Traditional ‘Wan Lai’ Celebrations on Koh Sri Chang

Published : April 20, 2010 :: 16:04:53 [ 2,124 views ]

Traditional ‘Wan Lai’ Celebrations on Koh Sri Chang

Traditional Thai celebrations were a big hit with locals and foreigners alike on the islands of Koh Sri Chang and Koh Khram Yai. Residents and visiting tourist participated in a multitude of traditional Thai ceremonies whilst enjoying the warm festival nature that is ‘Wan Lai,’ Songkran.

Koh Sri Chang, the 18^th of April 2010 [PDN]: For over 140 years, since the reign of King Rama V, Koh Sri Chang and the nearby Koh Khram Yai have celebrated the Thai New Year ‘Wan Lai’ festival and this year was now different. Activities and entertainment included ‘Oil Pole Climbing,’ kayak races, traditional Thai dancing and the unique ‘Women Carrying, Girl Overboard’ ceremony.

The unique ‘Girl Overboard’ event is not found anywhere else in the world and involves the men, young and old, foreign or local, choosing a woman to carry into the sea with the aim of bring luck to their respective relationships. The elderly also are seen to carry their grandchildren into the sea in order to bring luck and prosperity to their later lives. This particular tradition was originally designed as a family reunion for the island, which often sent the youth far afield to work only returning home on the Thai New Year.

Many tourists and visiting Thai’s from the mainland had decided to stay overnight on the island of Koh Sri Chang in order to participate in the days festivities. This was seen as a significant boast to the stagnating islands economy which has suffered recently due to the declining tourism industry within the Kingdom.

Comments

luke to hugh

said :

OHH Hugh you are sexy man ,,....me you buy me drink we hav long tim me you.
wahtt yooour nam .........Hugh .

Me luke ....XXX

loonng tim e ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Email : lukeharsley@gmail.com Date : 2010-04-20 21:02:59

MR WHY

said :

Koh Si Chang is a very unspoilt island and very thai. It is totally different from Pattaya and all you sexpats would see a bit of real thai culture.The only problem is you need to take an old boat and walk onto it by a plank of wood. Not so easy for the 65 plus.

Email : why@aol.com Date : 2010-04-20 19:30:35