Songkran – The Thai New Year

It’s the celebration of a brand new year in Thailand – starting today, April 13th and officially lasting through Wednesday. April 15th. It’s a time of washing away negativity in all forms: bad things that happened in the past year, negative thoughts about people, losses – by cleaning houses and shops inside and out, cleaning the streets and sidewalks, sweeping and mopping away the past and preparing for a bright, shining clean new year. Also there is the hope for the rainy season to start soon, taking away the 100 degree + temperatures, the unhealthy haze caused by the farmers burning their fields in preparation for new planting, replacing the “hot and hazy” season with nourishing water that will make all the plants say a shared, “AHHHHHH!” in relief.

People are visiting temples, giving food to the monks, spending time with their families. It’s shedding the old problems and welcoming new chances for good things. Celebrations are everywhere in the form of people blasting water at each other with water guns, pouring water over people out of buckets, laughter in every spray and counter attack.

I thought that I would combine this wonderful celebration with a piece by Nanea Hoffman of Sweatpants and Coffee LLC – ‘Gentle Goals for a New Year’ that will help people everywhere embrace new opportunities to improve their lives in the coming year –

10 Comments

Filed under Attitude, Seasons/Holidays in Chiang Mai, Thailanf

10 responses to “Songkran – The Thai New Year

  1. Unknown's avatar Anonymous

    What a wonderful tradition The people in Thailand celebrate! It all sounds so refreshing and hopeful. I really like that.(Donna)

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Unknown's avatar Anonymous

    Sawatadeeka Lovely to be in Thailand at Songkran. Happy New Year.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. I love the concept and their Why, but I don’t think I would like getting soaked unexpectedly. Ha! Love your article on this, Linda!

    Like

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