Every year in Thailand a great many of the most interesting and unusual holidays is celebrated. Noted that Locals are very loved by the New Year - probably that is why they celebrate him three times in 12 months. If you build these celebrations on chronology, then the first Thais meet a global holiday, for him there is a new year on the Chinese lunar calendar and the third time falls on Van Songkran. On the features of the celebration of these days in Thailand and will be discussed in our review.
Peculiarities
At the national level, three new years is celebrated in Thailand. The first is the International New Year. The habit of celebrating this day in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, that is, on the night of December 31, on January 1, penetrated Thailand relatively recently - Together with tourists, as well as thais, living or studying in Western countries. Mostly, the International New Year celebrates young people, as well as guests and residents of large cities that seek to meet the European style of life.
The second year of the new year is celebrated by the Chinese lunar calendar. In general, in Thailand, the cultural influence of China is Veliko, which is why this new year is considered one of the largest national holidays. His date is calculated in accordance with the lunar calendar on the current phase of the earthly satellite, which is why it can be either in January or in February. Well, finally, directly Thai New Year Songkran - it is noted in the period from April 13 to 15.
Usually these days in the country are considered a weekend, although shops, hotels and some other institutions work, however, not so effectively as on weekdays.
To understand What is Songkran, and why he recognized him by the National Thai New Year, it is necessary to plunge into the history of this holiday . In the second decade of April, in the south-east of Asia, the period of off-season, which is distinguished by low air humidity and severe heat. Plants and people suffer from such weather. Southeast Monsoon penetrates her to change the territory, he brings cool tropical livne to Thailand. It is believed that the more abundant and longer these rains will be - the greater will be the crop of rice and many others grown on the islands.
From a long time, it turned out that it was possible to cause abundant rain, watered with each other with water. This ritual was born in Ancient India for another Millennium, it was there that he was called Songkran, which means "change of seasons". In the dissemination of Indian culture in Thailand, this custom was adopted by many other Asian countries.
In Thailand, the ritual was somewhat modified, he was adapted to the features of the Buddhist religion, and the date of the celebration itself was combined with the time of the departure of the Buddha in Nirvana. That's why During the new year, Thai everywhere go to the service in local temples, bring the alignment by monks, and in response they receive blessings from them. Sprinkling water symbolize the call of good rains. In addition, it is believed that water purifies a person from evil thoughts, actions of negative energy and evil spirits.
Initially, people used only the illuminated fresh water, and splashing itself was carried out very delicately So that the water does not hit the face, ears and head, since touching the head on the territory of Thailand is considered a vulgar gesture that can take good luck from a person. However, modern youth brought to this ritual a note of fun - in our days of the young man and the girls simply "pelt" each other with any water. Tourists and the rest of the local population very quickly connected to this fun fun.
Preparation and timing of the celebration
Although Thais and meet an inter-element new year just as many other Western peoples, in their family, nevertheless, this is not so much family, as a public holiday. Despite this, Preparation for his meeting is very responsible. The main difference of their celebrations from the celebration in Russia and Western countries is that a few days before December 31, all residents of Thailand go to the temples - there they read special pre-New Year prayers (they even have their own name - Hurals). While reading a prayer, fish and birds are produced on the will. Otherwise, everything goes in the same way as many other peoples - residential premises are decorated with multi-colored garlands, balls and tinsel. People prepare a delicious dinner, organize unusual shows and events, and even at midnight under the battle of the Kuranta congratulate each other and exchange gifts.
The Chinese New Year in Thailand is celebrated every year, the date of the celebration is inconsistent, since it is tied to the Phase of the Moon. Before the occurrence of the holiday at the locals, it is customary to dress the streets and houses with paper lanterns of red. Directly on New Year's Eve through the streets stretch the huge sizes of the figures of dragons and snakes, they carry people, dressed in bright unusual costumes.
All this event is accompanied by the explosions of Petard, salutes and loud music.
In different provinces of Thailand, Songkran can be celebrated on different days - This is due to the fact that before the astrologers have calculated the desired date on the position of the stars, therefore incurdiction often occurred - over time they were allocated to the tradition. So, in Chiang Mai, the new year is celebrated from 11 to 15 April, in Bangkok - from April 12 to April 16, in Phuket - from April 13 to 14, and in Pattaya - from 12 to 19 or 20.
Regardless of the province, The officially established date of celebration of the New Year is considered period from April 13 to 15 . It is for these numbers that the holiday is accounted for, and residents give official weekends. Before the holiday, it is customary to spend general cleaning in his dwelling, Thai misses everything from their home than they do not use, and that accumulated unnecessary for long 12 months.
With the onset of the next year, Thais is customary to bring donations to the temple - it can be a new rick or a personally cooked fruit and vegetables.
How to celebrate?
Celebrations in honor of the celebration of the New Year in Thailand are held with a huge scale, they rather resemble the Chinese New Year or the world famous Brazilian carnivals - the one who at least once participated in such events is unlikely to ever forget them. Period of holidays are divided into three stages. Let us dwell on each of them.
First day
In a circle of families or close friends, it is customary to gather on April 13 - together Thais committing a ritual of the ablution of each other, arrange a festive dinner or go to the temple. Young people who are not distinguished by special religiosity, simply certify the holiday in bars and restaurants. Thais who did not have time to get rid of unnecessary things in advance should do it on the first day of the New Year. Usually at this time in all cities and villages there are smoke from fires, in which residents burn all their trash. It is believed that together with the garbage from the house, all negative energy is thrown out for the previous year.
On the streets of the cities and villages are held long marches from the monks - they carry the statue of the Buddha in their hands, distribute blessings to the crowd of others and scatter the petals of sacred flowers. On the first day of the new year, beauty and flower exhibitions are held throughout Thailand, they choose the most beautiful plant, the most magnificent bouquet, as well as a young girl who becomes Miss Songkran.
Second day
On the second day, Thai massively go for the blessing to Buddhist temples. Locals wear festive religious clothing, they are going to serve with fruit trays, carry flowers, all kinds of sweets and donations. Monks barely manage to endure them, which is why the place near the buddha statue by the end of the day often resembles a fruit market.
The monks themselves on the second day of the New Year are obliged to provide respect to all guests and must be treated those who came to the temple without offenses. Returning home, Thaisy sprinkle the whole house and the statue of the Buddha with water mixed with incense. When all sacred actions in the dwelling are completed, the most interesting thing begins - the locals go outside, deceive each other with multi-colored talc, and then watered with water.
Young people hide behind the corners, trees, cars in order to suddenly jump out and water passing by people passing by. Ends this day by the festive feast, which lasts throughout the night. By the way, some Thais can walk even three days in a row - usually during this period cafes, restaurants and other public catering companies are overcrowded by people, and it is quite problematic to find a free table.
On this day, it is customary to go to freedom of animals - Thais believe that a turtle or a bird who received the will, renewing the life of his liberator repeatedly.
Third day
The celebration continues on the third day - April 15, local residents enter their old relatives or friends. During the meeting, they wash the hands of close people with water, and then arrange a large family dinner or lunch.
Festive table
First of all, the new year in Thailand is a family holiday, that is, the day when it is customary to speak your loved ones of love and express respect. That is why after people come from the temple, they get the same family at the table. Typically, New Year's meal in Thailand includes the following dishes:
- bananas with beans;
- Sea scallops with spices;
- Fish in Thai with chili sauce;
- Noodles in Thai with chicken;
- ginger noodles with tofu;
- snack with crab meat;
- Shrimp Sambal.
On this day, rice is supplied, which is considered in this country a symbol of fertility and prosperity.
Customs and traditions
The main tradition of the Thai New Year is to pour water. Typically used cold fresh water, the useful use of seawater is undesirable because it is considered contaminated. Usually in April, there is quite a strong heat in Thailand, so many thais prefer to mix ice water so that passers-by experienced as much oral sensations as possible. Some local residents flavory water with fruit oils and incense.
It is believed that the ritual of dusting with water in Thailand allows you to clear the soul and energy of a person, so in no case it is not recommended to show any aggression or resentment towards the obsolent to you. Know - and the Thais themselves will not be offended, they will share them.
I draw attention to the fact that on the eve of the holiday, the cost of aquatic pistols, water pumps and other water weapons in the tourist kiosks takes off "to heaven" - if you do not want to give a small piece of plastic to a dozen dollars, better buy them in advance at night markets or in hypermarkets .
Besides, In Thailand, for the new year, it is customary to deprive a man with clay and color talc . It is assumed that such a procedure protects it from evil spirits, and the more he flashes - the more effective in the coming year will be its cleansing. Therefore, it is not necessary to be surprised that some kind of mischievous suddenly prompt to you. Do not worry, probably the next passerby will surely try to wash you out from this dirt with water from the bucket - and so it will be repeated to infinity.
Tips for tourists
Europeans who have decided to visit Thailand on New Year's days should adhere to some rules.
- Mobile phone is desirable to leave in the room, and if you do not want to stay in an unfamiliar country without a means of communication, then pre-wrap it in several layers of polyethylene.
- Wear clothes that you will not mind throw away after the holiday, or in the extreme case, the one that you can easily wash away.
- By participating in the wet festival, avoid getting cold water to people of mature age, as well as on those who go down the street with a mobile phone and talks.
- In order to thank local residents for the holiday, congratulate their coming new year and express their appreciation, try to learn the phrase "Sawasdee Pi Mai!". However, if you can't remember it, just tell me the locals "Happy Songkran!" - Be sure they will definitely understand you, and they will be very nice.
In general, tourist holidays in Thailand on New Year's holidays has its own characteristics.
- On the eve of holidays, the cost of vouchers grows many times, the same can be said about air transportation.
- Places in good restaurants and luxury hotels are usually occupied for the entire holiday week long before the new year, and this applies to all three holidays: international, Chinese and traditional Thailand. Therefore, it is better to take room booking in advance.
- Keep in mind that in the days of New Year's holidays in Thailand's shopping centers often arrange massive prices - at this time you can buy things and accessories with discounts at 50-70%.
- Well, of course, it should be understood that on this day everywhere is crowded and very noisy.
If you want to safely relax in a beautiful place and enjoy nature - it is better to take a tour to other dates.
About how "Wet New Year" says Songkran in Thailand, see the following video.