Several of important Thai ceremonies, both Buddhist and Hindu, involve the use of water. During a wedding ceremony, water is poured on a couple's hands by guests from a sacred conch shell while speaking words of advice or good wishes.Water is directly celebrated during the Songkran and Loy Krathong festivals.
Songkran
Songkran is on April 12th to the 14th at the start of the Thai New Year at the end of the dry season. In Rama VI's time, people carried silver bowls of scented water which they sprinkled on friends in blessing. Now however, Songkran has turned into a three day long water fight. People everywhere have big bowls of water which they throw indiscriminately. During this time it is impossible to go outside without getting drenched.
Loy Krathong
Water is also associated with the festival of Loy Krathong. Loy Krathong is the annual festival to Mae Kong Ka (Mother Water) for her bounty in providing water not only for drinking and washing, but for the essential means of livelihood for most Thais- agriculture, fishing and transport by river and canal. Low Krathong is also used as a request for Mae Kong Ka's forgiveness for having used and polluted the water.
Loy Krathong takes place at the start of the dry season in November, at a time when there is plenty of water. Loy means "to float" and krathong means "little cup", which is a lotus shaped boat made from banana leaves with flowers, joss sticks, a candle, and a few baht for good luck on it. On Loy Krathong, everybody takes their krathong that they made or bought down to the river or klong after dark. They light the candles and joss sticks, float the krathong on the water, wai, and make a wish. If the candle is still burning as the krathong floats out of sight, this will bring you good luck in the coming year.
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