Thai, Myanmar embassies hold water fest

FLUID TRADITION: Guests are welcomed with water at the event at the Thai ambassador’s residence.

RIYADH: A colorful water festival was jointly organized by the embassies of Thailand and Myanmar this week at the Royal Thai Embassy in the capital.
The event, marking their traditional New Year’s celebration, was held at the Thai ambassador’s residence in the Diplomatic Quarter, where Saudi officials, diplomatic personnel and media representatives participated in the event.
The guests also received the traditional “cold water welcome” from the two envoys, Danai Menabodhi, charge d’affaires of the Royal Thai Embassy and Ko Ko Latt, the ambassador of Myanmar. It was a rare welcome that gave visitors an opportunity to learn about the Songkran Thingyan, or “Festival of Water” through a traditional ceremony.
Other highlights of the colorful event included a range of cultural performances as well as traditional folk dances and children’s plays. Both countries also presented their delicious cuisines at the event.
“In Thailand, April is the hottest time, so the water splashing fun of the Songkran festival is always welcomed by Thai people and tourists alike,” Menabodhi told Arab News. He said that the most culturally important event of Thai people, Songkran, is a celebration of the traditional Thai New Year, from April 13 to 15.
Speaking further he said, Songkran literally means “astrological passage.” It can be interpreted as “change” and “cleansing,” a time to usher in a new year and to purify one’s soul and also to do some spring-cleaning,” adding that it is also a time for Thai people to enjoy time with their families.
He said the custom of pouring clean water or water mixed with Thai traditional fragrances on the hands of elders (people above 60 years old) by the youngsters is a show of respect, and “allows the young to seek the New Year blessings of the old.”
“This custom is called “Rod Nam Dum Hua.” This is a unique ritual which for centuries has celebrated the significance of water in Thai culture and society as a symbol of purity, prosperity and happiness, he added.
For people in Myanmar, Thingyan means the changing over or transition to Myanmar New Year. Thingyan falls on April 12 to 16 this year and the 17th of April is Myanmar‘s New Years Day. Thingyan is a festival celebrated for three to four days before the New Year comes. It originated from the Bagan era, Myanmar, first Kingdom in the 11th century.
The distinguished feature of the Thingyan Festival is the splashing of water on each other. Myanmar’s people also put scented water in a silver bowl and sprinkle it on others with a bundle of Eugenia leaves. It symbolizes the washing away of sins, anxieties, problems and the discontent of the old year. Resolutions are made on New Years Day to start afresh and lead a better life with renewed hope.