A Bunch of Burts

We heard about it, read about, and saw pictures on the internet about it, but nothing truly prepared us for the event that is Songkran. It actually is the Thai Buddhist New Year, making that three so far that have been well-celebrated in Thailand. Western New Year on Jan 1st of course, Chinese New Year in mid- Feb and now Thai New Year. They do love a party here.

There are many religious/spiritual aspects to Songkran, mostly centering around making merit. They would make a sand chedi (mound resembling the cone shaped temples), wash a Buddha image, or release caged birds.

The small baskets contain birds to be released for merit. Notice too, the no alcohol sign behind her. Drinking is a major part of this holiday.

Many people also give money to a wat (temple) or gifts to monks. Greg and his friend Dan went on Friday morning, the offical first day to be spectators at some of the ceremonies. Someone explained to him about the sand chedis they were making, that throughout the year, you take sand out of the temple grounds on your feet, and this is when you bring it back. Little flags were also stuck in the mounds, but we are not sure what they are representing.

The tops of the temples are also ceremonially washed with a small vial of water that has been blessed by the monks.

If you look closely, you can see a small tube moving up a wire (off to the right) to top, that is the water to wash/bless the temple.

There is definitely an idea of washing away the bad luck and bad karma of the previous year. So much of their worldview and mindset we do not know understand still, but we know this, they need to know that only the blood of Christ can truly cleanse them, and that there is nothing they can do to earn eternal life!

All the serious merit-making quickly gives way though to the fun and heat escape found in the water fight. The water began with sprinkling as a way to bless other and wish them a happy new year, but now slinging is a better word for it!

When our Thai teacher heard that we were coming back from our trip out east with a truck, she quickly volunteered to drive us all around for Songkran. She said she does not particularly like to be wet, but enjoys driving around. We filled up a garbage can, a clean one, and set it in the back of truck and armed everyone with large water guns and buckets.

The road was so crowed with water-fighters, traffic moved very slowly, which is good, because truck beds were full to overflowing and soaking wet! As your bucket/garbage can/ or whatever you were using to hold your water supply ran out, you could stop at a various stations where you could get a refill for 5 or 10 baht. Of course, before the hose was put in your container, the passengers got a good dousing too!

Can you see the trucks filled with people? It looks like it has been raining, but that is all from the water throwing.

As unbelievable as it sounded to me, we got cold riding around in the back of that wet truck! Of course some of the water was well iced and took your breath away when it hit!

We also took the kids to a well traveled corner and let them throw water at cars instead of throwing from cars for a time too. Motorcycles were a favorite target of all Songkraners, no protection. hahaha

Watch out, these guys are armed and dangerous!

The kids and Greg all really had a good time, but Tina reached her critical mass of being wet well before everyone else did. :)
Hey, someone has to stay dry to take pictures!

These little girls had more fun throwing water at Greg than the passing cars

We had been told that it always rains after Songkran, with all the water being evaporated off the ground. And right on schedule, yesterday, we had a major gully-washer! Greg had made a Lotus run for us, and was caught in the downpour just as he was leaving the store. He arrived home a very wet, but safe. The rain brought a cool and refreshing breeze though, and we will take that anytime!

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 19th, 2007 at 8:26 am and is filed under Family Events, News, Thai life. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.