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Falling in or around mid-April, Buddhist New Year is a time of spiritual reflection and purification throughout Southeast Asia, along with some of the BIGGEST water fights you’ve ever seen! Yes, that’s right, we said WATER FIGHTS: which is basically people soaking each other with friendly water splashes.
Known as “Songkran” in Thailand, “Thingyan” was in Myanmar, “Chaul Chnam Thmey” in Cambodia, and “Pi Mai” in Laos, Buddhist New Year was traditionally celebrated in most communities with purification rituals and water offerings to temples, Buddha icons, and respected elders. It was, and still is, a time of prayer and washing away impurities. However, the rituals have evolved over the years, and today locals of many Southeast Asian cities dust off their water guns and super soakers every spring to participate in citywide water fights.
If you’re planning to participate in this event, please make sure to take the proper precautions – waterproof all your valuables, such as your bag and your phone. There are street vendors that sell watertight bags for this purpose. If you’re thinking of driving in any of these areas, never take your hands off the wheels and eyes off the road, because the celebration often spills out into the streets. It’s better to be mindful that more laid-back destinations such as Luang Prabang and Siem Reap have low-key celebrations, while urban centers such as Yangon and Bangkok host some of the region’s rowdiest parties.
The annual three-day celebrations bring locals and travelers together to dance, laugh, bless each other, and of course splash water on everybody in sight. It’s a wonderful way to cool off during this hot time of year, as well as an extraordinary, fun-filled experience for children and teenagers!