By Sofia Paola Sarandrea, Year 12
Now that March is at an end and April is here, the Songkran festival in Thailand is just around the corner.
Songkran, also known as the Thai Water Festival, is the traditional Thai New Year celebration that takes place from April 13 to April 15. The vibrant celebration marks the traditional Thai New Year and brings people from Thailand and across the world together to celebrate.
How is it celebrated?
Water is an important and essential element of Songkran, symbolizing purification and renewal. The festival which marks the Thai year is deeply rooted in the belief that water can wash away misfortunes and sins from the past year. During this time people engage in various water-related rituals such as pouring water over Buddha statues, and gently sprinkling water on the hands of elders as a sign of respect and seeking blessings for the year ahead.
The festival often transforms into lively water fights, where locals and tourists take to the streets armed with water guns, buckets, and hoses. This modern twist on traditional practices creates a vibrant and fun atmosphere filled with joy and unity. The playful exchange of water serves not only as a way to cool off in the heat in April but also as a means of bringing people together, creating community spirit and celebrating life.
What about the tourists?
Songkran attracts many tourists every year. It is estimated that millions of people from all over the world come to Thailand to join the water festival. In recent years, before the pandemic, it was common to see around 3 to 5 million tourists visiting during the Songkran festival. The tourists look forward to joining the water festival to have fun with the locals and to explore Thai culture as well.
What are the spiritual aspects of Songkran?
Thailand is known to be a predominantly Buddhist country, therefore honoring the Buddha is a significant part of the celebration. People pour water over the Buddha statues as a way to pay respects and seek blessings. This act is not only a ritual but also a reminder of the values taught by the Buddha, encouraging individuals to reflect on their own lives and strive for personal growth and kindness towards others (which is found regularly in Thailand).
As mentioned earlier, the connection between water and the Buddha during Songkran highlights the idea of purification, not just of the physical body but also of the mind and spirit. It is a beautiful way for people to come together, celebrate their culture and embrace the teachings of Buddhism when welcoming the new year.
Sources:
Davidson, Rose. “Songkran.” Celebrations, 8 Nov. 2016, kids.nationalgeographic.com/celebrations/article/songkran.
Gorecho, Dennis. “Songkran Water Festival as Celebration of Life.” Catholic News in Asia | LiCAS.news | Licas News, 24 Apr. 2024, www.licas.news/2024/04/24/songkran-water-festival-as-celebration-of-life/. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.“Songkran 101: An Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to the Thai Water Festival | TravelBud.” TravelBud, 12 Aug. 2024, travelbud.com/blog/thailand/songkran-101-an-ultimate-beginners-guide-to-the-thai-water-festival/.
