タイの正月・ソンクラン/ Songkran; New year in Thai Calendar

タイの暦では4月の中旬が正月。一番暑い季節、タイの人たちは故郷で家族とともに正月を過ごす。日本で言えば盆と正月が一緒に来た感じ。正月に仏像を清めたり年配の人に敬意を払って水を振りかえたのが、今はだんだんエスカレートして道行く人々に水鉄砲やホースで容赦なく水を掛け合い白い粉を塗りあうようになったらしい。一度外に出たらびしょぬれにならずに家に帰ってくるのは至難の技。

Middle of April, hottest season and the new year of Thai calendar, many Thai peoples go back their home town and spend with their family. It seems most exiting and important time in Thai, you may say like a festival combined new year and “Bon” festival in Japan. Originally, people used to pour a small amount of water to the statues of Buddha or elderly people with their respect but nowadays you can splash water to anyone you meet on the street except monks with water-gun, water-hose or everything you can use. Once you go outside streets you can not come back without soaking.