Water, water everywhere and everyone soaked to the skin!! This seems to be the situation in Thailand at the time of Songkran, the Thai New Year. I was privileged to be present to witness Songkran 2010 in all its watery glory. The sight of young children running around with plastic water guns in their hands and buckets filled with water not too far behind, greeted me wherever I went. Though I was thoroughly drenched, I couldn’t hold back a smile at the bizarre yet amusing tradition of throwing water as celebration!

This tradition apparently traces back to ancient beliefs regarding Nagas or mythical serpents that brought about rain by spewing water from the seas. Since the Songkran month is the hottest month of the entire year in Thailand, throwing water symbolizes the wish for heavy rains.

The Songkran Festival takes place between April 13 and 15 every year and great festivities mark the grand occasion. This fateful year, however, the revelry and merry making was cut short by the Red Shirt protesters who soaked the capital city in the color of blood. Unending rallies, shoot-outs and mass protests threatened the onset of doom for Thailand.

As tourists we felt afraid to venture on the Thai roads and feared violent encounters such as we had heard of, the Thai people went about their business as usual. Spurts of water still ensued to counter the bloodshed and the city still gleamed in Gold, reed diffusers sweetly wafted up the streets. The Golden Land of Thailand seemed unperturbed and resolute in the face of crisis.

Now, when I look back at the spirited efforts of Thailand to make the Songkran a new beginning for itself, I salute the courage shown by its people. My stay in Thailand was not only pleasurable due to the various dances, parades and absolute splendor of the Songkran 2010 but it was strangely satisfying. I feel content knowing that in the battle of good vs. evil, whoever may eventually triumph, celebration of life still goes on.