Songkran ,the biggest water splashing festival in the world

Inscribed in 2023 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

In Thailand, Songkran refers to the sun’s annual passing into the Aries constellation, the first sign of the Zodiac, which marks the traditional start of the new year. Occurring in mid-April after the rice harvest, it is a time when people reunite with their families and pay their respects to older adults, ancestors and sacred Buddha images. Pouring water is a significant act during Songkran, symbolizing cleansing, reverence and good fortune. Other activities include bathing important Buddha images, splashing water on family and friends, folk plays, games, music and feasting. The tradition is passed on through participation in the festivities. Parents transmit the tradition to their children orally through regular social and family interactions. Educational institutes, government agencies, the media and Thai astrologers also play an important role in preserving, promoting and transmitting the astrological knowledge and wisdom related to Songkran. Songkran promotes community cooperation, unity and forgiveness. It is viewed as a time to symbolically wash away misfortunes, pray for prosperity for the coming year, reunite with family members, and honor ancestors and older adults. Furthermore, by emphasizing the importance of older adults and of family, Songkran helps to combat loneliness and social isolation.

Bring out the water hoses, and don’t be afraid to get a little wet! Songkran, a festival marking the Thai New Year, is all about making a fresh start with a splash.

WATER, WATER, EVERYWHERE

The festival in Thailand kicks off on April 13 and usually lasts three days, though festivities can start early or end later in some cities. The holiday’s main focus is about moving forward—in fact, the word Songkran comes from a phrase in the Sanskrit language that means “passage of the sun.”

Water plays a major role in the festival. Symbolically it washes away the previous year so people can get ready for the next one. But many other Songkran traditions use water as well.

SPRING CLEANING

People prepare for the new year by cleaning houses, schools, offices, and other public spaces. They’re joined by family members who have moved away and returned for the holiday to spend time with loved ones.

Many families wake up early during Songkran and visit Buddhist temples, where they bring offerings such as food and listen to monks as they preach. (Buddhism is a religion practiced mostly in eastern and central Asia.) Visitors sprinkle clean or scented water over statues of Buddha—the person believed to have started Buddhism—to represent purification and good fortune. Younger people also pour water on the hands of elderly relatives and friends to show their respect and ask for blessings in the coming year.

Some temple visitors bring sand, which is meant to replenish the sand that’s been carried away on shoes throughout the year. They leave the sand in stupas (or mounds) on the ground, which are then decorated with colorful flags and flowers.

SUPER SOAKED

Honoring family traditions and religious practices are important parts of Songkran, but so is having some fun. Outside, Songkran is celebrated with street parties featuring loud music and a giant friendly water fight.

People collect water in buckets, squirt guns, and anything else they can find, then hit the streets to playfully splash each other. It’s a good thing April is one of the hottest months of the year in Thailand!

While the Songkran festival is one of the biggest holidays on the Thai calendar, the nationwide event significantly boosts the economy, which relies heavily on tourism.

The industry provides around 20% of jobs in the Southeast Asian country. Thailand saw 28 million tourist arrivals in 2023 with 35 million expected in 2024.

“We estimate that there will be over 500,000 international tourists in Bangkok and around for the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024 from April 11 to 15, joining locals and domestic travelers at the extravaganza at the heart of this year’s celebration,” Nithee Seeprae said.

“For economic benefit, this constitutes 8.76 billion Baht (around $240 million) from international tourism and 15.66 billion Baht (around $428.3 million) from domestic tourism with 510,000 visitor arrivals and 4.29 million domestic trips,” he added.

Tourism analyst Gary Bowerman said he believes Thailand’s government will want to maximize Songkran but must be cautious about overdoing the festival in the future.

What does the world’s biggest water fight look like? If you’re heading to Songkran in Thailand, you’re about to find out.

During Songkran the normally quiet and respectful Thais go a little crazy. Arming themselves with water guns, hoses and buckets, they set about trying to soak anyone and everyone they see.

For the next three or four days, visitors to Thailand should expect to get wet and perhaps be smeared with white powder. Here’s how to come out smiling…

1. Keep smiling

Try to keep your temper and smile. Unlikely as it seems, the antics of Songkran are part of the ancient tradition of paying respect to elders. For more information, see our etiquette tips for Thailand.

2. Don’t dress in white

Thin white t-shirts and tops can be pretty revealing when wet. You will also be painted with white powder. Forget what you look like, and soak up the atmosphere. If you want to be fully prepared, put on some swimwear under your clothing.

3. Make your valuables waterproof

If you take your camera out with you, make sure you put it in a plastic bag. Better still, buy a waterproof camera or a waterproof case. Want to take incredible shot? See our tips for photographing water festivals.

Also, make a photocopy of your passport to take out with you, and leave all important documents in a secure (and dry) place.

4. Accept your fate

Children splashing people inside a tuk-tuk. You’ve been warned

Even a quick trip to a local restaurant is likely to include a soaking. You may even find yourself faced with a flying water bucket or two.

A meter taxi or bus may offer some protection, but if you ride in a tuk-tuk, you’re just asking for it. If you go out on a motorcycle, take even more care than usual: bike accidents soar during the festival period.

5. Seek out Songkran’s traditional side

Songkran is not just about water fights. Make an effort to see the more traditional side of the festival. Water is used to gently wash the hands of elders and monks and bathe Buddha images. Sand pagodas are constructed in the temple grounds.