Songkran (Thailand)
Traditional Thai New Year's holiday / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Thai New Year[1]: 802 [2]: 127 or Songkran[1]: 802 (Thai: เทศกาลสงกรานต์, pronounced [tʰêːt.sā.kāːn sǒŋ.krāːn]), also known as Songkran Festival,[3] Songkran Splendours,[2]: 127 is the Thai New Year's national holiday. Songkran is on 13 April every year, but the holiday period extends from 14 to 15 April. In 2018 the Thai cabinet extended the festival nationwide to seven days, 9–16 April, to enable citizens to travel home for the holiday.[4] In 2019, the holiday was observed 9–16 April as 13 April fell on a Saturday.[5] In 2024, Songkran was extended to almost the entire month, starting on the first of April, and ending on the twenty-first, departing from the traditional 3-day format. And with the New Year of many calendars of Southeast and South Asia, in keeping with the Buddhist calendar and also coincides with New Year in Hindu calendar such as Vishu, Bihu, Pohela Boishakh, Pana Sankranti, Vaisakhi. The New Year takes place at around the same time as the new year celebrations of many regions of South Asia like China (Dai people of Yunnan Province), India, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
Songkran | |
---|---|
Official name | Songkran Festival |
Observed by | Thailand |
Begins | 13 April |
Ends | 15 April |
Date | April 13 |
Frequency | Annual |
Related to | South and Southeast Asian solar New Year |
Songkran in Thailand, traditional Thai New Year festival | |
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Country | Thailand |
Domains | Social practices |
Reference | 01719 |
Region | Asia and the Pacific |
Inscription history | |
Inscription | 2023 (18th session) |
List | Representative |
In Siam, New Year is now officially celebrated 1 January. Songkran was the official New Year until 1888, when it was switched to a fixed date of 1 April. Then in 1940, this date was shifted to 1 January. The traditional Thai New Year Songkran was transformed into a national holiday.[6] Celebrations are famous for the public water fights framed as ritual cleansing. This had become quite popular among Thai and foreigners.