Songkran Festival

Traditional Thai New Year celebration is an annual affair.  Both Thai and foreign tourists, especially Malaysinas and Singaporeans, came to take part in the water throwing affair.  Songkran takes place from the 13^th to the 15^th of April in the Niphat-Uthit 1-2-3 Road area.  Amphoe Hat Yai.

Draping the Pagoda on Khao Kuti, Ko Yo

A traditional local merit-making cermony of the people of Ko Yo is held in May to honor Somdet Chao Ko Yo, the former abbot of Wat Khao Kuti, greatly revered by the islanders.  The local people weave lengths of cloth for draping the blessed chedi.  On the first day the cloth is taken in aprocession round the island, and on the second, it is placed around the pagoda.

Merit-making on Sat Day (Hae Map Procession)

The ceremony is held in September to make merit to the late relatives by offering food to the monks.  In Amphoe Sathing Phra, there is a so-called “procession of gold figures”, which represent the respected elders.  The ceremony at Ko Yo is alternately held among Wat Khao Bo, Wat Laem Pho, Wat Khok Piao and Wat Thai Yo.

The Traditional Thewo almsgiving and Buddha images Procession

On the day before the ceremony, the pagoda of Khao Tang Kuan mountain is draped with cloth.  Early the following morning, many hundreds of monks descend the stairway on the mountainside to receive alms of food from the faithful at the foot of Khao Tang Kuan mountain.  Later in the day, special ecclesiastical carriages from the various temples in the province of Songkhla are brought out for the faithful to make merit by drawing them.  The carriages, finally come together in the area of an old lily pond.  Then a judgement takes place as to which is the most beautifully decorated vehicle.  At Ban Laem Pho, there is Phleng Ruea, as well.

These festivities take place at Amphoe Muang is Songkhla province on the first day of the waxing noom, usually in October, after the end of Buddhist Lent.

Bull fighting

This is one of the local sports poular among both Thai Buddhists and Thai Muslims in the South, along with Cock-fighting and Siamese fighting fish.

Two bulls are matched in the rign.  Betting by the audience makes the fight even more exciting.  The fighting pair use their horns, hurling themselves together unitl one makes a false step.  Thiese mathces take place once a month on the 1^st Sunday of the month, at Sanam Khlong Ngae, Amphoe Na Thawi; On the 3^rd Sunday of the month, at Sanam Ban Khun Thong, Amphoe Chana; On the 4^th Saturday of the month at Sanam Ban Nam Krachai, Amphoe Muang; On Saturday Sanam Amphoe rattaphum ; On Saturday Sanam amphoe Rattaphum ; On Sunday at Siaek Khuha intersection.  Details are available from Khun Bandan Yimcharoen (01)897-0846.  When bull fights fall on Buddhist holy days, Wan Phra the schedule may be changed.

Nora

It is believed that Nora was conceived in the Siwichai period, around the end of the 12^th century.  There are many legends about the birth of Nora, but they generally agree that the origin was around Songkhla Lake in Amphoe Muang, Phatthalung and in Amphoe Krasae Sin.  Nowadays, the descendents and disciples of Nora gather together to pay their respects to Mae Chao Yu Hua, a sacred Buddha image at Wat Thakhura, Tambon Khlong Ri, Amphoe Sathing Phra.  This image is believed to have been dedicated to Nuanthong Samli, the mother of Nora.  The observances take place on the 6^th and 7^th days of the waning moon, around the end of May.  The ceremonies honor the image and call upon the Nora to fulfill the promise to dance for Hamariyabon, for example, in the costume of a hunter.

Site Map: Songkhla

::: Introduction

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Songkhla Reservation