Bangkok celebrates Thai New Year

Travellers heading for Bangkok could have their cares quite literally washed away this April at the annual Songkran celebrations, otherwise know as the Thai New Year.

Referring to the sun's changing position in the zodiac, the word Songkran means change place or move and the respective festivities, which follow the lunar calendar, last for three days.

Also known as the water festival, people traditionally use water to wash away bad luck during the celebrations, which this year run from April 13th-15th, taking the New Year as an opportunity to clean their houses, temples and public spaces.

During Songkran people pay homage to Buddha and gather with their families, showing their respect for their elders by pouring scented water onto the hands of their parents and grandparents.

This tradition however has now expanded into a popular street festival in Bangkok, with people gathering together and using everything from water pistols to ten gallon water tubs to soak one another, all in good spirits of course, and who could complain in the seasonal 30 degrees C plus temperatures?

Posted by Just the Flight, 20 March 2006 17:44

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