Songkran – what to see more than just a water fights
Songkran is probably one of the most fun festive time in Thailand. It is the Thai new year and national holidays. It is the time when people go back to their families, spend quality time together. Songkran day is on April 13 of every year, and the holiday period extends from 14 to 15 April to enable people to travel home for the holidays.
The word ‘Songkran’ came from the Sanskrit word meaning transformation or change. It is the New Year of many calendars of South and Southeast Asia.
There are plenty of symbolic traditions during Songkran celebration, begin with merit-making in the morning. Locals visit temples and offering food to monks. Other traditional ritual include pouring water on Buddha statues and the young perform water pouring to elderly, representing purification and the washing away of one’s sins and bad luck.
However Songkran festival known internationally as ‘Water Festival’, major streets throughout the country are closed to traffics, and used as arenas for water fights. People of all ages celebrate this tradition of splashing water on each other, traditional parade are held nation wide. You will probably hear locals say ‘Sawaddee Pemai’ which mean happy new year to each other while having water fights on the street.
Under the surface of a fun water festival, Songkran is definitely a time to visit families, friends, and love ones, much like Christmas for westerners. Some families have traditional dish that they would cook together once a year during the festive time. A well rounded Songkran practice is recommended, so you can deepen your experience and understand the culture better than just a brush on water fights surface.
Due to serious COVID-19 situation in April 2020, the virus puts paid on Songkran. Government ban large public gathering, the celebration was suspended national wide in 2020, first time ever in the history of Songkran festival in Thailand that this is happened. With the vaccine and situation look into a better situation this year, everyone is hoping to be able to celebrate Songkran festival again in 2021 with a hope and a brighter future to come. Locals are looking forward to spend time with families and love ones, kids are expected to have their fun time with friends away from school. Especially this year, the time that all of us looking forward to a shinning light of hope.
Phuket has welcomed millions of visitors during April each year to celebrate Songkran festival. The famous street in Phuket where most people go to celebrate is no doubt, Patong beach and Bangla road, some may find that a little too busy for such a relaxing period. An alternative venue that can be as much fun in terms of water fights but not as crowded is on Kata and Kata noi beach. The ocean has never been so pristine, the best time to visit Phuket is now!
Luxe-villas has many luxury properties located less than 2 minutes drive or 5-10min walk to the famous Kata and Kata noi beach. You can celebrate the fun Songkran on the beach while staying with us. For more information, please send your enquiry on the contact page.
