Songkran

The Thai calendar is different than the one we use. For example, it is the year 2555.

Thailand also has its own traditional new year called Songkran. Its date is based on the lunar calendar and occurs in early-mid April each year. As the dates kept changing, the government decided to standardize it on April 13-15. Many Thais begin the celebration a little early, and some continue it a little longer. Some still use the lunar calendar, putting it earlier this year (April 12).

I had an American friend fly in from Indonesia to take part in the festivities. He was here for nine days, seven of which were spent in Songkran. We celebrated in three cities: Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and Kanchanaburi. Here are the pictures and some explanations (some pictures courtesy of my friend).

In Chiang Mai, the celebration includes moving the main Buddha statues of the cities out of their place, and parading them around town.

 Along the way, people throw scented water on the image as part of the ceremony.

 The image is then returned to its original position. In this case it was at the front of Wat Phra Singh.

Another tradition is to replace all the dirt which people have tracked away from the temple each year. Whenever you enter and leave a temple, some of the dirt travels away with you. Thus at the end of the old year, you are supposed to replace that dirt.

You can see a pile of dirt here prepared for the celebrations.

Beyond the religious observances, Songkran is also a time for fun. It is the hottest part of the year for the country, and Songkran becomes a great excuse to cool off through an extended water fight.

Being cultural adventurers, my friend and I had to participate.

 Here we are with our super soakers and awesome hats. Yes, I look goofy. Better than a sunburn.

The people draw water from the city moat (and end up swimming in it).

After a few days in Chiang Mai, we went south to Bangkok.

 Here is the famous Khao San street during Songkran. Crazy crowds.

This is Silom road, the other hot spot for Songkran.

Besides just playing with water, participants put powder on each other's faces.

 Soaked with powder.

 White powder.

Colored powder.

Anyways, we continued onto Kanchanaburi for another few days. By that time I was pretty Songkran-ed out, so I didn't take any more pictures of the festivities, neither did my friend.

It was a blast, though. Much better than when I was a missionary and had passively endure being splashed while in a white shirt and tie.