5 Thai New Year Facts to Ask Your Students About

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Thai New Year, also known as "Songkran," is right around the corner! Today, we'll share five facts about the holiday so you feel prepared to talk about it with your students from Thailand. We'll also include discussion questions and vocabulary (bolded) that students can use to talk about the topic.

1. New Years’ Day is April 13th.

The Thai New Year starts April 13th and celebrations last for at least three days.

Do people in Thailand celebrate two New Years (one in April and one in January)? If so, how are the celebrations different?
Are you excited about the Thai New Year? What are you doing to prepare for it?
How do you say "Happy New Year" in Thai?

2. Songkran is an epic water fight.

The Thai New Year is known as the world's biggest water fight. Locals have a good time splashing each other with water, and about half a million tourists visit the country each year to join in on the fun.

However, many believe that the celebrations used to be calmer, with people just sprinkling water on each other. The water is believed to wash away bad luck from the previous year.

What do you think about all the tourism that Songkran brings in?
Who do you splash water on during the New Year? Family, friends, and/or strangers on the street?
Is it OK to splash water at anyone during this time of year? Are there people you shouldn't splash water on?
How do cities/towns make sure the water is clean?

3. People build Buddhist temples out of sand.

Temples play an important role in Songkran celebrations. Besides praying, listening to Buddhist sermons, and offering food to monks, many Thai people also make sand sculptures.

This custom is based on the belief that temple-goers take sand away from temples on the bottom of their shoes during the year, so it's only right to return some during the New Year. And there's no better way to do that than in the form of a temple!

Can you tell me why people make temples out of sand during the Thai New Year?
Have you ever made a sand temple? If so, what did you use to decorate it?
How long do the temples keep the sand sculptures?

4. Songkran is also National Elderly Day.

During the New Year, Thai people travel back to their hometowns to be with family. On the first day, which is also National Elderly Day, people pour water on the hands of their elderly family members and give them garlands as a sign of respect.

In your opinion, how important is it to show respect to elderly people?
How do Thai people show respect to elderly people on a daily basis?
Why do you think people pour water on elderly family members? And what do the garlands symbolize?
What are some of your family's Songkran traditions?

5. Different regions celebrate Songkran in different ways.

Different parts of Thailand celebrate Songkran in different ways. For example, celebrations in small towns are usually more traditional than those in large cities, and in some places, elephants are also involved.

If I were to visit Thailand during the New Year, which cities or towns would you recommend I check out? Why?
What are some Songkran traditions that are unique to your part of the country?
Can you tell me how Songkran celebrations differ around Thailand?

👋 That’s It For Now

We hope this gives you ideas for things to discuss with your students from Thailand this week. Happy tutoring!