Songkran is a Thai word that means “move” or “change place” as it is the day when the sun changes its position in the zodiac. Songkran or Water festival in Thailand is coming in mid of April between 13th -15th which is the hottest month of the year. As people believe water will clean away bad luck. In the other hand water is cool down for this hot peak season.

Before Thai is adapted to international New Year. Songkran is traditional Thai new year celebrate by visiting temples, sprinkling water on Buddha images in reverence, and sprinkling water on each other’s hands as an act of wishing good luck. During Songkran occasion Bank, office and family related business all most close. A lot of Thai resident are go back home to their family. This is an occasion for family and friend re-unions and spending time together by religion activities such as go to temple in early morning to pray and bathing the Buddha image by pour fragrant water over Buddha statues. In Thai culture is strict in respect senior people such as elder people, grandparent especially family members. A ceremony known as “Rod Naam Dum Hua” is young Thais seek the blessing of their elders by pouring scented water over their hands.  After that it’s a water-throwing free-for-all – traditionally, the custom was to pour water gently over other people.

Nowaday, Songkran becomes famous festival around the world for tourist. The idea where can we get more wet and fun could drop by Chang Mai, Khao San Rd or Silom. If you prefer a more traditional Songkran, then head over to Phra Pradaeng district where the Thai-Raman communities live out their Songkran traditions.

The traditional greeting is “สวัสดีปีใหม่” (sa-wat-dii pii mai), basically “Happy New Year”. Sa wat dii is also used for “hello” or “goodbye”. Pii and mai mean “year” and “new” respectively in Thai. Another greeting used is “สุขสันต์วันปีใหม่” (suk-san wan pi mai), where suksan means “happy”.

Most people use “สุขสันต์วันสงกรานต์” (suk-san wan songkran) — meaning “Happy Songkran Day” since pi mai is more often linked with 1 January.  However be cool under safety condition wherever you go as Thai said “Sa wat dii pii mai Thai Ka”