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Songkran

1. Water Fights 2. Merit Making 3. Miss Songkran 4. Processions... 5. Songkran...

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Songkran Traditions - 007

Songkran Traditions - 007

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Merit Making

Size: 20 items

Merit making is a regular practice in the life of most Thais, but during Songkran, the Thai New Year, the practice becomes that much more fervent. On one morning of Songkran, devotees will gather at the Thapae gate and offer food and supplies to the large groups of monks that gather there for the ritual.

Thai people believe that merit making will bring them both happiness and the strength to overcome the obstacles they may face in their lives. Further, the merit they accumulate will help them find a place in heaven when they die.

The ritual itself is a beautiful and humbling one as people crowd together to form a narrow path down which the monks can walk with their alms bowls at their sides. As they pass, they receive so many gifts, their bowls have to be regularly emptied by helpers walking next to them.

Songkran Merit Making - 001

Songkran Merit Making - 001

Buddhist monks participate in morning merit-making...

Songkran Merit Making - 002

Songkran Merit Making - 002

Buddhist monks participate in morning merit-making...

Songkran Merit Making - 003

Songkran Merit Making - 003

Buddhist monks participate in morning merit-making...

Songkran Merit Making - 004

Songkran Merit Making - 004

Buddhist monks participate in morning merit-making...

Songkran Merit Making - 005

Songkran Merit Making - 005

Buddhist monks participate in morning merit-making...

Songkran Merit Making - 006

Songkran Merit Making - 006

A young Thai girl makes a symbol of greeting called a wai.

Songkran Merit Making - 007

Songkran Merit Making - 007

Buddhist monks participate in morning merit-making...

Songkran Merit Making - 008

Songkran Merit Making - 008

Buddhist monks participate in morning merit-making...

Songkran Merit Making - 009

Songkran Merit Making - 009

Buddhist monks participate in morning merit-making...

Songkran Merit Making - 010

Songkran Merit Making - 010

Buddhist monks participate in morning merit-making...

Songkran Merit Making - 011

Songkran Merit Making - 011

Buddhist monks participate in morning merit-making...

Songkran Merit Making - 012

Songkran Merit Making - 012

Buddhist monks participate in morning merit-making...

Songkran Merit Making - 013

Songkran Merit Making - 013

A mother and daughter release birds from a cage to gain...

Songkran Merit Making - 014

Songkran Merit Making - 014

Women release birds from a cage to gain good luck in...

Songkran Merit Making - 015

Songkran Merit Making - 015

A woman releases birds from a cage to gain good luck in...

Songkran Merit Making - 016

Songkran Merit Making - 016

Worshippers prepare to give food to monks during...

Songkran Merit Making - 017

Songkran Merit Making - 017

Buddhist monks participate in morning merit-making...

Songkran Merit Making - 018

Songkran Merit Making - 018

Buddhist monks participate in morning merit-making...

Songkran Merit Making - 019

Songkran Merit Making - 019

Buddhist monks participate in morning merit-making...

Songkran Merit Making - 020

Songkran Merit Making - 020

Buddhist monks participate in morning merit-making...