The Songkran Festival in Thailand is celebrated as the country’s traditional New Year’s Day. To the Thais, Songkran is one of the happiest and most anticipated holidays of the year. The festival has been celebrated in the country for centuries, but is believed to be adapted from a holiday in India called Makar Sankranti or Pongal. The word “songkarn” comes from the Sanskrit word saṃkrānti , which literally means “astrological passage”. Songkran is a national and public holiday in Thailand, with public offices closed for the entire duration.
The date of Songkran was originally determined by astrological calculation, particularly using the solar calendar. This means that the date of Songkran changed throughout the years. When Thailand adapted the use of the modern calendar, Songkran’s date became fixed on April 13 and lasts three days until April 15. In some places, particularly in Chiang Mai, celebrations last for six days or longer.
In 2014, Songkran will again fall on those days.