It's New Year again!

Yes, it is New Year's.  No, I am not going mad.  It is Thai New Year on 13, 14 and 15 April.  This year, this is during the same week as Holy Week.  It is named as Songkran.  Interestingly, both Easter and Songkran use water as their central symbol but in very different ways. 

The Thai Songkran Festival, like easter, uses water as a sign of blessing.  That is how it started but, over time and for whatever reason, this simple and lovely water blessing has been transformed into full-on water fights in the streets of Thailand.  No one is safe from being drenched as we venture out over this three day festival.  It can be seen to be over the top but this is the way it is.     

So the symbol for Songkran shifts from water to the water gun which becomes a necessary accessory for everyone when leaving one's home.  The streets become full of pick-ups on the move carrying drums full with water and with people armed with their water fighting armoury.  Some major streets are even closed and named as "water playing" zones.  The fire brigade is present at these zones to make sure there is enough water so as to have water sports going at full capacity.  No one nor nothing is saved from being pelted with water.  Foreigners are special targets.  When on the bus, you have to make sure that the window is up as otherwise they will get you.  This is not just the game of children but of people of all ages.  It is done in good fun and all you can do is join in and enjoy.  I think this paints the picture. 

Everything will come to a stop for this, even the ongoing political protests.  Everybody becomes a participant and has fun throwing water at everyone else.  Hey, wait a minute!  Maybe here lies an answer to Thai political woes and strife.  Let's have Songkran all year? 

Happy Songkran!