What are the traditional dates of the Songkran festival in Thailand?
Songkran is on 13 April every year, but the holiday period extends from 14 to 15 April. In 2018 the Thai cabinet extended the festival nationwide to five days, 12–16 April, to enable citizens to travel home for the holiday.
What events take place during the water festival?
Traditional dance, singing and cultural shows are performed together during the festival. Religious activities in the tradition of Theravada Buddhism are also carried out at both pagoda and monastery. Young people visit elders to pay respect during this period.
What happens during the Songkran festival?
The Songkran Festival is a time when family and friends gather to pay gratitude to elders and visit temples for prayer and offering. Songkran literally means to pass or move into. The Songkran Festival is also a period when the Thai people cleanse and pour water mixed with Thai fragrance on Buddha images.
How long does Songkran last?
Note: Songkran in Thailand is officially observed 3 days as a national vacation, and though the government may announce varying official dates, it’s usually between the 13th and 15th of April. Even so, celebrations often last an entire week!
What year did Songkran begin?
The official Songkran date was established in accordance with the West Gregorian calendar after 1989. The festival of Songkran has been an affair for every month since then. Even though festivities continue throughout April, the “new year,” April 13–14‐15 each year, is divided into three sections.
Why do Thai celebrate Songkran?
Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year festival since the former time. It is a celebration that embraces goodwill, love, compassion. and thankfulness, using water as the means of expression. The word Songkran derives from Sanskrit meaning to move or step forward.
What do you say to someone on Songkran?
To wish someone a happy Songkran day, you can use the same pattern:
- Happy Songkran! สวัสดีวันสงกรานต์ sà-wàt-dee bpee mài.
- Happy Songkran! สุขสันต์วันสงกรานต์ sùk wan sŏng-graan.
What does Songkran symbolize?