Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year, also called the Water Splashing Festival, celebrated for 3 full days every year in April and in some areas even longer than that. This year Songkran is from the 13th until the 18th of April
Songkran is a Thai word which means “move” or ‘change place” as it is the day when the sun moves from its real position in the zodiac and it is also known as the water festival because Thai people believe by throwing water on each other bad luck will wash away and the good will, prosperity will take place in their life.
This is the great time to enjoy the holiday and meet to your friends and family members as the people who work to the outskirts of the city they come back to their home to enjoy the festival. Songkran is a traditional festival and before it comes people concern upon environment with cooperation such as to clean houses, public places, temples and official buildings.
Thai people are recognized by their traditional culture as during the festival they gently pour the water on Buddha images and the monks then gently pouring the water on elders and receives the best wishes from them. Being on the streets of Bangkok though, one cannot call it “gently pouring water” anymore. It is more of a fun water fight with water guns in all colors and shapes and people having fun.
Although its celebrated all over the city but most famous places are Sanam Luang, Khao Sarn Road, fronting the Grand Palace where many people like to go to celebrate the Songkran festival as well as Songkran cultural activities will be held in the area of the National Museum.
There are some extra activities will be held to make it more enjoyable such as, DJs will be playing all kinds of music, people throwing water on each other and putting powder on their faces as well as dancing on the streets.
Many tourists like to visit Bangkok during the Songkran day and they also take part in these activities. When you are going out during the festival then wear the worst clothes or buy a cheapest one because you are going to be wet for sure. People usually don’t bring their mobile phone and camera when the celebration is on the peak then its very difficult to safe all these things.
There will be a big crowd on the street and some of them will be using the bucket and water gun for throwing water. The best (or worst) is to be hit bya splash of cooled down ice-water.
The Songkran day which is known as the Thai New Year brings more joy and happiness and people eagerly wait for this festival every year. They really enjoy every moment of these four days and have fun in their life.
Songkran in other parts of Thailand
Songkran is celebrated throughout Thailand but at Chiang Mai at the North it is an especially great attraction for tourists as well as local people to enjoy the festival on a large scale.
It is celebrated on around April 13th, for four days and people will be having the holiday during Songkran day in all over the country.
Thailand is the only place where New Year is celebrated three times in one year. Very first New Year is celebrated on January 1, as a western New Year and in the February as a Chinese New Year and Thailand’s New Year commence in April and celebrated as a Songkran day.
Songkran is a traditional and one of the most important festivals in Thailand and celebrated in Chiang Mai with more enthusiasm. People thoroughly clean their house and wear the traditional clothes to welcoming the New Year and then go to visit the Buddha temple in Chiang Mai because the place has many Buddha temples that is why many people like to celebrate the Songkran in Chiang Mai. They prepare food and after pouring the water on Buddha images give the food to monks.
In the afternoon a parade of Buddha images from many Chiang Mai Temples goes from the railway station to Wat Phra Singh. People put the perfume and flower in side the water for gentle pouring.
It consists with lots of activities like people throw the water from tubes and water pistols on everyone who is passing from the street. This is sign of wishing the good luck and prosperity in their life when they are putting the powder and throwing the water.
It has been the most famous festival amongst the tourist and they really like to
enjoy this festival as it is held on a grand scale every year in Thailand but very tremendously at Chiang Mai.
In the South you also have a lot of celebrations going on. Arriving on Koh Samu island, you have people lining the streets to splash water at you. On the islands it is a lot more relaxed though than in let's say Bangkok or Chiang Mai. Most people are walking around in swimming wear anyway and you will only find people splashing water at the streets and bigger areas such as Chaweng Beach Road.
Phuket, the biggest island in Thailand has of course some fantastic Songkran festivities prepared at many parts of the island. Many travelers from around the world come to Phuket each year and Sngkran is one of the mst fun things you can have in Phuket.
Songkran is a fun experience for everybody, young and old and will surely make for a great holiday.
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