The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced the Songkran Splendours Festival campaign that offers visitors from all over the globe memorable experiences with a variety of delightful, traditional celebrations of the Thai New Year. As this year marks the auspicious occasion of His Majesty the King’s 84th birthday, the Songkran Splendors Festival is focusing on marvellous and engaging cultural events that will take place in Bangkok and 12 history-rich cities across Thailand during 7 to 19 April 2011.
While renowned worldwide for its water-splashing street parties, Songkran stems from ancient traditions that are still observed. Songkran is a time for reunions, when families get together and renew their ties and honor family elders. The meaningful elements of Songkran are expressed through culture-rich ceremonies and rituals that reflect both the essence of "Thainess" as well as local beliefs and practices.
The word “Songkran,” which means “move into,” has its roots in the Sanskrit language. The water that symbolizes Songkran has an underlying significance, as it represents the cleansing and purification process. Songkran is actually the original Thai New Year, marking the end of a twelve -month cycle and the beginning of a new solar year.
During Songkran, community spirit is reflected in activities such as the spring-cleaning of temples, presenting merit-making offerings to monks, rituals in which Buddha statues and images are bathed with scented lustral water to show respect, building sand stupas and decorating temple grounds. Another charming Songkran tradition is showing gratitude to elders and respected individuals by pouring scented lustral water over their hands.