Thai New Year Celebrations
Songkran is a time of homecoming, when Thai families gather together to celebrate the Thai New Year, to honour the elderly, to participate in Buddhist rituals and to splash watery blessings on each other. Celebrated from April 13-15, Songkran marks the transition from old to new, with lots of spring cleaning and wearing new clothes.

Early morning on April 13, people gather at Sanam Luang in Bangkok to offer food, flowers and necessities to Buddhist monks, receiving blessings for their deeds. This scene is repeated in every city and town in Thailand, followed by a parade of Buddha images for further blessings. After the formalities, the water throwing begins. While water splashing symbolises blessing and purification, for the young at heart it’s just great fun. Water by the bucketful is thrown in all directions; everyone gets wet — and in the hot April weather, everyone enjoys it!

In Bangkok, festivities begin with the parading of the Phra Buddha Sihing on the grounds outside the Grand Palace. In the Wisutkasat area, once the merit-making rituals have been completed, it is followed by a Miss Songkran beauty contest and entertainment. The Khao San Road, Bang Lumphu area is also one of the hot spots in the city to experience the water-splashing activities.

At the city resort of Pattaya, Songkran is celebrated with the Pattaya Festival Procession Contest featuring lots of fun activities along the beachfront including the Miss Pattaya Jumbo Queen contest. At the ancient capital of Ayutthaya, the Thai New Year festivities feature the ancient customs and traditions of Songkran that have been observed through the centuries. Khon Kaen is another interesting place to be at this time with its floral float processions and north-eastern folk entertainment Songkran is also a time for the lovely ceremony called Rot Nam Dam Hua, in which younger people bathe the hands of their elders in scented water and ask forgiveness for any misdeeds. The elders respond with blessings and advice to their juniors, and delicious sweets are then shared. This is very much in keeping with the Thai tradition of respect for age and position, and it strengthens the bond between the generations. The watery fun attracts overseas visitors in droves, all eager to experience the excitement and holiday atmosphere of this immensely popular festival.

A GLITTERING FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

Water used in a different way is a feature of Loi Krathong, the alluring festival of lights that so delights tourists. Held on the full moon of the 12th lunar month, usually in November (in 2008 it will be 07-12 November), the festival sees Thais floating (loi) tiny banana leaf offerings (krathong) on waterways, lakes and ponds all over the kingdom to ask forgiveness from the goddess of water for polluting her waterways. Traditionally the krathong are made in the shape of a lotus flower, containing lighted candles, joss sticks and some coins. Thais believe the krathong also carry away their sins as the tiny vessels bobble along the waterway in a romantic sea of lights.

People gather in their thousands beside the canals and rivers. With a silent prayer they carefully place their krathong in the water and release them to the current. Freighted with flowers, incense, and one or more lit candles, the floats drift silently downstream. People watch intently, hoping that the candle will not go out. Its flame is said to signify longevity, fulfilment of wishes and release from sins. It is a moving sight — the hopes and dreams of an entire city drifting gently to their destination. Loy Krathong is very much a time to reflect deeply on the mystery of our journey through life and the joy of shared traditions.

In Bangkok, Loi Krathong is celebrated throughout the city with long drum parade, cultural performances, traditional Thai music, folk entertainment, beauty contest, fireworks display and more. At Sukhothai Historical Park, Loi Krathong is held amid the breathtaking ruins of this glorious ancient city and the enchanting splendour of the historical park. Activities include the floating of the krathong, a fireworks display, cultural performances and a light and sound show.

At the Royal Folk Art & Crafts Centre, Bangsai, Ayutthaya, Loi Krathong Theme Night is normally held on the grounds of the Bang Sai Arts and Crafts Village. Before the theme night starts, visitors are able to enjoy exhibitions which showcase the traditional way of life, folk arts and crafts demonstrations and a variety of cultural shows.

It’s “Yi Peng Loi Krathong” at the northern capital city of Chiang Mai. “Yi peng” literally means the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month and Loi Krathong here involves an unusual ritual of launching Lanna-style hot air “lantern balloons.” Traditional belief has it that when these huge lantern balloons are set adrift and float away, so do the troubles of the residents in the community. Tak Province has its own unique Loi Krathong tradition. Individual krathong are threaded together and are launched simultaneously so they appear as a string of floating lights on the Ping River, reminiscent of a sparkling necklace, hence its name, Loi Krathong Sai.