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Practices for Songkran Tradition
Essence Songkran tradition in Thailand is an important time for people in the family or
community to engage in various activities together. Thai people consider Songkran tradition
to be โ€Thai New Yearโ€, so Songkran tradition is a time of important transition. It is not only
the transition period from the old era or Thai minor era to the new era, but also the period
after the harvest season, preparing to enter the growing season. People therefore abstain from
agriculture and come together to join in celebration activities after harvesting their produces.
At present, the Songkran tradition is April 13 - 15 of each year. It is also a public holiday,
allowing the people who live and work outside of their homeland to travel home to spend
time with their families and toengage in various activities together.
Importance Another importance of Songkran tradition is that Songkran tradition is a
day to pay homage to the elders of the family such as grandparents, parents and elders in
the community, especially the monks. The way to show respect is to bring scented or aroma
water to the venerable, as well as to sprinkle water to the Buddha image and sacred things
that are worshiped for the auspiciousness during the new year. Also, a familyโ€s activities make
Songkran tradition a โ€Family Dayโ€ and โ€Day of the Elderlyโ€ along with the New Yearโ€s Day
as well.
Main activities Songkran traditions often include rituals or activities to bring fortune and
to create joy and relaxation from the exhaustion all year round, as well as to helping relieve
from the heat in summer. People can come together to do family activities and public activities
such as house and public space cleaning, local craftsmanship decoration, alms giving and
offering food to monks at the temple, water sprinkling to Buddha images and monk bathing,
sand raising and sand pagoda formation, to contribute to the charity and the auspiciousness
Songkran Tradition เน