Rites of passage
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The traditional novice ordination sees the boys dressed in ornate costumes and wearing turbans covered with flowers and facial make-up.
Rites of passage
Head to Thailand’s northwest and join locals in celebrating the Poi Sang Long Festival. The revered ceremony makes the passage of boy to man, with young Tai-speaking teenagers leaving home to join the monkhood for a period of several months. The traditional novice ordination sees the boys dressed in ornate costumes and wearing turbans covered with flowers and facial make-up. From tomorrow all through the first week of April, the festival will be celebrated across Tai-speaking communities in Pai (today through Friday) and Mae Sariang (tomorrow through Sunday). In Mae Hong Song’s Muang district, the colourful ritual takes place at Wat Chong Kham (today through Saturday), Wat Mok Cham Pae (Friday to Monday) and Wat Hua Khan (April 8-11). Call (053) 612 982-3.
Chanthaburi marks crucifixion
The Roman Catholic community in Chanthaburi celebrates the traditional Good Friday Way of the Cross at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception this Friday from 5pm. This annual rite marks and commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. Part of the Christian Holy Week that culminates on Easter Sunday, the Catholic communities in the eastern province take a sorrowful walk to mark the Stations of the Cross. You don’t have to be a Christian to follow the procession and feel the pain of Christ.
Here comes summer
There was a time before the arrival of ice cream and cold beer when Thai folks cooled down during the hot summer with khao chae, a cold, flower-scented rice dish eaten with condiments. Jim Thompson restaurant in Bangkok stays true to tradition by serving a special khao chae all this month featuring rice, sweet peppers stuffed with shrimps and chicken and onions stuffed with fried fish. The speciality is available at Jim Thompson in Soi Kasemsan 2 throughout April and at Central Chidlom’s Food Hall from April 8 to 21. Call (02) 235 8931.
Let there be light
Modelled after China’s Zigong Lantern Festival, the Alangkarn Lantern Festival 2015 is lighting up the resort town of Pattaya from today until May 31. Taking place at Thai Alangkarn Theatre in Pattaya, the festival promises an artistic light presentation with most of lantern shapes based on myths, legends, folk customs, historical stories, movies and TV stories. Tickets are Bt150 and Bt100 (children).
