Songkran Festivalเทศกาลวั�นสงกรานต์�

(13-15 April)

Thailand adopted this tradition from the ancient Brahmins in India who believed that the sun re-entered Aries and finished its orbit round the earth on April 13th

History

The date of the festival was originally set by

astrological calculation, but it is now fixed. If these days fall on a

weekend, the missed days off are taken on the weekdays immediately

following. Songkran falls in the hottest time of the year in Thailand, at the end of the dry season.

History

Significant of Songkran Festival

In Thailand, people often cook foods in the morning and go to the temple. And some people also go to back to their house to ask their parents for wishes and a ‘good luck’. During 13-15 April most of the people throw water at each other, because Songkran is celebrated during the hottest time in Thailand.

Greetings

The traditional greeting is "สวั�สดี�ปี�ใหม่�" (sawatdi pi mai), basically "Happy New Year". Sawasdee is also used for "hello" or "goodbye". Pi and mai mean "year" and "new" respectively in Thai. Another greeting used is "ส�ขส�นต์�วั�นปี�ใหม่�" (suk san wan pi mai), where suk san means "happy".

However, most people use "ส�ขส�นต์�วั�นสงกรานต์�" (suk san wan songkran) — meaning "Happy Songkran Day" 

DO’s

1. Do give alms and make merit (or just witness the rituals if you are not a Buddhist)

2. Do use waterproof bags to protect your valuables & watch your belongings

3. Do use public transportation if you are heading to one of Songkran ‘hotspots’, as traffic will be paralyzed

Thank Youขอบคุ�ณDone By:

Kullathon Sitthiarnwattanachai