The Water Festival
Songkran in Thailand is one of the best festivals that you will ever experience. It is central to the Thai calender and traditionally the New Year for populace...though Thai's being the fun loving people they are also celebrate New Years Eve (31st December) and the Chinese New Year...any excuse for a party and a good time.
April is the hottest month of the year and the end of the dry season. Water being central to life is used symbolically to wash away bad luck and prepare everyone for a new year of good fortune. The onset of the wet season in the following month will bring the rains required to cultivate rice.
Also known as the Lunar New Year, the date used to be determined by the lunar cycle however it is now celebrated on 13th April annually.
It is tradition to visit your local temple to sprinkle water over Buddha images and seek luck for the coming new year. New robes are amongst the offerings presented to Monks. The next stage is to return home and pay homage to the elder members of the family. A refreshing element of the Thai culture is the importance placed on family.
The next stage is the fun part...everyone hits the streets and the worlds biggest water fight erupts. You can even see cops targetted with no fear of arrest. Conducted in the spirit of "sanuk" that permeates Thai society it is a festival that must be experienced to be believed.
Our Urban Adventures do not run over the Songkran period however there are departures available leading up to and just after the end of the festival. To check out our offerings click here . We hope to see you in Thailand next April and wish you "Chok dii pii mai" - "Good luck for the New Year"
The Bangkok Urban Adventure team are passionate about their hometown. From the food and its amazingly friendly people to its history and all those little hidden gems that few tourists get to see. Join them in on an adventure as they introduce you to the city that they lovingly call home.
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35°CFeels like: 42°C
Partly sunny. Extremely hot.
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