Thousands of tourists and local Indian-Thais celebrated the Indian Holi holiday with a Festival of Colours on Pattaya Beach.
Area police, bureaucrats, elected officials and police joined Sukraj Singh Kalra, President of Thai Indian Pattaya Business Association TIPBA together with Lakshman Singh president of The Indian Community Pattaya Association supported by Pattaya City in opening the March 11 festival on the beach at Central Road.
The festival featured an invitation ceremony where ISKOM members recited Kirtans and Bhajans to worship Lord Ganesh, Lord Krishna and Goddess Lakshmi throughout the day. There also were food and beverage booths, light and sound shows, throwing of colourful powder and other celebrations that lasted into the night.
The event was staged as a way to draw Indian tourists to Pattaya after the government there lifted a requirement that tourists returning from Thailand undergo Covid-19 tests and even quarantine. The requirement had prompted tour groups to cancel or postpone.
The festival area itself was divided into two zones, religious and entertainment zone with people throwing and spreading colour powder on each other, a Holi tradition.
Holi celebrates the eternal and divine love of the god Radha and Krishna. The day also signifies the triumph of good over evil, as it commemorates the victory of Vishnu as Narasimha Narayana over Hiranyakashipu. It originated and is predominantly celebrated in the Indian subcontinent, but has spread to other regions of Asia and parts of the west.
The Festival of Colours in Pattaya was celebrated not only by Indians but also by all nationalities who crowded the beach pavilion. The Indian community together with Pattaya City plan to make Holi an annual event here in our vibrant city too. This will surely boost tourism to our fair city and give locals and tourists a chance to celebrate one of the most colourful festivals in the world.
