Asia Weekly

Festivals in Asia

Soaking up Songkran

The Thai new year is an opportunity to beat the heat as the crowds celebrate Songkran by dousing everyone in sight with water, says Ron Emmons in the South China Morning Post's Post Magazine. Held from April 13-15, Songkran, literally "water-throwing festival," is a time when Thais let loose, and stepping outdoors is an invitation to get wet. Trucks carrying barrels of ice and water move through the streets, spraying the crowds, who then turn on the trucks. Traditionally people sprinkled water on others from small silver bowls to wish good luck for the new year, but "times have changed and now plastic buckets, a hose and ‘turbo-charged' pistols are all a part of the armoury of the water thrower," some of which, "including high-pressure water guns made from PVC piping, have been banned." The chaos also provides an opportunity for romance and "many Thai couples confess to having met during New Year festivities," says Emmons. "So if you spot someone you fancy...attract their attention by dousing them with a bucket of freezing cold water, smile and shout, "Sawasdee phi mai! (Happy New Year!)"

Read other articles from Lifestyle Trends: