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Arts & Entertainment

Celebrate Thai New Year, Songkran, This Sunday in Thai Town

thai-town-statue.jpg
Photo by Clinton Steeds via Flickr

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The streets of Thai Town will once again be filled with celebration, food, activities, and fun on Sunday as the community gathers to celebrate Songkran--Thai New Year.Considered the biggest Thai cultural event outside of Thailand, Los Angeles' Thai Town will welcome locals as well as distinguished guests from all over the world to this annual event, now in its 7th year. Hollywood Boulevard will be closed to traffic for about a one mile stretch eastbound starting at Western.

As usual, there will be vendors, food, the beer garden, a parade, Muay Thai boxing demos, a beauty pageant, live entertainment, and lots of local color to soak up...all delivered with the "sophisticated manners, warm hospitality, and friendliness of Thai people."

There are a couple of distinct double-edged sword-style dilemmas that plague those who attend Songkran. The festival has tended to fall over the last couple of years on a very hot day, plus draws big crowds, which means a lot of hot, sweaty, elbowing crowds. This year, however, the forecast is for more modest temps in the mid-60s, and Sunday also happens to be Easter, which may keep some folks from making it out.

7th Annual Songkran Festival in Thai Town
Hollywood Boulevard between Western and Normandie
Sunday April 4th, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Last year: Thai New Year's Tastes and Sights Reason to Celebrate

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