英会話・英語 アミック Thai New Year
2017/04/12
When I lived in Thailand a few years back, I always got excited about celebrating Songkran. Songkran is celebrated on April 13th and marks the Thai New Year. Depending on the location, it is usually a three-day holiday that is famous for its water festival.
In the morning, families visit temples and offer food and new robes to monks. Water is poured over Buddha statues which symbolizes cleansing and washing away bad luck. The main water festival is most popular amongst young people. In the past, the custom involved sprinkling scented water on people. Nowadays, it is basically a huge water fight! Streets are lined with people ready to drench you with water pistols, cups and buckets of water and even low pressure hoses. They put wet, chalky powder on your face as a blessing and for protection against bad luck.
When I first experienced Songkran, I had a blast…the first two days. By the third day, I had had enough and was using the back streets and alleys, dodging people to try and avoid getting soaked. But, wherever I turned there was always someone with water waiting to bless me!
สวัสดีปีใหม่ - Sawadee Pee Mai! (Happy New Year!)
