Songkran Festival-Thai New Year-Phitsanulok, Thailand

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Celebrating Thai New Year at one of my favorite temples in Thailand (Wat Phra Si Ratana Marathas) will always be memorable to me. It was special as it was the last time my family was all together.

The combination of the time of year and such a special temple makes this a very popular tourist destination as well. Thai New Year is celebrated on April 13th every year but the period extends from 14 to 15 of April. These photos are from last year in my visit back home. As you may know, the Corona Virus has stopped such a celebration where we all come together.

The parade is joined by locals and tourists from around the world. You can now see why such a celebration this year is not possible.

Thai New Year is not only a time of celebration but to give thanks and ask for blessings. One of the unusual aspects of this temple is they have a gold-covered statue of the Buddha. The temple is located in Phitsanulok province which is around 210 miles from Bangkok.

For many families, this is a time when they all come together from inside and outside of Thailand to be together.

Of course it is tradition to make and present your offerings to the monks as part of the ceremony.

In return the monks offer a blessing for you, it really is a special a time for us.

In the evening there was even a mini concert for all. Of course there is a great deal of food , drinks and water for all.

But this Thai tradition is more of going within and when we look at the world and what has happened with Covid 19 in such a short period of time, the Thai people are chanting their prayers at home. It may not be as colorful and loud as their favorite Temple, but we can be sure the prayers are heard.

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