The Songkran festival in Thailand has a global reputation for being a fun-filled water fight, but it’s a New Year tradition that’s rooted deep in Buddhist and Thai culture. Learn all about how to enjoy and appreciate the Songkran festival in this article by PropertySights Real Estate.
What Does Songkran Mean?
Songkran means ‘astrological passage’ which is a translation of the Sanskrit word sankranti. It’s a reference to how the Thai New Year is determined via the change from Pisces to Aries on the astrological chart.
Because April is the month with the highest average temperatures in Thailand and the New Year is famous for its tradition of spraying water on participants, Songkran is also often referred to as the Thai water festival. It makes a fantastic excuse to cool off during the hottest time of year.
What Are the Songkran Festival’s Origins and History?
The Songkran festival’s origins date back to ancient Buddhist traditions where the New Year was calculated by royal astronomers according to a Sanskrit astrological chart. The calculations are complicated and based on a calendar that’s slightly different to the Gregorian one that’s common today.
Because of this difference the precise New Year date moved up slightly every year relative to the Western calendars. However, in 1888 the Thai cabinet fixed the Songkran date to April 13th. The festival was further extended over the years and today it’s typically observed from April 13th-15th.
The Thai New Year’s festival also has mythological lore attached to it. The main story involves a rich man and his wife who had no children until one day Indra, a god of Hindu mythology, gave him a highly intelligent child. That child was challenged to a test of wits by another god, Kapila Brahma, the loser of which would have their head cut off. The child won in the end and the god’s head was stored in a cave, only to be brought out once a year when the sun crosses the constellation of Aries.
Songkran is also connected to rice planting, where people traditionally kept cool while working in the fields by spraying water on their bodies. They also used a traditional powder called Thanaka which is made of tree bark and has natural cooling properties. Water is splashed and Thanaka powder is sometimes applied to the face during the Songkran festival.
What Are the Most Popular Songkran Traditions and Activities?
The most popular Songkran activities involve practices rooted in Buddhist tradition while visiting a temple or at home. Within those two locations, there are several customs that are observed by most Thai people.
1. Songkran at the Temple – Make Merit and Be Blessed by Buddhist Monks
Merit making at a temple is one of the most important Songkran traditions and usually involves offering food to the monks there and receiving their blessing. In Buddhism, merit making helps move a person along the path of enlightenment.
Other ways of making merit during Songkran might involve bringing sand to the temple to help with repairs, releasing animals like fish and birds, paying tribute to ancestors, and pouring water over a Buddha statue.
2. Songkran at Home – Paying Respect to Elders and Spring Cleaning
Traveling home and spending time there during Songkran is essential as the Thai New Year is a unifying holiday. While at home, Thai people will pay respect to their elders by washing their hands and feet, known as Rod Nam Dam Hua. The younger person traditionally uses scented water and presents a jasmine garland.
Another common tradition is to clean the house which is seen as a way of removing negative energy and bad luck. By getting the house in order, you’re starting the new year off on the right foot.
What Are the Modern Ways of Celebrating Songkran?
The modern ways of celebrating Songkran take some of the traditions that the holiday is famous for such as Rod Nam Dam Hua and give them exciting twists. These newer New Year activities have grown in popularity over the years and have even become an event that attracts tourists from around the world.
1. Songkran at the Elephant Parks – Elephant Sanctuary
Visiting an elephant park during Songkran is a fantastic activity for families or those who want to have some fun away from the larger crowds. You can feed the elephants, bath them, and enjoy getting soaked by them to wash away your misfortunes.
While legally you can ride elephants in Thailand it can be hard on the animals and even cruel in some cases. This should be avoided, particularly during Songkran.
2. Songkran on the Streets – Thai Water Festivals
Songkran is known as a Thai water festival these days. Major streets are closed to traffic and become arenas for large-scale water fights. Foreigners and Thai natives alike take part in these activities, gathering water in cups, buckets, and water guns and splashing everyone around them.
What Is the Reason for Splashing Water on Songkran?
The reason for splashing water on Songkran is that it’s said to be a way of washing away your bad luck and sins from the past year. This ritual purification comes from Buddhist practice.
A more practical reason for splashing water during Songkran is that it helps to cool the body during the hottest time of the year. As the New Year festival corresponds with preparing the fields in spring, it would have been a gesture of kindness to cool down those working in the fields.
What Streets of Bangkok Are Dedicated to Songkran Celebrations?
The most popular street in Bangkok that’s dedicated to Songkran celebrations is Silom, a 5 kilometer stretch of road that’s normally packed during the Thai New Year celebration. Khao San Road is another popular option, especially among tourists as it’s the backpacking mecca of Bangkok.
3. Songkran Music Festivals – For Party Lovers
Songkran music festivals have grown in popularity over the years among party lovers. These live up to the usual hype around events in Thailand like full moon beach parties, with organizers setting up sound stages, foam machines, and live music. You can expect some of the usual water play at these festivals, too.
The most popular Songkran music festivals are:
- S20 Festival in Bangkok from April 13-15
- SIAM Songkran Music Festival in Bangkok from April 12-15
- Waterbomb Bangkok from April 13-15
Three Tips for Songkran Day
Songkran is a sacred piece of Thai heritage and the modern additions of water fights and music festivals have made it a massive hit among foreigners. Because of the number of participants, it’s more important than ever to pay attention to the local rules and traditions.
1. Prepare To Get Soaked
Prepare to get soaked during Songkran because that’s one of the most important parts of the tradition. Going to areas like Silom or Khao San Road will increase your odds of entering a water fight, but there’s a good chance it will happen if you’re out and about in other places during Songkran, too.
Adopt an open-minded attitude, don’t wear a white t-shirt as it will become see-through, and put your valuables in zip lock bags if you’re heading out during the Thai New Year. Oh, and don’t forget to enjoy the festivities!
2. Avoid Accidents
Avoiding accidents and staying safe during Songkran should be a priority for everyone who’s out on the streets. Accident insurance claims during Songkran in 2023 totaled 139 million baht from motor bike and car accidents due to the abnormally heavy traffic. So be careful where you walk and don’t splash motorbike riders.
Protecting yourself during the festivities is just as important as when in traffic. If you’re in the water fight zones, consider goggles to protect your eyes, watch your step on the slippery ground, and don’t swallow the water.
3. Respect the Songkran Traditions
Respect the Songkran traditions while enjoying them because this holiday is an important piece of Thai heritage. Here are some ways to be polite while you’re having fun:
- Greet the locals with ‘sawadee bee mai’ which means happy New Year in Thai.
- Don’t splash water on monks. You can tell who’s a monk by their traditional orange robes.
- Stay fully clothed including top and bottom and don’t remove them in public.
- Use clean water only.
- Be aware of your surroundings and only splash consenting individuals.
- Refrain from drinking alcohol near temples.
Considering a long-term stay in this fun-loving, festive country? Contact PropertySights Real Estate today and set up an appointment with one of our licensed professionals to get your life in Thailand off to the right start.
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