| Songkran is the Thai traditional New Year and an | | | | will be set free. Paying homage to one's ancestors |
| occasion for family reunion. At this time, people | | | | is an important part of the day. People will pay |
| from the rural areas who are working in the city | | | | their respects to the elders by pouring scented |
| usually return home to celebrate the festival. | | | | water over the palms of their hands. The elders |
| Thus, when the time comes, Bangkok temporarily | | | | in return wish the youngsters good luck and |
| turns into a deserted city. | | | | prosperity. |
| The festival falls on April 13 and the annual | | | | In the afternoon, after performing a bathing rite |
| celebration is held throughout the kingdom. In fact, | | | | for Buddha images and the monks, the celebrants |
| Songkran is a Thai word which means move or | | | | both young and old, joyfully splash water on each |
| change place as it is the day when the sun | | | | other. The most-talked about celebration takes |
| changes its position in the zodiac. It is also known | | | | place in the northern province of Chiang Mai |
| as the Water Festival as people believe that | | | | where Songkran is celebrated from April 13 to 15. |
| water will wash away bad luck. | | | | During this period, people from all parts of the |
| This Thai traditional New Yaer begins with early | | | | country flock there to enjoy the water festival, |
| morning merit-making, offering food to Buddhist | | | | to watch Miss Songkran Contest and the beautiful |
| monks and releasing caged birds to fly freely into | | | | parades. |
| the sky. During this auspicious, any animals kept | | | | |