Have you ever wanted to let loose and have school-wide cafeteria food fight? How about a giant pillow fight in a public square? Well, today I’m taking part in some unbridled water slinging and no one will even blink an eye. It’s part of the way the Thai celebrate their New Year. My inner mischievous child is on the loose and raring to have a good time!

Songkran. Songkran, or Thai New Year, has been celebrated in mid-April since ancient times. Throughout the country, people take part in a variety of activities to say “goodbye” to the previous year. In keeping with their strong religious ties, offerings of food are typically made to the Buddhist monks at the local temples. Buddha statues are cleansed by gently pouring rose scented water over them. This ritual Buddha bathing symbolizes inner purification.

The religious ceremonies continue with a procession of Buddha statues through the streets, offering an opportunity for residents of each community to take part in the bathing rites. With April being the hottest month in Thailand and temperatures often soaring into the triple digits, it is not hard to see how this ritual practice gradually transforms into the world’s largest water fight.

The Thai New Year is most heavily celebrated in Chiang Mai, with festivities lasting six days or longer. Here, the public celebrations begin with a jubilant parade through the city’s center. Along the parade route, revelers come armed with water guns, buckets, and hoses ready to tackle the brutal heat. Everybody is fair game - including me. While apprehensive at first, it’s not long before I am drenched. I cannot imagine a better way to learn about a new place than literally immersing myself in Thailand’s ceremonies, traditions, and celebrations.

Sky Lanterns. Another Thai tradition are sky lanterns, or khom loy. Historically a northern tradition, sky lanterns have become common along the southern coastline, where residents who survived the 2004 South Asian Tsunami launch them in hopes of warding off bad spirits.

Sky lanterns, or ‘wish lanterns’ date back over 2,000 years and originated in China. While their exact purpose is unknown, it is believed that they were first used as a type military signaling device, much like a flare. As Chinese communities began to migrate to Thailand centuries ago, they brought many of these customs with them. Now, they are now infused in the Thai culture.

At a beach in Khao Lak, my fellow travellers and I set off dozens of glowing rice paper lanterns, which quickly and silently disappear into the night sky. As the lanterns float away, I close my eyes and send my own blessings out to the sea.

Hit the Hills! Learn about the Hill Tribes.

Blog by Tati Amare, Jenny M. Buccos, Gabrielle Pasternak, and Rachel Rudwall.
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