What is your favorite festival?

My favorite festival is Songkran festival. Some people believe Thai New Year is also called as Songkran. It is celebrated for three days from April 13 to April 15 every year on the Gregorian Calendar. Songkran falls on the hottest time of the year in Thailand. It comes from Sanskrit and means 'a move or change'. The date of Thai New Year was set according to the astrological calculations. There are many activities . Traditions play a very vital role in presenting a true picture of New Year celebrations in Thailand. Traditional activities are performed with serious dedication by the people of Thailand. A most common tradition of throwing water over one another is performed with fun by the people. It is conceived to bring good rains all year ahead. This is called Rohd Nam Songkran, meaning 'The Pouring of Songkran Water'. Last year I and my family were travel at Khowniaw road at Khon kaen. It was very happy and enjoy.



Suriya Chankan 4EN 044    

I like Loy Krathong Day is one of the most popular festivals of Thailand celebrated annually on the Full-Moon Day of the Twelfth Lunar Month. It takes place at a time when the weather is fine as the rainy season is over and there is a high water level all over the country. The word “Loy” means “to float”, and “Krathong” means lotus-shaped vessel made of banana leaves. Loy Krathong is, therefore the floating of an illuminated leaf bowl. But nowadays some krathongs are made of coloured paper. A krathong usually contains a candle, three joss sticks, some flowers and coins.

Daraporn 023 4EN

Loy Krathong Sai, Thailand's Festival of Lights, is a beautiful nighttime event, where Thai’s float ornately decorated Krathongs illuminated with candles, incense, and other decoration. In Tak province Loy Krathong is celebrated with unique custom of threading coconut shell Krathongs together and floating them in a candlelit chain down the Ping River from the 200 year-old Rattanakosin Bridge. This Loy Krathong celebration is an exceptional opportunity for visitors to experience the atmosphere of joining the Krathong Sai or even create their own krathong in order to win His Majesty the King’s trophy. Other remarkable activities include the floating lanterns of the Royal Family, the procession of the Royal Krathong and lantern, the illumination of Krathong Sai, a light and sound presentation, fireworks, a water curtain presentation in “The Legend of Krathong Sai”, the longest Krathong Sai, local cultural shows, local food sampling, and markets featuring locally made handicrafts and other OTOP products.

Thurada 4EN   051

My favorite festival is Songkran Festival. Songkran is a Thai traditional New Year which starts on April 13 every year and lasts for 3 days. Songkran festival on April 13 is Maha Songkran Day or the day to mark the end of the old year, April 14 is Wan Nao which is the day after and April 15 is Wan Thaloeng Sok which the New Year begins. Songkran means “movement” or “changing” since according to Thai astrology, the sun will move into a new sign of the Zodiac on this day. Songkran is also called the “Water Festival”. Water is believed to flow and wash away all bad omens during this time. Thus, it is a time for cleaning; houses, villages, temples and spirit houses. In the Thai tradition, the New Year begins early in the morning when faithful Thai Buddhists give alms to Buddhist monks. After that, they release caged animals, especially birds and fish. Elders and parents will be visited and respected by their children and grandchildren. The young pour scented water over their elder’s hands, they in return, wish them good health, happiness and prosperity.This tradition of paying respect, is called “Rod Nam Dam Hua”. April 14 is called “Family Day”.

Chamaiporn 017 4EN

My favorite festival is Songkran Festival. It is the long weekend. I can stay with my family for long time. This is the story of Songkran festival. April 13th is the traditional Thai New Year's Day, which is celebrated by all Thai people, old and young alike, ordinary and royalty, throughout the entire country. Thailand adopted this tradition from the ancient Brahmins in India who believed that the sun re-entered Aries and finished its orbit round the earth on April 13. Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year water festival which starts on April 13 every year. The word Songkran comes from the Pali language of the Therevada Buddhist scriptures (Sankhara) and the Sanskrit word (Sankranti) for movement or change. The festival lasts for 4 days. Maha Songkran Day is the first day of the celebrations which marks the end of the old year. April 14, Wan Nao is the day between the ending of the old year and the beginning of the new year when foods are prepared for the temples. The third day of Songkran, April 15, is Wan Thaloeng Sok - the day on which the New Year begins and on the last day, Wan Parg-bpee, the ancestors and elders are honored. The Songkran Festival shares some similarities with the Holi festival in India celebrated around the same time. One custom that Songkran shares with Holi is the releasing of small fish back into the rivers and steams. In Thailand, small birds may also be released from cages as part of the festivities.

Niramon Samorn 4EN 026

I like Songkran Festival so much.
I always stay with my family and have the big meal.
Sometimes I go splashing water outside that makes me really fun.
Moreover I will offer the food for the monks and make merit in that day.
I really love Songkran Festival. I hope it will be coming soon.

Miss Janjira Janpho 013 4EN

My favorite festival is Songkran festival. Some people also called Thai New Year Festival. This festival always celebrate for three days from April 13 to April 15 every year.There are many activities in this festival. For the first day we alway throwing water over one another is performed with fun. For the second day we alway go to the temple to take a bath to the monk. And the last day is the family day, we alway spend time with family. Maybe we going out to travel or have lunch or dinner together. I love this festival so much.

Kullasatree 010 4EN

My favorite festival is New year day.
I can stay with my family.
Moreover, I also get many gifts.
Today has the cerebration all Thailand,
so I can travel in the different places.

Sirinat 041