The True Meaning of Songkran

April is the season for Songkran, and even if you’ve experienced the festivities, you could be forgiven for thinking it’s just about the water fights. There is much more to Songkran and we asked some moms to tell us what Songkran means to them and how they celebrate this significant Thai festival.

By Dharak Dhamongrat

For younger generations, Songkran appears to be just a water festival and when they get together with the elders of the family. Historically, it marks the changing of the season and the end of the rice farming season, so people celebrate Songkran Day as a New Year celebration also on 13 April.

Traditionally, the Songkran festival derived from Hinduism, which spread around Asia and Buddhism cultures. For Thais, it is a tradition that gives importance to the relationship between fellow human beings in society and reflects the characteristics of being Thai, such as gratitude and generosity, for humans and the environment. Using water as a medium for connection between them is a Thai tradition that has been practiced since ancient times.

“When I was a teenager, water fights were a bigger experience than when I was a kid. My cousins, brothers, and I would jump in a pickup truck filled with water and water guns, and my uncle would drive us around the city to have some cool water fights. It was great fun at that time but now I rather stay home and avoid the crowds. I’ll have to wait until my son grows up to join the water fights again!” — Chayuda Pieterse

“Songkran is a special time that brings family and friends together with people going back home to see their loved ones. I think it helps us to appreciate the love we have in our lives.” — Pundharee McDonald

“As Buddhists, we visit the temple to pay respect to the monks, and the elders in our neighborhood sit in a line while we line up to pour water on their hands. Splashing water is the practice of blessing people, so we pour water on our elders’ hands and feet as a way of showing our gratitude, then they pat their wet hands on our heads as a gesture of their blessing." — Dharak Dhamongrat

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