“songkran” is the thai traditional New Year an occasion for family reunion. At this time ,people from the rural are as whe are working in the city usually return home to celebrate the festival. Thus,whe the time cones Bangkok tem porarily turns into a deserted city.
The festival falls on apill 13 and the annual celebration is held throughout the kingdom. In fact, “songkran” is a Thai word which means “move” or “change place” as it is the day when the sun changes its position in the zodiac: It is also It now as the “water festival” as people believe that water will wash away bad luck.
This thai traditional new year begins with early morning merit-making, offering food to Buddhist monks and releasing caged brids to fly freely into the sky. During this auspicious occasion, any animals kept will be set free. Paying homage to one’s ancestors is an important part of the day. People will pay their respects to the elders by pouring scented water over the palms of their hand. The elder sin return wish the youngsters good luck prosperity.
In the afternoon, after performing a bathing rite for Buddha images and the monks, the celebrant both young and old, joy fully splash water on each other the most-talked about celebration takes place in the nor then province of chiang Mai where SongKran is celebrated from apill 13 to 15. During this period, people from all parts of the country flock there to enjoy to water festival, to water the Miss song kran contest and the beautiful parades.
In ‘ Bangkok, the Buddha image “Buddhasihing” is brought out from the nation museum for people to sprinkle lustral water at sanam luang opposite the grand palace.