Songkran (Thailand)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Template:Short description Template:For

Template:Use dmy dates {{#invoke:Infobox|infobox}}Template:Template otherTemplate:Main other{{#switch:|January 1|January 2|January 3|January 4|January 5|January 6|January 7|January 8|January 9|January 10|January 11|January 12|January 13|January 14|January 15|January 16|January 17|January 18|January 19|January 20|January 21|January 22|January 23|January 24|January 25|January 26|January 27|January 28|January 29|January 30|January 31|February 1|February 2|February 3|February 4|February 5|February 6|February 7|February 8|February 9|February 10|February 11|February 12|February 13|February 14|February 15|February 16|February 17|February 18|February 19|February 20|February 21|February 22|February 23|February 24|February 25|February 26|February 27|February 28|February 29|February 30|February 31|March 1|March 2|March 3|March 4|March 5|March 6|March 7|March 8|March 9|March 10|March 11|March 12|March 13|March 14|March 15|March 16|March 17|March 18|March 19|March 20|March 21|March 22|March 23|March 24|March 25|March 26|March 27|March 28|March 29|March 30|March 31|April 1|April 2|April 3|April 4|April 5|April 6|April 7|April 8|April 9|April 10|April 11|April 12|April 13|April 14|April 15|April 16|April 17|April 18|April 19|April 20|April 21|April 22|April 23|April 24|April 25|April 26|April 27|April 28|April 29|April 30|April 31|May 1|May 2|May 3|May 4|May 5|May 6|May 7|May 8|May 9|May 10|May 11|May 12|May 13|May 14|May 15|May 16|May 17|May 18|May 19|May 20|May 21|May 22|May 23|May 24|May 25|May 26|May 27|May 28|May 29|May 30|May 31|June 1|June 2|June 3|June 4|June 5|June 6|June 7|June 8|June 9|June 10|June 11|June 12|June 13|June 14|June 15|June 16|June 17|June 18|June 19|June 20|June 21|June 22|June 23|June 24|June 25|June 26|June 27|June 28|June 29|June 30|June 31|July 1|July 2|July 3|July 4|July 5|July 6|July 7|July 8|July 9|July 10|July 11|July 12|July 13|July 14|July 15|July 16|July 17|July 18|July 19|July 20|July 21|July 22|July 23|July 24|July 25|July 26|July 27|July 28|July 29|July 30|July 31|August 1|August 2|August 3|August 4|August 5|August 6|August 7|August 8|August 9|August 10|August 11|August 12|August 13|August 14|August 15|August 16|August 17|August 18|August 19|August 20|August 21|August 22|August 23|August 24|August 25|August 26|August 27|August 28|August 29|August 30|August 31|September 1|September 2|September 3|September 4|September 5|September 6|September 7|September 8|September 9|September 10|September 11|September 12|September 13|September 14|September 15|September 16|September 17|September 18|September 19|September 20|September 21|September 22|September 23|September 24|September 25|September 26|September 27|September 28|September 29|September 30|September 31|October 1|October 2|October 3|October 4|October 5|October 6|October 7|October 8|October 9|October 10|October 11|October 12|October 13|October 14|October 15|October 16|October 17|October 18|October 19|October 20|October 21|October 22|October 23|October 24|October 25|October 26|October 27|October 28|October 29|October 30|October 31|November 1|November 2|November 3|November 4|November 5|November 6|November 7|November 8|November 9|November 10|November 11|November 12|November 13|November 14|November 15|November 16|November 17|November 18|November 19|November 20|November 21|November 22|November 23|November 24|November 25|November 26|November 27|November 28|November 29|November 30|November 31|December 1|December 2|December 3|December 4|December 5|December 6|December 7|December 8|December 9|December 10|December 11|December 12|December 13|December 14|December 15|December 16|December 17|December 18|December 19|December 20|December 21|December 22|December 23|December 24|December 25|December 26|December 27|December 28|December 29|December 30|December 31=|{{#switch:|1 January|2 January|3 January|4 January|5 January|6 January|7 January|8 January|9 January|10 January|11 January|12 January|13 January|14 January|15 January|16 January|17 January|18 January|19 January|20 January|21 January|22 January|23 January|24 January|25 January|26 January|27 January|28 January|29 January|30 January|31 January|1 February|2 February|3 February|4 February|5 February|6 February|7 February|8 February|9 February|10 February|11 February|12 February|13 February|14 February|15 February|16 February|17 February|18 February|19 February|20 February|21 February|22 February|23 February|24 February|25 February|26 February|27 February|28 February|29 February|30 February|31 February|1 March|2 March|3 March|4 March|5 March|6 March|7 March|8 March|9 March|10 March|11 March|12 March|13 March|14 March|15 March|16 March|17 March|18 March|19 March|20 March|21 March|22 March|23 March|24 March|25 March|26 March|27 March|28 March|29 March|30 March|31 March|1 April|2 April|3 April|4 April|5 April|6 April|7 April|8 April|9 April|10 April|11 April|12 April|13 April|14 April|15 April|16 April|17 April|18 April|19 April|20 April|21 April|22 April|23 April|24 April|25 April|26 April|27 April|28 April|29 April|30 April|31 April|1 May|2 May|3 May|4 May|5 May|6 May|7 May|8 May|9 May|10 May|11 May|12 May|13 May|14 May|15 May|16 May|17 May|18 May|19 May|20 May|21 May|22 May|23 May|24 May|25 May|26 May|27 May|28 May|29 May|30 May|31 May|1 June|2 June|3 June|4 June|5 June|6 June|7 June|8 June|9 June|10 June|11 June|12 June|13 June|14 June|15 June|16 June|17 June|18 June|19 June|20 June|21 June|22 June|23 June|24 June|25 June|26 June|27 June|28 June|29 June|30 June|31 June|1 July|2 July|3 July|4 July|5 July|6 July|7 July|8 July|9 July|10 July|11 July|12 July|13 July|14 July|15 July|16 July|17 July|18 July|19 July|20 July|21 July|22 July|23 July|24 July|25 July|26 July|27 July|28 July|29 July|30 July|31 July|1 August|2 August|3 August|4 August|5 August|6 August|7 August|8 August|9 August|10 August|11 August|12 August|13 August|14 August|15 August|16 August|17 August|18 August|19 August|20 August|21 August|22 August|23 August|24 August|25 August|26 August|27 August|28 August|29 August|30 August|31 August|1 September|2 September|3 September|4 September|5 September|6 September|7 September|8 September|9 September|10 September|11 September|12 September|13 September|14 September|15 September|16 September|17 September|18 September|19 September|20 September|21 September|22 September|23 September|24 September|25 September|26 September|27 September|28 September|29 September|30 September|31 September|1 October|2 October|3 October|4 October|5 October|6 October|7 October|8 October|9 October|10 October|11 October|12 October|13 October|14 October|15 October|16 October|17 October|18 October|19 October|20 October|21 October|22 October|23 October|24 October|25 October|26 October|27 October|28 October|29 October|30 October|31 October|1 November|2 November|3 November|4 November|5 November|6 November|7 November|8 November|9 November|10 November|11 November|12 November|13 November|14 November|15 November|16 November|17 November|18 November|19 November|20 November|21 November|22 November|23 November|24 November|25 November|26 November|27 November|28 November|29 November|30 November|31 November|1 December|2 December|3 December|4 December|5 December|6 December|7 December|8 December|9 December|10 December|11 December|12 December|13 December|14 December|15 December|16 December|17 December|18 December|19 December|20 December|21 December|22 December|23 December|24 December|25 December|26 December|27 December|28 December|29 December|30 December|31 December=|}}}}{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Infobox holiday with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| alt | begins | caption | celebrations | date | date2007 | date2008 | date2009 | date2010 | date2011 | date2012 | date2013 | date2014 | date2015 | date2016 | date2017 | date2018 | date2019 | date2020 | date2021 | date2022 | date2023 | date2024 | date2025 | date2026 | date2026 | date2027 | date2028 | date2029 | date2030 | duration | ends | firsttime | frequency | holiday_name | image | image_size | imagesize | lasttime | litcolor | longtype | mdy | month | nickname | observances | observedby | official_name | relatedto | scheduling | significance | startedby | type | week_ordinal | weekday | module}} Template:Infobox intangible heritage

Thai New Year<ref name=":3">Ach Vidyagama (George Bradley McFarland), Phra. (1944). "สงกรานต์", Thai-English Dictionary. CA, United States: Stanford University Press. 1,058 pp. Template:ISBN</ref>Template:Rp<ref name=":2">Glen Lewis. (2007). "Thai tourism take 1: a land of diversity and refinement", Virtual Thailand The Media and Cultural Politics in Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore (Rethinking Southeast Asia). NY, United States: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group (T&F Informa plc.). 241 pp. Template:ISBN. "April 'Songkran Splendours' (Thai New Year, nationalwide)"</ref>Template:Rp or Songkran<ref name=":3"/>Template:Rp (Template:Langx, {{#invoke:IPA|main}}), also known as Songkran Festival<ref>Anuman Rajadhon (Yong Sathirakoses), Phraya. (1956). Loy Krathong and Songkran Festival. Bangkok: National Culture Institute Thailand. p. 13. "SONGKRAN FESTIVAL Of all the feasts and festivals in Thailand which are many..."

  • Ministry of Education Thailand, Office of the National Culture Commission. (1989). Thai Culture: Songkran Festival. Bangkok: Ministry of Education Thailand. 33 pp.Template:ISBN. "Songkran Festival " issued by the Office of the National Culture Commission is the third of its series . The aim of this cultural kit is to present Thai culture to the general public and thereby to create mutual understanding"</ref> or Songkran Splendours,<ref name=":2"/>Template:Rp is the Thai New Year's national holiday. Songkran is on 13 April every year, but the holiday period extends from 14 to 15 April. In 2018 the Thai cabinet extended the festival nationwide to seven days, 9–16 April, to enable citizens to travel home for the holiday.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2019, the holiday was observed from 9–16 April as 13 April fell on a Saturday.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2024, Songkran was extended to span nearly the entire month, running from April 1 to April 21, instead of the traditional three-day celebration. The festival aligns with the New Year observed in many Southeast and South Asian cultures, following the Theravada Buddhist calendar, and coincides with Hindu calendar celebrations such as Bihu, Pohela Boishakh, Pana Sankranti, Tamil Puthandu, Vishu, Vaisakhi. The New Year also takes place at around the same time as the New Year celebrations of many regions of South Asia like China (Dai people of Yunnan Province), India, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

In Thailand, New Year is now officially celebrated 1 January. Songkran was the official New Year until 1888, when it was switched to a fixed date of 1 April. In 1940, the date was shifted to 1 January. The traditional Thai New Year Songkran became a national holiday.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Celebrations are famous for the public water fights framed as ritual cleansing. This has become quite popular among Thais and foreigners.

Etymology

Template:Further

Songkran is a Thai word,<ref>V. S. Bhaskar, Government of Assam, India. (2009). "Festivals: Songkran", Faith & Philosophy of Buddhism. New Delhi, India: Kalpaz Publications. 312 pp. pp. 261-262. Template:ISBN. "Songkran is a Thai word which means 'move'..."

  • Taipei City Government, Taiwan (ROC). (2008). Teipei: 2008 Yearbook. [臺北市年鑑2008-英文版 (In Chinese)]. Taipei: Taipei City Government Editorial Group. 386 pp. Template:ISBN. p. 269. "(Songkran) is in April, and Thai people celebrate their new year by splashing water at each other, hence the Thai name Songkran, i.e., "Water Splashing Festival."
  • Rooney, Dawn F. (2008). Ancient Sukhothai: Thailand's Cultural Heritage. Bangkok: River Books Press. 247 pp. Template:ISBN. p. 36. "'Songkran' is a Thai name that derives from a Sanskrit word meaning 'to move to', a reference to the sun's movements.
  • Komlosy, A. (2002). Images Of The Dai : The Aesthetics Of Gender And Identity In Xishuangbanna. [Doctoral Dissertation, University of St. Andrews]. University of St. Andrews Research Repository. 'https://hdl.handle.net/10023/7293'. p. 334. "The term Songkran is a Thai word meaning to move, here it refers to the Sun which moves into the sign of Aries at this time of the year". pp. 334–335. "The Thai term Songkran is now used by many Southeast Asia specialists to refer to the New Year festival held in many countries, including Myanmar, Laos and China."
  • "Songkran" (noun) in Oxford English Dictionary (Online). Retrieved on 17 April 2024.
  • Anouska Komlosy. "Procession and Water Splashing: Expressions of Locality and Nationality during Dai New Year in Xishuangbanna: Songkran", The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, 10(2). (2004, June). London: Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland. JSTOR #i370994. p. 357. "The term Songkran is a Thai word meaning 'to move', and it refers here to the Sun, which moves into the sign of Aries at this time of the year."
  • Prakong Nimmanahaeminda, Academy of Arts, Royal Society of Thailand. "Myth and Ritual : A Study of the Songkran Festival", The Journal of The Royal Society of Thailand, 29(1–2), (2004, January–March). pp. 345–350. "Songkran is a Thai word which means of movement."
  • Malaysia, Jabatan Perpaduan Negara Dan Integrasi Nasional (JPNIN). (1985). Festivals and religious occasions in Malaysia. (First series). Kuala Lumpur: The National Unity Department of Malaysia, Prime Minister's Dept. 36 pp. p. 26. "'SONGKRAN' is a Traditional New Year of the Thai people and this day normally fulls in the month of April. 'SONGKRAN' is a Thai word meaning change of exchange."
  • Sir. Philip John Newling Ward, Maj. Gen. (1974). "THE SONGKRAN FESTIVAL", Bangkok: Portrait of a City. Cambridge, United Kingdom: The Oleander Press. 136 pp. p. 111. Template:ISBN. "Thai word ' Songkran ' literally means a move or change".
  • James Hastings, John Alexander Selbie, Louis Herbert Gray. (1912). "FESTIVALS AND FACTS (Siamese)", Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics Vol. 5. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. p. 886.</ref> derived from Sanskrit<ref>Oxford Business Group (OBG). (2011). "Water wars: The traditional Thai New Year includes some playful activities", The Report: Thailand 2012. (n.p.): Oxford Business Group. 268 pp. p. 260.Template:ISBN
  • Template:Cite MWSD

</ref> saṅkrānti ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), meaning 'to move', 'movement',<ref name=":1"/>Template:Rp 'the passing of'<ref>Epstein, N., and Arvigo, R. (2021). Spiritual Bathing: Healing Rituals and Traditions from Around the World (eBook). (n.p.): Echo Point Books & Media, LLC. 192 pp.</ref> or 'astrological passage'.<ref>Bartlett, S. (2015). Spellcraft for a Magical Year: Rituals and Enchantments for Prosperity, Power, and Fortune. United States: Quarto Publishing Group USA. 224 pp. Template:ISBN</ref>Template:Rp It derives from the movement of the sun from one position to another in the zodiac. According to its literal meaning in Sanskrit, a Songkran occurs every month, but the period Thai people call Songkran happens when the sun moves from Pisces to Aries.<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The correct name for this period should be Maha Songkran ('great Songkran)<ref>Corness, I. (2015). "Songkran", Farang: Thailand through the eyes of an ex-pat (eBook). Dublin, Ireland: Maverick House. 240 pp. Template:ISBN</ref>Template:Rp because it coincides with the arrival of a New Year. The Songkran festival is thus a celebration of the New Year in accordance with the solar calendar. The celebration covers a period of three days: 13 April is regarded as Maha Songkran, the day that the sun moves into Aries or the last day of the old year. 14 April is Wan Nao, the transitional day between the old and new years, and 15 April is Wan Thaloeng Sok (Template:Langx 'to begin a new era or year'), New Year's day.<ref name=JRIT-2004>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Dates

In 1989, the Thai cabinet fixed Songkran from 12–14 April, despite the correct starting date (13 April at 20:57).<ref>ราชกิจจานุเบกษา, ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง กำหนดเวลาทำงานและวันหยุดราชการ (ฉบับที่ ๑๙) พ.ศ. ๒๕๔๐, เล่ม ๑๑๔, ตอนที่ ๒๖ ง, ๑ เมษายน ๒๕๔๐ (Cabinet notification on workdays and holidays, 1997)</ref><ref group="n">The cabinet later fixed this issue by shifting the holiday by one day to 13–15 April, which is still in use today.</ref> Songkran was traditionally computed according to the method described in Suriyayart (Template:Langx), the Thai version of Surya Siddhanta. The celebration starts when the sun enters Aries according to the sidereal zodiac system. This is called Maha Songkran day<ref>Yavaprapas, S., Ministry of Culture (Thailand). (2004). Songkran Festival. (2nd Ed.). Bangkok: Prachoomthong Printing Group Co., Ltd. Template:ISBN</ref>Template:Rp<ref>Crump, William D. (2016). "Thailand", Encyclopedia of New Year's Holidays Worldwide. NC, United States: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. 319 pp. Template:ISBN</ref>Template:Rp<ref name=":1">Office of the National Culture Commission. (1989). Thai Culture: Songkran Festival Cultural Kit No. 3. Bangkok: Ministry of Education Thailand. 33 pp. Template:ISBN</ref>Template:Rp (Template:Langx). The final day marks the new solar year and is called Wan Thaloengsok (Template:Langx). The astrologers, local or royal, then make predictions about the economy, agriculture, rainfall, and political affairs according to observations between both days.<ref name="royalprommachat">Template:Cite book</ref> The king, or Chief Royal Astrologer on the monarch's behalf, issued an official notification on the new year to the public. The announcement, called Prakat Songkran (Template:Langx, Songkran notification), contained information on Songkran, Thaloengsok, the lunisolar calendar, and religious and royal ceremonies.<ref>For example, ราชกิจจานุเบกษา, ประกาศสงกรานต์ ร.ศ. ๑๑๐ พ.ศ.๒๔๓๔, เล่ม ๘, ๑๒ เมษายน ๒๔๓๔ (1891 Notification on Songkran)</ref> The government strictly adhered to the announcement and arranged some ceremonies according to the computation made by the royal astrologer.<ref>ราชกิจจานุเบกษา, พระราชพิธีเผด็จศกสงกรานต์, เล่มที่ ๑๖, ๑๖ เมษายน ๒๔๔๒, หน้า ๓๕ (Songkran and cutting off the year ceremony in 1899)</ref><ref>ราชกิจจานุเบกษา, กำหนดการพระราชพิธีสงกรานต์ พ.ศ.๒๔๙๒, ตอนที่ ๒๒, เล่ม ๖๖, ๑๒ เมษายน ๒๔๙๒ (Songkran royal ceremony schedule, 1949)</ref><ref group="n">In 1896, for example, the ceremony started on 12 April. According to Suriyayart, the sun entered Aries at 19:30 on 12 April. The main ceremony started one day later, possibly due to difficulties organizing the ceremony at the exact time. In 1949, Maha Songkran was on 13 April at 12:35 and the ceremony started that day.</ref>

According to the scripture, 800 years equal 292,207 days.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="siddhanta">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref group="n">According to {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }} Sloka 37, there are 1,577,917,828 solar (or terrestrial, as the translator chose) day within one great Yuga, or eon. There are four yugas, or periods, within the aeon. All of them spans 4,320,000 solar years (Sloka 15–16). It follows that 800 solar years correspond to 292,207 days.</ref> In other words, each solar year lasts 292,207 kammaja (Template:Langx, lit. one produced by karma), where 1 kammaja equals 108 seconds and 800 kammaja corresponds to 1 solar day. Timekeeping began as Kali Yuga started in 3102 BCE (−3101 CE). At the start of each year, it is possible to compute the number of days since Kali Yuga commenced using the following formula:<ref>Template:Cite book (Aeur Montianthong and Bunnak Thongniam's Suriyayat Sivakom for Computer Users, in Thai)</ref><ref name="rikkha">Template:Cite book (Singto Suriya-arak's How to and how not to set the ceremonial time and how to compute a detailed Suriyayart natal chart, in Thai)</ref>

<math>SD = \frac{292207 \times \left(KE\right)}{800} = \frac{292207 \times \left(CE + 3101\right)}{800} = \frac{292207 \times \left(BE + 2558\right)}{800},</math>

where <math>KE</math>, <math>CE</math>, <math>BE</math> denote Kali Era, Common Era, and Buddhist Era respectively. <math>SD</math> is the Suriyayart day number, which can vary according to the calendar era being used. The integer result is the count of days at New Year's Day, while the remainder indicates the time at which the new year begins (in kammaja), measured from the previous midnight.

Owing to a huge day number in the calculation, new calendar eras were devised to solve this problem, including the Minor Era (ME). 0 ME corresponds to 1181 BE, 638 CE or 3739 KE. Following the above equation, it follows that there were 1,365,702 days since the start of Kali Yuga. The remainder of the division suggests that the new year started at 373 kammaja after the previous midnight. This corresponds to 373/800 of a day or 11 hours, 11 minutes, and 24 seconds. In other words, 0 ME started at 11:11:24 on Sunday, 25 March 638 CE in the proleptic Gregorian calendar. The Julian day at the new year is computed according to the following formula:

<math>JD_\mathrm{newyear} = \frac{\left(292207 \times ME\right) + 373}{800} + 1954167.5 = \frac{\left(292207 \times \left(CE-638\right)\right) + 373}{800} + 1954167.5,</math>

The number can then be converted back into a date using an algorithm (see Julian day). Maha Songkran day is computed either by a lengthy process or by subtracting <math>JD_\mathrm{newyear}</math> by 2.165 days (2 days 3 hours 57 minutes 36 seconds). This can be rewritten as

<math>JD_\mathrm{songkran} = \frac{\left(292207 \times ME\right) -1732}{800} + 1954167.5 = \frac{\left(292207 \times \left(CE-638\right)\right) -1732}{800} + 1954167.5.</math>

A solar year lasts 292,207 kammaja or 365.25875 days every year. A Gregorian year lasts, on average, 292194 kammaja.<ref group="n">Julian year lasts 292,200 kammajas on average</ref> The difference of 13 kammaja (23 minutes, 24 seconds) accumulates every year, causing the shift of Songkran toward the end of the calendar year.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> In 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900 and 2000, Maha Songkran was on 7 April, 9 April, 10 April, 12 April, and 13 April, respectively.

Nowadays the royal palace has ceased to issue the Prakat Songkran, replacing it with a small calendar booklet given to the public on New Year's Day. Government Savings Bank still prints a one-page lunisolar calendar, which is different from the multiple-page solar calendar commonly seen. The calendar features the image of Nang Songkran with her vehicle and subordinates, led by a Chinese zodiac animal holding a flag with Thai script for that zodiac. It also contains comprehensive information on the correct Songkran day and religious days.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Some astrologers, especially in northern Thailand, still issue their own Songkran notification containing predictions and other information.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2013, the Chiang Mai Provincial Council defied the government-set holiday by rescheduling the ceremony according to the correct calculation.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The following table lists the start and end dates of Songkran festival obtained from the formulae above. The Chinese zodiac for each year is also given since it is also used in Thai astrology. But the Chinese zodiac changes on Lichun, just before the Chinese New Year, in February, while Thai astrology uses the first day of fifth lunar month (roughly the new moon in late–March to early–April).<ref name=mornoi>Template:Cite book (On the Formation of Thai Natal Chart)</ref><ref name=myhora>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Before the cutoff date, astrologers use the zodiac of the last year.

Template:Songkran days

Origin and myths

The origin of the Songkran festival lies in a Buddhist folk myth or noncanonical jataka related to harvest and spring. In the prosperous city of Sukhavati in Suvannabhumi, Bodistva was born in the household of a poor farmer. Once, Indra the king of Devas, looked at the city from heaven and was saddened by the level of corruption. He found that people did not respect their elders, behaved rudely, and did not give them proper food or medicine. They had no compassion for the needy and helpless, no faith in Sila and Uposath but fun in sin, no faith in donation but greed for wealth, no faith in Dhamma but made business of Dhamma. Seeing the decline of Dhamma, he said, "Glory/Siri of humans lies in their faith in Dhamma. There is no Glory without Dhamma." With the affirmation of this truth, people in the city immediately lost their glory. Rain, water, and food disappeared and extreme drought with skin-burning hot sun waves and dirty, foul-smelling garbage filled their homes.

To be saved from this suffering, with Bodistva's leadership, people prayed to Mother Earth or Siri. They asked Siri the cause of and solution to their misfortune. Out of compassion and sympathy for her children, she told them restoration of their faith in Dhamma would end their suffering. She gave them a divine piece of fertile land, divine seeds, a mysterious song for rain, and pots of divine thanaka powder of several colors to apply on their skin to cool the body from the sun. People pledged to observe sila and upasotha under Bodistva's guidance.

Bodistva and his companions started cultivating the divine land, sowing divine seeds. They used to apply several colours of thanaka powder and water is poured to cool their body from heavy sun waves. In few days their crops were grown that was the day when the sun entered the constellation of Aries. They produced adequate grains. At the day of harvest, they washed feet of their elders, saluted them and served delicious food and proper cloths. Donations were made to needy and helpless. Hence, Dhamma was restored by the people.

Same day when Indra the king of devas again looked at the city of SuvannaBhumi. He praised them and said, "Glory of humans lies in their faith in Dhamma, there is no Glory without Dhamma." By affirmation of this truth immediately their lost glory was restored back and the people elected bodistva as their leader and celebrated the harvest day with throwing water on each other and started playing with several colours of thanaka powder by applying it on each other's body.

Thus, in Buddhist community in South East Asia, to remember and celebrate this day, people clean their houses, salute and show respect to their elders by washing their feet, serving delicious food and proper clothing to them. Donations are made to monastery and needy. People play with water and different colours of thanaka powder is applied to each other's body.

According to the Buddhist scripture of Wat Pho, Songkran originated from the death of Kapila Brahma (Template:Langx).<ref>Template:Cite book pp. 512–513</ref> In the olden days, there was a wealthy man and his neighbor, a drunkard. The drunkard, who had two sons, belittled the rich man for being childless. The rich man was humiliated and beseeched the Sun and the Moon gods to grant him a son. His attempts failed until he offered cooked rice to the tree god living in a banyan tree, who asked Indra to grant the man's wish. The child, named Thammabal (Template:Langx, also Dhammapala, Template:Literal translation), was born.

Thammabal was a clever child who learned three vedas, bird language and also taught people to avoid sin. Kapila Brahma learned of the child and wanted to test the child's cleverness. The god asked, "Where is the glory of men (sri) located in the morning, during the day, and in the evening?". The loser would have his head chopped off. The boy thought in vain for six days, but could not find a solution to the riddles. He lay beneath a sugar palm tree and overheard a conversation between a pair of eagles who planned to eat his corpse when he lost the bet. The female eagle asked her mate whether he knew the answer. He answered, "In the morning, the sri appears on the face, so people wash their faces every morning. At noon, the sri is at the chest where people spray perfume every noon. In the evening, the sri goes to the feet, so people wash their feet every evening." Thmmabal memorized the answer and gave it to Kapila Brahma the next day. Having lost, Kapila Brahma summoned his seven daughters and told them that he must cut his head off. However, if his head fell to earth, it would create an inferno that would engulf the world. If his head was thrown into the air, the rains would stop. And if his head was dropped into the ocean, all seawater would dry up. To prevent these calamities, he told his daughters to place his head on an elevated phan. Thungsa, his eldest child, stored her father's head in the cave in Mount Kailash.<ref name="JRIT-2004" />

Every year when the Sun enters Aries, one of Kapila Brahma's children, called the Nang Songkran (Template:Langx) for that year, and other angels form a procession. One of them takes the phan with Kapila Brahma's head. The lady stands, sits, reclines or sleeps on the back of the animal depending on the time. From the dawn to midday, the lady will stand on the back of her conveyance. After midday until the sunset, she will sit down. Between the sunset and midnight, the lady lies down on her vehicle but leaves her eyes open. After midnight, she sleeps.<ref name="rikkha"/> These postures and other details were previously drawn as part of the Prakat Songkran and now as part of the lunisolar calendar. The procession lasts for 60 minutes around Mount Meru. This is subsequently called Maha Songkran to distinguish from other Songkran that occur when the Sun moves from one to another zodiac. For simplicity, the name was later shortened as Songkran.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The following table lists the names and characteristics of Nang Songkran, which vary according to which day of the week Maha Songkran falls on in each year.

Day of Week and corresponding colour Name Flower Jewellery stone Food Right hand Left hand Conveyance
Template:Color box Sunday Dungsha Devi/Thungsa Thewi Pomegranate flowers Ruby Fig Discus Conch Garuda
Template:Color box Monday Gōrāgha Devi/Khorakha Thewi Cork tree flowers Moonstone Oil Sword Staff Tiger
Template:Color box Tuesday Rākshasa Devi/Raksot Thewi Lotus flower Agate Blood Trident Bow Pig
Template:Color box Wednesday Maṇdā Devi/Mantha Thewi Champak flowers Cat's eye Butter Stylus Staff Donkey
Template:Color box Thursday Kiriṇī Devi/Kirini Thewi Magnolia Emerald Nuts and sesame seeds Hook Bow Elephant
Template:Color box Friday Kimidā Devi/Kimitha Thewi Water lilies Topaz Banana Sword Lute Buffalo
Template:Color box Saturday Mahodharā Devi/Mahothon Thewi Water hyacinth flowers Blue sapphire Hog deer meat Discus Trident Peacock

In historical records

In De Beschryving van Japan (The History of Japan) handwritten in 1690 by Engelbert Kaempfer in the reign of King Phetracha of Ayutthaya Kingdom, it is said of Songkran in old-17th century Dutch :-

<templatestyles src="Template:Blockquote/styles.css" />

"Every first day and 15th day of the month, Siamese people had a celebration as the first day of new moon and the 15th day of full moon. Some Siamese people went to temple at the first day of the week which was similar to our Sunday—Holy Communion. There were also many annual ceremonies, such as the Siamese New Year celebration called Songkran (Sonkraen), ..."<ref group ="n">{{#invoke:Lang|lang}}</ref>{{#if:yes|

|}}{{#if:Engelbert Kaempfer (Hand-written in 1690)De beschryving van Japan. (Translated in 1727 by John Gaspar Scheuchzer).<ref>Engelbert Kaempfer, John Gaspar Scheuchzer and Sir Hans Sloane. (1727). De beschryving van Japan. Door ENGELBERT KÆMPFER, M.D. Geneesheer van bet Hollandſche... (Translated by John Gaspar Scheuchzer). Netherlands: Gosse en J. Neaulme. 550 pp. p. 29. "Behalven deze hebben zy fommige jaarlykſche plechtige Feeſtdagen, by voorbeeld een in 't begin van 't jaar, genaamt Sonkraen, een ander Kitimbac genoemt, ook wel ..."</ref>|

— {{#if:|, in }}Template:Comma separated entries

}}{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Blockquote with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | author | by | char | character | cite | class | content | multiline | personquoted | publication | quote | quotesource | quotetext | sign | source | style | text | title | ts }}

In the reign of King Borommakot (1733–58), there was recorded of ancient royal ceremonies of Siamese New Year observance called Songkran Day, the tradition-inherited from past generations of King of Ayutthaya Kingdom such ceremonies as, royal forming of sand stupa with royal ornaments, sprinkling the water onto the statues of Buddha and graven images, offering food to monks, procession of sand stupas parade to temples, royal musical fanfares, and also establishing the almshouse assignment subsequently, said in the Concise Royal Chronicle of Ayutthaya Kingdom of royal forming the sand stupa in the reign of King Borommakot:-

<templatestyles src="Template:Blockquote/styles.css" />

After the royal ceremony of Phra Sai at Wat Phra Si Sanphet, the next day was Wan Nao. The royal officials offered the sands and a big tray to the Majesty King to form the sand in the shape of stupa (Phra Sai) with five hollow spears of the sky at the Song Peun Throne Hall. The royal officials moved King's sand stupa (Phra Sai) to the painter for decorating the British gold on it and the royal officials then moved it to place at the Song Peun Throne Hall. After the Buddhist monks had already eaten their morning meals, the royal officials moved to move (Phra Sai) King's sand stupa (Phra Sai) to place in the pavilion "Lukkhun Thai Sara". The three colonels named Put, Thep Rat and Chan marched the parade with the pairs of flocks by walking and riding the horses. The royal officials produced melodies with the flutes and victory drums, Malaya drum and Chinese drums and took three jagged-edge flags in the parade to move King's sand stupa (Phra Sai) to Wat Worapho, Wat Pra Ram and Wat Mongkol Bophit as the inherited tradition.<ref group = "n">{{#invoke:Lang|lang}}</ref>{{#if:yes|

|}}{{#if:The Concise Chronicle Chapter 69 of Krung Sri Ayutthaya Part I, recorded in 1783 Year of Rabbit, the 2nd year in the reign of King Rama I, Rattanakosin era.<ref>The Fine Arts Department of Thailand. (1969). "เริ่มก่อพระทรายครั้งรัชกาลสมเด็จพระเจ้าบรมโกศตอนปลายกรุงศรีอยุธยาตามที่บันทึกไว้เมื่อปีเถาะ พ.ศ. ๒๓๒๖ ปีที่ ๒ ในรัชกาลที่ ๑ กรุงรัตนโกสินทร์". The Concise Chronicle Vol. 43. (The Concise Chronicle Chapter 69-70) of Krung Sri Ayutthaya Part I, Nakhon Champassak, and story of Khun Borom. [ประชุมพงศาวดาร เล่มที่ ๔๓ (ประชุมพงศาวดารภาคที่ ๖๙-๗๐) เรื่องเกี่ยวกับกรุงเก่าตอนที่ ๑ เรื่องเมืองนครจำปาศักดิ์ และเรื่องขุนบรมราชา (in Thai)]. Bangkok: Kuru Sa Pha. pp. 3–6.

  • Office of Literature and History. (1999). The Concise of The Royal Chronicle of Thailand Celebrating Golden Jubilee Vol. 5 [ประชุมพงศาวดารฉบับกาญจนาภิเษก เล่ม ๕ (in Thai)]. Bangkok: Kuru Sa Pha Lat Phrao. pp. 138–142.
  • The Concise Chronicle Vol. 69 of Krung Sri Ayutthaya Part I. Redistributed in the royal cremation of Col. Phraya Phiriyawichai (Pheap Suwannin) on 22 June 1938 at Makut Kasattriyaram Ratchaworawihan temple. Bangkok: Phra Chan. pp. 2–5.</ref><ref>Ministry of Culture Thailand, Department of Cultural Promotion. (2021). Songkran Tradition. Bangkok: The Agricultural Co-operative Federation of Thailand Ltd. p. 82. Template:ISBN</ref>|

— {{#if:|, in }}Template:Comma separated entries

}}{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Blockquote with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | author | by | char | character | cite | class | content | multiline | personquoted | publication | quote | quotesource | quotetext | sign | source | style | text | title | ts }}

There was a contemporary archive mentioned Songkran festival of Siam in reign of King Mongkut. The archive written in 1854 by Jean-Baptiste Pallegoix, a priest of the Société des Missions Etrangères who was assigned as Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic and lived in Siam. Said in French:-

<templatestyles src="Template:Blockquote/styles.css" />

"During the year, Siamese also have several days of civil or religious festivals, which they celebrate with great splendor: 1°Songkran; it is Siamese New Year, which usually falls in April (fifth month in brahman calendar); it held an observance for three days; Siamese people's able to acknowledge horoscope from astrologers whether the angel of the year to ride a tiger, an ox, a bear, a horse, a goat, a dragon or other animals during this festival only."<ref group ="n">{{#invoke:Lang|lang}}</ref>{{#if:yes|

|}}{{#if:Jean-Baptiste PallegoixDescription du Royaume Thai ou Siam. (1854).<ref>Jean-Baptiste Pallegoix. (1854). Description du Royaume Thai ou Siam. Lagny, France: Vialat et Cie. p. 249. "Ils ont en outre, durant le cours de l'année, plusieurs jours de fêtes civiles ou religieuses, qu'ils célèbrent avec grande pompe : 1°Songkran; c'est leur nouvel an, qui tombe ordinairement dans leur cinquième mois; on le célèbre pendant trois jours; ce n'est qu'à cette époque que le peuple apprend des astro-logues, si l'ange de l'année monte un tigre, un bœuf, un ours, un cheval; une chèvre, un dragon ou quelque autre animal."</ref>|

— {{#if:|, in }}Template:Comma separated entries

}}{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Blockquote with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | author | by | char | character | cite | class | content | multiline | personquoted | publication | quote | quotesource | quotetext | sign | source | style | text | title | ts }}

Practices

The Songkran celebration is rich with symbolic traditions. Mornings begin with merit-making. Visiting local temples and offering food to the Buddhist monks is commonly practiced. On this specific occasion, performing water pouring on Buddha statues and the young and elderly is a traditional ritual, representing purification and the washing away of one's sins and bad luck.<ref name=":0"/> As 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. Traditional parades are held and in some venues "Lady Songkran" or "Miss Songkran" is crowned,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> where contestants are clothed in traditional Thai dress. For the general public, floral shirt or Hawaiian shirt is a popular clothing item worn during this festival.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2024, UNESCO certified Songkran as part of humanity's intangible cultural heritage list.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Regional practices

In Central region, people clean their houses when Songkran approaches. All dress up in colorful clothing or Thai dress. After offering food to the monks, people will offer a requiem to their ancestors. People make merit offerings such as giving sand to the temple for construction or repair. Other forms of merit include releasing birds and fish. Nowadays, people also release other kinds of animals such as buffaloes and cows. Phra Pradaeng hosts traditional ceremonies of Mon people such as parades in the colourful traditional outfits and folklore performances.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Ban Hat Siew in Si Satchanalai District hosts the 'Elephant Procession Ordination' event on 7 April, where a colourful parade where men dressed in the traditional clothes are taken to the temples on elephants.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In northern Thailand 13 April is celebrated with gunfire or firecrackers to repel bad luck. On the next day, people prepare food and useful things to offer to the monks at the temple. People have to go to temple to make merit and bathe Buddha's statue and after that they pour water on the hands of elders and ask for their blessings.

In Bangkok, Khao San Road and Silom Road with Siam Square<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> are the hubs for modern celebration of Songkran. The roads are closed for traffic, and posts equipped with water guns and buckets full of water. The party runs day and night.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Songkran in Eastern region is known as "Wan Lai" (วันไหล, {{#invoke:IPA|main}}), which literally means "flowing day." This term refers to the distinctive way the traditional New Year is celebrated here, with festivities continuing after the official national Songkran holiday (April 13–15). The celebration begins in Bang Saen (April 16–17), moves to Pattaya–Na Kluea (April 18–19), and continues on to Sattahip, Rayong, Ban Chang, and other areas, sometimes lasting until the end of April. Wan Lai captures both the lively water-play atmosphere and the symbolic flow of people, joy, and cultural tradition across multiple coastal towns. Locals and tourists alike follow the festivities, enjoying a vibrant, beachside celebration filled with community spirit and local charm.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

<templatestyles src="Template:Blockquote/styles.css" />

At the festival of Songkran, which marks the beginning of the old Siamese solar year, it is the custom to bathe the images of the Buddha and also the monks and old people. The young folk make this an occasion for throwing water over each other amidst much fun and laughter.<ref>Thompson, Peter A. (1906). Lotus Land: Being an Account of the Country and the People of Southern Siam. London: T. Werner Laurie. 312 pp.</ref>Template:Rp<ref>Thompson, Peter A. (1910). "The Brotherhood of the Yellow Robe", Siam: An Account of the Country and the People, Vol 16. Boston, MA: J. B. Millet Company. 330 pp.</ref>Template:Rp{{#if:|

|}}{{#if:Peter Anthony Thompson B.A., A.M., I.C.E., Late of The Royal Survey Department, Siam.Lotus Land: Being an Account of the Country and the People of Southern Siam, July 1906.|

— {{#if:|, in }}Template:Comma separated entries

}}{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Blockquote with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | author | by | char | character | cite | class | content | multiline | personquoted | publication | quote | quotesource | quotetext | sign | source | style | text | title | ts }}

Elsewhere

Template:More citations needed section Songkran is celebrated by the Malaysian Siamese community, particularly in the states of Kedah, Kelantan, Penang, Perak, Perlis and Terengganu where most Siamese are located.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The festival is celebrated as Sangken in northeastern areas of India and as Bizu, Boisuk, Shangrai, and Boisabi in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh, which is the traditional New Year's Day by the indigenous Hindu people and Buddhist community. The Sangken festival is celebrated by the Tai people — Khamti people Khamyang, Phake and Turung people. The festival is also celebrated by Singpho, Tikhak (Tangsa) and Duoniya people. Sangken generally falls in the month of 'Naun Ha', the fifth month of the year of the Tai Lunar calendar coinciding with the month of April. It is celebrated in the last days of the old year and the lunar new year begins on the day just after the end of the festival.

In Japan, Songkran festival observance held along with the Hot Spring festival, Beppu Hatto Onsen Matsuri, in Beppu city, Ōita Prefecture, called Beppu Songkran Festival,<ref>Public relations news of Beppu Songkran Festival (PR No. 23/2566). Royal Thai Consulate General Fukuoka. (29 March 2023). Retrieved on 20 April 2024.</ref> not only water-splashing observance but also Thai cultural fanfares occurred, and also held at the world's wettest music festival, S2O Japan Songkran Music Festival.<ref>Shobunsha Publications. (2019). Mappuru shutoken-hatsu 《まっぷる 首都圏発》 [Mapple from the metropolitan area]. Tokyo: Shobunsha. p 121. Template:ISBN</ref> It's combination of Thai-Japan culture and depiction of long time relation of each other.

Songkran is celebrated annually on the U.S. territory of Wake Island by Air Force members and American and Thai contractors,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> including New York State for commemorating the Asian American community's celebration of Songkran on April as an important cultural event on the state according to Assembly Resolution No. 1059.<ref>"Commemorating the Asian American community's celebration of Songkran on April". Assembly Resolution No. 1059. (2023-K1059). The New York State Senate. Retrieved on 19 April 2024.

Controversies

Roadway fatalities

Police statistics show that the death toll from road accidents doubles during the annual Songkran holiday. Between 2009 and 2013 there were about 27 road deaths per day during non-holiday periods and an average of 52 road deaths per day during Songkran. Thailand has among the highest traffic fatality rates in the world, along with Liberia, Congo, and Tanzania. Approximately 70–80 percent of the accidents that occur during the long holiday period are motorcycle accidents.<ref name=BP-20180418/> About 10,000 people per year die in motorcycle accidents.<ref name="bpstlawless">Template:Cite news</ref>

The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) says a total of 110,909 people were arrested and 5,772 vehicles impounded at road safety checkpoints across the country between 9–16 April 2016.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2018 the number of offenders arrested at 2,029 checkpoints had risen to 146,589. Of these, 39,572 had failed to wear crash helmets and 37,779 carried no driving licence.<ref name="BP-20180418" /> Reacting to the numbers, the prime minister "ordered stricter enforcement of the law"; the interior minister said he would "propose greater efforts in raising awareness as an additional measure, insisting that traffic laws were [already] strictly enforced"; and deputy prime minister Prawit Wongsuwan said he would "work harder to ensure motorcyclists wore helmets".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

This period is known locally as "7 dangerous days".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Date Accidents Deaths Injuries Source
11–17 Apr 2018 3,724 418 3,987 <ref name=BP-20180418>Template:Cite news</ref>
2017 3,690 335 3,506 <ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
11–17 Apr 2016 3,447 442 3,656 <ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Barrow-2016"/>
2015 3,373 364 3,559 citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

11–17 Apr 2014 2,992 322 3,225 <ref name="Barrow-2016"/>

Intellectual property

Celebrate Singapore

In 2014, "Celebrate Singapore," a large two-day Songkran-style water festival,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> was planned for Singapore and the event was promoted as the "largest water festival party in Singapore." However, controversy emerged when the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Deputy Governor for Tourism Products, Vilaiwan Twichasri, claimed that Thailand holds exclusive rights to celebrate Songkran and planned to consult with officials at the Department of Intellectual Property, Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Culture to discuss a potential lawsuit. The Deputy Governor's view was supported by numerous Thai citizens on social media websites.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Chai Nakhonchai, Cultural Promotion Department chief, pointed out that Songkran is a traditional festival shared by many countries throughout Southeast Asia, while historian Charnvit Kasetsiri stated that no single nation can claim ownership of a tradition.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 25 March 2014, the Bangkok Post reported that the Singaporean government had intervened in the festival's content and there would be no water-throwing, no water pistols and no public drinking. The festival was also reduced to a one-day event.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

See also

  • Choul Chnam Thmey - the Cambodian New Year that follows the same date and time.
  • Holi – an Indian holiday famous for its ritualized street celebrations with colored powder
  • Water Festival - vibrant celebrations that occur across the globe, often marking the start of a new year or season. Countries/Regions include: Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, and the Xishuangbanna Prefecture and Dehong regions of China
  • List of Intangible Cultural Heritage elements in Thailand

Notes

Template:Reflist

References

Template:Reflist

Further reading

E-books

Template:Public holidays in Thailand Template:New Year by Calendar Template:UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

Retrieved from "https://wiki.sarg.dev/index.php?title=Songkran_(Thailand)&oldid=126079"