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Sawasdee from Thailand

[04-พ.ค.-2011]

 

My name is Chaiyong Theinvutichai responsible for APC  Logistics Thailand.   Just to share some important month April is a month end of the year and also the New Year to come in our country.   April 13th is our Thai New year or you may call Songkran water festival.  People in Thailand also splash water at each other to symbolically wash off all misfortunes.

“Songkran” is the Thai traditional New Year and an occasion for family reunion. At this time, people from the rural areas who are working in the city usually return home to celebrate the festival also an occasion for family reunions and temple visits.. Thus, when the time comes, Bangkok temporarily turns into a deserted city. The festival falls for a week period and celebration held throughout the kingdom. In fact, “Songkran” is a Thai word which means “move” or “change place” as it is the day when the sun changes its position in the zodiac.

The throwing of water originated as a way to pay respect to people, by capturing the water after it had been poured over the Buddhas for cleansing and then using this "blessed" water to give good fortune to elders and family by gently pouring it on the shoulder. Among young people the holiday evolved to include dousing strangers with water to relieve the heat, since April is the hottest month in Thailand (temperatures can rise to over 100°F or 40°C on some days). This has further evolved into water fights and splashing water over people riding in vehicles.

The water is meant as a symbol of washing all of the bad away and is sometimes filled with fragrant herbs when celebrated in the traditional manner.