SONGKRAN FESTIVAL

hat to do during

To celebrate Songkran, there are many activities thronghout

Thailand which vary according to regional tradition. Some of the

activities include:

Cleaning of houses and public places such as temples,

schools, offices to welcome the New Year with cleanlness and

fresh start.

Merit masking by offering alms to monks in dedication to the

late ancestors, going to the temples to listen to Buddhist preaching.

Releasing birds and fish back to their natural habitat is a

common practice during Songkran. This act of giving freedom is a

form of merit making.

Sprinkling water onto Buddha images andmonks is an auspicious

act to receive blessings for the New Year.

Building sand pagodas on temple ground. Bringing sand into

the temple’s premise is considered a merit because the sand can

be used or reused for construction or restoration by the temple.

Pouring water onto the elderly members of the family and/

or the society to show respect and gratefulness and to ask for their

blessing.

Folk performances and traditional games are organized for

enjoyment as well as to preserve the Songkran tradition.

Throwing water at each other in a friendly manner by using

clean or scented water, exchanging New Year’s greetings during

water play, and in case of doubt, ask permission before throwing

water at someone because he or she may not wish to get wet.

Songkran

Festival