Celebration of 58th Anniversary of Mon National Day by Thai-Mon Community 

 

Report by Nai Sunthorn, MUL

February 21, 2005

Celebration for remembrance of Mon National was held by Mon Youth Community
of Thailand on Sunday 20 February 2005 at Wat Sathatham, Samut-Songkram
Province. The Governor of Samut-Songkram presided the opening ceremony
followed by cultural parades of Mon communities from several provinces in
central Thailand. There was and exhibition of way of life the Mon people,
culture and tradition of the Mon people, cultural performance, Mon
traditional musical band from Mon community of Maeklong riverbank
(Samutsongkram). Thayae Mon (Samar Kwek) from Mon community of Thachin
riverbank (Jed-riew, Bangkadee). Mon traditional dance from Mon community
of Chaophya riverbank (Kohkret). Mon traditional dance from Mon community
of Salwin riverbank (Hongsawatoi). Mon pop music from Mon community of
Lopburi Province and Hongsawatoi.

There was an academic speech by well known Thai historian Prof Srisak
Walibhodom about history background of Mon community in Thailand. He said
the Mon people has not only a significant culture but also had a great
civilization in this region in the past. Phra Pathom Pagoda in Nakhon
Pathom, Shwe Dagon Pagoda, Shwe Mawdaw Pagoda in Burma were all built by
Mon people in those days. By nature the Mon people are soft-minded and
faithful in Buddhism. It may be a weak point of Mon people that could not
be able to protect their own country. However it was not much important as
national identity. Mon people can preserve their language, culture,
tradition and religion firmly that is very important in order to protect
Thailand from globalization and capitalism. Mon people has many kind of
food made from local vegetables and herbs for good health. These are the
things to promote for tourism. He believe the Mon community in Thailand is
bigger and culturally stronger than it is in Burma.


                  

             Cultural parade 1.jpg (69081 bytes)  Cultural parade 2.jpg (85460 bytes)

               Mon Cultural Parade

Mon dance.jpg (63818 bytes)

Mon Dance

Mon traditional sport.jpg (72267 bytes)

Playing Mon Traditional sport

 

MYC Proclamation.jpg (65980 bytes)

The President of Mon Youth Community of Thailand (MYC), Nai Ong, is reading MYC's proclamation.

 

Opening Ceremony by Governor.jpg (88558 bytes)

Opening the ceremony by the governor

 

Pray for Mon ancestors.jpg (64245 bytes)

Praying for Mon ancestors

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Report by MYC President Nai Ong.jpg (92256 bytes)

Reporting by Nai Ong, the President of Mon Youth Community of Thailand.

 

Sand Pagodas.jpg (75369 bytes)

Sand Pagodas

Speech by Thai historian Prof Srisark.jpg (63585 bytes)

Professor Srisark, a Thai historian, is giving speech