Songkran: Thailand's Solar New Year
Songkran is the Thai New Year holiday in Thailand. The festival follows the Theravada Buddhist calendar and coincides with Hindu observances. Songkran was the official New Year until 1888.
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Songkran is the Thai New Year holiday in Thailand. The festival follows the Theravada Buddhist calendar and coincides with Hindu observances.
Songkran was the official New Year until 1888. It moved to 1 April, then 1 January in 1940.
The word comes from Sanskrit Saṅkrānti, meaning movement. In Thailand, it marks the sun passing from Pisces into Aries.
In 2018, the Thai cabinet extended the holiday to 7 days.
The cabinet lengthened the nationwide break.
Public water fights symbolize ritual cleansing. The festival has become popular among international visitors and contributes significantly to tourism.
In 2024, UNESCO certified Songkran as intangible cultural heritage. The traditional 3 days now carry global paperwork.
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