Try telling a Thai Friday, April 13 isn’t lucky. They’ll just smile. That’s because it’s the start of Songkran, the Thai Water Festival, a.k.a. the traditional Thai New Year.
Water is at the heart of the celebration – nourishing, grace-giving water. During Songkran you’re going to want to dress to get wet. Once upon a time, Thais gently poured it out for their elders and family. The idea was to bestow good luck. Nowadays, the water flows lots more freely, with something akin to ferocious force. Folks splash perfect strangers with buckets of it out on the street. These animated ablutions are in good fun, and nobody seems to get upset.
There’s an inner essence that suffuses Songkran, one that may not be as apparent to outsiders. Many Thai people make their way to Buddhist temples, to a wat, to pay respect. They offer up alms to Buddhist monks, and clean representations of the Lord Buddha by lovingly bathing them with a signature Thai fragrance intermingled with water.
The effect is subtly stunning, the ritual rooted in the gentle essence of the Thai people themselves.
Songkran is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in another country’s culture. Lots of traditions set aside a time of the year for real renewal, for resolving to do better – not to be as petty or as proud. This is Thailand’s time. You’re more than welcome to join in.
To that end, Thai Airways offers nonstop service from Los Angeles International Airport to Bangkok. Delta Air Lines lofts flights from LAX too, these via Tokyo Narita. There’s a change of plane at Delta’s Japanese hub before the flight finishes up with a last leg to Bangkok.
Story by Jerry Chandler
(Image: Wyndham)
