Thai Songkran Festival: Impact of Tourism

Porananond, Poysri. “Tourism and the Transformation of Ritual Practice with Sand Pagodas in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand.”Tourism Review, vol. 70, no. 3, 2015, pp. 165-178.

The article examines the transformation processes in Thais traditional practices and use of sand during Songkran Festivals in Northern Thailand. The author uses a historical approach to understand historical ritual of the sand pagoda and ethnographic methods to collect data of contemporary practices regarding deployment off sand pagoda. The researcher finds out that tourism, commoditization process, market economy, a decline of Buddhism and societal secularization adversely influence the customary theories surrounding sand pagodas during Songkran Festivities in Northern Thailand. This article is helpful in understanding the influence of peripheral factors particularly tourism and the growing commoditization of previously sanctified Thai spaces.

Agarwal, Ruchi. ”Water Festival of Thailand: The Indian Connection.”Silpakorn University International Journal, vol. 9, no. 10, 2009, pp. 7-18.

In the article, the author discusses the Indian connection of the Thai Songkran Festivals. The author notes that the Thais and Indians share numerous cultural, religious and linguistic heritage with the most common one being the Songkran and Loy Krathong festivals. The article points out critical elements of both the Songkran and Loy Krathong festivals by describing that, although both the centenaries are feted in Thailand and India with different tags, they serve the same drive of bringing spiritual grace and healthy growth among the people. Also, in both cases, water is used to ”cleanse” bad luck and bring prosperity and blessing for the people, for the coming year. I found this article particularly interesting and helpful in illustrating the religious-cultural connection between India and Thailand.

Tourism Thailand. ”Songkran Splendours.”Tourism Thailand, 2018, www.tourismthailand.org\/fileadmin\/upload_img\/Home_news\/Info_of_Songkran_Festival_2015.pdf

The author discusses the origin, history, and meaning of Songkran Festivals in Thailand. The article states that the word ”Songkran” means ”change” or transformation of the Zodiac signs. It describes that the crucial driving force behind the celebration is the portrayal of love, hospitality, and relationship in communities, societies, and families. Elaborating on the key elements of the Songkran Festival of 2015 the author allows the reader to understand the organization put in place to make such events successful. Not only do Thais participate in Miss Songkran competition and ”Phutta Bang Lumpooprachanath” but also Urban Songkran where public prays are organized, and people have a chance to pour scented water to Buddha image. I found the article interesting because people might think that the Songkran Festival is only about splashing water, but it has a deeper meaning and role in the Thais culture.

Tsai Lung & Kongkidakarn, Sakulsinlapakorn. ”Exploring Tourists’ Push and Pull Travel Motivations to Participate in Songkran Festival in Thailand as a Tourist Destination: A Case of Taiwanese Visitors .”Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Management, vol. 4, no. 5, 2016, pp. 183-197.

The article explores the travel motivations of Taiwanese visitors to participate in Songkran Festivals in Thailand. The key elements include psychological factors, destination factors and the intention to join in the Songkran Festivals. The authors goes on to state that Taiwanese visitors go to such festivities with the aim of relaxing and getting the experience in a foreign land while having an enjoyable time with their loved ones. Moreover, the author’s points out crucial aspects of the Songkran festivities such as the image of Songkran, the delicious Thai food and the hospitable Thai culture that attract the Taiwanese tourists. The article is helpful because it provides useful information about the popularity of the Songkran Festival among international tourists and revelers.

Works Cited

Agarwal, Ruchi. “Water Festival of Thailand: The Indian Connection.”Silpakorn University International Journal, vol. 9, no. 10, 2009, pp. 7-18. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279014126_Water_Festivals_of_Thailand_The_Indian_Connection

Porananond, Poysri. ”Tourism and the transformation of ritual practice with sand pagodas in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand.”Tourism Review, vol. 70, no. 3 (2015): pp. 165-178. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280603333_Tourism_and_the_transformation_of_ritual_practice_with_sand_pagodas_in_Chiang_Mai_Northern_Thailand

Tourism Thailand. ”Songkran Splendours.”Tourism Thailand, 2018, www.tourismthailand.org/fileadmin/upload_img/Home_news/Info_of_Songkran_Festival_2015.pdf

Tsai Lung & Kongkidakarn, Sakulsinlapakorn. ”Exploring Tourists’ Push and Pull Travel Motivations to Participate in Songkran Festival in Thailand as a Tourist Destination: A Case of Taiwanese Visitors .”Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Management, vol. 4, no. 5, 2016, pp. 183-197. https://www.davidpublisher.org/Public/uploads/Contribute/58ca488c6ea05.pdf