| The Songkran festival has been known to be one of | | | | Later on the day in private ceremonies away from |
| the most important and grandest events of Thailand. | | | | the temple, parents, grandparents, older relatives and |
| It is a time of Buddhist rituals, of family gatherings to | | | | teachers are honored by younger generations in a |
| pay gratitude to elders and of course of water | | | | sacred ritual. Young people will pour fragrant water |
| splashing. Deriving from the Sanskrit word, "Songkran" | | | | onto the palms of the older persons and also give |
| means to pass or to move into. In this case, the | | | | them new clothes to show their respect and |
| meaning implies the movement of the sun, the moon | | | | gratitude. It is believed that this watering ceremony |
| and other planets into one of the zodiacal orbits. And | | | | would bring the young excellent health, longevity and |
| the Grand Songkran Festival which falls on the Aries | | | | prosperity. |
| indicates the novel era of the traditional Thai New | | | | The Songkran festival is essentially related to water |
| Year. In order to welcome the New Year, the | | | | as Thai people believe that water splashing will bring |
| celebration will comprise the fun-filled local | | | | abundant rainfalls in the incoming year. Water is also a |
| entertainments which combine the mutual relationship | | | | symbol of fertility and is employed to clean up bad |
| between members of the family, the society and the | | | | things. It is thus used widely in different ceremonies |
| surrounding. | | | | and rites of passage. Not surprisingly, one of the |
| Having the influence from India, the Songkran festival | | | | most vital parts of Songkran is the bathing of Buddha |
| mirrors the traditional mode of life of the Thais which | | | | images. People will sprinkle water onto the images as |
| involves the cultural and agricultural aspects. Free | | | | a gesture of respect. A procession of Buddha images |
| from their regular routine task, the Thai citizens will | | | | will be made prior to the bathing. After that people |
| find time to perform their yearly rites of showing | | | | will also bathe the senior Buddhist monks by pouring |
| respect to their elder relatives and departed | | | | water over them. The chief monk or abbot will then |
| ancestors. Moreover, there is a deep spiritual aspect | | | | give a sermon and bless people who participate in |
| to this grand festival nationwide. Even though | | | | these bathing rituals. And finally, people will enjoy |
| Thailand has adhered to the international calendar | | | | splashing water at one another. |
| since 1941, celebrations of the Songkran festival, | | | | Like many other festivals in Thailand, Songkran is |
| presently set on April 13 and extending over the | | | | celebrated with a zest and passion for having a great |
| following two days, remain a more auspicious chance | | | | time that is uniquely Thai. In Bangkok, some famous |
| than January. | | | | venues for the Songkran festival include Khao Sarn |
| Historically speaking, the Songkran festival has its | | | | Road, Bang Lamphoo District, Sanarm Luang and Phra |
| origin during the Sukhothai period. It was practiced | | | | Arthit Road in the Rattanakosin Island. Other sites of |
| both in the royal court palace and among the | | | | interest and events are Krung Kao Ayutthaya |
| ordinary citizens. However, the dimension of the | | | | Songkran Festival (Old Capital of Songkran), |
| celebration had not been as boisterous as of today. | | | | well-known Thai-Mon Songkran Festival in Samut |
| In the old days, civil servants and other government | | | | Prakan, Nong Khai, Chiang Mai and Phuket. In addition, |
| officials would pay homage to the king and would | | | | the neighboring countries such as Myanmar, Cambodia |
| drink the oath of allegiance to the government, while | | | | and Laos have organized this type of festival with |
| the king would bestow annual salary to all officials. | | | | high-spirited celebrations. |
| Later on in the Ayutthaya period, the festival had | | | | Highlights of the Songkran festival in these major |
| been expanded by including the bathing of the | | | | cities include making merit to the monks, Buddha |
| Buddha images. Also, the celebration would comprise | | | | image procession, bathing Buddha images, setting |
| the forming of sand pagodas and colorful activities. In | | | | free of birds and fish, erecting sand pagodas, blessing |
| the Rattanakosin period, the festival had been | | | | and being blessed by elders and senior government |
| performed in the same way as those during the | | | | officers as well as enjoying water splashing. |
| Ayutthaya period. | | | | Additionally, tourists can watch traditional Thai |
| The Songkran festival extends three important ritual | | | | performances as well as modern films and music, |
| days, from April 13-15. These days are called | | | | competition in the topic of the history of Songkran. |
| respectively: Wan Sangkan Long, Wan Nao and Wan | | | | There are also parades, carnivals, beauty contests |
| Taleung Sok. It is customary that during the | | | | (Miss Songkran and Miss Ladyboy Songkran) as well |
| Songkran festival there is an announcement of the | | | | as the light and sound presentation relating to the |
| name of Nang Songkran of the year, her vehicle, her | | | | legend of Songkran. The consumption of much local |
| food preference and much more. To forecast the | | | | food, Thai dessert cooking, local sports and art |
| affluence of that year, it is worth knowing the | | | | exhibitions complete the festival. |
| amount of rainfalls and the number of Naga or | | | | Across the country, most young Thai people |
| legendary serpent which is responsible for the | | | | celebrate the New Year by gently throwing water |
| provision of water. The prediction for the New Year | | | | over one and all with a word of blessing. Scoops |
| will be done in relation to that particular day of the | | | | from a silver bowl are traditional, but these days |
| Nang Songkran. This year, the Songkran's Day falls on | | | | more effective soakings come from plastic buckets, |
| April 14. This means that Nang Songkran for 2007 is | | | | pump-action water guns and even oil drums with |
| "Kimitatevee", dressed in white with topaz ornament, | | | | stirrup pumps mounted on trucks. It is, however, all |
| preferred banana, dagger in the right hand, Indian | | | | good-natured with the Thai's communicable sense of |
| vina in the left hand and buffalo as her vehicle. | | | | fun. While the more traditional rites are best |
| Songkran is a festival that serves a multitude of | | | | observed today in the villages and although Bangkok, |
| social and religious functions. It typically involves merit | | | | Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai are known for the most |
| making, releasing birds and fish into rivers, presenting | | | | exuberant celebrations, you will get wet and |
| food and other offerings to monks, listening to | | | | encounter Songkran wherever you are. It is the |
| sermons, building sand pagodas, paying respect to | | | | festival to give a lot of fun for all of us and welcome |
| elders and splashing of water. Traditionally, houses | | | | the traditional Thai New Year with a cool soaking of |
| have been meticulously cleaned the day before to | | | | water in the most sweltering time of the year. |
| ensure no bad luck is brought into the New Year. | | | | |