New Year’s Day observed in Thailand ― Date, History, and Details
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Let's dive deeper into learning more about the history of New Year’s Day observed in Thailand and why people celebrate or observe it.
History of New Year’s Day observed in Thailand and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
In Thailand, New Year’s Day is celebrated on January 1st in the Gregorian calendar. However, the country also uses the Buddhist calendar, which is based on a lunar cycle. This means that the New Year’s celebration can fall on any day between late January and early February.
The New Year’s holiday is called Songkran, and it is a time for family gatherings, temple visits, and water fights. Water plays an important role in the holiday, as it is believed to cleanse away bad luck from the previous year.
On the morning of Songkran, people dress in new clothes and visit temples to make merit. This is followed by a day of fun, which often includes water gun battles in the streets. The holiday ends with a candlelit procession to honor the Buddha.