When Is New Year In Thailand: The Songkran holiday, which marks the start of the traditional Thai New Year, is a lively and cheerful occasion. Songkran is an April holiday that correlates with the Thai lunar calendar, as opposed to the world New Year’s celebrations that occur on January 1. This annual ritual, which has deep cultural roots, symbolizes the embracing of new beginnings and the purifying of the obstacles encountered the previous year.
Songkran is well-known for its exciting water fights, in which both residents and visitors join in friendly street fighting. Splashing water is a traditional process used throughout the country to remove negativity and impurities while also creating a lively and joyous mood.
In addition to the water-based festivities, Songkran is a time for family gatherings, temple trips, and honoring elders. Joyous music, ancient customs, and a sense of regeneration permeate the air. This cultural extravaganza attracts tourists from all over the world and is one of Thailand’s most valuable and widely awaited events. As April comes, Thailand prepares for Songkran, a unique and seductive celebration of the Thai New Year that includes rituals, fun, and a cool spray of water.
Making merit for New Year
While many people enjoy the New Year’s parties, Thai Buddhists also have to visit the temple and achieve virtue. Thai Buddhists believe that by contributing financially to the temple’s upkeep and feeding the monks, they collect karma and ensure a good afterlife.
As December 31 nears midnight and people wish for prosperity in the following year, candles are lit, monks chant, and prayers are recited. In the religious rites done around the New Year, a ceremonial white thread is tied to a Buddha image and passed through the hands of monks before reaching the assembly as a whole. The chanting of the monks and the related merit that passes along the thread metaphorically embrace all those present.
Thailand’s public holidays are December 31 and January 1, marking the end of the festive season. This means that more individuals will be traveling and staying during the New Year’s holiday, necessitating earlier preparations. Expect a rise in both domestic and foreign passengers, as well as increased activity at famous tourist spots across the country. Unfortunately, traffic accidents rise during this time of year, and drunk driving remains a severe problem in Thailand.
Celebrating New Year in Thailand
The Thai people are noted for their easygoing demeanor and enjoyment of living life to the fullest, seizing any chance to party and enjoy life. This is evidenced by the fact that Thailand marks the New Year differently than other countries, as it takes place across three days.
Thailand, like the rest of the world, marks the start of the New Year with loud celebrations and fireworks on December 31 as the clock strikes midnight. However, the celebrations continue beyond there. Thais also cheerfully enjoy the Chinese New Year, which normally falls in January or February.
The month of April brings the much-anticipated Thai New Year holiday known as Songkran.
The usual greeting for those in Thailand at the end of December is ‘Sawatdee Pii Mai,’ or Happy New Year. This same greeting is used again during the Songkran Thai New Year celebrations in April, highlighting the Thai people’s cheerful party and exchange of greetings.
New Year countdown
Several “Countdown” events are planned in Thailand on the eve of the New Year. Bangkok has the most, but not necessarily the greatest, with the area outside of Central World playing a significant effect. Thai people and visitors from various nations flock to Chiang Mai, which is located in the northern region, to enjoy the New Year.
Chiang Mai creates a stunning spectacle that mixes aspects of heritage and technology with mainstream music concerts, traditional dance performances, and an incredible fireworks display, all set against the backdrop of uncountable sky lanterns released throughout the evening. Countdowns take place along the shoreline in Pattaya, which is well-known for its fireworks and New Year’s parties, in many spots throughout Thailand.
Thai people are known for their easygoing attitude and love of festivity, and they celebrate New Year’s Eve three times a year. After the rest of the world marks New Year’s Eve on December 31, Thailand continues the festivities with Chinese New Year in January or February and the much-anticipated traditional Thai New Year, Songkran, in April.
The Thai New Year’s celebration highlights their active embrace of life and the happy attitude entrenched in countless cultural celebrations throughout the year, whether it’s sharing “Sawatdee Pii Mai” wishes in December or joining in the colorful countdown and revelries.
Songkran Celebration
Songkran is a widely observed event in Thailand that is filled with unique flavors in each locale. In the north, the activities include cooking a huge amount of food to share with loved ones, friends, and temple monks, as well as nighttime fireworks.
Central Thailand has traditions such as cleaning the house, dressing in traditional clothing, and releasing wild animals. The eastern region sees the construction of sand pagodas, the feeding of elderly relatives, and temple visits. Individuals in the south refrain from making purchases during Songkran, showing honesty and frugal living.
Even with its wild water fights, Songkran is a festival of custom and deference. Thais show their respect for their elders by sprinkling fragrant water on their hands, asking for blessings, visiting temples, and participating in merit-making activities.
The vibrant sarongs and shirts, as well as other traditional Thai clothes, add to the festive atmosphere and show Thailand’s unique cultural heritage. Street festivities, particularly in Chiang Mai and Bangkok, captivate visitors with live music, dancing acts, and spectacular parades, making it an unforgettable experience for both visitors and residents.
Throughout Songkran, delicious holiday meals such as Pad Thai, Som Tum, and mango sticky rice are offered at family gatherings. Furthermore, the water blessings given by monks add a sacred element to the celebrations because pouring water over a monk’s hands is considered a virtuous deed.
Tips for the Best Songkran Festival Experience
Expect heavy traffic because the roads may get crowded.
Because it is the biggest travel season, it is better to book rooms in advance.
The festivities usually begin at 10 a.m. and will continue until 8 p.m.
If you don’t like being wet, it’s best to stay inside.
Avoid dousing the area’s monks, as they are highly respected.
When you’re out in the weather, make sure your belongings, such as wallets and cell phones, are covered by waterproof pouches.
Skimpy apparel, such as bikinis, is deemed inappropriate during this time.
Attempt to be comfortable—but not overly so!
When greeting someone, always say “Sawadee Bee Mai,” which means to “Happy New Year” in Thai.
Do they celebrate New Year in Thailand?
New Year celebrations in Thailand
In Thailand, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are both public holidays and provide an opportunity for people to party at the various New Year Countdown events. From Bangkok to Chiang Mai and Pattaya to Phuket, music concerts and firework displays welcome in the New Year.
On New Year’s Eve, Chiang Mai and other Northern regions have a long-standing custom of releasing khom loy lanterns into the night sky. This is a traditional practice that shows letting go of the previous year’s worries and sending out wishes for good fortune in the next year. Sky lanterns are famous at the Yi Peng and Loy Krathong Festivals in northern Thailand, as well as during New Year’s celebrations.
In New Year’s ceremonies, a sacred white thread known as sai sin is used. This thread is first tied to a Buddha image before being passed through the hands of the most senior monks and then given to the assembly. While the monks lead the chants, the proper merits are symbolically conveyed along the thread, with the purpose of encompassing all those present.
Visitors may ask about the location of the nearest service from their lodging. Furthermore, at the end of the year, temple fairs are held in numerous Thai provinces, providing an additional chance to earn merits and provide funds for local temple care.
Why is the Thai New Year in April?
It is traditionally celebrated for three days starting from the first full moon in April. This is because the country runs on the lunisolar Theravada Buddhist calendar. The name Songkran comes from an ancient Sanskrit word meaning to ‘enter’ or ‘pass into’ and refers to the movement of the zodiac.
The event will now take place on April 13 at the stated time.
On the first day of the celebration, it is usual to join in a water-pouring ceremony and spring cleaning. Pouring perfumed water onto precious Buddha images kept in temples represents a symbolic cleansing that erases the old year in order to welcome the new one.
The next day, the children show their appreciation for their elders by dousing their hands and feet with fragrant water and asking for blessings in return. Floral garlands and offerings given to temples and monks are exchanged.
The festival happens during one of the warmest times of the year and marks the start of the rainy season.
Outside the temple procedures, these practices have evolved into large-scale water fights with super soakers, ice buckets, loud music, and raucous street celebrations.
Is Chinese New Year the same in Thailand?
Source Celebrations for the Chinese New Year are spread across two to three days. It isn’t a national holiday, but with a Chinese population of over 7 million in the country, it is widely celebrated in Thailand. Families spend these days together and pay respect to their ancestors.
According to the lunar calendar, the Chinese New Year always comes in January or February, just as everyone else celebrates the start of the New Year on January 1. The Spring Festival, as it is officially called, heralds a new Chinese Zodiac cycle. 2019 is expected to be the ‘Year of the Pig,’ the twelfth year in the Chinese zodiac path.
Throughout this bustling economic occasion, Chinese New Year promotions appear in shops and shopping centers. Throughout the three days, there are huge markdowns, unique bargains, and strange events such as free feng shui consultations. Even tiny enterprises like street vendors are seeing a boost in income. If you’ve been wanting to obtain some classic Chinese fans or handmade Chinese souvenirs, now is the chance!
How long is Thai New Year?
Three days
The festival in Thailand kicks off on April 13 and usually lasts three days, though festivities can start early or end later in some cities. The holiday’s main focus is about moving forward—in fact, the word Songkran comes from a phrase in the Sanskrit language that means “passage of the sun.”
Every year, the Thai New Year is heralded by Songkran, which is celebrated over three days in most places from April 13 to April 15. Thailand is commemorating an important event, but the celebrations linger all week, turning the country into a big water fight. The sequences are bright and boisterous, with dancing, music, beverages, and wet people. Anything that may be utilized to make a splash, such as buckets, hose pipes, and water guns, ensures that you will be soaked!
Because April is Thailand’s hottest month, the national water skirmish offers a welcome escape from the oppressive heat. Songkran is a happy water event in which people shower one other with joy. It began as a Buddhist purifying rite using water sprinklers. Millions of people have recently gathered to witness a wonderful spectacle as the entire country participates in a massive water fight. Songkran is a unique and energizing cultural experience due to the festival’s deft blending of custom and enthusiasm.
What is Thai New Year called?
Songkran
Songkran is Thailand’s most famous festival. An important event on the Buddhist calendar, this water festival marks the beginning of the traditional Thai New Year. The name Songkran comes from a Sanskrit word meaning ‘passing’ or ‘approaching’.
The term Songkran comes from ancient Sanskrit and means “move into,” “enter,” or “transition into.” It refers to the monthly change or “astrological passage” in the zodiac, as the sun moves from the sign of Aries into Taurus in April, bringing in Maha Songkran, also known as the Great Songkran, which marks the beginning of the Thai New Year.
In ancient India, the event began as a Hindu spring festival that celebrated the start of the new crop season. Although some other Southeast Asian countries follow a similar traditional new year, Songkran in Thailand is the most widely observed globally.
Songkran is a three-day national holiday in Thailand that is publicly commemorated from April 13 to April 15. However, in other places, the festivities can last up to a week.
Songkran Day is celebrated on April 13 and is the first day on which people clean their homes and public sites such as temples and schools in order to ward off any ill luck from the previous year and prepare for the new one.
Thailand’s New Year’s Eve parties are a one-of-a-kind blend of traditions, joy, and cultural complexity. It’s crucial to note that this time of year is extremely popular, so those who want to experience the lively atmosphere should book their accommodations ahead of time. Expect crowded roads and high traffic. The festival time, which runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., offers a schedule for both residents and visitors to enjoy themselves.
The warning to stay indoors if you are afraid of getting wet underscores the vivid water-themed activities that are typical of Thai New Year. Respect for the local monks, who are highly valued in Thai society, serves as a reminder to be careful and considerate during the celebration.
The emphasis on protecting personal possessions with waterproof bags reflects the practical processes needed for aquatic-themed activities. Cultural sensitivities are also considered, and proper attire is reminded at this point.
Last but not least, the friendly and open greeting “Sawadee Bee Mai” shows the attitude of wishing everyone a good New Year. Overall, the guidelines provide useful advice for a memorable and culturally appropriate New Year’s Eve party in Bangkok.
