Days after the traditional New Year had finished for the rest of the nation, the historic Mon community in Bangkok’s “green lung” began its Songkran celebrations on Friday.
The Mon people of Phra Pradaeng in Samut Prakan hold their New Year celebrations almost a week later, on April 21–23 this year, in place of the water splashing event, which is typically held on April 13–15.
Authorities in Samut Prakan organized the celebrations in conjunction with the Thai Tourism Authority. Water splashing began on Friday, and the festivities came to a close on Sunday with the Miss Songkran beauty pageant’s final round, which featured a procession of painted floats transporting competitors through the streets of Phra Pradaeng. On Sunday, devotees took part in Wat Prodket Chettharam’s merit-making rituals, which included releasing fish and birds back into the wild. To support the festive ambiance, participants were invited to wear traditional Mon attire or blouses with floral prints.
The Mon are believed to have been the earliest Southeast Asians to practice Buddhism, establishing kingdoms known as Dvarati over the area between the sixth and ninth century CE.
