Ayutthaya Festivals :

AYUTTHAYA MAHA MONGKHON (BUDDHIST LENT FESTIVAL) (visit 9 temples in the province)

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Provincial Administration in collaboration with the Tourism Business Association and TAT Central Region Office: Region 6, organise the Ayutthaya Maha Mongkhon programme for participants to visit 9 temples in the province during the Buddhist Lent Festival. Booklets for this annual programme that have undergone a chanting ceremony are obtainable at the Ayutthaya Tourism Centre (Old City Hall) or Information Counter at the Ayutthaya Park Shopping Centre, and hotels/restaurants with a programme sign within the province. After that, visit the temples, pay respect to sacred images and have your booklet stamped by following the map provided. Once having visited

all the nine temples, participants will be presented with an Ayutthaya Maha Mongkhon memorial coin and a chance to win a prize. For more information, contact the Ayutthaya Tourism Business Association at Tel. 0 3521 3828–9 ext. 101

BANG SAI ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR (Bang Sai Arts & Crafts Centre)

The annual fair shows products of H.M. the Queens SUPPORT programme. Visitors will enjoy shopping, and viewing exhibitions and demonstrations of local products from each district of Ayutthaya. Folk entertainment performances enliven the fair.

BANG SAI LOI KRATHONG (Bang Sai Arts & Crafts Centre)

Celebrations include traditional float (Krathong) and beauty contests, handicraft demonstrations and exhibitions, special events, and krathong launching beneath the full moon.

PHRA NAKHON SI AYUTTHAYA MINI LIGHT AND SOUND SHOW

PHRA NAKHON SI AYUTTHAYA MINI LIGHT AND SOUND (Ayutthaya Historical Park)

Ayutthaya was the capital of Siam for 417 years under the rule of 33 kings. It as a compostie of Tai Culture,which has since evolved, serving as the foundation of modern Thailand and the current Thai way of life. In recognition of its historical significance, this historical site was placed on UNESCO's World Heritage list on 13 December 1991. The celebration is held annually for 1 week during the same period of the year.

Presentation of the night splendour of the Ayutthaya period architecture highlighted in the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Light and Sound Show, providing a glimpse at the culture and royal cuisine of the time.

SONGKRAN FESTIVAL

In Front of Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit. The traditional Thai New Year is an occasion for merry making in Ayutthaya, with religious ceremonies as well as public festivitis. Anyone who ventures out on the streets is likely to get a thorugh soaking, but all in a spirit of fun at the peak of the hot season.

WAI KHRU BUCHA TAO CEREMONY

Amphoe Nakhon Luang

A ceremony held by blacksmiths and knife-makers of Aranyik knives at Ban Ton Pho, Ban Phai Nong and Ban Salai, Tambon Tha Chang, Amphoe Nakhon Luang to pay salute to their masters and forge spirits.

The ceremony is usually held on an early Thursday morning which may be the 7th, 9th, etc. day of the waxing moon of the 5th lunar month (around April – May) in order to express gratitude to their masters, sweep away possible accidents during their works as well as for their own auspiciousness and prosperity. After chanting for a congregration of angels and saluting the Triple Gem, the master of the ceremony will chant for a congregration of gods which include Siva, Vishnu, Brahma, Vishnukarma, Matuli, Vaya, Gangga, 8 ascetics, etc. as well as Thai, Lao, Mon, and Chinese masters who have imparted them with the ironwork skills, for them to receive their offerings and bless all participants. All tools and equipment will be gilded and lustral water made to sprinkle on the tools and participants.

Information by : Tourism Authority of Thailand