There's a Reason for the World: Where to stay locally, fresh and happy during Songkran [1]

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Where to stay locally, fresh and happy during Songkran [1]

Songkran Festival: Thai Custom Happy Every People

For individuals who have experienced "Songkran", this traditional Thai custom of merrymaking is one of the Kingdom's most "sanuk" (fun-filled) festival, celebrated with tremendous enthusiasm nationwide, and is celebrated once a year on April 13th marking the Thai new year. Known all over the world for its characteristic tradition of water-throwing ranging from a courteous sprinkle or a polite splash, to harmless water pistols and showers from garden hoses to the well-aimed bucket or water-cannon... delivered in a festive spirit. Without a doubt, on the practical side, Songkarn is a refreshing solution to "beating the heat" in the hottest season of the year.

However, there is a much deeper significance to "Songkran". Apart from marking a new beginning, Songkran is also a time for thankgiving. It is an important time for individuals to reflect upon the many acts of kindness and thoughtfulness each has personally experienced and to remember how such acts of generosity and compassion bring peace, happiness and well-being to others. Songkran is also the time for reunions and family ties to be renewed. At the heart of each Thai custom and tradition, there is always a "raison d'etre" - a logical reason for its existence. The festive elements of the celebration itself, the cultural values, the social code of conduct and individual belief and practices are intertwined. It can be said that in essence, Songkran embodies the traditional Thai Cultural Values.

"Songkran" is a word from the Sanskrit language which means to "move into" and refers to the orbit of the sun moving into Aries. It marks the end of a 12-month cycle and the beginnig of a new solar year. Songkran is therefore a New Year celebration. The underlying significance of Songkran is the process of cleaning and purification - the purging of all ills, misfortune and evil and starting the New Year afresh with all that is good and pure. Water is symbolic of the cleaning process and signifies purity.

(Continued next Blog...)

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