Another Chance for a New Year

So you made a few New Years resolutions in January and you might not have kept them all. No biggie, you still have the Thai New Year coming up in April for a re-do!

From April 13 to 15, Thai people around the world will be celebrating Songkran, the Thai New Year. Take part in your own Songkran by immersing yourself in the customs of buying new clothes and doing a bit of Spring cleaning on the 12th.

Celebrate a fresh start on the 13th by wearing your new threads and greeting friends! Now that your home is clean, you can invite them over for dinner.

The 14th is the day when Lord Buddha statues in Thailand are washed with scented water. This tradition has evolved to include scented water fights in the hot April weather in Thailand. Have some fun with your own water fight or take a nice relaxing scented bath as your personal contribution to your New Year. It feels good to be worldly! ;)

The last day of the New Years celebrations are a day to pay homage to ancestors and elders. You’ve done a few things for yourself over the past few days, so its time to do something for others. A kind deed is the perfect ending to a brand new start.

Happy New Year!

Anny Chih

PS If you’d like to celebrate the Thai New Year in a traditional way, BikeHike has a special Thailand Adventure Siam trip departing April 10th, 2010. The adventure will follow the regular itinerary but will also incorporate Thai New Years traditions throughout the journey: http://www.bikehike.com/thailand/thailand_trip01.html

Photo Credit: Thai Blogs