Songkran Culture #1

My Thai language school offered a special "Activity Day" for 2 hours last week. The topic was the biggest holiday in Thailand -- Songkran -- which is also known as Thailand's New Year. During this holiday, which typically occurs in mid April and lasts for 4 ~ 5 days, Thais pray at temples, show appreciation to elders and have big water fights in the streets. It's a time of much happiness and enjoyment -- the water is especially appreciated since April is one of the hottest months in the Kingdom!

I will share photos from the school's presentation and explain a little more about this holiday. ^_^

The first part of the lesson was to describe how Thais make merit at the temple. In the morning, on the first day of Songkran, Thais go to their local temple, and offer food to the monks working there. There is a special way to present the food, pray, even sit in front of monks. (see photos)

My teachers:

(the one is the middle only "dressed" as a monk due to his short hair) ^_^

The guy in the purple shirt is Khruu Goh. He's my favorite due to his great sense of humor. 

Below, the teachers demonstrate how Thais offer food to the monks. Men and women have different ways of offering the food, because monks should not touch women at all. First, the male teachers shows how to make merit, by offering food, which is placed on a tray and handed directly to the monk:

Male making merit and female praying.

In the above photo, notice how the woman is sitting. Her feet are pointed away from the monk. In Thailand, the feet are considered to be the lowest point on the body and therefore, "unclean". One should never point their feet at any holy images, monks, or even people. She bows before the monk in prayer.


Below, the female teacher demonstrates how women make merits to monks. Notice the monk cannot accept the offering with his hands. Instead, his places a towel down, and the lady places the tray of food  on the towel. The monk then pulls the towel towards him and accepts her offering.

Female making merit.

The next photo shows how Thais offer holy scented water to monks. During Songkran, holy water is to wash away the old and bring in the new. Thais "wash" Buddhist statues, monks, and elders. The proper way is by pouring a small amount of scented water with flowers inside, over the monk's hands.

Washing of the hands.

Songkran is also a time to pay one's respect to elders in the family. Parents and grandparents are paid respects by their children. Here is how to do it:

In the photo below, two students pretended to be the "grandparents" of one teacher. Notice the parents are seated and the teacher is lower -- this is to show respect. The "child" says his respects to the parents and prays for their future health and happiness:

"Grandchild" prays before his "grandparents".

Next, the "child" pours water over the parents' hands; again, this is to show appreciation. In return, the parents say kind words to their son. Examples are:
"We hope you find a nice girlfriend." or,
"Please study hard and be successful in your efforts." etc.

"Grandchild" pours holy scented water over the hands.

I will post more photos tomorrow of further activities held during the Songkran holidays. Please enjoy and check in again tomorrow! ^_^

Further Songkran information can be found HERE.