SONGKRAN, or the Thai Water Festival, is celebrated by the Malaysian Siamese community who mainly reside in the states of Kedah, Kelantan, Penang, and Perlis.
Songkran is also the Buddhist New Year, which the Siamese in Penang celebrate at Wat Chaiyamangalaram, aka the Reclining Buddha Temple, in Pulau Tikus, George Town.
Songkran falls annually on April 13 and in Thailand, the three-day Songkran celebration begins with visits to temples where devotees offer food to Buddhist monks. Devotees also pour water on the Buddha statues and on one another, as a symbol of purification and the washing away of one’s sins and bad luck.
Over the centuries, the Songkran festival has evolved into what has been called the biggest water fight in the world. In some cities, the festival is celebrated with parades and people splashing water on each other. Locals and foreigners armed with water guns and buckets engage in soggy street parties, bringing the usual activities in these areas to a standstill. – April 15, 2019.
Revellers play with water at the Songkran festival to usher in the Buddhist New Year at Wat Chaiyamangalaram in George Town, Penang. – The Malaysian Insight pic by David ST Loh, April 15, 2019.Staying dry is not an option at the Songkran festival at Wat Chaiyamangalaram in George Town, Penang. – The Malaysian Insight pic by David ST Loh, April 15, 2019.Children have the most fun at the Songkran festival at Wat Chaiyamangalaram in George Town, Penang. – The Malaysian Insight pic by David ST Loh, April 15, 2019.Consul-General of Thailand in Penang Sukoom Somprasonk prays with Thai monks at the Songkran festival at Wat Chaiyamangalaram in George Town, Penang. – The Malaysian Insight pic by David ST Loh, April 15, 2019.Thai monks pray at the Songkran festival at Wat Chaiyamangalaram in George Town, Penang. – The Malaysian Insight pic by David ST Loh, April 15, 2019.Thai monks and visitors avoid getting drenched at the Songkran festival at Wat Chaiyamangalaram in George Town, Penang. – The Malaysian Insight pic by David ST Loh, April 15, 2019.Devotees bathe Buddha statues with water at the Songkran festival at Wat Chaiyamangalaram in George Town, Penang. – The Malaysian Insight pic by David ST Loh, April 15, 2019.Children come fully geared for a 'fight' at the Songkran festival at Wat Chaiyamangalaram in George Town, Penang. – The Malaysian Insight pic by David ST Loh, April 15, 2019.Everyone gets a wetting at the Songkran festival at Wat Chaiyamangalaram in George Town, Penang. – The Malaysian Insight pic by David ST Loh, April 15, 2019.Water guns are the preferred 'weapon' at the Songkran festival at Wat Chaiyamangalaram in George Town, Penang. – The Malaysian Insight pic by David ST Loh, April 15, 2019.A couple have fun at the Songkran festival at Wat Chaiyamangalaram in George Town, Penang. – The Malaysian Insight pic by David ST Loh, April 15, 2019.A reveller makes good use of a plastic bag to get another wet at the Songkran festival, at Wat Chaiyamangalaram in George Town, Penang. – The Malaysian Insight pic by David ST Loh, April 15, 2019.
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