Songkran's Festival is one of the most celebrated festivals in Thailand. Songkran Day, which occurs on April 13th, marks the New Year on the ancient Thai calendar. However, Thai people today consider January 1st as the new calendar year
In most provinces of Thailand, the Songkran Festival is celebrated from April 13th to April 15th. At this time of the year, Thai people visit temples to offer food to the monks and to participate in bathing ceremonies of Buddha statues. At home, young people pour scented water onto the hands of their parents and elders as a mark of respect. In return, they receive the blessings of the elderly. Another unique Songkran custom is the releasing of live birds and fish purchased in markets. This merit-making act is thought to have come from the old practice of collecting small fish from dried out pools, so that they can later be relesed back into their natural habitat
Not only is Songkran a time to mark a new beginning, it is also a time for individuals to reflect upon and thank the acts of kindness and thoughtfulness that others have given them. Songkran is also a time to reunite with family members.
The significance of Songkran is water, which is symbolic of the purging of all ills, misfortune and evil and a fresh start of the New Year. This has turned Songkran into a water carnival. Groups of people, friends and strangers alike, line in and wait for their potential victims at street corners with buckets of water ready to splash at unsuspecting passersby. Since April is the hottest month of the year in Thailand, everyone enjoys being soaking wet on Songkran.
During the Songkran holiday, there is hardly any traffic in Bangkok because most people go back to their home located in other provinces or simply go on a vacation. Most of the celebrations in Bangkok are concentrated at places like Khao San Road, a traditional hangout for young backpackers, which turns into a free-fire water-sloshing zone for the duration of the holidays. More traditional celebrations are held near the Grand Palace, with the bathing of the sacred Phra Buddha Sihing image. A beauty pageant, Miss Songkran, is held in the Wisutkasat area, accompanied by merit-making, fun and entertainment.
The whole country celebrates Songkran but the festivities are nowhere as exalted as in Chiang Mai. Songkran Festival is not only observed in Thailand but also in Burma, Laos and Cambodia. This is one celebration that definitely should never be missed.