Songkran Tradition: From Thai New Year to Water Battlefield and Cultural Philosophy

Abstract

This academic article aims to study and analyze the phenomenon of Songkran tradition in contemporary Thai society using two main theoretical frameworks: Buddhist philosophy to understand the roots of the original meaning that emphasizes spiritual values and community relationships, and post-modern philosophy to explore changes, fragmentation of meanings, and the role of cultural politics. The results of the study indicate that Songkran today no longer exists in a single Buddhist meaning, but has become a space of clashes between religious grand narratives and various local narratives driven by consumerism, media, and state discourse. The tradition has transformed into a hyperreality where the image of fun replaces the spiritual essence and has become a battleground for cultural power negotiations between different groups in society. Understanding Songkran through these two frameworks helps reveal the complexities of the existence of traditions in the postmodern world in a profound way.