Songkran
Festival |
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Songkran is a Thai Traditional New Year which starts on April 13 every year and lasts for three days. Songkran festival on April 13 is Maha Songkran Day or the day to mark the end of the old year, April 14 is Wan Nao which is the day after and April 15 is Wan Thaloeng Sok which the New Year begins. At this time, people from the rural areas who are working in the city usually return home to celebrate the festival. Thus, when the time comes Bangkok temporarily turns into a deserted city. Songkran is a Thai word which means “move” or “change place” as it is the day when the sun changes its position in the zodiac. It is also known as the “Water Festival” as people believe that water will wash away bad luck. The Songkran
tradition is recognized as a valuable custom for the Thai community, society
and religions. In the morning, family members make merits to dedicate
the result to their ancestors. Then, they gather
to express their respects to the olders by pouring scented water onto
the hands of their parents and grandparents. The
elders in return wish the youngsters good luck and prosperity.
In the afternoon, Thai people perform a bathing rite for Buddha images
and the monks, the celebrants both young and old, joyfully splash water
on each other. |