Celebrations of Mon National Day included performances of traditional dances. (Photo: MYC)
Members of the Mon community in Thailand have celebrated their national day, free of official Thai government restrictions that interrupted similar events in the past.
Two years ago, the Thai authorities banned celebrations of Mon National Day in Thailand's Samut Sakhorn province. This year, celebrations were held without incident in Uthai Thani, near Bangkok.
Mon in national dress parade through Uthai Thani, Thailand. (Photo: MYC)
Mi Mon Htaw, chairman of the Mon Youth Community in Bangkok, said her organization had assured the Thai authorities that the celebrations were non-political.
Mon National Day commemorates the defeat in 1757 of the old Mon kingdom, Hongsawatoi, by Burma's King Alaungpaya. Thousands of Mon fled to Siam.
Mi Mon Htaw told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday that many members of the Mon community in Thailand were unaware of their rich culture. “We need to wake them up and tell them their culture is still alive in Thailand.”
One elderly Mon, 82-year-old Nai Tang Rong, said it was feared that the Mon literature and culture would disappear. “All Mon in Thailand need to know their history and be aware of where we are from.”
Nai Tang Rong's ancestors came to Siam from Moulmein, capital of Mon State. He said he dreamed of returning there.
Thailand's Mon celebrate their national day earlier than the Mon people in Burma, where the event will be marked this year on Jan. 30.
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