As the hot sun beats down on the streets of Thailand, locals and tourists alike gear up for one of the most exciting festivals of the year – Songkran. This annual celebration marks the traditional Thai New Year, and it’s a time for cleansing, renewal, and lots of water fun!
Water as a celebration of renewal
Songkran is a three-day festival that takes place from April 13 to 15, but the festivities often continue for a week or more in some areas. During the festival, people use water guns, buckets, and hoses to soak anyone in sight.
The water play is not just for fun, though. It’s a symbolic cleansing ritual meant to wash away the old and welcome the new year with a fresh start. In fact, the word Songkran comes from a phrase in the Sanskrit language meaning “passage of the sun”.
Traditionally, people prepare for Songkran by…
