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The next day is โ€Wanpakpiโ€, there are series of rituals such as remove oneโ€s bad luck
ceremony, prolong oneโ€s life ceremony, make merit for the four gods (Worshipping the angels
from each direction), and light the life candle in the house.
Furthermore, there are many localities that organise festival, entertainment, performance,
or local festive events such as Klongmongsoeng competition, local sport, etc.
Isan region or Northeastern region, Some would organise three days, five days, or
seven days Songkran festival up to each locality. The first day is 13th April. The activities are
quite similar to northern region. Main activity is to pouring some water onto Buddha images
which only last for one day. Mostly in each province, they organise a parade of Buddha images
and other artistic object of each creativity. When the parade is finished, the pouring water
ceremony begin onto Buddha images and monks accordingly.
After that there is making merit for ancestral spirit ceremony which is called โ€Sak-anitchaโ€.
In Songkran festival, Northeastern people who live and work elsewhere will come back to
their homelands for making merit to their ancestors.
Moreover, there are some activities such as set the birds and fishes free, water pouring
ceremony, performance, local plays, water splashing for youngsters. The day before Songkran
day, it is the preparation and cleaning day so that everything is prepared for Songkran period.
Southern region, it is called โ€Wan Songkranโ€ (Songkran day) or โ€Prapheni Wanwangโ€
(Wanwang tradition). It is the day to empty your body and mind from normal days in the
period of three days which are 13th, 14th, and 15th April of every year
On 13th April, it is called โ€Wan Chaomueangkaoโ€ (Ancient governor day) or โ€Wan
Songchaomueangkhaoโ€ (Ancient governor farewell day) from the belief of city guardian
angels return to their heaven on this day. It is also the day of house and tools cleaning and
ceremony of removing bad luck and bring good fortune which is called โ€Loi Khroโ€ or โ€Loi
Phaeโ€ to let bad luck flows with the ancient governor. Pouring water onto Buddha images
also perform in this day.
On 14th April, it is called โ€Wan wangโ€ which means the day without city guardian angels.
Therefore, the people stop working, go to make merit at the temple, and perform water
pouring ceremony to their elders.
เน‘4เน–3 Songkran Tradition
