Songkran Festival, Bangkok

In Songkran Festival or Water festival, a New Year time for all Thai people, take place every year on 13-15 of April. We have all activities about water. In last few years Bangkok try to promote this festival in bangkok because normally people go to join this festival in other provinces such as Chiang mai..etc. I join this festival every year and lately become a normal events for me so in a last couple of years in the festival, I join this event in Bangkok.

I went to Ratchadamnon Road at night where all the way of the road was decorated. There were a dancing colorful fountain in the middle of the road, but the high light was at Democracy Monument where all around the place was decorated. Also nearby there was a thai performance present to visitors in the open area beside the road. (more photos at my travelogue.)

In Songkran festival by day, There was a wonderful parade at Ratchadamnon road, present the cultural things and also other created ideas, very beautiful parade which turn me to join every year lately. Every time I went there, always found a big crowd of people waiting for the parade even it was a sunny day, so hot !!!! The parade took a couple of hours till it was getting dark, then time for enjoy the colorful dancing fountain !!! great time for me, I really enjoyed this festival in Bangkok.

The Songkran Festival is the festival to celebrate Thai New Year since an ancient time. Songkran Festival is the day to make merit for three full days during 13-15 April each year. 13 April is the End of Old Year, 14 April is Preparation Day and 15 April is New Year’s Day.

Since the old days, the festival has represented the day of caring, love among family, community and religion. The members of the family have a chance to stay together and show their gratitude towards the elders. The young pour water over elders’ hands asking for blessing. There are also other activities such as giving food to the monks, laying sand stupa at the temples and splashing water at one another. Nowadays, the Songkran festival is celebrated with these activities; splashing water at one another by using water gun or putting powder on ladies’ faces. They are treated as inappropriate activities, causing damages to the root of culture.

ABOUT SONGKRAN SPLENDORS IN
BANGKOK - APRIL (source: The Tourism Authority of Thailand)
The Thai people traditionally celebrate New Year by pouring water over the hands of their beloved elders. But there is another side to Songkran, be amazed and prepared to get wet as the country erupts into a raucous water splashing party.

Wanted actually to drive around Bangkok and lastly to take pictures from this night at Khao Sarn Rd. but it was so terrible traffic that we have to changed route all the time.

From Thonburi over Chao Phraya River via Rama 8 Bridge with lesser traffic.

Water fun on 13th April 2003 around
Phat Phong Road.

On 13-15 April is Thailand's new year day. Tourism authority of Thailand set up many fountain on Raj Dam Nern Rd. (Near Khao San Road) It's very beautiful.