Songkran Thai New Year Celebration April 12 - 16 Editorial Photo

The Songkran is a New Year celebration in Thailand and begins April 12 and last thru April 16. The Thai people show respect by offering food to the Buddhist monks. They also perform water pouring on Buddha statues and the young and elderly as a traditional ritual on this holiday. It represents purification and the washing away of one`s sins and bad luck. It`s a festival of unity, people who have moved away usually return home to their loved ones and elders. Paying reverence to ancestors is an important part of Songkran tradition.The holiday is known for its water festival. Major streets are closed to traffic, and are used as arenas for water fights. Celebrants, young and old, participate in this tradition by splashing water on each other and marking the face and body with chalk.A Buddhist Nun awaiting a New Years offering.Be prepared to get wet and enjoy the celebration.