| Songkran Festival is the traditional Thai New Year | | | | devotees and tourists can take part in bathing the |
| and is celebrated annually on April 13. Songkran | | | | image. |
| comes from the Sanskrit word which means | | | | Songkran is also celebrating on a great scale in |
| "move" or "change". It is a time for cleaning and | | | | Changmai. Buddha images from the significant |
| renewal for the locals, from correcting bad | | | | monasteries are marched through the streets and |
| behaviour, setting new resolutions to spring | | | | people can toss buckets of water at them. This |
| cleaning at home. This festival is celebrated in | | | | symbolizes bathing of the images. Make a trip to |
| Thailand and lasts between three to ten days, | | | | the monasteries to sprinkle scented water over |
| depending on which part of Thailand you are | | | | the Buddha images, this will apparently bring good |
| travelling to. | | | | luck and prosperity to the individual for the New |
| Often called the "Water" Festival, it is customary | | | | Year. |
| for the Thais to celebrate the festival with water! | | | | On the first day of the festival, tourists can also |
| Relatives and friends get together and celebrate | | | | travel to Paknam City to watch the parade. Stand |
| by visiting temples, sprinkling water on the images | | | | amongst the crowd along the side of the road to |
| of Buddha and on their own hands as acts of | | | | watch the floats and processions go by. The |
| good luck. Children however take this opportunity | | | | locals will most likely spray water or pour water |
| and great excuse for having water fights, | | | | on you too! |
| throwing buckets of waters at anyone and using | | | | Points to note: Keep a lookout when you're |
| their water pistols to spray at passersby. | | | | walking along the roads or you might end up |
| Where to go: The festival is celebrated mostly in | | | | soaking wet as people sitting behind the trucks will |
| the cities, however in Bangkok tourists can see | | | | hold buckets and splash water on you all in the |
| and experience the full action in the Rattanakosin | | | | name of fun! Therefore, zip up your belongings |
| Island, which consists of the Grand Palace, Khao | | | | like digital cameras, phones in small zip lock bags |
| San Road and Sanam Luang areas. Visiting these | | | | to prevent them from getting wet. April is |
| areas is a must and it would be exhilarating to join | | | | coincidentally the hottest month in Thailand, thus |
| the crowd in celebration and get soaked! During | | | | relax and enjoy getting splashed as the |
| the festival, the Phra Buddha Sihing Image will be | | | | temperatures can soar up as high as 40 degree |
| displayed at the Sanam Luang Park, where | | | | Celsius! |