In science, water is considered the universal solvent as it is used to extend life. However, for people in Pattaya Thailand, water symbolizes “cleansing and refreshing”. As part of their Pattaya Songkran Festival, natives throw water to one another as sign of forgetting the bad things that happened in the past and welcoming the upcoming year.
Wan Lai and Sand Castle Festival on Songkran Day at Bang San Beach, Chon BuriSongkran Festival in Thailand is the Thai New Year Festival. There are 3 days for the official holidays of this festival – 13th to 15th April in many different districts throughout Thailand. However, in Pattaya City celebrates Songkran on the 19th of April. There are extended days of the Pattaya Songkran festival, called “Wan Lai” in many provinces in Thailand.
In spite the fun it brings especially to travelers, this event is actually a ritual to ask for rain since rice crops are the main sources of living in the place. However as part of the ritual, people also engage in several things which they believe are a way to receive good luck for the remaining months of the year. These include cleaning their houses, bathing Buddha images, conducting family reunions, giving alms to monks and offering prayer. Using fragrant water, young individuals give respect to elders by pouring it into their hands.