Once, while vacationing in Thailand on the island of Koh Chang, we were riding a motorbike with our mouths open, cameras and phones in full swing, filming wildlife. After some time, we saw in front of us a checkpoint of joyful, wet people smeared with clay, with water tanks standing nearby...
Songkran - Thai New Year photo and video
When is the Thai New Year holiday - Songkran
Thai New Year- Songkran is celebrated depending on the region of Thailand from April 6 to April 21, but the official date is from April 13 to April 15.
Thai New Year holiday description
Songkran is the Thai New Year, which implies the change of seasons and is associated with the end of the dry season and the coming of the rainy season.
How Songkran is celebrated in Thailand
Historically, Songkran is family celebration and it begins with the fact that the Thais go to the temple in the morning giving the monks delicious treats, then return home and pour blessed water over the family Buddha statue and sprinkle it with flower petals. After this, they pour water on their hands and sit down at the festive table.
After everyone has had their fill, the fun begins! Thais, armed with buckets, ladles and water dispensers, go outside to pre-prepared containers and fill their guns with water. With screams, joy and happiness on their faces, they pour water on their neighbors and passers-by, wishing them happiness in the New Year!
It is believed that water cleanses from everything bad that happened in the past year. Thais also paint everyone with talcum powder or white clay in order to protect them from everything bad and negative in the New Year!
Conclusion
We had to stop - it’s good that the backpack had a water-repellent cover where we put all the equipment away.
Then we were doused with water from head to toe.
On this day, the Thais do not spare water and you will not be able to get out of it unscathed! Be sure to think about protecting your gadgets so as not to be too angry with the Thais - after all, they wish you happiness and goodness!
Songkran is a festival you should definitely attend! Perhaps it is one of the most cheerful and positive in Thailand, while the streets are no longer so hot - this is a great time to visit the Kingdom!
Thai New Year is considered one of the most joyful holidays in the world, so many people are wondering what date it will be in 2018. Ancient traditions and customs, the festival of pouring water and preparations for the rainy season are accompanied by joyful emotions throughout the country.
In Thailand, New Year is celebrated twice. First on January 1, as in most countries, when the calendar begins its new report, but the real Thai New Year from ancient times is celebrated in mid-April.
New Year celebrations in 2018 will begin on April 13, although in some regions it will be fun party start earlier - April 11. The amazing fun continues until April 15, and sometimes lasts for a whole week.
The date for celebrating the Thai New Year was not chosen by chance. In mid-spring, the hot and dry climate is replaced by the rainy season, and the yield depends on it, including the main food product - rice.
New Year celebrations are associated with astrological calendar, renewal of nature, upcoming sowing of rice and cultivation of other crops. And although this holiday has nothing in common with the Russian New Year, many tourists want to visit it. Whether you are one of them, you will understand after you become more familiar with Thai customs.
Thai New Year 2018 – Songkran
The Thai New Year is called Songkran, which means “transition” in Sanskrit. The tradition of celebrating the transition to a new astrological year goes back to ancient times. Hinduism and Buddhism are intertwined in the customs of celebrating this holiday. On this day, all boundaries between adults and children, rich and poor are erased. City streets are filled with fun, joyful laughter and only positive emotions.
Residents of the country will most likely celebrate the Thai New Year in 2018, as in previous years. This family holiday allows relatives to get closer and souls to be cleansed. Buddhist traditions play a key role on this important day for all Thais.
New Year in Thailand is necessarily accompanied by the following customs and traditions:
- The day before, residents of Thai cities carefully prepare for the holiday, cleaning up their homes and yards. In some cities, the two days before Sognkran are days off so that people have time to clean up their house.
- You need to cleanse not only your home, but also your soul. To do this, read the sacred texts of the mantra. You also need to keep your body clean.
- You should definitely visit the temple, where the ritual of burning a pyramid with a skull on top is held.
- Upon returning home, you need to wash the Buddha figurine with sacred water.
- Large families gather in one house. Relatives ask each other for forgiveness, and be sure to show respect to elders.
- The hostess serves it to the table delicious dishes which are prepared the day before.
During Songkran, people and homes are believed to be susceptible to evil spirits. To protect themselves from them, fireworks are set off in the morning, and all day long they sing loudly and play various musical instruments, sincerely having fun and laughing.
Water Festival - fun traditions of the Thai New Year
The main feature of Songkran is the water festival, which is held annually in the small and largest cities of Thailand. On the streets, people pour water on each other, wishing them happiness, good luck and prosperity.
The traditions of the Songkran festival are associated with water for a reason. Firstly, New Year celebrations precede the rainy season. Secondly, water plays a key role in growing rice, the staple food of the Thais. Pouring water on each other is a way to attract the rainy season and bring you closer to nature.
During the New Year celebrations in Thailand, water flows from everywhere - on the streets, from the windows of houses and offices. Absolutely everyone comes under water “shelling”: pedestrians, passengers in minibuses, and motorcycle drivers. Each person has a “weapon” with him. This could be a bottle, jar, water pistol, basin or other container. There are barrels of water everywhere on the streets. But the main thing is that no one is offended when water is poured on him, but he laughs and reciprocates.
If your holiday falls during the Songkran holiday in Thailand, take advantage of simple tips experienced:
- Wear soft, comfortable clothing as jeans will chafe when wet.
- Be sure to put your phone and other equipment in waterproof cases.
- Wrap the money well in plastic bag so that they don't get wet.
- Do not take your passport or other documents with you.
In addition to dousing with water, people smear white clay and talcum powder on their faces to ward off evil spirits, so opt for an outfit that you won't mind throwing away. And be sure to bring a bottle, gun or other container with you to douse others.
In addition to the generally accepted December 31st and the famous Chinese New Year, lunar calendar, Thais celebrate another New Year called Songkran. Noted Traditional Thai New Year – April 13.
There is one interesting legend that explains why the holiday falls in mid-April and not at any other time. This is a story about a boy who understands the language of animals and birds. The boy’s wonderful feature haunted the God of Fire, who, jealous, offered the boy one bet: if he does not answer 3 questions asked by God in 7 days, he will be beheaded; but if he gives the correct answers, then the God of Fire will lose his head.
Of course, the boy could not contradict God and agreed. The seventh day came, and the boy did not know the answers to the questions and was even ready to commit suicide. But then I heard the eagle tell her little chick about the dispute between the young man and the God of Fire. In the end, she told the boy all the answers. The joyful boy went to the God of Fire to answer all his questions. The god of fire cut off his own head. The boy put it in a basket so that there would not be a drought, the sea would not dry up and the whole world would not burn, and hid it in a cave. First day solar year, the daughters of the Fire God take out a basket to thus worship God, who is considered the very center of the universe. After they have completed three laps, they bring the basket back. Therefore, in the first days of the new year there is always real heat.
Songkran" is translated as moving from one place to another or the rotation of the Earth around the Sun. A full circle means the arrival of the long-awaited new year. To cooperate with the West, Rama V aligned the Thai calendar with the Gregorian calendar, only leaving the traditional names for the months, but still the years are counted according to the Buddhist era.
Songkran is the official New Year holiday in Thailand. This holiday is a symbol of respect and love. According to custom, he is greeted in the family; for this purpose, 2 additional days off were introduced so that people could meet with relatives.
3 days before the holiday, khurals are read in Buddhist temples - New Year's prayers. To throw away everything bad and unsuccessful, a lama is invited to the house on the eve of the Thai New Year, who conducts a whole cleansing ceremony, “throwing away” the bad luck and all the bad things that have accumulated over the year in the life of each family member. After a hearty meal, the leftover food with coins, a candle, rags, a hadak (the so-called scarf given to guests as a sign of respect) and a torma figurine, which is made of dough and painted red, is placed in a bowl. In the evening, all these little things that were in the bowl are taken to a vacant lot and thrown out, while saying to everything unkind: “Get out of here!” Then they quickly return without looking back.
On Thai New Year, it is customary to go to the temple, where the monks are presented with delicious dishes, fresh fruits, and new robes as a sign of honor for their role in Buddhist philosophy. Each visitor is required to bring a handful of sand in exchange for the soil that he carried from the temple grounds on his shoes. At home, a ceremony of washing the Buddha is held - the statue is watered with water with rose and jasmine petals by each family member. The elders in the family are respected - water is also poured on their hands.
On the streets, people may tie special ones on your wrists. laces for luck. Each hand should have 25-30 laces from different people. They are worn until they come undone or tear. Another ancient custom involves smearing with clay. Clay paste is a symbol of protection from evil spirits and is spread on the face and neck. According to ancient tradition, it cannot be washed - you need to wait until it erases itself.
At this time, according to ancient tradition, people of all ages take to the streets of large cities and villages with a bucket of water and a cup from which they pour water on passers-by. Previously, however, people walked along the streets with just a small cup in their hands and sprinkled a few drops on everyone they met. Over time, this custom grew into a whole water madness. Young people put barrels of water on their cars and hose everyone down. Everything that can be used as a container for water is used: water pistols, bottles, cups, cans, even elephants and their owners go out into the streets, the elephant uses its trunk like a hose. Water is sometimes mixed with powder or scented talc. At the same time, no one is offended. After all, everyone tries to show as best as possible what they are capable of, and have fun at the same time. The water extravaganza continues from April 11 to April 20.
And here Chinese New Year in Thailand takes place on a much smaller scale, and the date of its celebration changes every year (from January 20 to February 20), but always begins on the new moon. There are traditional attributes here - lions, a sacred dragon and red paper lanterns. Lives in Thailand a large number of Chinese (about 15%), thanks to this, the customs of these peoples have become tightly intertwined over the past many centuries. On New Year's Eve in Thailand, almost all city noises are drowned out by explosions of small and large firecrackers. Thais believe that the roar of these explosions scares away evil spirits. After this three are given holidays, they are called Chui, Chuer and Chusan. On these three days, it is customary to visit and give gifts.
New Year for the Chinese is a family holiday, a time to meet with parents and relatives. At this time, deceased ancestors are traditionally honored and remembered, and they are treated with great respect, since they were the founders of the family’s well-being. They also believe that the souls of the dead come to their descendants at this time to take part in the New Year's feast. Thus, the New Year's feast for the Chinese is the unification of all generations of the family at one table. At this time, family members give each other gifts, usually red or red envelopes. yellow color, they contain money.
Dishes served on Chinese New Year symbolize “karmic” destiny. The first day of the celebration honors the patron gods of Heaven and Earth family values. Many people do not eat meat during this time; this is considered the key to a long and trouble-free life. On the second day, the Chinese pray to their dead ancestors as if they were gods. The third and fourth days are the time when daughters-in-law and sons-in-law pay tribute to their spouse's parents. The fifth day of the holiday is called Po Wu. Everyone stays at home to receive the God of Welfare. No one visits guests at this time, so as not to bring misfortune to either the owner or himself. But in the period from the sixth to the tenth day, the Chinese go to relatives and friends. In addition, they visit temples, where they pray for all sorts of blessings to be granted to them. The seventh day is traditionally a universal birthday, on which noodles are served, signifying longevity, and fish, which symbolizes success. On the eighth day, a feast is organized again, at which the whole family unites, and at midnight everyone prays to the God of Heaven - Tian Gong. From the tenth to the twelfth day there is a custom to invite friends and relatives to visit and, of course, treat them deliciously. The thirteenth day is a fasting day. They try to eat rice and greens. And finally, on the fourteenth day, preparations begin for the important and final event in the series New Year's holidays, which is called the Lantern Festival. It is celebrated on the full moon and illuminates cities with a million red lights.
European New Year celebrated in Thailand, as in most countries of the world. In 1940, the Thai government decided to celebrate the New Year on January 1st. On this day it is customary to give gifts to friends and family.
New Year celebrations begin as usual the day before, as in many countries around the world. Nowadays, during this period, New Year's fairs, festivals, exhibitions and others are held everywhere. holiday events. Everyone goes to visit friends and relatives.
Thailand is one of the most popular resorts for Russian tourists today. It attracts not only with its pleasant climate, beautiful nature and azure sea, but also national traditions and culture. More and more tourists come here to celebrate the New Year and experience the national Buddhist celebration, filled with color and joy. But not everyone knows that New Year in Thailand is celebrated three times a year.
The first New Year in Thailand is celebrated on January 1, which is celebrated in the same way as throughout the world. Next comes the date of celebration of which is not constant and depends on the phases of the moon. It is usually celebrated either in January or February. And the last one, or Songkran, is celebrated on April 13-14.
Traditional New Year
On January 1, local residents celebrate New Year in Thailand in the same way as in other countries. They decorate houses and streets with garlands and New Year's balls, give each other gifts, prepare a festive dinner, organize New Year's shows and party all night. At 12 o'clock the Thais gather for family table and congratulate each other, the next day they visit the temple. But despite this, they count the years according to the Buddhist calendar and do not be surprised if you find out that the year is 2554 in Thailand.
Chinese New Year is celebrated in Thailand in January or February, depending on the phase of the moon. Before the celebration, houses and streets are decorated with traditional paper red lanterns. On New Year's Eve, figures of dragons, lions and snakes appear on the street. People put on colorful national costumes and walk along the streets, holding a huge dragon in their hands. This entire procession is accompanied by music, explosions of firecrackers and fireworks. New Year celebrations continue for three days. At this time, people have fun, visit each other and attend various show programs.
In 2015, I was lucky enough to attend the Chinese New Year celebration and I have only vivid memories of this event. In the video you can see how Chinese New Year is celebrated on Koh Samui.
Thai New Year or Songkran
Thai New Year (Songkran) celebrations begin on April 13th. Local residents clean up their house, get rid of everything unnecessary, prepare a lot of food and donate it to the monks in the temple. On this day, many religious rituals are held, people pray and ask to bring more joy, luck and health into their lives.
And on the streets there is joy, people pour water on each other, since it is believed that by pouring water on another you wish him happiness, good luck and prosperity in the coming year. They can also apply talcum powder - this protects against negativity and dark forces.
I've celebrated Thai New Year two years in a row and it's really a lot of fun. I immediately remember my childhood, when my friends and I ran around in the summer heat and doused each other with water from a bottle. The only downside is that some Thais douse themselves with ice water, which just makes your whole body cramp. But the 30-degree heat saved the situation. I have never seen such massive and large-scale fun anywhere. I was wet, smeared with multi-colored talcum powder, but happy, walking along the streets and smiling widely. This is how beautiful I was at the Thai New Year celebration :)
If you decide to go to Thailand in April to celebrate Songkran, then on the day of the celebration, before going out, put all your equipment in a plastic bag or leave it at home, wear clothes that you don’t mind, don’t put makeup on your face, shoes should be comfortable. If you want to take photos, be sure to put a waterproof case on your camera. No one will look at what you have in your hands or how you are dressed, they will splash everyone in a row, you will be wet through and through. Therefore, carefully prepare for the holiday in advance and then it will give you a lot of joy and fun.
Songkran, the New Year in Thailand, is celebrated from April 13-15, just before the rainy season. This is a rather bright and significant event for Thais, comparable to the Brazilian carnival. Songkran is celebrated every year according to the ancient Indian astrological calendar. The celebration falls on the periodic change of the year, in Thailand there are three of them: cool and hot periods, as well as the rainy season. The end of the hot period is marked by the arrival of the Thai New Year, Songkran.
If you are going on holiday to Thailand, you should know that the calendar there differs from the European style. It dates back to the moment the Buddha passed into Nirvana, and this happened 543 years earlier than the birth of Jesus Christ. Therefore, to the current year, for example, 2017, you should add the number 543, this way you can find out what year it is in Thailand. 2017 marks the year 2560 in Thailand.
It is not unusual for all Thais to designate the year almost everywhere in this way. If we take into account the official documents with which you need to cross the border, the Gregorian calendar is used. Sometimes you can see duplication of the year; to a greater extent, such marks are used for tourists.
Please note that you can celebrate the New Year in Thailand three times: Thai New Year (April 14), European New Year (January 1) and.
The Thai Buddhist New Year, or Songkran as it is called, no longer affects chronology. This tradition, founded many centuries ago, has become a state festival on a large scale. The unusual action attracts tourists; many want to visit the country at the height of the Buddhist New Year celebrations.
How are preparations for Songkran going?
Songkran has its roots in Ancient India, and it is from there that the tradition of celebrating the transition from one season to another and welcoming the rainy season comes from. Thais celebrate Songkran on family circle and in general mass celebrations. Preparation begins in advance; a lot of food is prepared according to special Buddhist recipes, part of which is given to the monks in the temples. Before the celebrations, houses and apartments are thoroughly cleaned and all old, outdated items are thrown away.
Celebrations begin on April 13, people pray, perform various rituals, ask higher powers to give their loved ones health, happiness, love, and prosperity. They agree in advance and gather in groups for a general celebration on the streets of cities and towns. Tourists are also recommended to go to the New Year holiday with a group. In this case, the pastime becomes more fun and memorable.
You can celebrate the change of season at the bar by pre-booking a table. The owners of such institutions also prepare in advance, collecting water, storing ice, clay and talc.
How is Thai New Year celebrated?
If you decide to celebrate Songkran in Thailand, you should familiarize yourself with the traditions and prepare to be doused with water and smeared with talcum powder. Tourists who are not ready for such actions should stay at home during the celebrations.
The celebrations themselves take place everywhere, and the spirit of excitement and fun is present everywhere. Local color, customs and rituals oblige tourists to catch up with the Thais and observe all their traditions:
- douse yourself with water everywhere;
- smear each other with talcum powder;
- have fun from the heart and wish each other happiness.
You should be prepared for such actions and not be offended, because this is the essence unusual holiday. In mid-April it is hot in Thailand, so many locals ordinary water add ice and douse passers-by with cold water. I don’t like it, because such cold water just makes my whole body cramp. Most of all during the Songkran celebrations you can see young people, for fun they run around with buckets, water pistols and bottles. By watering each other, Thais believe that in this way the body gains strength and the soul is cleansed.
By smearing yourself with talcum powder, Thais believe that all dirt and negativity are removed from them, and it also protects against evil spirits. This is a kind of cleansing of the body and revival of the soul. It is believed that the more dirty and doused a person is, the better his cleansing was, which means that in the new year everything will work out for him, his wishes will come true, all his plans will come true, and luck will follow on his heels all year.
I celebrated Thai New Year in Koh Samui and Phuket. The holiday is really very fun and unusual. As a result, I was doused with water from head to toe and smeared with multi-colored talcum powder. But I received a lot of positive emotions from this event.
However, pouring water and applying talcum powder to the skin are not the only attributes of the Thai New Year celebration. Thais perform many other rituals and strictly follow traditions:
- They gather as families to celebrate Songkran, which is considered a festival of love and respect.
- Wang Sangkang Long is the first day of the celebration when everyone bids farewell to the old year. It is marked by a large cleaning of homes, throwing away and burning old things. It is believed that all the negativity leaves the house along with the trash.
- Many ritual dishes are prepared, some of them are brought to temples.
- Monks carry Buddha statues through city and rural streets.
- Flower exhibitions, a beauty contest are held, and Miss Songkran is chosen.
- The second day of the celebration is marked by “Wang Da”, Thais wear new clothes and they go to temples, chant Buddha, and the monks treat the guests with dishes and show respect.
- Returning home from the temple, Thais wash their home Buddha statue with water and incense.
- On the streets, people douse themselves with water and smear each other with talcum powder. They hide behind trees to suddenly spray those passing by.
- Cars carrying barrels of water drive slowly, dousing everyone who gets in their way.
- People themselves paint themselves with colored talcum powder; this is a symbol that protects them from evil spirits.
- Birds and turtles are released into the wild, this is considered a sign of life extension.
- On the last day of the holiday, Wang Pakpi, Thais visit their old relatives, wash their hands with water, and then have dinner.
Safety regulations
Celebrating the Thai New Year involves dousing with water and smearing with talcum powder. Therefore, you should be prudent and prepare in advance to avoid trouble. When going outside, you should make sure that your phone is safe by using a waterproof case. This also applies to cameras and other equipment. Girls are not recommended to wear flashy makeup; it is better to remain without makeup at all.
People are not asked if they want to be doused, they are simply doused without warning. Therefore, various accessories, wrist watch should be left at home. You should not carry notebooks, bags, wallets with you, all this can get wet and become unusable. They can douse you with ice and water, so people who are prone to colds, as well as those who do not want to get wet, should not go outside at all during this period.
You should also be extremely careful when riding a bike, as the roads are slippery due to water. Even while walking, a crowd of Thais can run up to you and start pouring on you from all sides. Therefore, during the New Year celebrations, ride your bike slowly and look around.
To attend the Songkran celebrations in Thailand, you should prepare your trip in advance to include April 13-15. A bright spectacle, full of emotions, and a fun holiday are guaranteed to you.
