April 13, 2013 at 0730hrs at Tha Pae Gate Fairground, Muang District, Chiang Mai Province, PM Yingluck presided over the opening ceremony of Chiang Mai Lanna New Year Celebration 2013. She was joined by Culture Minister Sontaya Kunplome; Transport Minister Chatchart Sittipan; Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom; Science and Technology Minister Worawat Auapinyakul; Social Development and Human Security Minister Santi Prompat; Prime Minister’s Office Minister Sansanee Nakpong; Education Deputy Minister Sermsak Pongpanit; Chiang Mai’s Members of the House of Representatives; foreign Consuls to Chiang Mai; Governor of Chiang Mai, Mr. Thanin Supasaen; Chief Executive of Chiang Mai’s Provincial Administration Organization, Mr. Boonlert Buranupakorn; Mayor of Chiang Mai, Mr. Tassanai Buranupakorn; Chiang Mai residents and tourists.
The opening ceremony began with the traditional blessing ceremony, which was attended by Prime Minister’s Office Minister Sansanee Nakpong and Culture Minister Sontaya Kunplome on the Prime Minister’s behalf. PM Yingluck arrived at Tha Pae Gate at 0809hrs and was welcomed by traditional performance from Chiang Mai College of Dramatic Arts. Next, the Governor of Chiang Mai and the Chief Executive of Chiang Mai’s Provincial Administration Organization delivered welcome speeches. Then the Mayor of Chiang Mai reported on the objectives of Chiang Mai Lanna New Year Celebration 2013.
The Prime Minister delivered an opening speech, expressing that she was glad and honored to be invited to the opening ceremony and witness Chiang Mai people’s enthusiasm to support and preserve their local culture. Their attempt to preserve the invaluable Northern culture is a good model for other regions. As for this occasion which was considered a prosperous day, the Prime Minister encouraged Thai people to do good deeds and to forbid all depravity.
The Prime Minister stated that Songkran or Thai traditional New Year was also Thailand’s Family Day because it is the time when people go back to their hometowns for family gathering. It was also an opportunity to express gratitude to their parents, senior relatives and benefactors. The Prime Minister also encouraged everyone to preserve the culture by decently celebrating and properly playing with the water and, most importantly, to be aware of road safety by forbidding alcohol drinking and respecting traffic regulations. By doing so, road accidents would be reduced and Songkran would become the festival of happiness for both Thai people and foreign travellers.
At the end of the ceremony, the Prime Minister thanked all concerned parties who assisted in the preparation of this ceremony and blessed everyone with success, happiness and prosperity. Then, the Prime Minister and honorary guests commenced the opening ceremony by sticking the Tung Chaimongkol banners in the sand pagoda. This celebration is held by Chiang Mai province together with Chiang Mai Municipality, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and other government and private sectors from April 1-17, 2013. There are various Northern cultural activities inside the festival as an attempt to preserve and pass on the culture and to encourage tourism in Chiang Mai.