herakles
10-04-2008, 09:51
The Thai New Year festival - สงกรานต์ (Songkran) falls on the 13th April. It's also New Year in other Buddhist countries like Laos, Burma. New Years Day itself is the 15th.
It is a time of festivity and holiday that lasts 3 days. It is the most important festival in the calendar. The tradition goes back a great deal of time.
Today it's most obvious feature is the throwing of water. Everyone gets drenched. Crowds wait on the sides of roads to throw water at every motorbike or car. People visit and throw water. Countless boys are armed with sophisticated water pistols. Plaster is also commonly thrown (in its powdered form!!) Last year it took me 20 minutes to clean all that off.
Originally, the use of water was restricted to gently pouring it over the hand or shoulder of someone as a sign of respect.
As well, many people go to a Wat to pray or give food to the monks.
Songkran (= "move") is the day when the Sun moves into Aries the Zodiac.
Unfortunately, as in Western countries, this time is also one of excessive drinking and many road accidents.
So, to everyone here - สวัสดีปีใหม (sa-wat-di pi mai!)
It is a time of festivity and holiday that lasts 3 days. It is the most important festival in the calendar. The tradition goes back a great deal of time.
Today it's most obvious feature is the throwing of water. Everyone gets drenched. Crowds wait on the sides of roads to throw water at every motorbike or car. People visit and throw water. Countless boys are armed with sophisticated water pistols. Plaster is also commonly thrown (in its powdered form!!) Last year it took me 20 minutes to clean all that off.
Originally, the use of water was restricted to gently pouring it over the hand or shoulder of someone as a sign of respect.
As well, many people go to a Wat to pray or give food to the monks.
Songkran (= "move") is the day when the Sun moves into Aries the Zodiac.
Unfortunately, as in Western countries, this time is also one of excessive drinking and many road accidents.
So, to everyone here - สวัสดีปีใหม (sa-wat-di pi mai!)