| Thai Perfumeries are comprised of several kinds | | | | the time that children show them that they |
| of fragrant cosmetics. In the old days, ladies | | | | recognize their parents' favor. People also visit |
| would wear perfume everyday while men would | | | | their older neighbors to keep the good |
| do in some special occasions. Thai Perfumeries | | | | relationships and to pay respect to the elders |
| could described into four categories as follows: | | | | around the neighborhood. For these reasons |
| 1. Water-based perfumeries: Nam-Ob Thai (eau de | | | | Songkran days are also considered the family |
| toilette ) and Nam- Proong (eau de cologne); | | | | days and the elderly days. |
| 2. Oil-based perfumeries : Fragrant oils, Tani oil | | | | People go to a wat to pray and give food to |
| (thick body oil), and fragrant lip balm; | | | | monks. They also clean Buddha images in temples |
| 3. Powdered perfumeries: Fragrant talc, Sarapee | | | | with water and gentle Thai perfume |
| talc (siamensis Kosterm), Poung talc, Kra-jae talc, | | | | 2;ทย), as it is believed that this will |
| powdered nutmeg, powdered Kamin (Curcuma | | | | bring good luck and prosperity for the New Year. |
| domestica Valeton), and Juang; | | | | In many cities, such as Chiang Mai, the Buddha |
| 4. Scent chewing herbs: Mak-Hom, Niam leaves, | | | | statues from all of the wats in the city are |
| Ganploo (Syzygium aromaticum), and nutmeg. | | | | paraded through the streets so that people can |
| These perfumeries may be applied together with | | | | wash them as they pass by. People carry |
| each other, such as Kar-Jae talc is mixed with | | | | handfuls of sand to their temple to in order to |
| Nam- Ob Thai, or individually used such as scent | | | | recompense the dirt that they carry away on |
| talc for powdering. | | | | their feet during the rest of the year. The sand is |
| Pang-Ram (Scented talc) | | | | then piled into large, tiered piles and decorated |
| Pang-Ram is made of naturally white talcum | | | | with colorful flags. Later in the day, people also do |
| powder. It is ground into fine particles and mixed | | | | community services. Going to wat and doing |
| with other fragrant herbs or perfumeries, i.e., | | | | community service teach people to give, the |
| kameyan, Magrood (lime)s peel (Citrus hystrix), | | | | most basic way to happiness in Buddhism. |
| Chamod ched (Viverricula malaccensis), saffron, | | | | Some people make New Year resolutions - to |
| alum and red cane sugar. | | | | refrain from bad behaviour and to do more good |
| Ladies would directly powder their skin with dry | | | | things. Songkran is a time for cleaning and |
| Pang-ram, or melt it with Nam-Ob Thai before | | | | renewal. Many Thais take this opportunity to give |
| applying it. The Pang-ram could reduce skin | | | | their home a thorough cleaning. |
| irritation caused by heat or pollens. Thai people | | | | The throwing water part was originated as a way |
| use Pang-ram after taking bath. | | | | to pay respect to people, by pouring a small |
| New year traditions | | | | amount of lustral water on other peoples hands |
| The most obvious celebration of Songkran is the | | | | as a sign of respect. The youths also do it in a |
| throwing of water. People roam the streets with | | | | more fun way. They splash others with water to |
| bowls of water, water guns or even a garden | | | | relieve the heat, since April is the hottest month |
| hose, and drench each other and passersby. This, | | | | in Thailand (temperatures can rise to over 100F |
| however, is not the heart of this festival. Not | | | | or 40C on some days). This has changed to |
| many people, even the new generation of Thais, | | | | water fights and splashing water to people on |
| realize that Thai ancestors started this festival to | | | | vehicles, a hallmark of Songkran as tourists know, |
| teach their descendants some important things. | | | | as Thais assimilate more western cultures and |
| This festival teaches people to come home to | | | | technologies. |
| visit their parents, pay respect to them, and | | | | The use of plaster is also very common having |
| usually bring them a small gift. Mother and Father | | | | originated in the plaster used by monks to mark |
| have given to their children so much, and this is | | | | blessings. |