This past week, The Sunday Morning Brunch had the joy of immersing ourselves in the spirit of Songkran, Thailand’s vibrant and deeply symbolic New Year festival, with an event hosted at the Royal Thai restaurant at the Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo.
Celebrated annually from 13 April, Songkran, the Thai celebration of the New Year, is a time for renewal, reflection, and reconnection. Rooted in Buddhist tradition, the festival places a strong emphasis on purification, respect for elders, and spiritual cleansing.
While it is globally known for its joyous water fights and street celebrations, at its core, Songkran is a festival of gratitude and fresh beginnings. While the celebrations at Royal Thai weren’t as boisterous as the traditional street festivities in Thailand, they did offer guests a refined and authentic cultural experience.
Attendees had the opportunity to indulge in exquisite Thai cuisine specially curated for the occasion, with dishes that paid homage to the rich culinary heritage of Thailand. Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to Sri Lanka Paitoon Mahapannaporn addressed the gathering, highlighting the significance of Songkran and the long-standing friendship between Thailand and Sri Lanka.
The Ambassador noted that it was meaningful for both nations to share similar cultural rhythms, especially with New Year festivals that coincided and reflected a deep connection with nature. “Songkran is not just about celebration, but about renewal, respect, and moving forward with clarity and compassion,” he shared.
The Songkran celebrations at the Royal Thai focused on food, presenting dishes that celebrated the ingredients and flavours of Thai cuisine.
The term Songkran comes from a Sanskrit phrase meaning ‘passage of the sun,’ symbolising the transition into a new astrological phase. Central to the celebration is the use of water, not just for fun but also as a sacred element to cleanse away misfortune and welcome new blessings. In Thailand, the festival officially begins on 13 April and traditionally continues for three days, although some regions extend the festivities even longer.
A reminder of home
Reflecting on the nature of Songkran, Archen Aydin, a Thai national currently residing in Sri Lanka shared with Brunch: “It is nice that the hotel is doing this, because for people like me, staying away from home for several months now and unable to go back for Songkran, it really means something.”
Aydin also shared insights into the more spiritual aspects of Songkran as celebrated in his home country. “Back home, my family – we are Buddhist – engages in some religious practices for the New Year as well,” he explained. “We prepare for the New Year by cleaning together as a family, and on New Year’s day, we wake up early during Songkran and visit Buddhist temples, where we bring offerings such as food and listen to monks as they preach.”
Describing one of the most meaningful rituals of the festival, he said: “There is this practice of sprinkling clean or scented water over statues of the Buddha – water is a massive part of Songkran. It represents purification and good fortune. Younger people also pour water on the hands of elderly relatives and friends to show their respect and ask for blessings in the coming year.”
Acknowledging the similar spirit of Sri Lanka’s own Avurudu celebrations, he described them as equally joyous and community-building, but noted that the opportunity to reconnect with his own cultural roots made this event especially meaningful.
“I think Sri Lanka does a good job at Thai food. They come very close to our cuisine and it’s quite accessible here as well. Of course, there’s Royal Thai and that’s lovely, but I have also visited a number of other Thai restaurants when I’m feeling homesick, and I have been quite impressed by Sri Lanka’s take on Thai food,” Aydin said.
He added that the Royal Thai’s Songkran experience showed great attention to detail and a vibrant ambience that brought visitors like him a comforting sense of home. He was particularly excited to witness the traditional Thai performances and symbolic rituals, which, he said “beautifully reflected the renewal and prosperity at the heart of Songkran”.
Another Thai native living in Sri Lanka, Tipnaree Weerawatnodom, affectionately known as ‘Namtan,’ also shared her perspectives on Songkran. “I’m half Filipino, half Thai, but because I grew up in Thailand, I’m more used to celebrating Songkran.
“What I miss the most, because I have been in Sri Lanka for the past two years and have missed Songkran twice now, is the fun element. In Thailand, especially where I’m from in Pattaya, it’s a huge party – there are concerts and street-wide water fights.”
For Namtan, Songkran is a blend of tradition and joy. “Honouring family traditions and religious practices are important parts of Songkran,” she said. “But so is having some fun. For us, as university students back in the day, Songkran was all about street parties, loud music, and a giant friendly water fight.
“Everyone would collect water in buckets, grab squirt guns and Super Soakers – those became a hot-ticket item – and hit the streets to playfully splash each other. It’s a good thing April is one of the hottest months of the year in Thailand,” she laughed.
Namtan noted how meaningful it was to see elements of her culture reflected in the Colombo celebration, even if the energy was more serene than the exuberant scenes back home. The event, she said, “was a sweet reminder of home and a beautiful tribute to the many ways Songkran is celebrated”.
Celebrating universal themes
While Songkran’s massive water fights and bustling city-wide parties are what often draw the eye, it is the quieter, more intimate traditions that hold the deepest emotional weight, especially for Thai nationals living abroad.
The symbolic cleansing through water, the blessings shared between generations, and the merit-making practices are rituals woven into personal memory and family legacy. For those who cannot return home during the festival, these customs represent more than celebration; they are acts of remembrance and reconnection.
In places like Sri Lanka, where multiculturalism thrives, hosting culturally significant events like Songkran helps bridge the gap between nostalgia and belonging.
For many Thai residents, the ability to celebrate Songkran, whether through a shared meal, a traditional dance performance, or a symbolic water offering, offers a sense of grounding. It keeps them close to the values, rhythms, and emotions that shaped them.
At the same time, these events offer locals and other nationalities a chance to witness the richness of Thai heritage beyond the tourist brochures, through authentic practices that reflect the soul of the people.
Moreover, the growing popularity of Songkran celebrations in global cities speaks to its universal themes: letting go of the past, cleansing the soul, seeking blessings, and embracing joy. These are values that resonate across cultures.
The festivities, whether subdued or spirited, act as both a cultural marker and a joyful release, welcoming a new year not with solemnity alone, but with gratitude, water, and laughter.