28 | Culture Ways of Life and Wisdom
• “Saba Mon”, a traditional game of Mon people at the Phra Pradaeng Songkran
Festival in Samut Prakan province.
The dedication of the charity to the ancestors is
paying reverences to the the deceased. Watering the elderly
is the act of paying a tribute to living senior members of the
family or respected adults of the community. It is the act of
showing reverence from the younger generation to the elders.
Following the graceful culture of Thailand, splashing water after
ceremonies is considered a way to strengthen relationship
among friends and family members. Clean water probably
mixed it with scented water or perfume is used for pouring
on them in a polite way. Festivals and entertaining games may
differ in each locality and for enjoyment and harmony such
as Mae Sri spiritual possession, communication with spirits,
Saba, Luk Chuang etc.
The current lifestyle of Thai people may change. Traveling
to other places to make a living may not allow family members
regularly in touch as in the past. Yet, the Songkran tradition
connects people, by bringing good ties and culture back to
the identity and community again. It also preserves traditions
and culture, and remains true to the core idea to make people
aware of the activities during the past one year and ready to
move forward with good practice.