"Happy Songkran Festival and Sawasdee Pee Mai Thai! Warmest Wishes for the Thai New Year from KIN Stroke Rehabilitation Center"

Songkran is regarded as the traditional Thai New Year and has been observed since ancient times. It is a beautiful national tradition deeply rooted in Thai life. The word “Songkran” comes from Sanskrit and means “to pass” or “to move”, referring to the sun’s movement into a zodiac sign. In common Thai usage, it particularly refers to the time in April when the sun enters Aries.

 

Meaning of the Word “Songkran”
“Songkran” is a Sanskrit word meaning “to pass” or “to move into”. Here it refers to the sun moving from Pisces into Aries in April, marking the Songkran period. When the sun moves between zodiac signs in other months, it is considered an ordinary monthly transition. In astrological terminology, this movement is described as the sun “entering” a new sign; for example, the sun entering Aries means moving from Pisces to Aries, the next zodiac sign.

 

Because Songkran means passing or moving into another sign, an astrological transition occurs every month as the sun moves from one zodiac sign to the next.

 

However, the time when the sun moves from Pisces into Aries in April—traditionally associated with the first waxing moon of the fifth lunar month—is treated as a special occasion called Maha Songkran. It was regarded as the beginning of a new year and a change in the Chula Sakarat era according to traditional astrological calculations. In the past, April was considered the first month of the year. During the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), in B.E. 2432 (1889), the first waxing moon of the fifth lunar month, corresponding to 1 April, was designated as New Year’s Day, in keeping with older customs.

 

Thailand subsequently used 1 April as New Year’s Day, even when it did not coincide exactly with the astronomical Songkran transition, in order to establish a fixed date in the solar calendar.

 

Later, on 24 December B.E. 2483 (1940), the government of Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram announced that 1 January B.E. 2484 (1941) would become New Year’s Day, aligning Thailand with international practice. This remains in use today. In addition, 14 April is observed as Family Day.

 

Every year on 13 April, traditionally associated with the fifth lunar month, Thailand celebrates Songkran Day. In the past it was regarded as the Thai New Year. Customs include festivities, paying respect to elders through water-pouring ceremonies, and playful water splashing, especially among young people. In many rural areas, local games and celebrations are held. Some communities begin on 13 April and continue for around a week or longer, but generally not more than two weeks. People may bring scented water, clothing, or gifts to honour respected elders and relatives. Religious activities may include ceremonies for monks, bathing Buddha images, and visiting nearby temples.