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Phool

Next: 13 to 15 Apr 2027

Songkran

Thai New Year. Before the water fights, scented water with jasmine is poured over the hands of elders.

Songkran Location : Wat Khung Taphao Ban Khung Taphao , Khung Taphao subdistrict, Mueang Uttaradit , Uttaradit Province , Thailand .
Photo: ผู้สร้างสรรค์ผลงาน/ส่งข้อมูลเก็บในคลังข้อมูลเสรีวิกิมีเดียคอมมอนส์ - เ, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

What happens

Songkran, the Thai New Year, runs from 13 to 15 April, in the hottest part of the year. The street water fights are the famous part. The older custom is quieter. Water scented with jasmine and rose petals is poured gently over images of the Buddha, and then over the hands of parents and grandparents to ask their blessing. Elders are given phuang malai, garlands of threaded jasmine buds. Outside, the golden shower tree, Thailand's national flower, hangs in full yellow bloom.

The flowers

Arabian jasmineJasmine buds scent the water and make the garlands.Phuang malaiThai flower garlands, given to elders as a mark of respect.Golden showerRatchaphruek, the golden shower tree, flowers at Songkran.

More flowers and customs of Songkran

Decoration Songkranสงกรานต์ The Thai New Year marked by water rituals and festive gatherings in April 🇹🇭 Thailand · Custom, April
About this page

Original text by the Phool desk, written with AI assistance. Background: "Songkran (Thailand)" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from family to family and place to place. If we have something wrong, tell us.

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

  • Phuang malai: Deror Avi, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
  • Arabian jasmine: Taken by Fanghong, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
  • Songkran: ผู้สร้างสรรค์ผลงาน/ส่งข้อมูลเก็บในคลังข้อมูลเสรีวิกิมีเดียคอมมอนส์ - เ, CC BY 3.0, source
  • Golden shower: Delonix, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

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