Buzz
Songkran, the traditional water festival, takes place from April 13th to 15th annually, but depending on the location, the celebration can extend for 10 days or even a month.
Excitement is building for the upcoming Songkran water festival! It's time to make those plans and head to Bangkok for an unforgettable experience.
Songkran is a grand festival celebrated to welcome the New Year in Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar. However, it is most familiar to Vietnamese travelers in Thailand. Known as the Water Splashing Festival, it originated as a religious ritual in the 13th century, symbolizing cleansing of sins and misfortunes from the previous year to start afresh. Today, it remains the world's largest water festival. While in the past, people used small bowls for the ritual within their families, now they employ buckets, water guns, and hoses to splash water on everyone they encounter.
Currently, Songkran is eagerly anticipated by both locals and tourists alike. People from all around the globe will flock to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and the various islands of Thailand to engage in water battles and revelry in the streets.
The traditional Songkran festival lasts for 3 days, from April 13th to April 15th each year, but depending on the location you visit, the festivities may extend up to 10 days or even a whole month. Besides exploring temples and participating in traditional ceremonies, visitors also have the opportunity to join in the water splashing festivities. However, Songkran is not merely a water festival, as it carries profound religious significance at its core.
Here's essential information about the festival and dos and don'ts for travelers joining the Songkran celebration.
Do:
– Safeguard your wallet and phone: Prepare a waterproof bag to secure your phone, money, and valuable items. Simplify your belongings, bringing only the essentials.
– Choose appropriate clothing and footwear: Expect to get wet, so make wise clothing choices. Opt for lightweight, quick-drying clothes, along with swimwear or beach shorts as the best options. Sandals are acceptable, but it's better to wear shoes due to slippery streets. Don't forget your sunglasses.
– Play safely and maintain hygiene: Use clean water from hoses or large containers found around the city.
– Learn the phrase “Saw Sawasdee Pee Mai!” – meaning Happy New Year in Thai. After splashing water on others, share good wishes with them.
– Join the Splendours Songkran Parade: On April 8th, from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM, experience the Amazing Songkran Parade on Sukhumvit Street.
– Utilize public transportation: Reach festival venues using public transport for a faster and safer journey.
– Respect locals and places: As the festival takes place on the streets, show respect to shops and open markets during the holiday. Avoid splashing water inside stores and on working staff.
– Make friends: Participate in the festival to engage in conversations and make friends with people from various regions, connecting strangers with each other.
– Prepare some medication: After days of festivities, fatigue may set in, so bring cold and necessary medications to ensure the celebration goes smoothly.
– Mentally prepare for the “battle”: Songkran is a joyous festival, so don't miss out on the fun. Get yourself a suitable water gun, a bucket full of water, and get ready for the water warfare.
Avoid:
– Drinking and driving: Using alcoholic beverages and operating a vehicle is a violation not only during the Songkran festival but at any time. If you've consumed alcohol, opt for public transportation like the subway, buses, tuk-tuks, or taxis.
– Not wearing a helmet: Avoid driving after consuming alcoholic beverages during the Songkran festival. In Thai islands where motorcycles are prevalent, exercise extreme caution when driving and always wear a helmet.
– Splashing water on motorcyclists: This is highly dangerous, and each year, many people suffer severe injuries from water-related accidents while riding motorcycles. Have fun, but safety should always come first.
– Spraying water on others' faces and eyes: It's challenging to avoid if you're throwing buckets of water on others, but if using a water gun, try to minimize direct spraying into people's eyes.
– Splashing water on monks, elderly, and young children: Show respect and refrain from splashing water on them. If you accidentally do so, apologize immediately.
– Keep smiling always: Embrace the joy of this festive celebration for unforgettable memories.
* Some information about suggested locations for travelers to enjoy Songkran
– Khao San Road
– Silom Road
– Siam Square
– RCA (Clubbing area)
– Hop on a tuk-tuk to explore the city and indulge in the festival. Be prepared for a splash if traffic gets congested.
By Thuy Duong/Star
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Reference: Travel guide Mytour
MytourApril 1, 2019
