Results tagged “songkran”

              

On Sunday, Thai Town hosted the 6th annual Songkran festival, or Thai New Year, which brought out the masses to brave the warm temps and take in the tastes and sights of a colorful and fun neighborhood gathering. Hollywood Boulevard between Western and Normandie was packed on Sunday, bringing together people from all parts of town to celebrate Thai culture and the glory of springtime.

Springtime can mean a renewal of the earth, and for the Thai people, it means their traditional New Year celebration called Songkran. The festival is about celebrating community, and visiting with friends, relatives, and elders. Luckily, Los Angeles boasts a significant population of residents with Thai heritage, and we can take part in the colorful and spirited celebration, no matter our background, so long as we can get ourselves over to Thai Town on Sunday to catch the fun. (There is a website, but it's all in Thai!)

East Hollywood will transform into Thailand West this Sunday, April 13th, as the Thai community comes together to celebrate Songkran (the Thai New Year) with festivals, parades, and ceremonies all day long (check out the general Thai Festival website here for more info). All along Hollywood Boulevard, from Western to Vermont, vendors and sponsors will be presenting a kaleidoscope of food, crafts, dancers, Thai boxing demonstrations, costume competitions, and even the largest international curry festival in California.

Cuz monks gotta eat too. LAist was at the Wat Thai Los Angeles yesterday to take part in a New Year's Day tradition; offering thanks and support to the buddhist temple which uses this day to collect operating funds and distribute blessings. This is not to be confused with Taleung Sok Day, which is the Thai New Year according to the zodiac calendar. That day (April 15) is marked by the most major Thai festival, Songkran (April 13).