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Consent of communities: [English/Thai](https://ich.unesco.org/doc/download.php?versionID=65808) - ICH inventory: [English/Thai](https://ich.unesco.org/doc/download.php?versionID=65807) ## Decision Inscription: [18\.COM 8.b.10](https://ich.unesco.org/en/decisions/18.COM/8.B.10) ## Periodic reporting *The report on the implementation of the Convention, due by States Parties every 6 years, includes a section on the elements inscribed on the Representative List. [Read more on periodic reports](https://ich.unesco.org/en/periodic-reporting-00460).* ## Activities **[Event of Promotion and Preservation of Songkran in Thailand](https://ich.unesco.org/en/patronage-reporting-00493#00170)**01/04/2024 - 30/04/2024Bangkok and 76 provinces # Songkran in Thailand, traditional Thai New Year festival [Thailand](https://ich.unesco.org/en/state/thailand-TH) Your browser is not supported by this application. Please use recent versions of browsers such as Google Chrome, Firefox, Edge or Safari to access 'Dive' interfaces. Inscribed in 2023 ([18\.COM](https://ich.unesco.org/en/18com)) on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity [*play\_arrow*](https://ich.unesco.org/en/video/66600?include=film_inc.php&id=66600&width=700&call=film) **© Department of Cultural Promotion, Thailand, 2022** In Thailand, Songkran refers to the sun’s annual passing into the Aries constellation, the first sign of the Zodiac, which marks the traditional start of the new year. Occurring in mid-April after the rice harvest, it is a time when people reunite with their families and pay their respects to older adults, ancestors and sacred Buddha images. Pouring water is a significant act during Songkran, symbolizing cleansing, reverence and good fortune. Other activities include bathing important Buddha images, splashing water on family and friends, folk plays, games, music and feasting. The tradition is passed on through participation in the festivities. Parents transmit the tradition to their children orally through regular social and family interactions. Educational institutes, government agencies, the media and Thai astrologers also play an important role in preserving, promoting and transmitting the astrological knowledge and wisdom related to Songkran. Songkran promotes community cooperation, unity and forgiveness. It is viewed as a time to symbolically wash away misfortunes, pray for prosperity for the coming year, reunite with family members, and honour ancestors and older adults. Furthermore, by emphasizing the importance of older adults and of family, Songkran helps to combat loneliness and social isolation. [](https://ich.unesco.org/en/photo-pop-up-00973?photoID=15308) © Banharn Vihokhern, Thailand, 2019 [](https://ich.unesco.org/en/photo-pop-up-00973?photoID=15309) © Khon Kaen Provincial Cultural Office, Thailand, 2019 [](https://ich.unesco.org/en/photo-pop-up-00973?photoID=15310) © Department of Cultural Promotion, Thailand, 2015 [](https://ich.unesco.org/en/photo-pop-up-00973?photoID=15311) © Department of Cultural Promotion, Thailand, 2015 [](https://ich.unesco.org/en/photo-pop-up-00973?photoID=15312) © Department of Cultural Promotion, Thailand, 2019 [](https://ich.unesco.org/en/photo-pop-up-00973?photoID=15313) © Department of Cultural Promotion, Thailand, 2015 [](https://ich.unesco.org/en/photo-pop-up-00973?photoID=15314) © Phrae Provincial Cultural Office, Thailand, 2019 [](https://ich.unesco.org/en/photo-pop-up-00973?photoID=15315) © Bunchai Tongcharoen buangarm, Thailand, 2019 [](https://ich.unesco.org/en/photo-pop-up-00973?photoID=15316) © Phetchaburi Provincial Cultural Office, Thailand, 2019 [](https://ich.unesco.org/en/photo-pop-up-00973?photoID=15317) © Saensuk Municipality, Thailand, 2019 ### Concepts 1. [Buddhism](https://ich.unesco.org/en/lists?term[]=vocabulary_thesaurus-1693&secondary_filter=1) (24) 2. [Calendars](https://ich.unesco.org/en/lists?term[]=vocabulary_thesaurus-2883&secondary_filter=1) (29) 3. [Craft workers](https://ich.unesco.org/en/lists?term[]=vocabulary_thesaurus-2063&secondary_filter=1) (168) 4. [Elderly](https://ich.unesco.org/en/lists?term[]=vocabulary_thesaurus-3160&secondary_filter=1) (3) 5. [Family](https://ich.unesco.org/en/lists?term[]=vocabulary_thesaurus-1673&secondary_filter=1) (233) 6. [Festivals](https://ich.unesco.org/en/lists?term[]=vocabulary_thesaurus-522&secondary_filter=1) (242) 7. [Float](https://ich.unesco.org/en/lists?term[]=vocabulary_ich-92&secondary_filter=1) (25) 8. [Games](https://ich.unesco.org/en/lists?term[]=vocabulary_ich-215&secondary_filter=1) (28) 9. [New year](https://ich.unesco.org/en/lists?term[]=vocabulary_ich-149&secondary_filter=1) (31) 10. [Religious practice](https://ich.unesco.org/en/lists?term[]=vocabulary_thesaurus-252&secondary_filter=1) (166) 11. [Social inclusion](https://ich.unesco.org/en/lists?term[]=vocabulary_thesaurus-2537&secondary_filter=1) (113) 12. [Veneration of the dead](https://ich.unesco.org/en/lists?term[]=vocabulary_ich-74&secondary_filter=1) (51) ### Sustainable Development Goals 1. [SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions](https://ich.unesco.org/en/lists?term[]=vocabulary_ich-1394&secondary_filter=1) (665) ### Biomes 1. [Agro-ecosystems](https://ich.unesco.org/en/lists?term[]=vocabulary_ich-946&secondary_filter=1) (456) 2. [Urban areas](https://ich.unesco.org/en/lists?term[]=vocabulary_ich-936&secondary_filter=1) (337) ### Domains of the Convention 1. [Social practices, rituals and festive events](https://ich.unesco.org/en/lists?term[]=vocabulary_ich-1229&secondary_filter=1) (584) [](https://ich.unesco.org/) ## How to? - [...receive assistance?](https://ich.unesco.org/en/requesting-assistance-00039) - [...inscribe elements?](https://ich.unesco.org/en/procedure-of-inscription-00809) - [...access capacity-building materials?](https://ich.unesco.org/en/access-to-capacity-building-materials-00830) - [...be accredited (NGO)?](https://ich.unesco.org/en/accreditation-of-ngos-00192) - [...request the use of the emblem?](https://ich.unesco.org/en/emblem) - [...contact us?](https://ich.unesco.org/en/secretariat-00032) ## Watch videos - [...of inscribed elements](https://ich.unesco.org/en/lists) - [...of interviews on ICH](https://ich.unesco.org/en/why-safeguard-ich-00479) - [...of NHK in High Definition](https://ich.unesco.org/en/nhk) ## Key references - [Text of the Convention](https://ich.unesco.org/en/convention) - [Operational Directives](https://ich.unesco.org/en/directives) - [Basic texts](https://ich.unesco.org/en/basic-texts-00503) - [General Assembly resolutions](https://ich.unesco.org/en/resolutions) - [Committee decisions](https://ich.unesco.org/en/decisions) ## Follow UNESCO - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/unesco) - [Instagram](https://instagram.com/unesco/) - [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/user/unesco) - [𝕏](https://x.com/unesco/) - [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/unesco) [Explore UNESCO ](https://www.unesco.org/en) [Top](https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/songkran-in-thailand-traditional-thai-new-year-festival-01719#0 "Back to top") ### Connection

[Thailand](https://ich.unesco.org/en/state/thailand-TH) Inscribed in 2023 ([18\.COM](https://ich.unesco.org/en/18com)) on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity [](https://ich.unesco.org/en/video/66600?include=film_inc.php&id=66600&width=700&call=film)**© Department of Cultural Promotion, Thailand, 2022** In Thailand, Songkran refers to the sun’s annual passing into the Aries constellation, the first sign of the Zodiac, which marks the traditional start of the new year. Occurring in mid-April after the rice harvest, it is a time when people reunite with their families and pay their respects to older adults, ancestors and sacred Buddha images. Pouring water is a significant act during Songkran, symbolizing cleansing, reverence and good fortune. Other activities include bathing important Buddha images, splashing water on family and friends, folk plays, games, music and feasting. The tradition is passed on through participation in the festivities. Parents transmit the tradition to their children orally through regular social and family interactions. Educational institutes, government agencies, the media and Thai astrologers also play an important role in preserving, promoting and transmitting the astrological knowledge and wisdom related to Songkran. Songkran promotes community cooperation, unity and forgiveness. It is viewed as a time to symbolically wash away misfortunes, pray for prosperity for the coming year, reunite with family members, and honour ancestors and older adults. Furthermore, by emphasizing the importance of older adults and of family, Songkran helps to combat loneliness and social isolation. [](https://ich.unesco.org/en/photo-pop-up-00973?photoID=15308) © Banharn Vihokhern, Thailand, 2019 [](https://ich.unesco.org/en/photo-pop-up-00973?photoID=15309) © Khon Kaen Provincial Cultural Office, Thailand, 2019 [](https://ich.unesco.org/en/photo-pop-up-00973?photoID=15310) © Department of Cultural Promotion, Thailand, 2015 [](https://ich.unesco.org/en/photo-pop-up-00973?photoID=15311) © Department of Cultural Promotion, Thailand, 2015 [](https://ich.unesco.org/en/photo-pop-up-00973?photoID=15312) © Department of Cultural Promotion, Thailand, 2019 [](https://ich.unesco.org/en/photo-pop-up-00973?photoID=15313) © Department of Cultural Promotion, Thailand, 2015 [](https://ich.unesco.org/en/photo-pop-up-00973?photoID=15314) © Phrae Provincial Cultural Office, Thailand, 2019 [](https://ich.unesco.org/en/photo-pop-up-00973?photoID=15315) © Bunchai Tongcharoen buangarm, Thailand, 2019 [](https://ich.unesco.org/en/photo-pop-up-00973?photoID=15316) © Phetchaburi Provincial Cultural Office, Thailand, 2019 [](https://ich.unesco.org/en/photo-pop-up-00973?photoID=15317) © Saensuk Municipality, Thailand, 2019