The Northern Thai people have their own folkloric explanation for the origins of the word. Songkran day itself is called Wan Sangkhan Lohng, and the day of the new year is called Pavenee Pee Mai. Wan Sangkhan Lohng is, according to local legend, the day that Lady Sangkhan passes by, as the word lohng means to ‘go away' or ‘pass by'. Technically it is the last day of the Lanna Lunar calendar, and the start of Pavenee Pee M