Thai New Year in Thong Sala

The Thai New Year (Songkran) is celebrated every year between April 13 to April 15. The Thai word Songkran means “move” or “change place”, since in the past, the exact date of the New Year has been determined in accordance with the astrological calendar, in the day when the sun changes its position in the zodiac. Nowadays the date is fixed and the New Year is considered more of a national event then religious celebration.

Even so, the Thai New Year has a highly traditional meaning and ambience. This festival is referred to as a family and elderly day. An extended family gathering in honor of the New Year celebration is widely accepted, while young people are expected to respect their parents and oldest relatives by bringing them small gifts. In return, the elders bless their young relatives and wish them good luck.

In addition to the family concept surrounding the Thai New Year, there’s also a communal meaning. In preparation for the festival, neighbors cooperate with each other in different communal activities, such as cleaning houses, temples and public places.

Finally, during the holiday people visit temples in order to give food and alms to monks, clean Buddha statues and pray. In many cities festive parades are held, in which the participants carry Buddha statues.

The main symbol of this festival is water. Water symbolizes cleaning, renewal and purification. Consequently, in any settlement that respects itself the festival celebration and parade is usually accompanied by throwing water. Traditionally, it should be small amount of water poured on the other’s hands as a sign of respect; at least, that’s what I was told a day before the festival. Phailin, the owner of the Internet center in Haad Rin, explained to me that I should expect that people would bless me and pour some water on my hands… I’d saw it as a good deal, so in the next morning I packed my video and digital cameras and took a taxi to Thong Sala, along with my daughter.

In retrospect, I can honestly say that visiting Thong Sala during the New Year festival was in fact a very good idea, whereas taking the cameras was the most absurd idea right after wearing fur coat on the beach and/or ordering continental breakfast in authentic Thai restaurant. Throwing water on people had apparently lost its traditional meaning, and turned into exhilarating fun and ecstatic experience.

At the very moment we arrived in Thong Sala we found out, that everybody except from us was armed with water pistols, jugs and a bucket, and on every corner we should expect to be attacked by water. The amounts of water thrown at us were enough to grow cucumbers in the Sahara through the year. Since the festival is held during the hottest season of the year, I could actually enjoy it if not for the cameras. No one in Thong Sala had any sentiments for my cameras. Luckily, the camera bag was of superior quality, but I couldn’t rely on it till the end of the day… as I tried to escape from couple of wicked children with water pistols, I entered the first shop I’d saw and bought a new bag with thick lining. Only then I could join the festival with no misgivings… In the evening, we were back at our resort completely wet, but jolly and happy all the while.