|
|
 |
 |
 |
PAK NAM PHO CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2010
February 7 – 18, 2010
At Pak Nam Pho Market and along the bank of the Chao Phraya River in the Nakhon Sawan provincial centre |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Chinese New Year Countdown on Saturday night, 13 February |
|
The Chao Por-Chao Mae Pak Nam Pho Procession By Night, 16 February |
|
Traditional processions and parades in the day-time on 17 February |
| |
|
 |
The province of Nakhon Sawan is known to the locals by its other name — Pak Nam Pho. This is where the Ping, Wang, Yom, and Nan rivers converge to form the Chao Phraya River — the ‘River of Kings’. Hence, the province is frequently referred to as the ‘gateway’ to the North.
Nakhon Sawan is famous for the Chao Por-Chao Mae Pak Nam Pho fair and procession, organised by Thais of Chinese ancestry in Nakhon Sawan Province during the Chinese New Year celebrations. The festivities are held in honour of Chao Poh Pak Nam Pho, a highly revered deity, hence the origins of its name. The event is held annually. |
| |
|
 |
This year, Nakhon Sawan province will be hosting the Pak Nam Pho Chinese New Year festivities over a period of 12 days and 12 nights during February 7 – 18, with a Chinese New Year Countdown 2010 on the night of 13 February to greet the arrival of the Year of the Tiger, and celebrate 35 years of Sino-Thai relations. The festivities will be held on a 10,000- square-metre stretch of the sandy bank of the Chao Phraya River in Pak Nam Pho. |
Thousand Hand Kuan Yin, Goddess of Mercy and Compassion — a special performance presented courtesy of the People's Republic of China |
The highlights include a light-and-sound show, with the Chao Phraya River providing the perfect backdrop, Thousand Hand Kuan Yin, Goddess of Mercy and Compassion — a special performance presented courtesy of the People's Republic of China (PRC), a variety of other colourful stage performances, including Pak Nam Pho’s own Thai-Chinese performing arts, a fireworks display, and the Lan Boon plaza and Garden of Chinese Deities.
|
A grand banquet or a sumptuous feast is also an equally indispensable element of Chinese New Year festivities. A vast range of traditional and local delicacies will be on offer as part of the Pak Nam Pho Delicious Chinese Food Extravaganza.
There will also be plenty of opportunities to shop for great buys and good bargains.
 |
The Chao Por-Chao Mae Pak Nam Pho Procession By Night on 16 February
The Procession of the Chinese Deities consisting of the Por-Chao Mae Pak Nam Pho Procession, Procession of Goddess Kuan Im, and the Lion Dance and Dragon Procession will be held on the evening of February 16.
The procession of a statue of Chao Por Pak Nam Pho, along with the impressive displays of dragon and lion dances, cultural performances such as the Chinese opera and acrobatics, is a colourful spectacle and a popular attraction among Thais and foreigners.
More traditional street processions and parades will be staged in the day-time on February 17.
The dragon and the lion, both considered to be symbols of good luck and good fortune and prominently featured as the royal regalia in the imperial courts of ancient China, are deemed to be central elements of auspicious rituals and events. The practice vividly demonstrates the faith and unity of local people and long-established cultural ties. |
In addition to providing an opportunity for shopping, the Chao Por Pak Nam Po Fair offers insight into the local way of life. In Pak Nam Pho, the traditional values and beliefs associated with the Chinese New Year celebrations are very much alive and reflects the unquestionable loyalty that Thais of Chinese descent pass on from generation to generation.
| PROGRAMME |
7 February |
|
Opening ceremony of the Pak Nam Pho Chinese New Year Festival |
|
Chinese-style stage performances and cultural shows |
|
8 – 12 February |
|
Thousand Hand Kuan Yin, Goddess of Mercy and Compassion — a special performance presented courtesy of the People's Republic of China |
|
Other Chinese-style stage shows and cultural presentations |
|
13 February |
Chinese New Year Countdown |
14 February |
|
Thousand Hand Kuan Yin, Goddess of Mercy and Compassion — a special performance presented courtesy of the People's Republic of China |
|
Other Chinese-style stage shows and cultural presentations |
|
After midnight, an invocation ritual is performed to pay homage to the Chinese deities. |
|
15 – 16 February |
Folk songs presented by Chao Phraya University
Guang Xi Traditional Chinese puppet theatre |
17 February |
Contemporary music |
18 February |
Closing ceremony and Dragon Flag Ceremony |
Contact information:
Tourism Authority of Thailand, Uthai Thani Office
Tel: +66 (0) 5651 4982
Fax: +66 (0) 5651 2916
E-mail: tatuthai@tat.or.th
TAT Call Center 1672 |
|
| |
|
| |
IMPORTANT
Event dates and programme details may be subject to change.
Many of the festivals and events listed on Thailand's official calendar of annual events are traditional Buddhist or folk festivals, the date of which is either determined by the Buddhist lunar calendar and waxing and waning moon. These are not staged events. The festivals reflect the rhythm of life in rural Thai villages and local traditions as observed in times past. To ensure you have the most updated information, please reconfirm details prior to travel.
Contact:
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Email: info@tat.or.th
Website: www.tat.or.th
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 (120 automatic lines)
Fax: +66 (0) 2250 5511 (two automatic lines)
FOR EVENT INFORMATION,
please call 1672.
Address:
1600 Petchaburi Road, Makkasan, Rajatevee
Bangkok 10400
Thailand |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
