We are confident to say that Thailand is definitely a big star when it comes to being multicultural. Even though the government here is on a relentless quest to push the "Thailand-Is-A-Buddhist-Country" agenda out there, people (and—ironically—the authorities themselves) still take every opportunity to celebrate the special occasions that are typically not Thai. Christmas is the most obvious one if you haven't noticed.
Ranting aside, we honestly love to see it. The fact that Thailand constantly jumps on celebrating almost all global festivals makes us the most fun country where people from every corner of the world can come to rejoice whatever they're familiar in their hometown. And next week, there's a big highlight to prove how right we are.
Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchaworamahawihan—or what you can simply refer to as Temple of Dawn—is going to take part in the celebration of Ireland's National Day. Yes, you didn't misread anything: Thailand's iconic Buddhist temple is celebrating St. Patrick's Day.
On March 17, the main stupa of the Temple of Dawn will be soaked up in a glowing green light between 19:00 and 22:00 to commemorate the Apostle of Ireland. This forthcoming lighting installation is a collaboration among the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), and the Irish Embassy as part of Global Greening, Ireland's tourism campaign that aims to bolster cultural engagement with international countries while presenting its long-standing heritage to wider audiences.
The Global Greening program first began 11 years ago at Sydney Opera House in Australia. Since then, the Tourism Ireland organisation has expanded the illumination to famous landmarks in many countries, including the London Eye, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Niagara Falls, Victoria Falls, the Welcome sign in Las Vegas, the Prince's Palace of Monaco, and the Cibeles Fountain in Madrid.
2021 marks the very first time that Thailand agrees to join in the campaign and has nominated the 66.8-meter stupa at Wat Arun to be the highlight of Thailand's participation. TAT and BMA have also picked other well-known spots in Bangkok to get the St. Patrick's treatment as well, namely the Thailand Cultural Center, Conrad Bangkok, 208 Wireless Road Building (home of the Irish Embassy), and All Seasons Place.
In addition to Thailand's Temple of Dawn, some of the first timers in this go-green festival includes Wales's Gwrych Castle, Dubai's Palm Fountain, Chile's Torre Costanera, Slovenia's Bled Castle, Kenya's Sekenani Gate at the Maasai Mara National Reserve, France's Villa E-1027 in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin.
Get your camera and yourself ready for the giant greenery highlight at Temple of Dawn. March 17 (19:00-22:00) is the date, and happy St. Patrick's Day (in advance!)