Songkran water festival 2016take place April 13th through the 15th, a festival that is the Thailand country’s traditional New Years Eve celebration.
Festival is also known as the Thai New year or Thailand Water Festival, originally celebrated as a way for the Thai people to sprinkle water on their family members and elders for good fortune and pay their respects to images of the beloved Buddha.
The annual Songkran Festival, previously held on dates that were dependant on the Thai lunar calendar, is now commemorated on the same 3 days every year, however the celebration typically begins before and end several days after the official holiday.
Today, the festival has transitioned into 3 days of water play fun, splashing locals and visitors alike with buckets of water, water hoses and super soakers as they gather in the streets.
Festival is also known as the Thai New year or Thailand Water Festival, originally celebrated as a way for the Thai people to sprinkle water on their family members and elders for good fortune and pay their respects to images of the beloved Buddha.
The annual Songkran Festival, previously held on dates that were dependant on the Thai lunar calendar, is now commemorated on the same 3 days every year, however the celebration typically begins before and end several days after the official holiday.
Today, the festival has transitioned into 3 days of water play fun, splashing locals and visitors alike with buckets of water, water hoses and super soakers as they gather in the streets.
Songkran is the occasion for family re-unions, temple visits and annual house cleaning. Many Thais observe the holidays by spending time with families and friends. Traditionally, Thais perform the Rod Nam Dum Hua ritual on the first day of Songkran, which is officially the National Elderly Day. During the ritual, young people would pour fragrant water into the elders’ palms as a gesture of humility and to ask for their blessings.
The second day of Songkran is officially the National Family Day. Families would wake up early and give alms to the monks, then ideally the rest of the day would be spent sharing quality family time together. An important religious ritual on Songkran is ‘Bathing the Buddha image’, in which devout Buddhists pour fragrant water over Buddha statues both at the temple and at home. More religious Thais would engage themselves in Buddhist ceremonies and merit-making activities throughout the holidays.
You will find that there are several major Songkran celebrations held around Thailand such as Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, and Khon Kaen that will giving you plenty of chances to have a great time getting wet which is also said to bring you good luck throughout the upcoming next year.
The second day of Songkran is officially the National Family Day. Families would wake up early and give alms to the monks, then ideally the rest of the day would be spent sharing quality family time together. An important religious ritual on Songkran is ‘Bathing the Buddha image’, in which devout Buddhists pour fragrant water over Buddha statues both at the temple and at home. More religious Thais would engage themselves in Buddhist ceremonies and merit-making activities throughout the holidays.
You will find that there are several major Songkran celebrations held around Thailand such as Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, and Khon Kaen that will giving you plenty of chances to have a great time getting wet which is also said to bring you good luck throughout the upcoming next year.
Parade Chiang Mai holds the biggest, most recognized Thailand Water Festival parade, which includes statues from local temples being carried out and paraded through the streets in celebration of this very special time of the year. Everyone is invited to take part in the parade by delicately and respectfully, pouring water over the legs and arms of the Buddha. One reason that Chiang Mai most likely commemorates Songkran more vigorously than other locations in Thailand is that a large number of people from Chiang Mai work in Bangkok and neighboring cities, so it gives them a chance to return home and celebrate with their families and friends.
Small children delight in equipping themselves with water guns and spraying anyone who comes in their path – no one is exempt! Normally the police will try to keep a cap on things by allowing water throwing only on April 13 but it appears that in Patong anything goes so expect the watery revelry to last longer there.
Songkran Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
Do give alms and make merit (or just witness the rituals if you are not a Buddhist)
Do use waterproof bags to protect your valuables
Do watch your belongings
Do use public transportation if you are heading to one of Songkran ‘hotspots’, as traffic will be paralysed
Do try wishing the locals a happy new year in Thai – “Sawasdee Pee Mai!”
Do smile and have fun.
Do use waterproof bags to protect your valuables
Do watch your belongings
Do use public transportation if you are heading to one of Songkran ‘hotspots’, as traffic will be paralysed
Do try wishing the locals a happy new year in Thai – “Sawasdee Pee Mai!”
Do smile and have fun.
Don’ts
Do not douse monks, babies or the elderly
Do not drive when you have been drinking
Do not throw water with ice or dirty water
Do not throw water at motorcyclists, to prevent road accidents
Do not drive when you have been drinking
Do not throw water with ice or dirty water
Do not throw water at motorcyclists, to prevent road accidents
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