Surin Elephant Round-up 2009

Surin Elephant Roundup & Red Cross Fair 2009
November 14 - 25 , 2009 At Surin Elephant Show Stadium

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21 November 2009, Sat

08.30 a.m. -Enjoyable Elephant Talent Shows [More than 250
elephants performing]
At Surin Elephant Show Stadium
07.00 p.m. -Light and Sound Performance Show ‘The Legend of
Thousand years of the Sikhoraphum castle’ The Last Show.
At Sikhoraphum castle, Amphoe Sikhoraphum

22 November 2009, Sun
05.00 a.m -Joining Rajamangala Muang Chang Mini-Half
Marathon Race
At Rajamangkala University Of Technology Isan ,
Surin Campus
08.30 a.m. -Enjoyable Elephant Talent Shows [More than 250
elephants performing], The Last Show.
At Surin Elephant Show Stadium

Ticket price : 1,000, 500, 300 and 40 Baht Respectively. Please reserve the tickets in advance (Specificially 1,000 and 500 Baht) at Surin Provincial Governor’s Office, Surin Province Tel&Fax 0-4451-2039 , 0-4452-1358

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History of Surin Elephant RoundUp


About 50 kilometers away in the north of Surin, Krapo Sub-district, Thatoom District and Nanongphai Sub-district, Chumphonburi District are the homes of native people, called Guai or Suai. They have trained the elephants to be the domestic animals and use them as the animals in the ceremony. The villagers prefer to feed their elephants, that’s why they recognize the elephant by the name of the village. The elephant village situates near the bank of Moon and Chee river. The land where the elephant village situates now, in the past was a rich forest.

On November 19, 1960, Mr. Winai Suwannakard - Thatoom’s former district - chief officer, has promoted the elephant round - up at the old airport which is now the area of the Thatoomprachasermvit School. The purpose of the round - up was to celebrate the new district office. The activities consisted of many interesting events such as an elephants parade, elephants racing and the elephants capture. The first roundup was very interesting by to both Thai and foreigners and so, by public relations, was spread all over the world.

One year later in 1961, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) realised the possibility of tourism and began supporting and setting up the procedure of performances while persuading the tourists to visit the roundup.

In 1962, The cabinet agreed to take the elephant round - up in Surin on as the annual fair of the nation. Mr. Kamron Sungkhakorn - the Surin Governor at that time has moved the elephant roundup site from Thatoom to the provincial stadium because of the inconvenience of the old site. Until now the provincial stadium is known and accepted as the Surin Elephant Show Stadium.

For more information,please visit the official website of Surin province below ;
http://www.surin.go.th

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Hotels in and around Surin

Please visit the farang connection's website at
http://www.farangconnection.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23&Itemid=31

There are 3 nice resorts in Chumphonburi too - Muanfun resort (with swimming pool),Piamsuk resort,and Srichumphrae resort.

WELCOME TO SURIN!!em>

Loy Krathong Festival

On the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month, the tide in the rivers is highest and the moon at its brightest, creating a romantic setting ideal for lovers. The Thai people choose this day to hold the 'Loy Kratong' festival, or the 'festival of light.' Loy Kratong is one of the two most recognized festivals in the country.



Loy Kratong is probably the most picturesque and beautiful of all
Thai celebrations. 'Loy' literally means 'to float,' while 'kratong'
refers to the lotus-shaped receptacle which can float on the water.
Originally, the kratong was made of banana leaves or the layers of
the trunk of a banana tree or a spider lily plant. A kratong contains
food, betel nuts, flowers, joss sticks, candle and coins. The making
of a kratong is much more creative these days as many more materials
are available.

The Loy Kratong ritual is a simple one. One needs only to light the
candles and the joss sticks, make one's wishes and let it float away
with the current of a river or a canal.

On that day, thousands of people will gather beside the canals and
rivers. With kratong in hands, they light the candle, put some coins
in the kratong and silently make a wish, and carefully place their
kratongs in the water and release them to the current.

They watch intently as the float drifts silently downstream, hoping
that the candle will not go out. Its flame is said to signify longevity,
fulfillment of wishes and release from sins. Altogether it is considered
a romantic night for couples or lovers. Couples who make a wish together

on Loy Kratong are thought to stay together in the future.




Origins

Different legends surround the origins of Loy Kratong.
The most popular version is it was an expression of gratitude
to the goddess of water 'Phra Mae Kongka' for having
extensively used, and sometimes polluted, the water from
the rivers and canals. It is also in part a thanksgiving
for her bounty in providing water for the livelihood of
the people.

Some believe the festival originates from Buddhism.
They say the offering of flowers, candles and joss-sticks
is a tribute of respect to the footprint of the Lord Buddha
on the sandy beach of the Narmaha River in India, as well as
to the great Serpent and dwellers of the underwater world,
after the Lord Buddha's visit to their watery realm.
It is possible that this is derived from a Hindu festival
that pays tribute to the god Vishnu, who meditates at the
center of the ocean.

Others believe that the floral kratong is offered to
the pagoda containing the Lord Buddha's topknot,
which was cut off at his self-ordination and is now
in heaven. Another explanation is that it is a way
to pay respect to one's ancestors.

Whatever the true origin, the practice of Loy Kratong
first began in the ancient kingdom of Sukhothai in
the 13th century. A young queen named Nang Noppamas
was believed to be the one who made a small boat laden
with candles and incense and floated it down the river.
The name Nang Noppamas has been associated with
Loy Kratong ever since.

Today, Loy Kratong offers a unique occasion to celebrate.
It's a good time for people to make wishes and look to
the future as they float their floral offerings along
the waterways.

Where to celebrate
Although celebrated nationwide, Loy Kratong is particularly
delightful in the provinces of Sukhothai, Chiang Mai,
Ayutthaya and Bangkok.

As the place of origin of the festival, Sukhothai rightly
remains the focal point of the celebrations. The festival
comes with a spectacular light-and-sound show held in the
ancient and traditional setting of the Sukhothai historical park.

Chiang Mai is another prime site to celebrate Loy Kratong.
The festival is known in northern dialect as 'Yi Peng.'
The largest kratongs are decorated floats, paraded through
the town on trucks. The colorfully lit floats form a long
glittering parade as they make their way to the river.

Meanwhile, up above thousands of 'khom loy' (floating lanterns)
drift into the night sky. These large balloon-like lanterns are
released at temples and sometimes from private homes in the hope
that misfortune flies away with them.

Source : http://www.thailand.com/travel/festival/festivals_loykratong.htm