Songkran ("สวัสดีปีใหม่")

"สวัสดีปีใหม่" (sa-wat-di pi mai) which means "Happy New Year" in Thai.

The Songkran (“Thai New Year”) is celebrated every year on 13 April to 15 April. It is also widely observed in Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar (also known as “Thingyan”), and by the Dai people in Yunnan, China. Songkran is a Sanskrit word in Thai which simply means the entry of the sun into any sign of the Zodiac.

The human migration from the city back to hometown is obvious during this period where most entertainment activities in the city like Bangkok stops.

Other then the feast and merriment, the most obvious event of the celebration would be the throwing of water. One has to be on the alert for the people roaming the streets (including on open trucks) with water containers, water guns, garden hose drenching anyone they come across including strangers and tourists. Get ready to be drenched if you make a point to attend this festival.

The water is meant as a symbol of washing all of the bad away and is sometimes filled with fragrant herbs. It is also a time for paying respects to the elders and prayers at the wat (Buddhist monastery) besides giving food to the monks. Cleansing the Buddha images and “bathing” the statues in the household shrine and monasteries with fragrant water poured gently over them is part of the rituals.

Songkran happens in April which is the hottest month in Thailand (temperatures can rise to over 100°F or 40°C on some days) and hence, the dousing of water to relieve the heat,. This has further evolved into water fights and splashing water over people riding in vehicles.

Back in Malaysia, there are Malaysians of Thai origin settling in the northern states of the Peninsular i.e. Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Kelantan whom still inherits the customs and traditions of the Thai with Songkran amd Loy Krathong (in November) very much in their calendar. The festival would last for 3 days with the first day is the last day of the old year, the second day is a day of limbo and the third day is the beginning of the New Year.

Songkran festival celebrations in Malaysia would be concentrated in Multipurpose Hall Kg Tasek, Pengkalan Hulu, Perak beginning April 11, 2008 and many activities had been planned. This festival is also celebrated in heavily Malaysian Thai populated towns alike Tumpat (Kelantan), Baling and Padang Peliang, Kedah.

Among the activities lined up are;
(a) beauty pageant,
(b) building of sand stupas along the riverbanks and beaches,
(c) colourful processions of the monks,
(d) songs, dances and the water festival.

It's a great time to visit Hulu Perak where the faithful Buddhists will throng the Buddhist temples leaving offerings for the monks besides the festival and celebration atmosphere. What are you waiting for? Get drenched!