Learn Thai Language | Do's and Don'ts for Songkran

Happy Thai New Year!

It is Songkran, the water festival in Thailand which is the most famous and there are lots of fun!

In this blog we will learn Do’s and Don’ts for this happy festival! Let’s check them out!

Songkran Do’s:

1. Wear proper clothes and shoes.
As it is a “water” festival, of course you are going to get wet or soak! Please choose light and fast-drying clothes. Anyway, you will need to consider where you are going as well. If you are just going out for the water fight, short and T-shirt are ok, but if you are going to temples, I think longer trousers are more appropriate, at least they should cover your knees. Shirts should be with sleeves, long or short are fine. Make sure you wear shoes that are safe to walk through water and slippery streets.

2. Protect your belongings and electronic devices.
You should buy a zip-lock, waterproof bag to keep your electronic devices such as mobile phones and camera.

3. Play safely and politely.
Please use clean water. You can use water guns, buckets or bowls to splash water.

4. Have fun.
Songkran Festival is a happy and fun time. People will laugh, scream and smile a lot. Let’s enjoy and celebrate with those new friends.

Songkran Don’ts

1. Throw water on motorbikes or indoor.
This is really dangerous because it can cause serious injury, so don’t throw water at motorcyclists to avoid accidents. Also, don’t splash water indoors.

2. Use ice, shampoo, power or dirty things.
Again, be polite! Don’t turn the fun festival to bullying and violence. Also, don’t use power paste as now playing with the powder and touching can be considered as sexual harassment and it is dangerous if it gets into your eyes.

3. Use high-pressure water guns.
It can hurt somebody and cause further accident, so don’t use it. Small water guns, buckets and bowls are fun enough.

4. Drink drive
It’s very dangerous! If you are sure that you will drink in this occasion, please take a taxi or other public transportation.

5. Get mad.
Please prepare that you will get wet in this festival. Thais believe that water will wash away your bad lucks and bring cool a new year. However, if you do not like to get soaked, you can stay at home or indoors such as shopping malls, or even refuse nicely that you have something important to do.

You can use some excuses that you are going to the meeting or go to work.

For example:

(Female) ขอโทษค่ะ ไม่เล่นค่ะ ต้องไปประชุมต่อ /kͻ̌ͻ-tôot kâ, mâi lên kâ, dtͻ̂ͻng bpai bprà-chum dtͻ̀ͻ/

(Male) ขอโทษครับ ไม่เล่นครับ ต้องไปประชุมต่อ /kͻ̌ͻ-tôot kráp, mâi lên kráp, dtͻ̂ͻng bpai bprà-chum dtͻ̀ͻ/

= Sorry, I don’t play (I don’t want water splashing). I have to attend a meeting later.

(Female)ขอโทษค่ะ ไม่เล่นค่ะ ต้องไปทำธุระ /kͻ̌ͻ-tôot kâ, mâi lên kâ, dtͻ̂ͻng bpai tam tú-rá/

(Male)ขอโทษครับ ไม่เล่นครับ ต้องไปทำธุระ /kͻ̌ͻ-tôot kráp, mâi lên kráp, dtͻ̂ͻng bpai tam tú-rá/

= Sorry, I don’t play (I don’t want water splashing). I have to run my errand.

If people refuse, please respect them as well. Always celebrate with politeness, respect and kindness.

I wish you fun and safe Songkran. Happy Songkran ka!!

Jang