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THE HISTORY OF SONGKRAN DAY

Songkran day has been considered as Thailand New Year Day since Sukkothai period and it was later changed into the international one in January 1, 1940. Songkran is not only ancient Thai new year festival but also Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Yunnan Province, Sri Lanka and eastern India festivals. The full name of Songkran day is "Songkran new Year festival or Trut Songkran" Generally peple call only "Songkran." The word Trut is derived from Tamil. It means cut. Thus, it means cut the year or end the year. In ancient time, Thai people considered April is the end month of the year and also The New Year Day. As a consequence, there are three new year days which are the waning crescent of the fourth lunar month, the new moon of the fourth lunar month and the new moon of the fifth month. The word Songkran is derived from Sanskrit which means to move the step or move. In this case, it mentions about the sun movement from Pieces to Aries. This duration falls between April 13, 14 and 15. April 13 is called" Mahasongkran day or Grand songkran day or Songkran long day." It is the Songkran day of the year. April 14 is called "Nao day, Songkran Eve" which means "stay." It is the day after Grand Songkran day. During this day, the sun already falls in the new Zodiac.

April 15 is the day of changing the era. It is called "The day commemorating the change in era" and it is the first important day of New Year. Nevertheless the dates 13-15 April cannot be specifically identified to be Songkran days as in the present. They must be calculated according to the solar calender which may fall in the range of 14-16 April in some years. However, in the present, the dates 13-15 April are specifically assigned to be Songkran days and holidays for the easiness of arranged ceremonies. During Songkran day, siblings will be gatherd to sprinkle water on the Buddha images, pour water on hands of elders and ask for blessing and show gratitude to departed ancestors. Thus, Songkran day is also known as "Family Day."

Songkran Festivals in Four Regions of Thailand

Northern Songkran(Lanna Songkran) or "City New Year Tradition"(begins on Grand Songkran day (April 13) which people will clean their houses for luck. Songkran Eve(April 14) is the day which people do not scold others because it will make the person meet nightmares throughout the year. The day commemorating the change in era(15 April) is the day which people wake up early and go to temple for making merits before going to meet their closer in the afternoon. 'Pak Pee day'(April 16) is the day which people will pour water on abbots to apologise for all bad deeds. 'Pak Duen Day'(April 17) is the day which people try to get rid off all bad deeds to end the Lanna Songkran Festival.

Northeastern Songkran is generally held in simple ways with warmness. The people usually call it as ' The fifth month's merit' or 'Sonkran New Year festival or Trut Songkran.' In some areas, it is called ' Nao' and the festival will begin in the full moon day in the fifth month at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. The festival will begin as soon as people hear the drum from Buddhist monks. Later, villagers will prepare fragrance water to pour on the Buddha images and elders later on. At the end they will begin splashing water with amusement.

Southern Songkran. From the southern traditional belief, Songkran is a period of changing gods who protect the country.Thus, they mark the first day of Songkran festival(April 13) to be the day of ' Passing the old governor' by eliminating all bad deeds. ' Free day' (April 14) is the day which city dwellers will make merit at temples and pouring water on Buddha images. The last day is ' The day of welcoming the new governor ' (April 15). It is the day that people will dress beautifully to welcome the new governors and end Songkran festival properly.

Central Songkran. It starts On April 13 which is considered as ' Grand Songkran day. ' April 14 is considered as ' Songkran Eve ' or ' Middle day. ' April 15 is considered as the day commemorating the change in era. During these three day, people will attend religious ceremonies, make merits, freeing birds and fish, pour ceremonial water sprinkle water and bring sand to the temple for sand pagodas.

Songkran Activities

1. Giving alms to the Buddhist monks. It is a way of making self - merit and bestowing the merit to departed people.

2. Sprinkling water is a way of New Year blessing. The water is usually a mixture of perfume and clean water.

3. Sprinkling water on Buddha images may occur both at home and temples. Sometimes, the Sprinkling water on Buddhist monks is also possible.

4. Pouring water on hands of revered elders is a way of blessing elders and teachers. Mostly, the revered people will be ask to sit down and the young will pour the perfuming water on the elders'hands. The elders will bless. In case of Buddhist monks, they will be given the new set of ropes for change. In case of normal people, they will be given loincloth for change.

5. 'Dum Hua' is pouring water in hands of the revered elders. It is a native word for Northern residents. It is a process of respecting elders, apologizing departed people or asking for bless. The materials for this activity are towels, coconuts, bananas and soap pods.

6. Freeing birds and fish is a way of removing all sins. It is a way to eliminate bad deeds and retain only happiness in life.

7. Bringing the sand to temples is a tradition from northen Thailand for wishing fortune, happiness and success as if the sand continuously comes to the temple.

THE HISTORY OF MISS SONGKRAN

Miss Songkran is a legendary belief for Songkran and its history. It informs ancient people that Songkran Day is the day which the sun turns to Aries. It is a sign for era change or New Year day in solar calender. It is assumed that each of Miss Songkran represents each day in a week, the one who has the name of that particular day will be given an honor to bring king Kabilaprom's head to the bath, All of the ladies are the king's daugther and also Indra's lady-in-waiting. From the legend, The king lost a gambling fight with Dhammabankuman. As a result, he got cut to worship Dhammabankuman as promised. However, it is the fact that his head will hurt the world if it drops down. It can hurt the air, the land or the water it the head falls there. Thus, the ladies need to take the head to a footed tray and store It in Kanchulee Cave, Krailas Mountain. When 365 days pass by, Songkran day arrives; all of the ladies will take their private rides to do the ceremony with their father's head. They are all given the name of ' Miss Songkran ' Implicitly, King Kabilaprom is like the sun because kabil means red.

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