My introduction to Songkran
by John Linton
In mid-April of 2011 we decided to take a trip to Bangkok, Thailand. While researching things to do in Bangkok I noticed that in mid-April Thailand celebrates Songkran, the Thai New Year. I thought that might be cool and then thought nothing more about it.
On our fifth day in Bangkok we were out walking the streets when suddenly I felt my back getting wet. I turned around to see this woman with a water gun and a big smile looking back at me from behind an open door.
You see, part of the Thai New Year Festival has to do with water, lots and lots of water. This line the streets with buckets of water and water guns and begin to soak each other and anyone else out in the streets. This soaking signifies the washing away of the bad luck of the past year and starting the New Year with a fresh, clean slate.
Along with the water Thais also apply a white pasty powder substance to each other often on the face or neck. It is a sign of protection and promises to ward off bad luck.
After getting drenched we found a taxi and headed for the hotel. These are a few of the photos I took before we made it back to dry land.
My introduction to Songkran…
