Songkran is a celebration of the traditional Thai New Year and this is one of the most important festival in the country. During the day, locals visit temples, offer delicious home cooked meals to Buddhist monks. Thai people usually pour water on Buddha statues as a symbolic gesture representing the cleansing and absolution of one’s sins. Most major streets in Thailand are closed to traffic to allow numerous young people to use them safely as arenas for water fights. The festival also involves lavish traditional parades with intricately decorated floats, dancers in colourful clothing and a spectacular fireworks display.
Photo by : tourismthailand.org
If you find yourself anywhere in Thailand during mid-April, there is no getting away from being splashed (the only exceptions to this would be monks, new born babies and the elderly), even if you are dressed in your nicest clothes… so leave your best suit and elegance shoes at home. Also, take good care of cameras, passports, and other valuables – keep them in your hotel safe or, if you have to bring them out, waterproof bags should be used.
One phrase you will hear all over Thailand during Songkran is “Sawaddee Bee Mai” which means ‘Happy New Year’. Greeting back with smiles is the best way to make new friends. Every provincial town will have some form of celebration and often the local exuberance in small towns can be as much fun as in any of the most popular towns. Just remember to take a splashing with the good humour in which it is intended, and if you don’t like being splashed, stay indoors or in the confines of your hotel.
Photo by: Madeleine Deaton
Tipps for Enjoying Songkran in Thailand
Photo by: Madeleine Deaton