Passage 3
Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year and an occasion for family reunions. People from all over Thailand and abroad return home to celebrate the festival with their families. In fact, the word “Songkran” means “move” or “change place” as it is the day when the sun changes its position in the zodiac. Songkran is also known as the “Water Festival” because people believe that water will wash away bad luck.
Celebration throughout the kingdom begins as much as a week before the actual New Year’s Day and continues for as long as a week after. During this time, people stand along roads and highway or ride around in the backs of pick-up trucks and throw water on passersby and each other. People also consume huge amounts of “lao kao,” or homemade Thai rice whiskey, as well as other types of alcohol. Unfortunately, there are many drunk drivers on the road and there are numerous traffic accidents and fatalities (deaths).
New Year’s Day falls on April 13th and begins with ealy morning merit-making – offering food to Buddhist monks, paying respects to ancestors, and releasing caged birds. It is also the time for younger people to pay respects to their elders by giving money and pouring scented water over the palms of the elders’ hands. In return, the elders wish the youngsters good luck and prosperity for the year to come. In the afternoon, many people clean the Buddha images at temples and in their homes.
The largest Songkran celebration takes place in the northern city of Chiangmai. People come from all around to join in the party and watch the beautiful parades and the Miss Songkran Beauty Contest. In Bangkok, the Buddha image “Buddhasihing” is brought out from the national museum for people to sprinkle holy water at Sanam Luang, opposite the Grand Palace.
Who do younger people pay their respects to?
A . older people in their families
B. their brothers and sisters
C. strangers
D. no one