In the video above, celebrate Thai New Year in Chiang Mai, Thailand with Pe Dhammasidhi, Trip Experience Leader on Discover Thailand: Bangkok to Chiang Rai, as she drums, dances, and pays respects to the local elders for a prosperous year ahead.
In terms of sheer popularity during Thailand’s New Year festivities, the raucous water fights of the Songkran Festival get most of the attention. While this is especially true on the main thoroughfares of Bangkok—brave the backpacker bastion of Khaosan Road at your peril—the northern city of Chiang Mai celebrates in a more traditional manner.
Traditional, however, does not necessarily mean "quiet." Just ask Pe Dhammasidhi, Trip Experience Leader for O.A.T.’s new Discover Thailand: Bangkok to Chiang Rai adventure. As you can see in her video above, she showcases her impressive drumming skills to kick off a celebration honoring community elders. "I learned drumming from the Thai national artist Kru Kum Gawai beginning at the age of 14," says Pe. "I used to perform on stage to earn pocket money at traditional northern Thai restaurants, temple ceremonies, and even a festival in France. Now, I mostly perform during Thai New Year as a representative of the Chiang Mai Guide Association."
Known as a klong sabat chai, the drum is held by two carriers on horizontal poles while the drummer plays with sticks, knees, and elbows—often while processing through the streets, as Pe demonstrates. The tradition originated as a rallying tactic for soldiers headed into battle during the time of the Lanna Kingdom, which reigned in modern-day northern Thailand from the 13th to 18th centuries.
Dance, too, is an important part of the traditional New Year’s celebration. "I trained in traditional Thai dance at the College of Dramatic Arts Chiang Mai for six years," says Pe. "Most Thai students will learn basic Social Dance for one term during grade 12, and young girls may take an extra class to learn to perform during special events."
The ceremony featured in Pe’s video honored some important elders in her life: the senior tour guides of the Chiang Mai Guide Association who serve as her inspiration and mentors. "The greatest lessons I’ve learned from them is to act as my country’s ambassador and a bridge between different cultures," she says. "I share the best of my knowledge and experiences with travelers." To honor their teachers, the younger guides offer gifts of healthy foods like rice and fruit, woven scarfs, and flowers.
No celebration is complete without food and drink, and the menu in Chiang Mai is seasoned with auspicious symbolism:
- Young jackfruit salad or curry: "Jackfruit in Thai is called khanoon and sounds similar to ‘kua noon,’ which means ‘support,’" says Pe.
- Larb, which is ground meat or mushroom cooked with spices and fresh herbs: "’Larb’ sounds similar to ‘larp,’ which means ‘luck.’"
- Noodle dishes such as khao soi, kanom jeen nam ngiao, and guay tiew (boat noodle soup): "The long rice or wheat noodles is compared to long friendships."
Experience the unique northern Thai traditions of Chiang Mai with O.A.T. during our New! Discover Thailand: Bangkok to Chiang Rai.
