UNESCO includes Songkran in Thailand on its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The festival marks the traditional Thai New Year in April with water parties and ancient traditions.
## Songkran in Thailand Receives UNESCO Recognition
The traditional Thai New Year Festival, Songkran, has recently been added to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. The announcement was made during the 18th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Botswana. This recognition follows the inclusion of other Thai cultural practices in previous years.
## Significance of Songkran Festival
In Thailand, Songkran marks the traditional start of the new year and is celebrated by reuniting with families and paying respect to older adults, ancestors, and sacred Buddha images. Pouring water symbolizes cleansing, reverence, and good fortune. The festival is observed as a three-day national holiday from 13-15 April, although celebrations can last for up to a week in some areas.
## Celebrating Songkran in Thailand
The inclusion of Songkran in the UNESCO listing promises even grander celebrations for the upcoming Songkran festival in 2024. The festival offers tourists a chance to enjoy huge water parties in the streets of Thailand, while locals can spend precious time with their families and observe ancient rites at temples. The Songkran Festival has also been recognized as one of the major festivals of Asia by the International Festivals and Events Association.
Source : ‘Songkran in Thailand’ declared an UNESCO ‘intangible cultural heritage’