During 14-21 April 2013, Mr. Chakri Srichawana, Consul-General, had participated in religious and cultural activities held to celebrate the Thai New Year 2012 or “Songkran Festival” in Hong Kong SAR as follows:

                1.   Religious Activities at Wat Buddhadhammaram and the Hong Kong Theravada Buddhist Society

                                On 14 April 2013, Mr. Chakri Srichawana, Consul-General, presided over at the religious activities to celebrate Songkran Day at Wat Buddhadhammaram and the Hong Kong Theravada Buddhist Society by offering food to Buddhist monks and bath the Buddha image. Ms. Benjamas Tanavetyanont, Deputy Consul-General, LCDP. Wittawat Khunprasert, RTN, Labour Consul and Ms. Palida Karkum Labour Vice-Consul, together with Thai and Hong Kong Buddhists, also attended.

                2.   Songkran Festival in Kowloon City

                                 On 14 April 2013, in the evening, Mr. Chakri Srichawana, Consul-General, presided over at the opening ceremony of Songkran Festival organized by the Thai Regional Alliance in Hong Kong and Festival Organising Association, under the support of the Royal Thai Consulate-General, on Tak Ko Ling Road in Kowloon City. The activities comprised of (1) bathing the Buddha image (2) pouring some water on the hands of revered elders and ask for blessing (3) cultural performances (4) Parade and splashing water.                   Mr. Raymond Siu Chak-yee, Chief Superintendent, Kowloon City District of Hong Kong Police Force,                 Mr. Steve Chan, Chairman of Festival Organising Association, Ms. Benjamas Tanavetyanont, Deputy Consul-General, LCDP. Wittawat Khunprasert, RTN, Labour Consul and Ms. Palida Karkum Labour Vice-Consul, and Ms. Bungon Tamasorn, President of Thai Regional Alliance in Hong Kong, also attended. There were around 1,000 participants on this event.

                3.   Religious Activity at Hong Kong Dhammaram Temple

                        On 21 April 2013, Mr. Chakri Srichawana, Consul-General, presided over at the religious activity to celebrate Songkran Day at Hong Kong Dhammaram Temple by offering food to Buddhist monks and bath the Buddha image. Ms. Benjamas Tanavetyanont, Deputy Consul-General, LCDP. Wittawat Khunprasert, RTN, Labour Consul and Ms. Palida Karkum Labour Vice-Consul, together with Thai and           Hong Kong Buddhists, also attended.