The tourists from all over the world especially love this holiday, trying to get to Songkran - the Thai New Year, because it is a wonderful possibility to take part in the mass game-like merry traditions. You should buy water weapons, wear light clothes, as a rule - t-shirt and shorts - and go out to the streets of Thailand. The most important - is to pack the valuable items like the cellphone and wallet into a plastic bag, because nobody remains dry during the Thai New Year. And it is not bad, because the water during the hot April days - is a pleasure.
The Thai call this holiday - Wan Song Kran - what can be translated as "movement from one place to another". The day, when the Earth finishes it's turn around the sun - means the New Year. Currently, the official year change in Thailand occurs according to the western traditions - on the 1-st of January, but among people this holiday is celebrated still in the middle of April.
The celebration of the Thai New Year begins in the early morning in the temples where millions of Thai have taken part in the ancient ceremony of the Buddha statues bathing and saint relics.
The action is accompanied with solemn ceremonies and rich gifts to the monks.
Tons of water flow everywhere, powder strewed on everyone. The water that is poured in Thailand is considered as the essence of all the living and brings wellness. That is why the citizens entertain themselves and all the people around - standing along the roads or driving pick-ups with water barrels and pouring water on everyone.
The ablution continues also in the houses of the local citizens, where each member of a Thai family pours his statuette with clean water with rose and jasmine petals.
After that comes the fiery celebration for everyone, that is headed by the colorful masqueraded parade along the main streets of the capital.
To pour water and to strew powder on somebody means to wish him or her all the best and luck. |