Songkran Festival in Pattaya

Festivals in Pattaya are very colorful. If you have a plan to visit the place try to visit at the time of any festival. The city is always lively but it becomes more cheerful at the time of any of the festivals. Thai people have many festivals to celebrate throughout the year. But among them one of the important is Sonkgran festival. This is actually Thai New Year festival. Thai people celebrated it in a unique way. They throw water among each and everything that moves. If you don’t like to get wet lock yourself in the hotel room.

Pattaya celebrate Songkran with its full vigor in the month of April. The date lies on 18th and 19th. At such festival time it is very difficult to get a hotel room in Pattaya. So if you have a plan to visit the place during any festival time book your room in advance. Especially at Songkran festival people from parts of world come to celebrate the festival.

The festival is celebrated throughout Pattaya but as a special mention Soi 7 and Soi 8 becomes fully soaked at such time. It is advisable to leave jewelleries and electronic equipments at home during the festival. The festival is celebrated the day and night but water throwing stopped after night. This is a fun filled festival where you can enjoy the fullest. No one is spare don road. People throw water on every moving object irrespective of cast and creed. So be ready to get soaked at Songkran Festival in Pattaya.

Buddhism in Pattaya

Most of the Thai people follow Buddhism in Pattaya and that is why Buddhism is widely practiced there. Many Buddhist festivals are celebrated all over Thailand. Pattaya is no exception. In Thailand you will get enough Chinese population and that is the reason Buddhism is enlaced with some other beliefs. There is a huge Thai-Chinese population in Pattaya. They mingle in a nice way and try to follow the same religion. Some Buddhist pilgrimages centers are there that are visited by both locals and tourists. Tourists should dress properly when visiting a pilgrimage center. He should not touch a monk and should always be respectful.

Some traditions and ceremonies are there. But these not always maintained. Some Thai Buddhists try to observe the ceremonial occasions and customs of the religion. Sometimes some visitors are fortunate enough to experience such ceremonies. These are usually very colourful and you will feel proud to be part of it.

Most of the time, the visitors are seen to visit these Buddhist temples. They also try to learn the local culture and the intricacies of religion as well. Sometimes it is hard to believe that such deep seeded beliefs are moving side by side with such salacious interests of Pattaya. The Buddhists are so consenting that gays’ and lesbians have also taken their place in Pattaya. This accepting nature of the Buddhists and Thai population make the city of Pattaya so special and unique.

While visiting Pattaya you will have a unique experience as there you will see go-go bars, gay bars, beer bars and Buddhist temples also adjacent to one another.

In Buddhism there are celebration involving every occasion including marriages, house worming, funerals, birthdays, buying new vehicles, etc. You can enjoy at any one of them if present at that time.

The sanctuary of truth in Pattaya

The Sanctuary of truth is situated in northern Pattaya at Soi Nakula 12. Tourists often visit the place with enthusiasm. This sanctuary of truth is located at 150 meters height in to the sky. This is entirely carved on teak wood. This gigantic structure is world famous and attracts a lot of visitors. This structure is actually a fusion of art, philosophy, religion, and art. It is neither a temple nor a palace but you can say that this structure s a hybrid of both. This can be described as a memorial to Thai craftsmanship. This structure is a reflection of ancient vision of earth and also eastern philosophy. This is the place where one can get attached with two good-natured dolphins. Sometimes the dolphins perform a show for the tourists and that way give value or money to the tourists. The Sanctuary of Truth is an extra-ordinary place where one gets calm while appreciating the exquisite beauty.

This huge structure was prepared by late Khun Lek. The entry fee is 500 baht. There is a horse and buggy ride that take the visitors to the top of the mount. This structure can be the biggest in the world. This structure is 100 m long and 105 m high. You can say that this is equivalent to twenty floor building. Several eastern cultures and religions are depicted well in the structure.

You can get some exclusive pictures while enter in the complex. There is an aquarium situated at the Sanctuary of Truth. Great view of sea and countryside are available from some of the hills. The aquarium is worth viewing. But beware of a troupe of monkeys. They will snatch any food at your hand. You can buy some fruit and feed if you really wish to do so.

Cultural vibrancy in Pattaya

Apart from beaches, bars and girls the city of Pattaya also have art and cultural value. Pattaya has excellence for performing arts that your family will enjoy a lot. In the month of April you can enjoy the festival at Pattaya Pier. There are some effervescent cultural shows where music performances and beauty pageants can be seen. The art galleries offer some exquisite arts from local artists. It is better to have some prior information about the history of the place before you reach there. It will enable you to feel at home and enjoy in a better way.

Though jazzy bars, noisy music, skimpy clothed girls, and mouthwatering food are common features of Pattaya, still you can find some temples, traditional shops, lanes full of ever smiling Thai people, etc. Some of the temples are so fascinating that often religious foreigners feel attracted to live at the place for a longer time. From ancient times people from different cultures have come to Pattaya and lived here. Thus the culture of this place has enriched a lot. Mural art is very famous at this place. Thai culture gives a colorful vibe because of its costumes, traditional music and elegant dance. Some of the restaurants owners dress their employees in colourful way just to give a traditional touch to the whole thing.

Thai people in Pattaya always maintain their etiquette. The way to show respect in their way is ‘wai’ where the person brings both hands to his or her chest. Then he bends his head to the tips of fingers. Thai people usually do this to show respect to the elders. Thai children are taught all these manners from childhood and tourists are expected to learn the important ones in order to feel comfortable.

Many festivals are celebrated in Pattaya throughout the year. The city cheers up at the time of such joyous celebrations. In April one can enjoy the water festival while in the month of November one will take the pleasure of light festival.

No one can forget the ladyboy cabarets if ever enjoyed in a lifetime. This is a contemporary dance of Thai people that they perform with beauty and elegance.