During the Songkran holiday in Bangkok, Thailand, people celebrate by splashing water on each other to mark the Thai New Year. This festival is also significant on the Buddhist calendar in Southeast Asia. In Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh, large crowds gathered to kick off the four-day Khmer New Year celebration called Choul Chnam Thmey. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet extended well wishes for the Year of the Dragon to bring blessings of longevity, nobility, happiness, strength, and wisdom to all Cambodian people amidst global uncertainties, emphasizing a commitment to growth and prosperity.
The Chinese embassy in Cambodia also sent their well-wishes to the people of Cambodia. In Laos, the Pi Mai Lao water festival was celebrated from Saturday to Thursday. Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith extended his best wishes to people in Laos and Lao citizens abroad during the Lao New Year celebrations. Thongloun participated in the Songkran New Year parade in Luang Prabang, where he performed a traditional blessing ritual by sprinkling scented flower water on guests. Zhang Sheping, the Chinese consul general in Luang Prabang, also followed local customs by sprinkling water to show his wishes and respect.
The Chinese embassy in Laos conveyed well-wishes to the people of Laos and the Chinese community residing in the country. Meanwhile, in Myanmar, despite ongoing internal conflicts, the water festival, known as Thingyan, is being celebrated from Saturday to Tuesday, leading up to the Myanmar New Year on Wednesday. In Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, Songkran festivities took place from Thursday to Monday, featuring various parades, and cultural performances were also held in five other major locations throughout the country.
The Chinese embassy in Thailand shared a video on their official WeChat account featuring China's Ambassador to Thailand Han Zhiqiang and embassy staff participating in water fights, singing, and traditional Thai dance in celebration of the festival. Songkran is seen as a way to encourage collaboration, unity, and forgiveness within the community, as mentioned by Bhokin Bhalakula, former speaker of the Thai Parliament. Bhokin highlighted that the joy of Songkran is not confined to Thai people alone, but is also celebrated by individuals in neighboring countries like Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, and parts of southwest China. He emphasized the cultural bonds that are strengthened during this occasion, despite some differences, promoting peace and shared beliefs between the communities.
The scene is stunning, resembling a colorful garden full of different flowers.
