What is SONGKRAN? From Ancient Origins to World's Biggest Waterfight!

The Thai New year, also known as Songkran, the biggest water fight in the world, is the nation's most loved and famed festival. But calling it that would be like saying Christmas is about Santa Claus. It is an ancient tradition that demonstrates the ways, values, and beliefs of the Thai people.

Though Songkran is technically on April 13th, the holiday usually extends through to the 15. This year, however, the Thai cabinet extended the Holiday nationwide to five days, from 12–16.

The word "Songkran" comes from the Sanskrit word saṃkrānti which means transformation or movement or specifically in this case, the changing of Zodiac signs. It arrived to Thailand at least 1380 years ago, along with religious influences from India. The term was borrowed from Makar Sankranti, the name of a Hindu harvest festival that indicates the arrival of spring.

For over a millennium, Songkran was the official Thai New year with dates pick by astrological calculations until 1888, when it was fixed to April 13th. In 1940, New Year was officially changed to January 1st to align with the West to increase trade opportunities.

Today, many Thais still observe ancient traditions that are rich with history and symbolism. Join us as we take you through festivities in Chiang Mai and Bangkok to learn more about what each tradition means, why it's done, how it came about and of course, water use. There is so much more to the holiday than the epic water fights it's evolved into today.

**CORRECTION:
Increase of water during Songkran daily goes from 520 million litres to 530 million litres.

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MUSIC:
ลาวดวงเดือน (Lao Duang Duen)
บ่เป็นจะใด - ลานนา คัมมินส์ (GMM Grammy)
ABC Chakratuk (Mv -Ost. I fine Thank you Love you)
Antique Gucci - Cryptex Mashup (Karma is a bitch challenge )
Tick Tock - Palmy (GMM Grammy)

Aerial shots:
Greg Hung, Chic Voyage Group

Newsreel:
Channel 3 Thailand
Wayne Hay Aljazeera
The Richard Fowler Show
CCTV+
CNN

Facts and Statistics:
Bangkok Post
Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA)

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