Songkran Day 2023, which falls on April 13 every year, is quickly approaching. The festival is a long-standing tradition in Southeast Asia, and in Thailand, it is also known as “Thai New Year’s Day,” which the government has declared a public holiday. This piece will instruct you about the history of the holiday, its significance, and the best time and place to celebrate it.
Complete Manual: Everything You Need to Know about Songkran
What is Songkran (Thai New Year)?
Songkran is a tradition in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Burma, the Vietnamese Tai minority, China’s Yunnan province, as well as Sri Lanka and India’s eastern states. Historians believe that the tradition was culturally derived from the Holi festival in India, but the Holi festival involves splashes of color rather than splashes of water.
Originally, the ceremony was a ritual that took place within the family or the neighboring community, but it has now been changed to become a Songkran festival by expanding to a more widespread trend, including a change in attitudes and beliefs.
Water was first used as the main symbol of the ceremony to counteract the meaning of summer when the sun enters Aries. On this day, people pour water on each other to hydrate themselves, to invoke elders, and to remember and thank their deceased ancestors.
Later, in modern Thai society, it has become a tradition for people to return to their hometowns after being away on business elsewhere, to the point where Songkran is considered a family day.
Pouring water on the Buddha image to bring auspiciousness for a happy start to the new year is another tradition that has been passed down since the beginning.
Why Fly All the Way to Thailand for this Festival?
Thailand’s Songkran Festival is a one-of-a-kind water festival with a distinctive ambiance that cannot be found anywhere else in the world! The festivals, both variations and traditional ones, are attractive to attract tourists to learn about and take an interest in Thai culture.
However, the main reason that drives people all over the world to fly across the sea to experience the unique atmosphere of Songkran in Thailand is because of the frenzied fun of spraying water to cool off the blissful summer heat.
When Will Songkran Take Place?
Because the tradition has been passed down since ancient times alongside the New Year, it is referred to as the Songkran New Year tradition, which means to send off the old year and welcome the new. The day was adopted as the Thai New Year’s Day and was used until 1940, when it was replaced by January 1 in accordance with the international trend.
Later on, it is declared a public holiday every year from April 13 to 15. Although the Songkran period is as stated, some areas in Thailand will have later events, such as the Pattaya Water Festival on April 18-20, 2023.
Where to Best Celebrate Songkran?
1. Bangkok
Bangkok, the capital, is a bustling city that becomes even busier when the joyous Songkran festival arrives! Visitors to Bangkok, Thailand, during these times are strongly advised to visit the following locations:
- CentralWorld
- Siam Paragon
- Asiatique the Riverfront
- ICONSIAM
- Khao San Road
2. Pattaya
Pattaya, during the festival period, must be an extremely popular destination that many folks wish to visit in the new tourism season after the COVID situation in many nations has improved in order to experience the unique vibration of this renowned site after a long wait.
Pattaya’s Wan Lai Festival (the later event of Songkran), which will take place this year from April 18-20, is one of the most essential highlights of Thailand’s Songkran Festival that tourists should experience in person once in a lifetime!
3. Bangsaen
Chonburi Songkran Festival 2023, which will be held from April 11–19, is coming up, and Chonburi Province is preparing to host a grand event after years of being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. So, this year, if you’re planning to visit Thailand to experience the best of the seaside fun and beautiful beach in the hot summer sun, Hungry Hub highly recommends you visit Bangsaen!
4. Phra Pradaeng
The Phra Pradaeng Songkran Festival (April 21-23, 2023) is an ancient tradition with arts and culture that has been passed down through the generations. The Miss Songkran parade, the floral float parade, the Miss Songkran and Loi Chai contests, and the restoration of the Phra Pradaeng people’s way of life are at the heart of the event. Those who want to be immersed in this historic moment should definitely attend this magical event!
5. Khon Kaen
Khon Kaen is one of the provinces that, this year, is preparing to host another grand Songkran after many years of loneliness due to COVID-19. The province of Khon Kaen will organize activities to promote cultural traditions, plays, and local performances in the Isan way of life and expects that the Songkran festival, on April 8–15, 2023, will bring the sticky rice road back to life!
How to Enjoy Songkran to the Finest?
Hungry Hub provides the following preparations to make Songkran safe and enjoyable:
1. Sunblock
Sunscreen is an essential item, especially during the summer and during Songkran, because going out to play in the sun and pollution without any skin protection can cause sunburn and subsequent symptoms.
2. Safeguard Your Phone and Valuable
In this crowded Songkran festival, it is critical to keep the prevention of lost valuables in mind at all times. Aside from the fact that it is crowded, you must also be cautious of the water. Putting valuables in a pocket or trouser pocket is not a good idea. Waterproof cases are recommended by Hungry Hub for sealing electronics and other belongings.
3. Water Guns
A water gun is an essential Songkran Festival item that everyone must have! Choosing a water gun must be done with care and consideration for yourself. There are many different types of water guns to choose from in terms of size and design, but the most important thing is to use one that is not overly violent and does not harm others.
4. Soft-Prepared Chalk or Powder
Dinso Phong (soft-prepared chalk) and this event have long been associated but selecting them requires caution. Because some manufacturing facilities use non-standard processes, the product may not always be clean; Using those may be contaminated.
5. Scented Water or Traditional Thai Perfume
Simply mix Nam Ob (scented water), an enchanting tool for the festival, into the water to enjoy Songkran in a distinct Thai scent. Nam Ob is also commonly mixed and used to bathe Buddha images. If you’re longing for Thai aromas, Hungry Hub recommends trying the aromatic-scented water to create a magical atmosphere in this holiday season.
And that’s all you need to know about the grand and bustling Songkran festival. If you’re seeking an exciting summer vacation, Hungry Hub highly recommends experiencing Thailand’s fantastic atmosphere during Songkran. Finally, we wish you a wonderful vacation in this great nation!
