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Every country has different culture. And the most notable part which expresses the value of culture best is festival. One of them is the Thai Songkran festival.

Every country has different culture. And the most notable part which expresses the value of culture best is festival. One of them is the Thai Songkran festival. What is the meaning and interesting activities of Songkran festival?

So, Songkran is a Thai traditional New Year which starts on April 13 every year and last for 3 days. Songkran means "change place" (It is the day when the sun changes its position in the zodiac). Another name of Songkran is Water Festival. People believe that water will wash away bad luck

Songkran festival has many meaning to the Thai. First, it has the value for family. This festival is opportunity for family members to gather. They pour the water called scented water onto the hands of the elders to express descendant's respects to ancestors. In turn, the elders wish the youngsters good luck and prosperity. The second value is for community. Songkran is a great change to create unity in the community. The meet each other, enjoy the entertaining events and many interesting activities in the festival. And for the society value, people make benefit upon environment with cooperation to clean houses, temples, public places...The Thai offer food to monks, listen to sermon and monks- bathing...These activities give the value of religion.

And here are some attractive activities in Songkran festival: taking a bath to elders. But nowadays, the ceremony has change to rinse water to the elders' hands. Another activity is offering food. People do this as the sign of good fortune for the new coming year. People always release birds and fish in Songkran days. It is belief that release birds to gain freedom; release fish to get a fresh and cool life; taking a bath to Buddha images, monks to gain good fortune. The most attractive activity is splashing water. They use a bucket or bowl of water with slight perfume and politely splash to each others. It means wash away bad luck and offer the best wishes to others. Songkran festival is in the hottest season of the year, splashing water make people feel comfortable and cool. They like this action intensively.

Thailand's Songkran festival offers many meaning and funny activities. This is a great opportunity to gather, relax and unit among people.

                      Lê Minh Sơn - Dong Thap politics school