By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, reported by Chen Guanxin
The annual "Songkran Festival" is coming from April 13 to 15. Songkran is actually Thai New Year (Songkran, also called Songkran due to pronunciation), and various regions in Taiwan also hold water-splashing events to join in the fun, so this grand and crazy festival is definitely no stranger to Taiwanese.
The annual Thailand Songkran Festival is coming on April 13. (Image provided by Agoda.com)
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 are getting ready to celebrate the most anticipated Thai New Year of the year. Just like the Lunar New Year for the Chinese, Thais also reunite with their families at this time, often visiting temples to offer incense, not only to give thanks for the smoothness of the past year but also to pray for a bountiful harvest in the coming year. At the same time, they also use fragrant water to cleanse Buddha statues, and at home, they pour floral-scented water slowly into the cupped hands of elders as a form of blessing.Songkran is a solar calendar festival, so it is fixed to take place every year from April 13 to 15, right when Thailand is at its hottest. Getting completely soaked helps beat the heat perfectly.
Traditionally, Songkran was a solemn and devout New Year celebration, but it has now evolved into a lively event that takes over the streets and alleys of Thailand. Most Thais still focus on reuniting with family and visiting bustling temples as the main activities during the festival, but the spectacular street celebrations and water fights enjoyed by thousands often steal the spotlight.
During Songkran, everyone can take part in Thai-style New Year festivities, 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. In addition to the intense water battles, don’t be surprised if strangers walking by say “Sawa Dee Pee Mai!” (meaning Happy New Year in Thai) to you, while smearing white scented powder dissolved in water on your cheeks or hair, then moving on to joyfully surprise the next person.
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 intothecelebrationwithout holding back. Also, when you’re hit by an ice-cold water gun or have white powder smeared on your hair or ears, don’t get angry—just give the other person a friendly “good one!” look and happily accept this playful Thai blessing.
Agoda.com has specially selectedChiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Koh Samui, and Krabi, a total of six popular Thai cities for Songkran, offering hotels with special deals. To learn more about unique accommodations in Thai New Year celebration spots, visit the Agoda.com official website.
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