Songkran in Thailand, traditional Thai New Year festival (Thailand)
Nomination: Representative List 2023
EN: The merit-making ceremonies include giving alms to monks and listening to sermons on Buddha’s teachings. These are believed to bring happiness and prosperity throughout the whole year. This photo was taken at Rongthamsamakkhi temple, Chiang Mai province (Northern Thailand).
EN: The locals join to the “Sia-Khro” ritual to ward off bad luck and start an enlightened new year at Chai Si Temple in Khon Khon province.
EN: The procession of Buddha image called 'Luang-Phor-Phra-Sai' at Nong Khai province is a ceremony where the community pours water on the Buddha image to cleanse and bring prosperity in the New Year.
EN: Families gently pour water on Buddha image and pay respect to their ancestors’ ashes kept at their local temple. A small memorial ceremony will be held by monks to give merit to the deceased relatives.
EN: In Songkran, pouring water on monks’ palm is an expression to show respect and ask blessings for good fortune and prosperity in life. This photo was taken at Phrom Wong Saram Temple, Bangkok.
EN: Part of Songkran ceremony is when younger people pour water on their senior relatives and the elderly in the community. This is in part to pay respect and ask for blessings for the New Year.
EN: After the merit-making ceremonies, people will splash water on each other, with a polite and friendly manners, to enjoy Songkran and show best wishes for the coming year.
EN: In some areas, locals would gather at their community centers and make “Ka-La-Mae”, a type of indigenous sweet for Songkran. This is to show a sense of bond and unity within the community.
EN: In many communities, people would bring sand to their local temples and build sand pagodas, which is another distinctive tradition of Songkran. The sand would later be donated and used for temple restoration or public works.
EN: Children together with adults would gather and play “Mon-Son-Pha”, a popular traditional game during Songkran.
