December 22 (NMG):

Over 4,000 ethnic Karens who are living in Thailand and other countries celebrate Karen New Year at Nakhon Pathom near Bangkok on December 21, said Saw Arkar Kyaw, chairperson of the New Year celebration committee.

“Karens from various parts of Thailand such as Bangkok, Nongthaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Mahachai, Ratchburi, Kachanaburi, Chiang Mai along with others who have resided in other countries attend today’s New Year celebration,” Saw Arkar Kyaw said.

More than 4000 peoples in Saengtham College celebrates Karen New Year which symbolizes the unity among Karen peoples by traditional dances and sports.

“There are six groups of traditional Karen dance, traditional dress competition, and presentation of modern and traditional Karen songs,” Saw Arkar Kyaw said.

Karens celebrate their New Year on Sunday so that the Karen laborers in various part of Thailand could join though Karen New Year 2743 will be on December 23 according to Karen Lunar calendar.

Fifty football teams took part in New Year tournament in 4 different football fields as part of the celebration held from 6:30 am to 5:30 pm.

The New Year celebration was held aiming the unity among the Karen Nationals as one of the six aims mentioned in the invitation letter for the celebration.

Karen groups estimate that over 400,000 Thai-Karen and 600,000 migrant Karen from Burma are currently residing in Thailand.

Network Media Group