Songkran (Thailand)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Songkran
Songkran in Wat Kungthapao 03.jpg
New Year celebration, Rot Nam Dam Hua, a traditional way to celebrate with elders. Most Thai people go back to their hometowns to meet their elders.
Official name Songkran Festival (สงกรานต์)
Observed by Thai
Significance Marks the Thai New Year
Begins 13 April
Ends 15 April
Date 13 April
Next time 13 April 2016
Frequency annual
Related to Thingyan, Lao New Year, Tamil New Year, Cambodian New Year
A truck load of people after a "hit", Chiang Mai, Thailand
The Songkran festival (Thai: สงกรานต์, pronounced [sǒŋ.krāːn], listen; is celebrated in Thailand as the traditional New Year's Day from 13 to 15 April. The word "Songkran" comes from the Sanskrit word saṃkrānti,[1] or literally "astrological passage") meaning transformation or change. It coincides with the rising of Aries on the astrological chart,[2] the New Year of many calendars of South and Southeast Asia. The festive occasion is in keeping with the Buddhist/Hindu solar calendar.