Songkran is a Thai word that means "move" or "change place" as it is the day when the sun changes its position in the zodiac.

It is also known as the "Water Festival" as people believe that water will wash away bad luck. The Songkran tradition is recognized as a valuable custom for the Thai community, society and religions. The value for family is to provide the opportunity for family members to gather in order to express their respects to the elders by pouring scented water onto the hands of their parents and grandparents and to present them gifts including making merits to dedicate the result to their ancestors.

The elders in return wish the youngsters good luck and prosperity.In the afternoon, after performing a bathing rite for Buddha images and the monks, the celebrants both young and old, joyfully splash water on each other.

 

Songkran is a Thai traditional New Year which starts on April 13 every year and lasts for 3 days.  Songkran festival on April 13 is Maha Songkran Day or the day to mark the end of the old year.

April 14, the day after Songkran, is Wan Nao and April 15 is Wan Thaloeng Sok, the day that begins the New Year. During this holiday, people originating from the rural areas but are working in the city usually return home to celebrate the festival, and large cities like Bangkok temporarily become deserted.  The Songkran holiday provides the opportunity to create unity within the community that include acquiring merit and meeting each other and to enjoy the entertaining events.

The social value is to create concern upon environment with cooperation to do such things as cleaning houses, temples, public places and official buildings. Thai people value the religion by means of merits acquisition, offerings alms to monks, Dharma Practice, monks-bathing, and listening to sermons.