Updated 2023
The Songkran Festival, also known as the Thai New Year, is a captivating celebration that invites you to immerse yourself in the rich cultural traditions of Thailand. Derived from the Sanskrit word संक्रान्ति (saṅkrānti), meaning ‘to move’ or ‘movement,’ Songkran marks the sun’s transition from one position to another in the zodiac. Interestingly, this term signifies a monthly occurrence based on its literal meaning in Sanskrit.
If you stroll through the streets of Thailand during the Songkran days, don’t be taken aback if someone playfully throws water at you, with or without your permission. This delightful water-throwing custom has become synonymous with the New Year festivities throughout the country. Typically spanning two days in April each year, this annual celebration brings people together in joyous revelry. Join the DT blog as we explore this spectacular event!
Traditional Ways of Celebrating Songkran or Thai New Year
Before the water-throwing tradition took center stage during Songkran, the festival was celebrated in other meaningful ways. Buddhists would commence the festivities by visiting a “wat” or temple to offer prayers and provide food to the monks. Some would also cleanse Buddha images with Thai fragrance, an act believed to bring good luck. These images are often paraded through certain cities, allowing people to sprinkle water on them. Most Thai people arm themselves with water guns to ensure they hit their target, turning the streets into vibrant water-filled battlegrounds.
Traditional Thai Culture Highlights
In Bangkok, the celebration commences with an official opening ceremony at Wat Pho, one of Thailand’s largest Buddhist temples, home to the magnificent reclining Buddha. As Songkran falls during the hottest time of the year, the idea of drenching oneself in bucketloads of water becomes a refreshing and welcoming prospect for all participants.
One charming ritual involves the elders sitting on chairs, with bowls of water mixed with Thai fragrance placed in front of them. Younger family members or group members then line up, pouring water over the elders’ hands. In return, the elders offer positive wishes and blessings to the person who poured the water. After the ritual, everyone gathers to enjoy a delectable feast. If monks are present at the celebration, they are served first before the rest of the congregation. Just like other grand holidays, such as Christmas, Songkran showcases an array of sumptuous Thai dishes that tantalize the nation’s taste buds.
Songkran in Chiang Mai: A Spectacle of Water Guns in Northern Thailand
The picturesque party city of Chiang Mai is renowned for hosting the world’s largest Songkran celebrations. Throughout the city, water splashing starts, immersing participants in waves of laughter and gleeful splashes cheered on by loud music for the traditional Thai New Year in the capital city. If you find yourself near the Ping rivers of Chiang Mai, canals, or lakes, be prepared to get thoroughly soaked during water fights! On April 12, you can join a Buddhist parade surrounded by shamans and Thai people pouring scented water out, adding a touch of spiritual reverence to the festivities.
April 13th marks the start of the Songkran Festival, known as Song Ngôm, when processions of Buddha statues grace the streets. It is also the peak of the water festival, where exuberant water fights take center stage and tens of thousands of people show up for the water festival. On April 14th, known as Wan Nao and New Year’s Day, families come together to celebrate National Family Day, cherishing quality time spent in each other’s company. Finally, April 15th, known as Wanpayawan or ‘Bathing Buddha,’ signifies the culmination of the New Year celebrations.
A Colorful Water Party!
This day is filled with lively parties, boisterous water fights with water pistols, vibrant concerts, colorful flags fluttering in the breeze, street food, sand pagodas, and the refreshing taste of watermelon. The streets come alive with a festive atmosphere as locals and visitors alike engage in joyful water battles, drenching each other with laughter and good cheer. Water pistols become the weapon of choice as people roam the streets, playfully targeting friends and strangers with cascades of water. The vibrant energy of the day is amplified by lively parties, where music fills the air and people dance to the rhythm of celebration.
Colorful flags adorn the city, adding a vibrant touch to the festive ambiance. They flutter in the gentle breeze, symbolizing the joy and unity that permeate the Songkran celebrations. As the sun sets, the aroma of mouthwatering street food fills the air, tempting passersby with a delectable array of Thai culinary delights. From savory favorites like pad thai and green curry to sweet treats like mango sticky rice, the taste buds are treated to a delightful feast.
One of the iconic sights during Songkran is the creation of intricate sand pagodas. Skilled artisans meticulously sculpt sand into beautiful structures, often depicting Buddhist symbols and figures. These magnificent sand pagodas serve as a visual reminder of the spiritual significance intertwined with the festivities.
As you immerse yourself in the vibrant celebrations, the Thai people’s jubilant atmosphere and friendly spirit will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression. Songkran is not merely a festival; it is a cultural experience that embraces joy, togetherness, and the renewal of spirit as the Thai New Year unfolds.
Happy Songkran Festival Greetings
When greeting locals during the Songkran Festival, it is a thoughtful gesture to familiarize yourself with a few Thai phrases and extend your well wishes. While English is commonly understood, expressing your greetings in Thai will surely bring a smile to their faces. To wish someone a happy Songkran, you can say, “Sà-weat-dee phee mài!” which translates to “I wish you the happiest Songkran!” Embracing the local language and customs will deepen your connection to the festivities and create meaningful encounters with the warm-hearted Thai people.
As you partake in the joyous celebrations of Songkran, may you be immersed in the exhilarating water fights, filled with laughter and shared moments of happiness. May the vibrant colors, delicious flavors, and cultural richness of this Thai New Year celebration create cherished memories that will last a lifetime. Sà-wàt-dii Pî-mai! (Happy New Year!)