Along the parade route, Bangkokians and visitors mark the statue’s progress with the Thai wai of greeting and by sprinkling perfumed water. The usual destination of Sanam Luang Park has been switched to Khon Muang Plaza (The People’s Plaza) near City Hall for 2017.
The parade signals the traditional start of Songkran, a festival better known for its sanuk (fun) water battles. Phra Buddha Sihing will spend three days at a purpose-built shrine at the plaza before being carried back to the National Museum on the 15 April.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has announced that although Thailand is still in the official period of mourning for King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the water fights will go ahead. The authority says there are 50 designated water fight zones including Khao San Road and Silom Road.
The 12GO ASIA travel team says Thai people travelling to their home towns for Songkran have already started leaving Bangkok. The team says airports, bus and train stations are busy and it pays to pre-book travel tickets to avoid having to wait around for hours for a seat.
Bangkok prepares iconic Buddha statue for Songkran festivities
News in Asia
Curators at the Thai National Museum in Bangkok are preparing one of the facility’s Buddha statues for this year’s Songkran Festival parade. The statue, Phra Buddha Sihing, has been dusted off in preparation for a parade around the streets of Bangkok on Wednesday.