Although most of us are in Christmas preparation mode right now, we can’t forget about the holiday that comes just one week later: New Year’s Day! In Thailand, a relatively small number of people celebrate Christmas as the population is predominantly Buddhist. However, December 31st and January 1st are public holidays, and the Thai people celebrate by spending time with their families and enjoying great food together. And you can do the same when you visit our Thai restaurant in Massachusetts, White Coconut Thai!
Although January 1st is a significant date in Thailand, there is also a separate celebration of the Thai New Year. This is the Songkran festival, which takes place on April 13th. The celebration coincides with the rising of the constellation Ares. To honor the new year, people travel to Buddhist temples to give food to the monks. Water is also an essential part of the Songkran traditions, as it symbolizes washing away the sins and bad luck of the previous year and starting over in the new year. Pouring water over Buddha statues is a common practice, and major streets are closed for water fights. Participants of all ages splash water on each other to have a clean start to the new year.
In Thailand, the official New Year was in April for centuries until it was moved to January first to match the rest of the world in 1940. Songkran is still a national holiday in Thailand, but they also celebrate the calendar New Year on January 1.
Thai celebrations of the calendar New Year are pretty similar to what we do here. Family is very important in Thai culture. During the winter holidays, Thai people will return to their hometowns to spend time with their families. They make meals together and prepare for the new year. Seafood is a common feature of the New Year’s meal, and restaurants are packed with locals and tourists alike.
Countdown parties are also popular in Thailand, just as they are here. People gather for street parties as they count down to midnight while they enjoy lighting displays, fireworks, and laser shows.
Your New Year’s celebration may not rival a street party in Bangkok, but you can still have a great time at your favorite Thai restaurant in Massachusetts! Get your favorites or try something new and ring in the new year with friends, family, and food.
In celebration of the Holidays.
White Coconut will be closed Christmas Eve through to December 26ᵗʰ.
We will be reopening on Friday, December 27ᵗʰ.