Page 66 - songkranThaiEng_2565

In northern region or Lanna, they call April 13th
โ€œSangkranlong Dayโ€ (pronounced as Sangkhanlong)
which means the day that a year has passed or the day that a
human body has gone old for one more year. In this day, in the

morning there will be gunfire or firecrackers
to drive away wickedness. Then, there will be a cleaning activity

for houses and bodies as well as
new clothes dress-ups to welcome the new year.

April 14th is called โ€œNao Dayโ€ or โ€œDa Dayโ€

which is the day of preparations such as offerings to the monks,
foods for monks, relatives and neighbors. In some areas, this day
is called โ€œrotten dayโ€ as itโ€™s believed that people are forbidden to
speak rude words in this day, or else their mouths will become
rotten and they wonโ€™t prosper in their lives.

April 15th is called โ€œPhayawan Dayโ€ or โ€œThaloengsok Dayโ€

which is marked as the beginning of the new year. On this day,
people make merits, give offerings to the monks, listen to Dharma
(Buddhaโ€™s teaching), devote merits to the deceased ancestors,
pour some water onto Buddha images and monks (Songnam Phra
tradition), support the Bodhi tree with sticks, and pour some water
onto eldersโ€™ hands (Rodnam Damhua tradition) for blessings.

The day after the Phayawan Day is โ€œPakpi Dayโ€.
There is a series of rituals such as bad luck

eliminating ceremony, life prolonging ceremony, merit makimng
for the four gods (referring to worshipping the godss
from each direction), and household longevity
candle lighting.

Furthermore, in many localities there are additional plays, recreations,
performances, or local festive events such as Klongmongsoeng
drum competition, local sports, etc.

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