival in April celebrates the Thai New Year and has become popular for its water-related activities.

These cultural and historic traits are also shared by some of the GMS countries, especially those that border the Lanna group; namely, southern China (Yunnan province), Myanmar and Laos.

TAT Governor Mrs. Juthamas Siriwan said, “This is a good opportunity to present the greatness of this shared culture. We are trying to highlight the Lanna civilisation along the Mekong River nationally and internationally through cultural tourism activities and awareness campaigns.”

“It is also in line with the plan of the Royal Thai Government to focus increased attention on Chiang Mai as the aviation and tourism hub of North Thailand,” Mrs. Juthamas added.

All the activities being organised are compatible with the concept of the event, such as the Grand Water Festival (Maha Songkran), the cultural shows, handicraft exhibitions promotion of tourism products, Lanna cuisine festivals, and sales of the One Tambon One Product (OTOP) items.

Mrs. Juthamas said, “We believe both foreign and domestic visitors will find plenty to do during this long festival. They can also witness the cultural processions and local entertainment, and traditional dress shows.”

The entire city is to be decorated and illuminated in line with the theme of the festivals. Local people have been requested to dress in their traditional clothes, and proper arrangements are being made to manage traffic flows and security.

In 2002, Chiang Mai is estimated to have received 3.46 million international and domestic visitors, up 0.23 % over 2001. Arrivals in 2003 were affected by the SARS crisis and the Iraq war but are expected to pick up strongly again this year. Visitor arrivals to Thailand in 2004 are targeted by TAT at 12 million and expenditure is targeted at 4,000 baht per person per day.