Tomorrow marks the Thai  New Year.

To my brothers and sisters in the Land of Smiles, สวัสดีปีใหม่!

Songkran is celebrated during Thailand’s hottest season, and is believed to have been adopted from an Indian festival.  People in bigger cities would go home to their families in the provinces to honor their forefathers with a water ceremony.

The older people in the family would sit in one row while their children and grandchildren would kneel infront of them, washing the elderly’s hands with water.  This is meant to honor and thank the elderly people’s love. The elderly in turn would speak words of blessing upon the younger members of the family.

credits to http://www.profimedia.si for the photo

This is predominantly a Buddhist practice but many Christians in churches practice this, because the principle of honoring our parents and elderly is very much emphasized in Christian teachings.

credits to http://samuiontour.com for the photo

Songkran is most popular for its water splashing in streets.  For tourists planning to visit Thailand between April 13-16, be sure to have your phones and electronics securely placed in plastic bags so they don’t get wet.  Splashing of water means they want to bless you, so don’t get offended by it.  It would be great to have extra clothes inside your bags, too, in case you want to change after being wet.

Remember to have fun.  To enjoy and have fun is very important in Thailand, especially at this time of the year.  The last thing they want to see is an angry, wet foreigner!

Let’s get excited about having fun as we join the Thais in celebrating another year.  I am looking forward to it myself.