he parade is led by a mass of well-wishers, family and friends, along with musicians and huge mobile stereo systems, all joining in the cacophony of sound that surrounds the festivities. While not Songkran the people will also make the effort to keep these majestic animals cool by dousing them as often as possible with water until they first reach the cool waters of the river and then after until they reach the Wat entrance and the young men begin their journey into monkhood
The event also has its share of traditional folk dances, along with an array of music and cultural demonstrations, a selection of local handicrafts, and of course a rich boiling pot of Thai food and drinks, all of which adds to this rich mix of colour and sound.
While the modern world may have caught up with this age old tradition and the novice monks can be seen wearing sunglasses this does detract from what is a spiritual and glorious combination of pomp and ceremony, filled with a back drop of noisy fun and where as an outsider one gets to live for a short while at least in the life of the Phuan people.