Where to celebrate the Thai New Year, Songkran, in 2023

Songkran is the Thai New Year festival, which takes place from 13 to 16 April each year, so here's the latest information on where to celebrate.

The article will be updated when information on events for 2023 is available.

Cultures and traditions to enjoy during Songkran in Thailand

Temple visit

Practising Buddhists pour perfumed water over a Buddha statue during Songkran.

Like Christmas in the West and New Year in China, Songkran in Thailand is an occasion for families to travel long distances to gather.

On Songkran Day (13 April), Thais visit their local temples to pay homage to Buddha images and seek good luck for the New Year.

The main activity is pouring scented water over the temple's sacred Buddha images - a ritual called Song Nam Phra.

It seems that, in the past, the lustral water used to clean Buddhist statues was considered spiritually purifying.

It was therefore collected and poured gently over family members to bring them luck (Rot Nam Dam Hua).

It is not necessary to go to the temples to indulge in this charming tradition of bathing Buddha images.

Many shopping centres and shops offer their own Buddha images with a bowl of scented water, so people can chant Nam Phra wherever they are.

Remember that the water is not poured over the head of the Buddha image, but rather over the torso and body.

This water is traditionally scented with a perfume called Nam Op.

Build a sand stupa

Around Songkran, don't be surprised to see what look like large sandcastles in the temple grounds.

They are made to replace the soil removed throughout the year by the shoes of people who come to pray.

These Chedi Sai, as they are called, are often decorated with flags, coloured pebbles and silver, and families or groups of friends work together to build them.

Respect the elders

Act of respect for the elderly

A charming element of Songkran, often overlooked by visitors, is the tradition of respecting the elders of the Thai family.

This is usually done on the second day of Songkran (April 14).

Young people prepare rose and jasmine water and Nam Op scented water to wash their parents' hands in a ceremony called Rot Nam Dam Hua.

In return, the parents give the children their blessings marked with a jasmine garland.

See also :

Songkran, the Thai New Year and its water battles

The Thai Songkran festival: its origins, history and modern celebration

Source: TAT News