Thais Should Revive The Traditional New Year

Thais Should Revive The Traditional New Year: Shan Visitor

A Shan visitor from Burma who joined the Shan New Year celebrations in Bangkok told S.H.A.N. on Sunday that Thailand should take the leading role in the revival of the traditional New Year. 

The visitor, who requested anonymity, said: "The First Moon of the First Lunar Month is not restricted just to the Shans. It embraces all peoples of the Tai stock which includes Thais. Thailand, being the most advanced among us, is ideally placed to take the leading role in its revival". 

The year's Shan New Year falls on 8 December, but Bangkokian Shans, most of them hired laborers, could only celebrate on Sunday, their only holiday. 

The celebrations took place in one of Ramkhamhaeng University big halls with more than a thousand seats. 
The New Year is also celebrated throughout the Shan State. Reports that reached S.H.A.N. indicated "phenomenal" festivities both in Taunggyi, the capital, and Muse, the northernmost town. 

Shan Sangha studying in Sri Lanka also reported a solemn ceremony being held on 8 December at Makutarama Temple in Colombo. It was chaired by Rev. Kavinda of Namkham. The ceremony ended at 18:00 hours "in great happiness", reported the source form Colombo. 

Tais, according to scholars, are the most widely spread race in Asia, second only to the Chinese. 

"They are found in millions in India, China, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam", said the source from Rangoon.