LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – The party capital of the world, Las Vegas, is gearing up to host one of the world's biggest parties, Songkran. It's going to make a big splash. The event will have all the normal Thai festivities and a few extras, including a Miss Songkran Contest, a parade, a Muay Thai contest and competitive games of Takraw.
There is a significant Thailand and Laos population in Las Vegas. So much so that the Royal Thai Consulate is actively involved in sponsoring and promoting this event celebrating Thai and Buddhist culture.
Ambassador Christie Keeney of the US Embassy in Bangkok, says Thai - US relations are very strong and of mutual importance.
Cross-cultural events like the Las Vegas celebration of a Thai traditional holiday is a wonderful idea, said a US businessman doing business in Thailand under the Treaty of Amity.
According to a US Embassy spokesperson, "The United States and Thailand share a longstanding friendship that spans more than 178 years. The Treaty of Amity and Commerce of 1833 began a partnership that has developed and strengthened over time. Today the United States and Thailand cooperate on a wide range of program across a vast range of issues, including education and culture, public health, business and trade, democracy, as well as security and military cooperation."
The organizer, Songkran Las Vegas.Com LLC, hopes to eventually make the Las Vegas venue the largest Songkran celebration in the U.S. The emphasis in Las Vegas is on the party aspect and making new friends by throwing ceremonial water on each other.
According to Lane Holmes of Songkran Las Vegas.com who is a veteran of many of Thailand's Songkran Festivals in Bangkok and Pattaya Thailand one of his organization's goal is, "We want this party festival to become the American version of Khaosan Road or RCA in Bangkok".
Mr. Holmes added, "We have so much space here, and it's Vegas, so anything goes."
Community interest is growing and anticipation for this year's festival is strong. Last year more than 12,000 party goers celebrated Songkran in Las Vegas. Mr. Holmes believes this year "should double that number."
Although there is an emphasis on delicious food and crazy water play, the cultural and religious aspects of this holiday are foremost. Local monks will be able to collect alms from the mostly Buddhist food vendors in the morning, a rare activity anywhere in the America. Most Thai and Laotian attendees will wear traditional village clothes and national costumes.
The Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT) based in America will be present to promote Thailand. Traditional and contemporary Thai and Laotian music will be playing on two stages. Colorful, Classical Dancing troops will also perform for the huge crowds.
The cultural event is sponsored in part by the Royal Thai Consulate, Singha Beer, the Bangkok Pattaya Times and NAT TV. Local sponsors are listed below. More sponsors are urged to join by contacting the organizer at the Songkran Las Vegas.Com website http://www.thailaofestivalvegas.com/ displayed below. Half of the profits from this event will go to the Lao temples in Las Vegas and the Thai Association of Las Vegas.
Cyndy Wasso, an associate of SongkranLasVegas.Com LLC and a frequent traveller to Thailand has been a valuable liaison to the Thai and Lao community acting as a bridge for local businesses sponsoring this cross-cultural event.
"Cyndy Wasso also rounded up all the sponsors for the Miss Songkran prizes," said Jack Khamphouvong of SongkranLasVegas.com.
There has been a lot of hard work and effort put into this event. Citizens of both Thailand and Laos were consulted. The organisers meet Thai diplomats at the Royal Thai Consulate in Los Angeles during a press conference. They received a check as a token of support from the Thai consulate. Then sponsors and organizers for the Miss Songkran contest met with Buddhist monks at the main Laos Temple in Las Vegas.
The Bangkok Pattaya Times wishes to acknowledge the organisers and supports whose names are listed below with their affiliations.
Jack Khamphouvong - SongkranLasVegas.Com
Dr. Michael Duboff - Smiledesignerslv.com, Sponsor
Chansouk Nancy Malivanh - SongkranLasVegas.Com
Sue Chan - Laos Temple
Nancy Monsay - Miss Songkran 2012
Cyndy Wasso - SongkranLasVegas.Com
Heather Marianna - Beauty Kitchen, Sponsor
Cheryl Prater - Mrs. North American Globe, Sponsor
Valerie McClaskey - Boutikitou, Sponsor
Renee Martinez – Avon, Sponsor
Khanh Nguyen Photography - Khanhx.com
Whitney Obst/Jea Jung - City Athletic Clubs
April Fried - Atomic Glam Studio
Julieann Festa - Home Office cleaning
Joe Lowers Comedy Show
Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2013/03/25/wet-and-wild-songkran-vegas-style/
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