The holiday season has come to Bangkok, and people are coming to the city from all over the world to enjoy the local celebrations and festivals. However, we should note that this year’s New Year’s activities will be slightly toned down due to the mourning period that is currently being observed. But as you’re about to learn, there will still be many worthwhile activities hosted here in the Thai capital.
At Centre Point Thong Lo, we are also encouraging our guests to learn more about the traditional ways to celebrate the New Year in Thailand. In addition to joining countdowns and celebrating with friends and family on New Year’s Eve, Thai people are also likely to visit local temples to offer donations, make merit and participate in other rites and activities.
Since some of the entertainment around Bangkok is likely to be toned down this year, this is an excellent opportunity to enjoy some traditional aspects of ringing in the New Year in Thailand. That’s why we’re recommending that our guests pay a visit to Rama IX Golden Jubilee Temple during their stay.
How Do Thai People Celebrate the New Year?
First, we should note that there are several New Year’s festivals observed in Thailand. The most important is Songkran, which is held in April and considered the traditional New Year’s date for Thai culture. The Chinese New Year is observed in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and other cities with prominent Chinese communities. As for the Western tradition, 1 January has been observed as New Year’s Day for about 70 years now.
For the January New Year’s celebration, Thai people often exchange gifts with friends and family members. It’s also common for them to pay a visit to their local temple so that they can make merit, participate in temple rites and otherwise ring in the coming year. Rama IX Golden Jubilee Temple is a popular temple in Bangkok, so it is sure to see its fair share of visitors during this time of year.
Rama IX Golden Jubilee Temple Background
Rama IX Golden Jubilee Temple was established in 1995 under the instructions of His Majesty. In many ways, this temple represented an attempt to return to the origins of Buddhist temples in Thailand – which often had strong roles to play in the local community.
For that reason, the emphasis for this temple was on its functionality rather than its appearance. Compared to some of the more ornate Buddhist temples in Bangkok, Rama IX Golden Jubilee Temple is much more reserved. But it has strong ties to the Bangkok community and is a popular place for locals to worship.
There’s no doubt that Rama IX Golden Jubilee Temple will be buzzing with activity on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. If you would like to pay a visit to this temple whilst staying at Centre Point Thong Lo, please feel free to let our front desk staff know. They can help you arrange transport and offer tips on how to best enjoy your time at the temple.
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