This year's Songkran celebrations, including in Auckland, will be more subdued as the country continues to mourn for King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Photo / Jason Oxenham
This year's Songkran celebrations, including in Auckland, will be more subdued as the country continues to mourn for King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Photo / Jason Oxenham
The Thai community is celebrating its New Year this month, with its annual water festival - Songkran.
But it will be a sombre affair this year and one that many have not seen in more than 70 years, as the country continues to observe the loss of their late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
The 88-year-old leader died in October last year.
He had been on the throne since he was 18 - therefore ending 70 years at the helm.
There will be very few water fights and big splashing displays when the official New Year celebrations start next week.
In Bangkok, local officials are calling on people to refrain from using high-pressured water guns, drinking alcohol or wearing overly revealing clothing.
In Auckland, Songkran festivities will be held at the Watyarnprateep Buddhist Temple, in Kelston, on Sunday.
NZ Thai Society president Songvut Manoonpong said instead of being held at a park, the event would be centred around a special ceremony and prayers held at the temple.
"It will be a very simple Songkran festival at the temple, but we will still celebrate with water.''
Water is a key part of the celebrations as traditionally, people pour water on Buddha statues to mark the occasion.
The water represents purity and washing away bad luck.
A monk blesses followers during the Thai new year celebration and bathing of the Buddha in Auckland in previous years. Photo / Greg Bowker
Manoonpong said the Auckland event will also include rituals where people present food to the local monks. Prayers and chants are said.
"We pour water on the palms of the elderly. They have senior people sitting up and young people go up to them and pour water on their hands and on the Buddha.
"It's a once a year [ritual] and it is special.''
Manoonpong acknowledged that for many people this would be the first time New Year celebrations would be so subdued.
But it was a sign of respect for the much-loved king.
Manoonpong, 68, said he - like many Thai people - had grown up with King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the throne.
"When I was a little boy growing up, he was the king. He's been the king for many of us for 70 years.''
Although festivities will be somewhat sombre this weekend, traditional Thai food stalls and performances are still included at this year's festival and people from all backgrounds and all ages are invited to come along to the free event.
***Thai Songkran in Auckland will be held at the Buddhist Temple in Kelston, 99 Sabulite Rd, from 9am - 4.30pm Sunday, Apr 9.
People of all ages are invited to this year's Songkran celebrations in Kelston, Auckland, on Sunday. Photo / Bradley Ambrose
