Modern Songkran Festival: A Diversion from Thai Spiritual Tradition

 

Today is the first day of the Songkran Festival, the traditional Thai New Year. It is celebrated from April 13 through 15 but some areas such as Phra Pradaeng close to our place extends it for two weeks. Traditionally, it is a spiritual event paying respect to the elders by pouring water over their shoulder and saying their wish for them. In return, the elders bless the young ones by doing the same. Water-pouring symbolizes cleansing and renewal in welcoming the new year, which is still practiced in the provinces. But now in the modern times especially in Bangkok, it has become just sort of a water war or a fun game among the young generations such as shown in these photos.

This girl using a garden hose waits for her preys.

And here are the kids throwing water to each other and to the passersby.

Kids using water guns don't realize that this event wasn't really meant for just having fun as originally conceived. But they're just following the locals who celebrate it this way. For them, it's simply one great way to beat the summer heat.

Could you imagine a pick-up loaded with large water tumblers for the water splashing war?

Here's what my kids enjoyed most. The water they use is cold because ice companies supply blocks of ice for free during this season. April is the hottest month of the year here reaching up to 42 degrees so the cold water splashed on the Songkraners is such a treat. Putting on mentholized powder is also another way to cool down the Songkraners. Here's a video.

More watery posts here and with reds here.