Joanna James
If you visit Thailand during the vibrant Songkran Festival, the Thai New Year, there would be many enjoyable things to do, such as engaging in water fights, partying, experiencing traditional celebrations, visiting temples and more.
Naturally, one of the most prominent aspects of the Songkran Festival would be the enthusiastic water fights that take place all around Thailand. Everyone who ventures out into the streets is likely to get drenched, including foreigners. The only individuals who would be exempt from being soaked would be uniformed police, the elderly and Buddhist monks. However, it is all light-hearted and done in a playful spirit, and no one would take offence or bear grudges during these carefree water skirmishes. Some individuals including children will travel around in the rear of pickup trucks engaging passers-by in lively water battles.
Many people particularly foreign tourists visiting Thailand would take the opportunity to party hard during the time of the Songkran Festival. If you happen to be in Koh Samui at this time, you would be able to join in the revelries alongside fellow tourists and locals. For enthusiastic merrymaking with foam parties, talented DJs and loud music, the place to go would be Chaweng Beach. There would be an array of pool and beach parties with the local clubs and bars also getting involved. An accommodation choice to consider from which you could easily experience the local party scene would be Santiburi Koh Samui which may be regarded as an appealingly located Koh Samui resort.
On the other hand, there would also be a more traditional conservative aspect to Songkran, which after all happens to be the Buddhist New Year. Accordingly, you will find that many establishments and businesses would close during this festival enabling staff to visit their hometowns and spend time in the company of their families. Traditionally, at this time of the year, homes would also be spring-cleaned so as to make a fresh beginning in the coming year. During Songkran, elderly members of the family would be venerated, with a ceremony of pouring water gently on them to remove bad luck also taking place.
Many Thais also take the opportunity to visit local temples during the Songkran Festival where they would pay respect to images of Buddha, wash statues and honour monks. In some parts of Thailand, locals would offer alms to monks as part of the Songkran celebrations. In the capital, Bangkok, Thais would visit several temples which attract many devotees during Songkran, such as Wat Pho, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Suthat, Wat Saket, Wat Arun and so on. Of course, this can be seen in other parts of the country too including islands like Koh Samui.
You will also have the opportunity to savour a variety of delectable Thai dishes during Songkran. One of these would be the iconic Pad Thai, a stir-fried dish of rice noodles noted for its appealing flavours and nutritional value. You may also choose to try tom yum goong, a delectable soup featuring a combination of sour and hot flavours. Another dish to try would be zesty som tam or green papaya
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
