We continue to talk about the celebrations of the traditional New Year in different countries that we have been able to visit. Today we will talk about the Songkran water festival in Thailand, which we found in Phuket.
What is Songkran or Thai New Year?
The traditional New Year in Thailand is celebrated in mid-April, marking the transition of the sun into the sign of Aries and the beginning of a new cycle on the astrological calendar. The festival also hits the end of Thailand's hot season, signifying the rainy season is coming soon.Many religious Buddhist rituals are associated with the Songkran celebrations, which differ slightly from province to province. The celebration begins with the morning ritual of offering to monks in Buddhist temples, washing of Buddha statues, rituals of worshiping ancestors. But the most famous tradition in the Western world is the water fights, which unfold on the hot streets of Thailand during the Thai New Year celebrations. Both locals and tourists take part in these battles, regardless of age and often regardless of desire. :)
New Year in Patong
Walked down the street the day before Songkran
On the day of Songkran, we thoroughly prepared for going out into the street. Unfortunately, we did not have the opportunity to leave the equipment in the room (since the budget hotel did not have a safe or a luggage room), so we had to pack it in endless layers of bags.
The first New Year's greetings did not come in the most pleasant way. We walked along the road, and suddenly from a pickup truck passing at a decent speed they splashed water at me, hitting exactly in my ear. Because of the high speed, the very cold water and the location it hit, the congratulations turned out to be fun only for the watering side.
After a while, we went out onto a densely populated street, where bowls, water cannons, pistols and hoses were already waiting for their victims every hundred meters. The first discovery we made: the water is very, very cold! I don't even know where to get such cold water during the hot season in Thailand!
Some locals make a sign that they do not need to be doused (which is not always taken into account), but most passers-by and passers-by accept congratulations, symbolizing cleansing. In addition to pouring water on Songkran, it is also customary to smear clay or talcum powder on the face as a sign of blessing.
The atmosphere on the streets of Thailand at this time is crazy: music is playing, people in colorful New Year's shirts are dancing and pouring water. The festival is very fun, but we realized that it is much more fun to water passers-by than to be a passer-by on this day!
Traditional greetings consist of a bowl of water and a blessing of talcum powder, but in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, there are real water fights on the streets, especially in the tourist areas. If you are lucky enough to be in Thailand during Songkran, then do not even hope to return home dry. Put on your swimsuit, pack your gear and get your water guns ready for fun!
