How is Songkran celebrated in Thailand?
Outside, Songkran is celebrated with street parties featuring loud music and a giant friendly water fight. People collect water in buckets, squirt guns, and anything else they can find, then hit the streets to playfully splash each other. It’s a good thing April is one of the hottest months of the year in Thailand!
What do Thais do on Songkran Day?
Events during the festival include water throwing, the ritual bathing of Buddha images, processions and performances. A tempting array of traditional foods are enjoyed throughout the celebrations.
What is the meaning of Songkran in Thailand?
Songkran is Thailand’s most famous festival. An important event on the Buddhist calendar, this water festival marks the beginning of the traditional Thai New Year. The name Songkran comes from a Sanskrit word meaning ‘passing’ or ‘approaching’.
Why do people throw water on Songkran?
The holiday was traditionally marked by visiting family members and pouring water over Buddha statues. In this image, people sprinkle scented water over a Buddha statue. Throwing water is meant to wash away bad luck from the previous year.
What are the traditions of Songkran?
One very important Songkran tradition is paying respect to elders. For this, Thai children gently pour, not splash, scented water over the palms of parents and grandparents as an act of gratitude and devotion. 2)Songkran is a major Buddhist holiday in Thailand.
Why does Songkran last 3 days?
The Songkran festival is, therefore, a celebration of the New Year in accordance with the solar calendar. The celebration covers a period of three days: 13 April is regarded as Maha Songkran, the day that the sun moves into Aries on the zodiac or the last day of the old year.
What should you not do on Songkran?
Respect monks, elderly and babies Splashing water is great but never do it to monks, elderly people or babies. This is a big no-no, and if you end up doing it by mistake, apologize straight away!
What is the legend of Songkran?
The legend of Songkran is one of the interesting stories being told in Thailand. The story goes that the god Kabila Phrom challenged an intelligent 7-year-old boy called Thammabal to solve riddles, on the condition that the one losing this challenge must be beheaded.
How long does Songkran last?
Songkran is on 13 April every year, but the holiday period extends from 14 to 15 April. In 2018 the Thai cabinet extended the festival nationwide to five days, 12–16 April, to enable citizens to travel home for the holiday….Songkran (Thailand)
| Songkran | |
|---|---|
| Significance | Marks the Thai New Year |
| Begins | 13 April |
| Ends | 15 April |
| Date | April 13 |
How do you say Happy Songkran?
To wish someone a happy Songkran day, you can use the same pattern:
- Happy Songkran! สวัสดีวันสงกรานต์ sà-wàt-dee bpee mài.
- Happy Songkran! สุขสันต์วันสงกรานต์ sùk wan sŏng-graan.
Do you give or get gifts on Songkran?
Gift giving is a part of the holiday. (This Songkran, we gave our elderly aunt a new TV.) Gifts are usually given by the entire family to the older members. Visiting and paying respect to elderly family members is a must.
How do you say Happy Songkran in Thai?
What do you wear to Songkran?
Clothing-wise, men should wear swimming shorts and a t-shirt, while girls can wear swimsuits underneath shorts and a shirt. The Songkran festival, or Thai New Year is a celebration not to be missed and one in which may require a raincoat and a water gun!
Who can celebrate Songkran?
While made world-famous by Thailand’s six-day celebration, Songkran is celebrated across Southeast Asia in Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, northeast India, areas of Vietnam, and Xishuangbanna in China.
How do you enjoy Songkran?
Tips for Attending Songkran
- Chiang Mai and Bangkok have the biggest celebrations but you’ll find little celebrations all over the country.
- In Bangkok, Khao San Road and Silom hold the two biggest celebrations.
- Plan to be wet — all the time.
- The only way to avoid being wet is to have a camera or cigarette.
- Just have fun.
Do people speak English in Thailand?
While the official Thai language is widely spoken throughout Thailand, many Thais also speak and understand English, though more so in Bangkok and the major tourist areas.
What is Songkran festival in Thailand?
Songkran festival in Laplae, Uttaradit Songkran (Thai: เทศกาลสงกรานต์, pronounced [tʰêːt.sà.kāːn sǒŋ.krāːn]) is the Thai New Year’s national holiday. Songkran is on 13 April every year, but the holiday period extends from 14 to 15 April.
How long does Songkran last in Thailand?
Songkran was once based on the lunar calendar, however, now the dates are fixed. The Thailand water festival officially runs for three days starting on April 13 and finishing on April 15.
What is Songkran family day?
The 14 th of April is designated as Family Day to celebrate family love and togetherness. Songkran is regarded as one of the most important traditions in Thailand because it encompasses the three major values in the Thai way of life which are:
What is Nang Songkran Thai?
Every year when the Sun enters Aries, one of Kabillaprom’s children, called Nang Songkran Thai: นางสงกรานต์, and other angels form a procession. One of them takes a phan with Kabillaprom’s head. The lady stands, sits, reclines or sleeps on the back of the animal depending on the time.