Happy Thai New Year 2012 !

2012 Thai New Year is known as the Songkran festival which means astrological passage. Thailand celebrates New Year in a very traditional way from 13th April to 15th April, every year. South and Southeast Asia also celebrates New Year as per the Thai calendar

The date was originally calculated as per astrological calculation. But with time the date got fixed. The 2012 Thai New Year will be celebrated during the weekend like every year. The New Year in Thailand falls during the summer month, right after the dry season. This day is considered to be a National holiday. Songkran festival is been celebrated since ages and the tradition of this festival is maintained. History says that the Thai New Year celebration and tradition has been influenced by the Indian culture. The Northern city of Chiang Mai celebrates the New Year for six continuous days.


The main attraction of the Thai New Year:The water Game

2012 Thai New Year will be incomplete without the water game. As a part of the New Year celebration the Thais throw water at each other and get drenched in the streets and roads. At times they mix mentholated talc in the water. Water guns are vital for this occasion. The game was never played initially. However, this has been a recently added fun in the New Year celebration.


New Year greetings in Thailand

During New Year the people from Thailand wish each other a Happy New Year in their own style which says sa-wat-di pi mai. Adding to it they also wish suk-san wan Songkran which means Happy Songkran.

So suk-san wan Songkran to my friend Chyakorn and all the people of Asia and the World! Have a look at this video:

Main sources(foir further reading):
http://www.123newyear.com/2012/thai-new-year.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songkran