Thai New Year is called as Songkran, the word comes from Sanskrit which means ‘a move or change’. This festival is celebrated in Thailand from 13th to 15th of April every year. The date of the festival was set according to the astrological calculation and is said to have been adapted from Indian festival. It usually falls on the hottest time of the year in Thailand. The most famous Songkran celebrations are in the northern city of Chiang Maei, where it cointinues for six days and sometimes even longer.
The phases of the moon as well as the lunar calendar play a significant role in determining the Thai New Year. Although the Thai people changed the New Year to January 1 in 1940, the traditional Songkran Festival is still celebrated as Thailand’s national holiday. In fact, Thailand is probably the only country that celebrates New Year three times every year – 1st of January, Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year and Songkran or the Thai traditional New Year. The three-day Songkran festival is also celebrated in Myanmar and Cambodia.
On the eve of Songkran Day people will clean their house and burn all the refuse. Thais believe that anything bad belonging to the old year will bring bad luck to them if left and carried on to the coming New Year.
The first day of the celebrations is called Maha Songkran Day which also marks the end of the old year. A lot of Thais go back to their upcountry homes so that they can spend the holidays with the families. Most hotels, restaurants and bars arrange special promotions, which are mostly very expensive and need to be booked in advance. Firework displays are everywhere around the city but the most notable are at Wat Saket and Sanam Luang, on top of the Golden Mount.
The phases of the moon as well as the lunar calendar play a significant role in determining the Thai New Year. Although the Thai people changed the New Year to January 1 in 1940, the traditional Songkran Festival is still celebrated as Thailand’s national holiday. In fact, Thailand is probably the only country that celebrates New Year three times every year – 1st of January, Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year and Songkran or the Thai traditional New Year. The three-day Songkran festival is also celebrated in Myanmar and Cambodia.
On the eve of Songkran Day people will clean their house and burn all the refuse. Thais believe that anything bad belonging to the old year will bring bad luck to them if left and carried on to the coming New Year.
The first day of the celebrations is called Maha Songkran Day which also marks the end of the old year. A lot of Thais go back to their upcountry homes so that they can spend the holidays with the families. Most hotels, restaurants and bars arrange special promotions, which are mostly very expensive and need to be booked in advance. Firework displays are everywhere around the city but the most notable are at Wat Saket and Sanam Luang, on top of the Golden Mount.
Monks with their alms bowl
Early on the first day of Songkran, people will wear their best new clothes and go to the nearest Wat or monastery to offer food to the monks. You can see some long tables in the compound of the wat where people can put boiled rice into the monk’s alms bowls on either side of the table. Another of Songkran celebration involves releasing fish back into rivers and streams. Birds are also released from cages as part of this festivities.
Water Festival in Thailand
The most obvious celebration of Thai New Year is the throwing of water. During festivities, people will roam the streets with containers full of water and drench each other and passersby. Some of them even use water guns or garden hoses. They also put powder to each other’s faces. This Water Throwing Festival is done to symbolize washing away all the sins from the previous year. However, the Water Throwing was not always the main activity of the festival. Songkran was traditionally a time used to visit and pay respects to elders, including monks, neighbors, friends and of course, family members.
Girls, women, kids, all young and old people are participating in this fun and exciting 'water-fight' festival.
For those who dont want to get wet, better stay in the house.
World Biggest Water Fight
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