Thai people celebrate the Songkran festival in Ayutthaya city on April 11 (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)
Bangkok (VNA) – People in Thailand are joyfullycelebrating Songkran – the traditional New Year festival of the country.
According to traditional customs, in the morningof April 13 – the official date of Songkran, Thai people visit pagodas to offerincense to and bathe the Buddha so as to show their respect for the Buddha andpray for good luck in the New Year.
After that, people take to the streets towelcome the New Year by dressing colourfully, dancing and splashing water onone another. The Thai believe that the wetter people are, the luckier they willbe.
Since 2018, the Thai Government has extended theSongkran festival to five days, from April 12 to 16, so that people can havemore time to return to their hometowns.
In Bangkok, a number of activities will takeplace on Wisutkasat Road under the Rama VIII Bridge and at Siam Squarefrom April 13 to 15 like parades, shows of traditional costumes, ceremonies ofbathing the Buddha by four ASEAN countries, arts performances, and water games.
In this year’s Songkran message, Prime MinisterPrayut Chan-o-cha called on Thai people to promote solidarity to maintain peaceand steer the country towards democracy. He said Thai people should worktogether to reduce conflict and learn to forgive and put their problems behindthem during the Songkran festival.
Thailand, with about 94 percent of itspopulation being Buddhist followers, and some other Southeast Asian countrieslike Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar have the tradition of celebrating the BuddhistNew Year.
The name Songkran comes from a Sanskrit wordmeaning “passing” or “approaching”. The festival is also related to theagricultural cycle in Southeast Asia.-VNA
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has forecast that the number of tourists during this year’s Songkran festival from April 12-16 will drop by 10 percent partly due to the northern haze problems.
The Thai Government has instructed its police to comply with regulations to ensure safety and order during the traditional Songkran holiday which falls on April 12-16.
Tourist destinations in Thailand began their celebrations of the traditional New Year festival Songkran on April 11, two days ahead of the official date.
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has called for national unity in a Songkran (Thai New Year) message, saying that it is important to promote solidarity to maintain peace and steer the country toward democracy.
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Thai people celebrate the Songkran festival in Ayutthaya city on April 11 (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) 
