The country is in the midst of the world’s biggest water fight as tourists and locals engage in the time-honored tradition of seeing who can walk away wetter without passing out from beer first. Yes, it’s Songkran again. Time for the Thais to celebrate their new year.
Right now, all across the land of smiles, people are soaking each other with water and flour. The country is in the midst of the world’s biggest water fight as tourists and locals engage in the time-honored tradition of seeing who can walk away wetter without passing out from beer first. Yes, it’s Songkran again. Time for the Thais to celebrate their new year.
Songkran is the time of cleaning and rebirth. Originally, the date shifted depending on the astrological calendar, but in the 1800s, the celebration dates became fixed. Now Thais welcome in a new year April 13–15th, with the main celebration day being the 14th. This day is celebrated by attending temple and cleansing the body and mind. Water is meant as a way to pay respect to the elders and also symbolizes cleansing. In ancient times, elders and priests were even given baths by the youth. Many Thais make sure to honor the traditional Songkran before they partake in the modern tradition—the world’s most giant water fight!!
All over the country, people stock up on super soakers, fill water balloons, set up “refill” stations (Thais are very entrepreneurial), and get ready for three crazy days of partying. All over, tourists, expats, and locals engage in a gigantic water war fueled by happiness and beer. Bangkok and the northern city of Chiang Mai usually hold the two biggest festivals, but something’s going on in every town in every part of the country. It also helps that this time of the year is the hottest in Thailand, so this is an opportunity for Thais to cool down for a few days.
This year I dream of Songkran, but next year I’ll be holding a water gun.