SONGKRAN 2024

Songkran, also known as the Thai New Year, is one of Thailand's most celebrated and iconic festivals. It typically takes place from April 13 to 15 each year, marking the beginning of the traditional Thai calendar. Songkran is known for its joyful water fights, temple visits, and a strong sense of community.

Officially taking place on the 13th of April each year, Songkran is a national holiday in Thailand. However, most celebrations start at least a week in advance and go on until the 16th of April. It's a week full of cheer, celebration, and reflection on the year that has passed. The word 'Songkran' comes from the Sanskrit word 'samkranti', which means change or transformation, and it is on this note that the Thai people bring in the New Year. It is customary to wish each other 'sawatdee pi mai' or 'Happy New Year'.

Songkran is often referred to as the "Water Festival" because the most recognizable aspect of the celebration is the massive water fights that take place nationwide. People, young and old, take to the streets armed with water guns, hoses, and buckets, dousing one another in a playful and refreshing way. The water symbolizes cleansing and renewal, as well as the washing away of bad luck.

Songkran is a festival that is popular across Thailand, although each region celebrates it differently. In the north, people celebrate by making tons of food to distribute between family, friends, and monks at the temple, as well as bursting firecrackers at night. In central Thailand, people clean up their houses and dress in traditional attire. Another symbolic gesture here is the release of wild animals like birds and fish. In the east, it is customary to visit temples, create sand pagodas, and prepare food for elderly members of the family. In the south, people commemorate Songkran by avoiding spending money and being truthful.

Until 1888, Songkran was the official New Year of Thailand. Today, it is celebrated in other countries like China, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. It is commonly associated with the element of water, which signifies fertility, love, thankfulness, and compassion. The first official day of festivities on 13th April is called Maha Songkran. It's a day dedicated to the appreciation of seniors in the country. Families pay tribute to their elderly relatives and shower them with gifts and sweets. They make traditional foods such as black herb jelly, a condensed tea called Chao kuai, and deep-fried pork called khaep mu.

The second day of Songkran, called Wan Nao, is signified by the sun traveling between Pisces and Aries. On this day, there are lots of formal rituals performed in temples. A common tradition is the collection of sand (meant to symbolize dirt collected on their feet in the past year) and taking it to monasteries and temples.

If you plan to visit Thailand in April, the Songkran festival is a fantastic time to be there. It's one of the most awaited weeks in the year, and locals eagerly welcome tourists to join them in these festivities. If you dislike getting wet, then Songkran might not be the best time to go, but if you're looking for a slice of Thai culture at its finest, what better time to visit?