Thailand: not only known for its beaches and rampant tourism, but also its natural beauty and many feasts and festivals. And of all the feasts and festivals in Thailand – which are many – the Songkran Festival is definitely the most striking.
Songkran is celebrated in Thailand as the traditional New Year’s Day. The celebrations include what must be the biggest water fight in the world and it lasts for four days.
Thais don’t just throw water at each other for no reason – besides getting a kick out of seeing other people soaking wet. The meaning behind the splashes is to symbolically wash off all the misfortunes of the past year, thus welcoming the new year with a fresh new start.
Traditionally, Thais would politely pour a bowl of water on members of the family, their close friends and neighbours. As Songkran has taken a more festive note, a bowl becomes a bucket, garden hose and water guns …
The Thais are everywhere – think of all the Thai shops and restaurants in the city – so Songkran isn’t just celebrated in Thailand. As of late 2006, there were 111 Thai restaurants in Denmark, with 40 located in Copenhagen alone – which is incredible for a cuisine that only started planting its roots in Europe 40 years ago (for example the first Thai restaurant in England, The Bangkok in London, only opened its doors for business in 1967), and exploded in popularity in the ‘80s, a growth momentum that has continued into this decade.
Most Thai restaurants have special arrangements during the holiday. Restaurant Thai Corner on Istedgade is one of them – they have organised a special day at the Thai temple Watpa in Dragør. The celebrations include traditional dancing and food. Tickets are on sale at various Thai shops in the city.
Songkran
All over Denmark, Fri 13 April, Sat 14 April, Sun 15 April;
