Celebrate Songkran, the Thai New Year, with Janthra Spa!
Yes, you read that correctly: the year is 2567 in the Thai Buddhist calendar! That’s 543 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar, traditionally associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.
Every year, from 13 to 15 April, Thailand celebrates Songkran, a name derived from the Sanskrit word meaning “passage” or “transition”.
This national celebration is much more than simply welcoming a new year. It brings together tradition, spirituality and joyful festivities.
Across the country, from north to south, from Bangkok to Phuket, the streets come alive with music, laughter and, above all, plenty of water!
These three days are public holidays in Thailand, giving people the opportunity to take part in the celebrations and enjoy time with family and friends.
SONGKRAN: A SPIRITUAL CELEBRATION
Songkran symbolises purification, renewal and fresh beginnings.
It is a special time when Thai families come together to honour their ancestors and show gratitude to their elders.
One of the most meaningful traditions involves gently pouring scented water, often infused with jasmine or rose petals, over the hands of older family members as a gesture of respect and appreciation.
During the festivities, Buddhist temples are decorated with miniature pagodas and small sand structures known as chedis.
Visitors bring offerings to Buddha images and Buddhist monks, including fruit, flowers, water and even buckets of sand.
But why sand?
Traditionally, bringing sand to temples symbolises the return of sand carried away from temple grounds throughout the year. It is also associated with merit-making and the symbolic construction of sacred structures.
Religious ceremonies and processions featuring Buddha images are held throughout the country, while monks offer blessings to those taking part in the celebrations.
SONGKRAN: THAILAND’S FAMOUS WATER FESTIVAL
Water plays a central role in Thai New Year celebrations.
Traditionally, it symbolises purification, the washing away of misfortune and the welcoming of good fortune for the year ahead.
During Songkran, Buddha images are gently bathed with scented water as a gesture of reverence and spiritual renewal.
Over time, this beautiful tradition has evolved into one of Thailand’s most famous celebrations: the Songkran Water Festival!
Today, streets throughout the country become the setting for enormous, joyful water fights, with locals and visitors playfully splashing one another.
In some places, people also apply a little white powder or traditional paste to one another’s faces as part of the festivities.
The result is an unforgettable atmosphere of laughter, celebration and shared happiness.
Beyond its spiritual significance, Songkran is also an opportunity to celebrate life, strengthen family bonds and bring communities together.
Similar New Year celebrations take place in neighbouring countries, including Laos and Cambodia, each with its own traditions and customs.
CELEBRATE THE SPIRIT OF THAILAND AT JANTHRA SPA PARIS
At Janthra Spa, in the heart of Paris’s 6th arrondissement, we celebrate the Thai New Year with enthusiasm and gratitude.
But for us, the spirit of Songkran goes far beyond these three special days.
Throughout the year, we share the values of Thai hospitality, harmony and well-being through our traditional Thai massages and spa treatments.
Whether you are looking to unwind, reconnect with yourself or simply enjoy a moment of tranquillity, we invite you to discover the authentic art of Thai massage.
**Happy Songkran! สุขสันต์วันสงกรานต์
