Why does New Year's Day fall in April?
Although Thailand adapted its calendar to the Gregorian one in 1941 (used in Poland, for example), New Year's Day is still traditionally celebrated in mid-April. Specifically, the celebration begins when the Sun passes from Pisces into the next zodiac sign, Aries. The name of the holiday also refers to this phenomenon. The word Songkran (Thai: สงกรานต์) comes from the Sanskrit word sankrānti, meaning "transition."
Three days off!
Thai New Year is a very family-oriented holiday, so many people travel home to spend the holiday with their loved ones. Due to this festive nature, offices, shops, and other workplaces are closed for the three days of Songkran celebrations.
As with Chinese New Year, this can be a problem for tourists visiting Thailand during this time. They must expect crowds on trains, buses, and hotels, as well as higher prices. If you're planning to travel to Thailand sometime in April to celebrate Thai New Year, be sure to book your tickets and accommodations well in advance.
How do Thais celebrate?
The Thai New Year is celebrated with great pomp across the country. Traditionally, this holiday is associated with family gatherings and the custom of washing Buddha statues. This takes place during processions and in temples. Young people visit their parents and grandparents and, as a sign of purification, sprinkle their hands with cool water. In return, their elders bless them and wish them prosperity and happiness.
Nowadays, Thais have expanded the custom of spraying water somewhat and are very enthusiastic about dousing each other with it. The Chinese name for this holiday – 潑水節 – literally means "Water Pouring Festival."
Why dousing with water?
Water has a very rich and symbolic meaning in Thai culture. It signifies purification. According to Thai beliefs, water has the power to wash away bad luck and bring good fortune to the person poured over it. This is similar to our custom of pouring water on Wet Monday. Part of this tradition also involves washing Buddha statues. And it's also pleasantly cool during Thailand's hottest month.
Great water fight!
During this time, Thai streets are awash with water! City streets practically turn into battlefields. Water pours from water guns, buckets, hoses, and even trucks! Everyone must be on their guard, whether you're big or small, short or tall, without a bucket or armed to the teeth with water pistols. Only monks feel safe, although the young ones are often eager to join in the fun.
The Thais are unrivaled in water fights, and there are as many methods of dousing as there are people. Alongside the usual buckets and garden hoses, all manner of water pistols, balloons filled with liquid, and… backpacks reign supreme! And cars with trailers filled with melting ice roam the city streets.
The biggest battle takes place in Chiang Mai – known as the "Rose of the North," Thailand's third-largest city. A canal runs through the city's very center, and the water fights don't end until sunset, when everyone heads home to rest before another day of New Year's madness.
What should you be careful about?
If you've decided to travel to Thailand to celebrate Thai New Year, remember a few things... First and foremost, keep your documents and phone safe. Buy special waterproof cases for your passports and money. This will help prevent them from getting wet.
Make sure you're dressed appropriately. You can't escape the water, and wearing wet jeans all day can be quite uncomfortable. Avoid flip-flops too! They can be slippery. Sunglasses or goggles can provide additional protection 😉
It's worth paying attention to what Thais are pouring on each other. As long as it's clean tap water or container water, there shouldn't be any problems. Be careful with buckets of ice water; it can be unpleasant! Once you're caught up in the New Year's madness, remember not to throw water in people's eyes. It's not only irritating, it's also dangerous.