Songkran - New Year in Thailand

This is really dangerous to go on the bike that day. A lot of accidents on the roads and the water has a face as much as a professional boxer.

The Songkran festival is celebrated in Thailand as the traditional New Year’s Day from 13 to 15 April. The most obvious celebration of Songkran is the throwing of water. Thais roam the streets with containers of water or water guns (sometimes mixed with mentholated talc), or post themselves at the side of roads with a garden hose and drench each other and passersby. Besides the throwing of water, people celebrating Songkran as a Buddhist festival may also go to a wat (Buddhist monastery) to pray and give food to monks.

Some people make New Year resolutions – to refrain from bad behavior, or to do good things. Songkran is a time for cleaning and renewal. Besides washing household Buddha images, many Thais also take this opportunity to give their home a thorough cleaning.

The throwing of water originated as a way to pay respect to people, by capturing the water after it had been poured over the Buddhas for cleansing and then using this “blessed” water to give good fortune to elders and family by gently pouring it on the shoulder.

The water is meant as a symbol of washing all of the bad away and is sometimes filled with fragrant herbs when celebrated in the traditional manner.

Thailand Songkran on Koh Samui photography

Thailand Songkran on Koh Samui photography

Thailand Songkran on Koh Samui photography

Thailand Songkran on Koh Samui photography

Thailand Songkran on Koh Samui photography

Thailand Songkran on Koh Samui photography

Thailand Songkran on Koh Samui photography

Thailand Songkran on Koh Samui photography

Thailand Songkran on Koh Samui photography

Thailand Songkran on Koh Samui photography

Thailand Songkran on Koh Samui photography

Thailand Songkran on Koh Samui photography

Thailand Songkran on Koh Samui photography

Thailand Songkran on Koh Samui photography

Thailand Songkran on Koh Samui photography

Thailand Songkran on Koh Samui photography

Thailand Songkran on Koh Samui photography

Thailand Songkran on Koh Samui photography

Thailand Songkran on Koh Samui photography

Thailand Songkran on Koh Samui photography

Thailand Songkran on Koh Samui photography

Thailand Songkran on Koh Samui photography

Thailand Songkran on Koh Samui photography

Thailand Songkran on Koh Samui photography

Thailand Songkran on Koh Samui photography

Thailand Songkran on Koh Samui photography

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