CHIANG MAI, April 12 (TNA) – The northern province of Chiang Mai marks its 723rd anniversary and starts its Songkran celebrations today.
There was a grand Lanna-styled ceremony to pay homage to three former kings who founded Chiang Mai, at the Three Kings Monument in Muang district. Chiang Mai governor Supachai Iamsuwan presided over the ceremony to honor King Mangrai of Chiang Mai, King Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai and King Ngam Muang of Phayao who established Chiang Mai in 1296.
Participants gave alms to Buddhist monks. Traditional dancers of various ages performed finger nail dances in a procession from the Chang Phuak Gate to the monument.
The ceremony witnessed by huge crowds of tourists also marked the start of Chiang Mai’s Songkran festival.
Although smoke haze was shrouding the northern province, the Chiang Mai branch of the Tourism Authority of Thailand said Chiang Mai was welcoming at least 100,000 tourists who would spend at least 1.2 billion baht during the Songkran holiday. (TNA)
