HIM CHIANG MAI CELEBRATES THAI NEW YEAR

On 12 April 2015, the three HIM Churches in Chiang Mai came together to celebrate Thai New Year. Many foreigners may have seen this on television as a time where people spray or dump water on each other in fun and frolic during the hot season. But traditionally, this has been a time of reunion with the family. Young people bring a bowl of fragrant water to the elderly who would apply the water to their heads and shoulders, and in turn the elders apply the water to the heads and shoulders of the younger people thus blessing them. It is an occasion for children and young ones to show respect to their parents and elders.



HIM Chiang Mai chose this occasion to celebrate Thai culture. Everyone came dressed in northern Thai clothes and the venue was decorated in northern Thai style. Ps Chuchat Chaisombat, preached a message about appreciating the elderly and this was followed by a ceremony to show respect for the seniors in the church. This was followed by everyone enjoying a traditional kantoke lunch.