Every April, Thailand and several other Southeast Asian countries celebrate Songkran, the traditional New Year marked by the lunar calendar. Beyond returning home to visit family, Thais observe this special occasion by making merit at temples together, beginning the year with goodness and joy. Songkran is also widely known as the “Water Festival,” where young people cool off in the scorching April heat by splashing water on one another in streets and public areas.
On 13 April 2017, the 7th Batch MVPH students joined the Songkran Parade with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University. Alongside local residents and community organizations, participants paraded through Chiang Mai, carrying Buddha images from Nawarat Bridge on the Mae Ping River to Tha Pae Gate before reaching the final destination at Wat Phra Singh.
In addition to celebrations, Songkran is a time to pay homage to ancestors, elders, and respected individuals by offering blessings with water. On 28 April 2017, MVPH students participated in this annual ceremony at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, honoring the cultural and spiritual traditions of Songkran.