Songkran Festival

regarded as Thai traditional New Year, has been an exotic Thai tradition for generations. Not only Thai people living in Thailand concern importance of Songkran, but also people who speak the language which has the same origin as Thai such as Laotian, Thai people in Myanmar who live near the border at the north of Thailand, and Thai spoken Chinese people in Hunan.

In general, 'Songkran' is the word popularly used. But the actual word, in full, is 'Troot Songkran' which will be described as follows.

'Troot' means 'cut' or 'separation' which refers the end or the separation of the year. Therefore, 'troot' represents a celebration that the old year is ended and people manage to live throughout the year. Traditional Thai believes regard April as both the month of the old year and the new year. Merit-making on troot days last for 3 days; the fourteenth day of the fourth waning moon, the fifteenth day of the fourth waning moon, and the first day of the new moon. Monks are invited to reprove. Merit-making, food giving are performed, especially to monks. In turn, people get blessed. It is assumed that Thai people are Bhudhism so that they are influenced by this kind of ceremonies as those in Lang Ka.

Songkran means movement or displacement, refers to the Sun is moving into the new year. New year days last from April 13^th-15^th, annually.

April 13^th is called Maha Songkran day.April 14^th is called Wan Nao , and April 15^th is called the beginning of new year day. These may be called differently in the North, but still easy to understand. For example, April 13^th, called Sungkarnlong day, means the old body, mind and spirits of the old year are leaving. April 14^th, called Wan Nao, April 15^th, called Wan Paya Wan, means a first important day of the New Year.

The story of Songkran, as found in historical records at Wat Pra Chetupon, mentioned the origin of Songkran as below.

There was a rich guy who was accused by a drunken neighbour, saying that the rich is useless because it can't help him to have any children to succeed the family. So the rich guy went to pledge at the riverside banyan tree on Songkran day. Indhra helped him by commanding Dhamabal Dhewabutr to be born in the rich guy's wife. After his berth, he was named Dhamabal Kumara. His father built a seven-storey tower for him under the banyan tree. Dhamabal was a very wise man. He fisnished his Tripesa when he was only 7 and also knew bird's language. Kabilabrahma came to test Dhamabal's intellect by asking him 3 questions. If he could give the right answers, Kabilabrahma would cut off his own head to worship. The questions are:

1. Where is the morning's sign of zodiac?
2. Where is the noon's sign of zodiac?
3. Where is the evening's sign of zodiac?

Kabilabrahma would come to get the answers in 7 days.

On the sixth day, Dhamabal still could not find the answers. So sneaked out to hide at the two big palmyra tree where a couple of eagles live.

In the evening, the female eagle asked her husband where would they get their food on the next day. The male eagle replied that they would eat Dhamabal kumara's dead body, got killed because he could not gave Kabilabrahma the right answers. The female asked what were the question and the answers. Her husband told her the answers, which were;

1. The morning's sign of zodiac is at the face, so that human wash their face in the morning
2. The noon's sign of zodiac is at the chest, so that human sprinkle fragrance on their chest
3. The evening sign of zodiac is at the feet, so that human wash their before they go to bed.

After Dhamabal heard what the eagle said, he rushed back to his tower. On the foolwing day, Kabilabrahma came to ask the questions. Dhamabal gave him the answers he heard from the eagle. Kabilabrahma lost, so he had to cut off his own head as promised. But Kabilabrahma's head had great supernatural power. If the head fell to the ground, the earth would be on fire. If the head was exposed to the air, there would be bad drought everywhere. If the head was dumped into the water, the ocean would be suddenly dried. Seven daughters must, therefore, use tray to carry the head in the parade around Mount Prasumeru . The head was then kept in Kantabuli cave at Mount Krai Las. When it completes a circle of 365 days or a year, one of the seven daughters had to carry the head of Kabilabrahma in the parade around the Mount Prasumeru. It is appointed that April 13^th is Maha Songkran day, the daughter who is assigned on that day had to be a person who carried the head. The assignment is as below ;

• Sunday : Songkran lady is Tung Sa
• Monday : Songkran lady is Ko Rak
• Tuesday : Songkran lady is Rak Sod
• Wednesday : Songkran lady is Manta
• Thursday : Songkran lady is Kirinee
• Friday : Songkran lady is Kimita
• Saturday : Songkran lady is Mahotorn

Songkran has been a Thai ceremonial tradition for a very long time. From April 13^th to April 15^th, people perform merit-makings which includes releasing birds and fish, and also bathing monks. People then play water throwing and native sports.

The tradition of releasing fish is a very good activity because it helps a natural reservation. In April, it is very dry and hot. Water resources become dried. Fish gather in small water resources. When these places become completely dry, fish will all die or become other creatures' pray. Humans help them by bringing them to the river and release them. In raining season, fishes, survived from the drought, come back to breed and become food for humans.

History of THAILAND

Throughout its 800-year history, Thailand can boast the distinction of being the only country in Southeast Asia never to have been colonized. Its history is divided into five major periods

Nanchao Period (650-1250 A.D.)
The Thai people founded their kingdom in the southern part of China, which is Yunnan, Kwangsi and Canton today. A great number of people migrated south as far as the Chao Phraya Basin and settled down over the Central Plain under the sovereignty of the Khmer Empire, whose culture they probably accepted. The Thai people founded their independent state of Sukhothai around 1238 A.D., which marks the beginning of the Sukhothai Period

Sukhothai Period (1238-1378 A.D.)
Thais began to emerge as a dominant force in the region in the13th century, gradually asserting independence from existing Khmer and Mon kingdoms. Called by its rulers "the dawn of happiness", this is often considered the golden era of Thai history, an ideal Thai state in a land of plenty governed by paternal and benevolent kings, the most famous of whom was King Ramkamhaeng the Great. However in 1350, the mightier state of Ayutthaya exerted its influence over Sukhothai.

Ayutthaya Period (1350-1767)
The Ayutthaya kings adopted Khmer cultural influences from the very beginning. No longer the paternal and accessible rulers that the kings of Sukhothai had been, Ayutthaya's sovereigns were absolute monarchs and assumed the title devaraja (god-king). The early part of this period saw Ayutthaya extend its sovereignty over neighboring Thai principalities and come into conflict with its neighbours, During the 17th century, Siam started diplomatic and commercial relations with western countries. In 1767, a Burmese invasion succeeded in capturing Ayutthaya. Despite their overwhelming victory, the Burmese did not retain control of Siam for long. A young general named Phya Taksin and his followers broke through the Burmese and escaped to Chantaburi. Seven months after the fall of Ayutthaya, he and his forces sailed back to the capital and expelled the Burmese occupation garrison.

Thon Buri Period (1767-1772)
General Taksin, as he is popularly known, decided to transfer the capital from Ayutthaya to a site nearer to the sea which would facilitate foreign trade, ensure the procurement of arms, and make defense and withdrawal easier in case of a renewed Burmese attack. He established his new capital at Thon Buri on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The rule of Taksin was not an easy one. The lack of central authority since the fall of Ayutthaya led to the rapid disintegration of the kingdom, and Taksin's reign was spent reuniting the provinces.

Rattanakosin Period (1782 - the Present)
After Taksin's death, General Chakri became the first king of the Chakri Dynasty, Rama I, ruling from 1782 to 1809. His first action as king was to transfer the royal capital across the river from Thon Buri to Bangkok and build the Grand Palace. Rama II (1809-1824) continued the restoration begun by his predecessor. King Nang Klao, Rama III (1824-1851) reopened relations with Western nations and developed trade with China. King Mongkut, Rama IV, (1851-1868) of "The King and I" concluded treaties with European countries, avoided colonialization and established modern Thailand. He made many social and economic reforms during his reign.

King Chulalongkorn, Rama V (1869-1910) continued his father's tradition of reform, abolishing slavery and improving the public welfare and administrative system. Compulsory education and other educational reforms were introduced by King Vajiravudh, Rama VI (1910-1925). During the reign of King Prajadhipok, (1925-1935), Thailand changed from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. The king abdicated in 1933 and was succeeded by his nephew, King Ananda Mahidol (1935-1946). The country's name was changed from Siam to Thailand with the advent of a democratic government in 1939. Our present monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, is King Rama IX of the Chakri Dynasty.

Thai Greeting

The Wai is the traditional Thai greeting which is used instead of a handshake, but it can also be used as a means of saying sorry, thank you, or to pay respect. A Thai person will often Wai as he approaches a temple, Buddha image, or other item of religious significance.

If you are introduced to a Thai and that person Wais to you then you should return the Wai. Generally the younger person will Wai first, but the Wai of a small child is best return by a big smile. If you receive a thank you Wai from an airline stewardess or after tipping a waitress it is inappropriate to return the Wai, but a smile is always welcome.

Thailand's People

Thailand is often called the "land of smiles", and rightly so because you will see more smiling people here than anywhere else in the world.

The country has a population of about 59 million, with some 6.7 million of these people living in the Bangkok area. Approximately 75% of the citizenry are ethnic Thais, 14% are Chinese, and the remaining 11% are mostly Indian, Malay, Karen, Khmer, or Mon. The literacy rate is high at about 94% and the average life expectancy is 66 for men and 72 for women.

Thai people are friendly and tolerant but there are a few Do's and Don'ts which you should observe. Avoid touching people on the head, and keep your feet on the ground where they belong. Stay calm, smile and enjoy the hospitality of your hosts.

The official language is Thai, but English is widely spoken in all major tourist locations. However if you are travelling around Thailand it is a good idea to buy a phrase book.