At first look, Thailand’s yearly Songkran celebration appears to be nothing greater than an enormous water struggle. Each April, folks of all ages exit into the streets across the nation, armed solely with toy weapons and buckets of water, and struggle for hours, from daybreak till dusk. Though it’s maybe probably the most well-known characteristic of the festivities, Songkran is a good time for vacationers to go to because it’s stuffed with attention-grabbing cultural customs.
What Is Songkran, Precisely?
The standard Thai New 12 months, referred to as Songkran, is noticed from April 13 to fifteen, whereas some cities lengthen the festivities for a number of extra days. It’s believed that the time period “Songkran” originated in historic Sanskrit and described the month-to-month motion of the zodiac.
The solar’s yearly entry into the Aries constellation, the primary signal of the zodiac, signifies the customary starting of the Thai New 12 months celebration, which is why UNESCO included Songkran in its listing of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2023. Based on the UNESCO inscription, “pouring water is a big act throughout Songkran, symbolizing cleaning, reverence and success.”
“Different actions embrace feasting, people performs, video games, music, and splashing water on household and mates, in addition to bathing necessary Buddha photos.” Lately, Songkran has turn out to be a worldwide phenomenon because of the splashing, with large-scale water battles going down on blocked metropolis streets wherever from Bangkok’s Khao San Highway and Silom Highway to Chiang Mai’s historic Outdated Metropolis. It’s laborious to inform for certain when the water battles turned such an necessary side of the celebration, based on Pipad Krajaejun, a historical past lecturer at Thammasat College in Bangkok.
However historic photos of Chiang Mai taken in 1964 by Boonserm Satraphai reveal that many individuals participated in water fights within the Ping River, he tells CNN Journey. “Water fights have been occurring in several elements of Thailand for 60–70 years, based on many aged folks.”
Not like at the moment’s conflicts, which could contain a whole lot of revelers and highly effective water cannons, Pipad claims that again then “everybody performed with water within the village, everybody knew one another, and there was kinship.” These days, Songkran occasions are held in virtually each metropolis, city, and hamlet throughout the nation. (Extra concerning the water wars might be mentioned later.)
Native governments plan sure actions, however numerous hospitality institutions, together with theme parks, inns, eateries, and bars, throw their Songkran celebrations. In case you intend to take part within the water fights, be certain to confirm prematurely as some cities solely enable them to final for someday.
The Thailand Tourism Authority has compiled a schedule of occasions occurring across the nation, however Bangkok is anticipated to be a well-liked selection for these curious about experiencing the native tradition this yr. From April 11–15, 2024, the town’s historic outdated heart—the world surrounding Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue and Sanam Luang, near well-known places just like the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha—will host the first-ever Maha Songkran World Water Pageant. The competition’s centerpiece occasion, the Maha Songkran Parade, is scheduled for April 11. With 20 spectacular processions and over 1,000 performers, it can start on the Phan Fa Lilat Bridge and finish at Sanam Luang.
The competition will characteristic cultural and musical occasions at Sanam Luang, a big open area in entrance of the Grand Palace, together with the well-known Khon masked theatre. Moreover, a particular space will showcase customs and celebrations unique to the northern, northeastern, japanese areas, and southern areas of Thailand. There might be a delegated splash space with a water tunnel, a big wading pool, a water station, and a melodic dancing fountain. Regardless of regional variations in Songkran customs, Pipad of Thammasat College stories that two major rites are nonetheless being carried out at the moment.
Music Nam Phra is the customized of “folks, significantly the aged, visiting temples to sprinkle water on Buddha photos” on April 13, the primary day of the brand new yr.
However each a part of Thailand follows a considerably totally different customized; in northern Thailand, or Lanna, as an example, folks use a naga waterspout to pour water on a Buddha picture as a substitute of doing it immediately, the knowledgeable explains. “The second custom, referred to as Rot Nam Dam Hua, includes dousing the aged family members in water blended with flowers and fragrance earlier than they bless their lineage.” Normally, April 14 is when this happens. Lately, it’s frequent to seek out Buddha statues positioned in outlets and different business areas, akin to malls, along with little silver-colored cups floating in aromatic water swimming pools. Based on Pipad, the follow of performing Music Nam Phra in purchasing malls in all probability started within the Nineteen Seventies or Nineteen Eighties when main retailers like MBK and Central Division Retailer started to assemble expansive retail complexes.
Provided that the mall was predominantly utilized by city inhabitants and their households, Music Nam Phra could have been a viable possibility for a leisure exercise, based on him. “Furthermore, air con was obtainable in malls, which can persuade folks to go to them as a substitute of temples.” Guests gained’t have any bother becoming a member of in as water battles happen on streets and in public areas across the nation. Throughout Songkran, water pistols are on the market in every single place, and avenue retailers steadily arrange store near well-liked places for water fights.
Nonetheless, earlier than leaving, there are a number of essential issues to consider. Earlier than leaving, folks ought to place all of their valuables—together with waterproof telephones—in a water-resistant pouch. It’s frequent to have a sticky mess in your face from getting moist, white powder unfold on it. For the reason that high quality of the water is perhaps doubtful, put on goggles or extensive clear glasses to forestall eye discomfort.
When it’s scorching exterior, frequent sense prevails as regular. Put on a hat, apply sunscreen, and drink loads of water. In Thailand, summer season is in full swing, with highs of 40 levels Celsius (104 levels Fahrenheit) and better all through this season. Conversely, getting into a cool automobile or facility after being fully soaked via could also be fairly an expertise. Do you may have an outdated Hawaiian shirt mendacity round that you simply’ve been which means to put on? That is your alternative. Many individuals costume up throughout Songkran by donning shirts adorned with vibrant flowers. Given the importance of Songkran as a household celebration, meals performs a significant position. Each province on this diversified nation has its distinctive culinary traditions because of the abundance of regional cuisines. Nonetheless, there are a number of meals which might be particularly good in summer season. One among them is a specialty referred to as “khao chae,” which suggests “rice soaked in water.” A cool dish that’s typically served in the summertime, from late March to Might, it could be discovered on numerous seasonal menus and is steadily provided by upscale inns of their particular model. For instance, the standard khao chae set at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok comes with a wide range of aspect dishes akin to stuffed peppers, shredded pork, recent veggies, and deep-fried shallots and fish, together with jasmine-infused water with ice. In fact, we should not overlook the omnipresent mango sticky rice, a favourite dish of tourists that may be discovered wherever from fancy Thai eating places to the streets. This distinctive snack or dessert consists of candy sticky rice topped with juicy mango and a coconut cream sauce. Regardless of being year-round, its recognition peaks through the summer season, when mangoes are in season. Mango sticky rice has been served at Ok. Panich, a Bangkok establishment that has been there for nearly a century if you happen to don’t thoughts the crowds.