Songkran: The best tips for Thailand's New Year

Songkran: The best tips for Thailand's New Year

In the popular television series "The White Lotus", an interesting question is raised in season third: "Why does everyone wear these weapons?" This remark comes from Kate (Leslie Bibb), one of three women who are together on a girls' trip to Thailand-even if they don't seem to be the best friends. During an excursion to a city near their resort, the women are alerted over the highly armed but colorful crowd.

Song crane: A waterproof with deeper importance

"There are water battles on the street for Songkran," explains the resort employee Valentin (Arnas Fedaravicius), while setting them and advising them to go shopping. "It's just for fun, don't worry." The women continue through the street filled with humans and ask a group of young children who spray them with water to be left alone because they "go out" and "don't want to get wet tonight". As every experienced song crane participant knows, such requests often worsen the situation.

The chaos of the water battles

The screaming women try to escape chaos while the children are on their heels. After all, they are looking for refuge in a shop where Jaryn (Michelle Monaghan) calls: "What was that please?!" At first glance, the annual Songkran Festival in Thailand actually only seems to consist of a huge water battle. Every April in April, young and old flock into the streets of the country, armed with water pistols and buckets to organize hours of water battles from morning to evening.

a unique cultural tradition

Although this is undoubtedly the best known aspect of the celebrations, Songkran also includes unique cultural traditions that make it an excellent time for travelers to visit Thailand.

What exactly is a song crane?

The word "Songkran" allegedly comes from the old Sanskrit and describes the monthly movement within the zodiac. It marks the beginning of the traditional Thai New Year and is usually celebrated from April 13th to 15th, with the festivities being extended by a few days in some regions.

a time for family and tradition

Songran takes place for the high season of the Thai summer. This is a time to take a break from work and start your journey home. Many people travel hundreds of kilometers to their hometowns to connect with family and friends. In 2023, Songkran was included in the list of intangible cultural heritage of mankind by UNESCO. The entry states that the festival marks the annual round of the sun into the zodiac sign Widder, the first sign of the Zodiak, which is the traditional start of the New Year.

symbolism of the water ceremony

"watering water is a significant act that symbolizes cleaning, awe and happiness during the song crane," says UNESCO. "Further activities include swimming important Buddha statues, the spraying of family and friends, playful games, music and festival." Songkran is therefore not only a big waterproof, but also an event that is anchored deeply in Thai culture that celebrates community and tradition.