Lao Pi Mai: the Buddhist New Year - Part One
April 19th 2010 Last week we celebrated the Lao New Year, marked with traditions new and old. Called Pi Mai or Songkhran, this system of time is based upon the birth of Buddha, 543 years before the birth of Christ. This year is 2553. Despite being Buddhist and celebrating the Buddhist New Year, Laos keeps the Christian calendar system for most of its affairs.
In Luang Prabang, known to have the best and bigge
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