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Songkran Water Festival, Thailand

Posted by Jackie Hewett on Wed 12th March 2008 at 01:08 AM, Filed in Far East, April

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This is possibly Thailand’s biggest annual festival and marks the start of the Buddhist New Year…..with water! It starts on April 13th and lasts at least 3 days to the 15th, but in some parts of the country it goes on for up to 10 days and Pattaya celebrates in the following week. As it is an official holiday most businesses, including government offices and many shops, are closed.

Everyone gets wet, including Buddha images, which are bathed on the 13th as part of the ceremonies. Today families pack into the back of pickup trucks use water guns, hoses and buckets to fire their water missiles in ‘drive-by’ squirtings that go on until sun down. Traffic can be bumper to bumper, and one downside is that unfortunately road fatalities increase as people ride on bus and train roofs and driving can be even more erratic. Tourists are not exempt from a soaking as eager water throwers have been known to board buses or hurl buckets of liquid through open windows and even police officers are considered fair game, albeit a little more gently than the general public. The important thing is that it is all in good spirit, and as it’s quite a hot time of the year an impromptu shower can be a welcome relief! Be warned however that some Thais also throw white powder to ward off evil spirits, but its not good for your eyes (wear sun glasses) or your camera (keep it in a plastic bag and be careful when you are using it).

The word Songkran itself is from Sanskrit and means the beginning of Solar Year and as it is widely regarded as a public spring cleaning day, anything Thai’s believe to be old and useless must be thrown away or it will bring bad luck. The festival started some thousand years ago when the start of a new farming cycle was marked. Water was used as a symbol of cleansing and renewal. Young people would delicately sprinkle scented water over the hands of their elders as a sign of respect while also seeking their blessing. Pilgrimages would be made to temples, new robes and food would be proffered to monks and homes would be spring cleaned.

Strings are also tied around the wrists of elders expressing good wishes and those with large families and many friends can end up with dozens of strings on each wrist which are worn until they simply fall off. In addition to the dousings there are parades, beauty pageants, music and dancing.

Many Thai’s travel home to be with their families so you need to get reservations early during this period, especially for transport and one of the most popular places for celebrating Songkran is Chaing Mai in the north where a canal that encircles the city’s old quarters serves as a handy source of water. Bangkok can be quite quiet and deserted so perhaps it’s a good time to see some of the sights. It’s a great excuse to let your hair down and your clothes will need less attention than is you visit the Tomatina in Spain.

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