Songkran

Technically it’s the celebration of the traditional Thai New Year. It is a national holiday that takes place in mid April and is probably most famous for its water festivals. In certain areas of town, the gatherings are so large that the streets are closed to traffic and used for giant water fights. You’ll find people of every type at these festivals from old to young including both locals and tourists. These giant water festivals are a big draw to tourists but for locals, Songkran is actually centered around tradition. Many people take the time to visit their hometowns and family and go to temples where they pour water on Buddha statues and receive water blessings. These ceremonies are done for purification and represents washing away their sins and bad luck. 

I wasn’t sure that I wanted my first experience of Thailand to be during the water festival, but it was. Everywhere you went things were a little more crowded and a lot more wet! You couldn’t go anywhere without the chance that you were going to get shot with a giant water gun or even have water thrown at you by the bucket full. On the bright side, since it was about 1000 degrees fahrenheit everyday, being doused in water was often a nice and cooling surprise. I’m glad I was able to experience songkran once, but I don’t need to do it again. There were many things that I didn’t get the chance to see or do in Bangkok because the water festival takes over everything. I absolutely want to go back someday, but I definitely won’t go back in the summer! Sadly, my midwestern upbringing does not allow my body to handle the extreme temperatures of Thailand. But my suffering was not in vain—after four days of Songkran festivities, all my sins and bad luck have been washed away! Hopefully….