By Itsarin Tisantia
New Year is a time of joy and happiness. Many Thai people are waiting to join various colourful activities held to celebrate the coming Year of the Monkey.
This week’s Exercises looks at some of the festivities held in celebration of New Year in Thailand.
Thai people see New Year as a sign of a new start and a special occasion for family get-togethers. So, many will take the opportunity to attend family reunions or to make merit for prosperity.
FUN FESTIVALS
Countdown and music festivals will be held across the kingdom on New Year’s Eve. One of the most popular countdown venues in the country is Pattaya, where the Pattaya Countdown 2016 festival will take place. Held at Bali Hai Pier in the South Pattaya area of Chon Buri province between December 25 and 31, the festival features a concert and a fireworks show. Guest artists include Paradox, Num Kala, 25 Hours, Bank Clash, Buddha Bless and Labanoon.
Another interesting choice is the Bangkok Countdown 2016 festival, which will be held in front of the CentralWorld shopping mall in Bangkok on December 31. The festival presents a concert featuring various popular artists, for example Aof Pongsak, Bodyslam, Pop Pongkul, Jetset’er and Hun The Star.
PEACEFUL PRAYER
Those who would like to celebrate New Year in a peaceful, quiet place are encouraged to attend a mass prayer session at a nearby temple on New Year’s Eve.
This year, numerous temples across the kingdom will arrange overnight praying ceremonies. Well-known religious sites set to hold mass prayer meetings include Phrathat Doi Suthep Voramahaviharn Temple in Chiang Mai, Sraket Ratcha Voramahaviharn Temple in Bangkok, Nekkhammaram Temple in Ratchaburi and Hatyainai Temple in Songkhla.
Exercises
Read through the story and fill in the blanks with the correct words.
1. Hatyainai Temple is located in ________________.
2. The _____________________ festival will be held from December 25 to 31.
3. The Bangkok Countdown 2016 festival will be held on ______________.
4. Bali Hai Pier is situated in the __________________ area.
Vocabulary
- reunion (n): a social occasion or party attended by a group of people who have not seen each other for a long time
prosperity (n): the state of being successful, especially in making money
