Thailand Songkran Festival Guide: Dive into Your First Water Fight

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, reported by Chen Guanxin

 

The annual "Songkran Festival" is set to take place from April 13 to 15. Songkran is actually Thai New Year (Songkran, also called Songkran due to pronunciation), and various water-splashing events are held across Taiwan to join in the fun. Therefore, this grand and crazy festival is definitely no stranger to Taiwanese.

The Thai celebration of Songkran has a history of hundreds of years. Just as Taiwan is about to enter spring, Thailand’s cool dry season is also coming to an end. As the scorching summer arrives, people prepare to welcome the most anticipated Thai New Year of the year. Just like the Lunar New Year for the Chinese, Thais also reunite with their families during this time, often visiting temples to offer incense. Aside from giving thanks for the smoothness of the past year, they also pray for a bountiful harvest in the coming year. At the same time, they cleanse Buddha statues with fragrant water, and at home, pour floral-scented water gently into the cupped hands of elders as a form of blessing.Songkran is a solar calendar festival, so it is fixed from April 13 to 15 every year, right when Thailand is at its hottest. Getting completely soaked helps beat the heat perfectly..

 

Songkran was traditionally a solemn and devout New Year celebration, but it has now evolved into a joyous event that fills the streets and alleys of Thailand. While most Thais still focus on reuniting with family and visiting bustling temples as the main activities of the festival, the spectacular street celebrations and massive water fights shared by thousands have often become the most eye-catching highlights.

 

During Songkran, everyone can take part in Thai-style New Year celebrations, but be prepared to get instantly drenched—or even completely messy. Even if you just walk through a water fight area, staying completely dry is simply an impossible mission. Aside from the intense water battles, don’t be surprised if strangers you pass by say “Sawa Dee Pee Mai!” (meaning Happy New Year in Thai), smear white scented powder dissolved in water on your cheeks or hair, and then continue joyfully ambushing the next stranger.

 

Amid all the fun, don’t overlook the following tips:Please put your wallet, phone, and other valuables in waterproof plastic bags; pleasewear comfortable but not too thin clothing;wear sunglasses to prevent powder paste from getting into your eyes; and most importantly, pleasethrow yourself intothecelebrationswithout holding back. Also, when you’re hit by an ice-cold water gun, or your hair and ears are smeared with white powder, don’t get angry. Give the other person a friendly version of a “well done!” look and happily accept this playful Thai-style blessing.

 

Agoda.com has specially selected this yearChiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Koh Samui, and Krabi—a total of six of Thailand’s most popular Songkran cities—with special room booking deals. To learn more about the unique accommodations available at Thai New Year celebration spots, check out the Agoda.com official website.

 

 

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