Analyzing Songkran: Thailand's New Year Festival and its Impact

This essay provides an overview of the Songkran festival in Thailand, a New Year celebration marked by a water festival. It delves into the history of the event, tracing its origins to the spring-cleaning rituals associated with Buddha images. The essay examines the festival's literature, highlighting its impact on tourism, cultural values, and the Thai economy. It further discusses the positive and negative impacts of Songkran, including its social, economic, and cultural dimensions, as well as the challenges related to accidents and alcohol consumption. The experiences and meanings associated with the festival are explored, emphasizing its significance to the Thai people and the importance of respecting elders and traditions. Finally, the essay analyzes the stakeholders involved in the event and the principles of sustainability that are essential for its long-term viability. Desklib provides students access to similar solved assignments and resources.

1Running head: FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
Festivals and Events
Author’s Name
Institution Affiliation

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Festivals and Events
Introduction and History of the Event
Introduction
Festivals are the ways of enjoying a country’s culture. The feature of celebrating festivals
or enjoying events is solely to cherish the life fully in a varied way. Events are organized for the
people to precisely understand different human cultures. It is a way of celebrating what people
possess and celebrating it. Festivals held in a country attract tourists, which largely influences the
nations in all possible ways (Cudny, 2013). Additionally, events are defined as something that is
essential and forms a vital component of human life. It involves a set of situations that are
temporarily organized with noteworthy incidences at a definite time and place. Planned events
turn a location into an exciting environment, which readily contributes to the consumption and
exploration of the culture (Valentino, 2015).
History of the Event
Thailand celebrates its new year with an ultimate water battle, which commences on the
month of April on a yearly basis. This annual festival is known as Songkran. In this particular
festival, entire country is found to be enjoying their work-offs, family time, visiting temples, and
partying (Carruthers, 2018). The water battle celebrated during this time is also known as Thai
Water Festival. This custom of celebrating it is considered to be a way of finding its origin from
spring-cleaning feature of Buddha. Part of the ceremony belongs to cleaning the images of
Buddha with peace and dedication. The words ‘Songkran’ has been derived from Sanskrit, which
depicts the sun’s movement from one zodiac sign to the other. The importance of Songkran is
when the sun enters the zodiac sign of Aries. The date of celebrating Songkran was decided by

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astrological calculations but it has been changed. At present, it starts from April 13 of each year
(Office Holidays, 2018).
The festival is all about cleaning the houses, purification of mind, and body along with
living life in a new way. During this festival, Buddha’s statues are taken to be washed with
flower-scented water. This festival is a way of celebrating a day while paying respect to Buddha
and the elderly. Sprinkling water on people symbolizes the wishes of getting rid from negative
thoughts as well as actions. Chiang Mai is the place, where the wildest celebration takes place
every year and other places, which hosts this festival includes- Bangkok and Phuket among other
tourist destinations (Rodgers, 2018). The festival starts from the early morning with the
Buddhists individuals visiting temples for receiving devotional favor from the monks and listen
to the spiritual words of Dhamma. In the afternoon, people of Thailand offer their prayers to
Buddha by sprinkling water on his statue. People residing in Thailand believe that respect for
elders and peace within oneself is necessary for leading a life without committing any sins.
Establishing goodness within oneself by driving away the bad omen is the primary purpose of
organizing this festival (Tourism Authority of Thailand, 2014).
Literature Review
Festivals are often considered to a priod in calendar year, which allows people to of enjoy
time without any worry and involving in cultural celebrations leaving all work aside. The people
of Thailand celebrate Songkran festival whole-heartedly. This festival has a significant impact on
the country, as holding such wide- known celebrations encourage the economy and tourist-
related factors. Tsai & Sakulsinlapakorn (2016) stated that a campaign of Cultural Ministry of
Thailand recommends the citizens to purchase scented water, garlands, fabric clothes, and
handicrafts. This is mainly to increase the profit level margin largely. Similarly, Getz (2008) has

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provided importance for conducting events as the sole reason of encouraging tourism in the
country. In addition, the planned events increase the significance of destination competitiveness.
Wongsawat (2015) further stated that this festival adds enriching value in an individual’s life.
The values, which are considered to be essential for an individual to lead a peaceful life includes
values for family, community, society, and religion. Values of Songkarn festival is decorated
when the Thai culture is presented. The features of Thai culture exhibits the intensification of
family bonds, pleasure in giving away, culturally satisfied, unity in domestic matters,
improvement of folk music along with dance and displaying the beauty of Thai language
(Wongsawat, 2015).
Importance of festivals and events are well explained by Popescu & Corboş (2012)
indicating that the events represent the country to the tourists. In this context, event management
increases tourism within the country. The tourist industry is mainly influenced by the long-held
events in a country or by the events, which are organized with global fame attached to it. An
event not only attracts the tourists but it also draws the attention of the industries and companies
to make investments (Popescu & Corboş 2012). Author, Mair & Whitford (2013) discusses the
topics that are related to themes, topics, and modern-day trends. The variations in themes that are
related to the event also are also perceived as one of the major influential factors for managing
the growth of tourism industry. Investors have the tendency to sponsor the events for its own
betterment. Countries can be highly influenced by the growth of events in Thailand. Events are
organized to exhibit the cultural phase of a country in many ways. Additionally, the events are
necessary to understand the actual growth of the specific country. Thus, Thailand possesses own
culture along with society to flaunt in its best way by organizing an event.

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Lesić, Brščić & Ružić (2017) has described the impact of event experience more on its
participants as compared to the attendees. The participants depend on the proper execution of the
event. Contextually, events are primarily held to provide an entertaining break from the usual
work. The participants are the stakeholders, who look forward for more business from the events.
Hernández-Mogollón, Folgado-Fernández & Duarte, (2014) has explained the impact of events
in the tourism industry. This industry has been largely affected due to increasing globalization
and countries have started competing with each other for optimal positioning. Events play
significant role in contributing their part for boosting the competitiveness of destinations. The
content or the themes of the events are derived from the destination’s resources. Furthermore, it
can also be sorted depending on its major five factors such as location, content, dimension,
significance, and span. An event contributes to the development of scientific oriented knowledge
of that particular destination. The purpose of hosting events and festivals helps in fostering
tourism portion of the particular location. Events are hosted with some objective, be it social,
economical, or political development (Hernández-Mogollón, Folgado-Fernández & Duarte,
2014).
Zarantonello & Schmitt (2013) have discussed the importance of event marketing on an
impartial display of brand. The companies during the events are primarily focusing on promoting
their business to all the people, who are present in that particular event. Brand attitude along with
behavior towards an event is important, as big planned events can never take place without the
support of a brand or an established company in the form of sponsorship.
Event planning includes some steps, which are required to follow, which is illustrated in
the Figure 1 below:

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Event Planning
Develop
Idea
Planning
Task
Allocation
Budget &
Venue
Bookings
&
Permissions
Gathering
Sponsors
Marketing
Leaders
and
Volunteers
Selection
Conducting
the Event
Figure 1: Wheel Diagram of Planning Events
Source: Downtown Rochester, 2016
The planning of events requires the above-illustrated steps to be performed. Idea has to
be generated with respect to the theme of the event. Planning should be executed, as it is
necessary for determining the future course of work. Only after then, work has to be allocated
equally among the associated members so that everything works in accordance to the plan. While
hosting the event, it becomes essential for preparing a certain budget on the location for
organizing the event. Budgets are important, as it influences all the factors that are to be
implemented in the future steps of event planning. Booking of the venue and attaining
permission are some of the most important aspects for successfully hosting an event. Hosting of
events is impossible without proper sponsorship, it involves large amount of capital for
organizing it. Sponsors financially influence the events at large. Marketing of the event is
required so that it can draw the attention of the tourists. Selection of perfect leaders and

7FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
volunteers are important for organizing an event, as they have to properly execute the given
orders. Finally, implementing all the steps relate to the planning events can help in the
development of the country (Downtown Rochester, 2016)
Positive and Negative Impacts and Outcomes
Songkarn festival directly influences the social, economic, and cultural aspect of the
country. It has largely contributed to the country’s development. Financially, companies,
investors, and stakeholders all look forward to this particular event, as it attracts large number of
tourists. Additionally, it also enables the growth of tourism industry. Socially, this event further
assists the communities to enjoy it fully without any restrictions. Songkarn has a significant
impact on the country’s culture, as it flaunts its overall resources to the world (Lauzon, N.D.)
Negative impacts of involve casualties, which are often caused by heavy consumption of
alcohol during the event. The days of events are declared as holidays by the government of
Thailand and so people indulge themselves in merriment, which results in meeting fatal results
such as accidents. It has become a matter of concern for the country’s police, as the death reports
are increasing each year. Steps are taken to avoid this type of situations but still it could not be
prevented completely (Online Reporters, 2018).
Outcomes of the positive as well as negative effect of the awaited festival have resulted
into cautiousness among the country’s authorities and police so that the event can be enjoyed
completely without any hurdle.
Experiences and meanings
The people in Thailand experience peaceful days during this event. These days are meant
to depict immense respect towards Buddha and the elders. Globalization has brought many

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changes, however, the elderly Thai old women try their best to hold onto their traditional ancient
cultures intact. This day starts with elderly women preparing food themselves that are to be
offered to the monks. The experience of Songkran differs among the different-age groups.
However, the elderly people still have maintained their culture (Wright-St Clair, Bunrayong,
Vittayakorn, Rattakorn & Hocking, 2004). Songkarn has is observed to have a great significance
among the people of Thailand. It symbolizes the advent with all new thoughts and actions (Asia
Web Direct, 2018)
Stakeholders Impact
The stakeholders are the one that have immense interest in a specific business or an
event. Their aim is to gain profits from the place, where they invest their money. Stakeholders
are directly affected with any company or event achieving their goals (Pinheiro, 2015).
Stakeholders are mainly of three types, which include internal, external, and interface
stakeholders. Contextually, internal stakeholders have their section within their own
organization, which in case of Songkarn involves the organizers. On the other hand, external
stakeholders include those who operate outside the organization. Finally, interface stakeholders
are the ones, who work simultaneously internally and externally. Competitiveness in organizing
events has increased for drawing the attention of the stakeholders that involves- policy-makers,
customers, and investors. The stakeholders directly influence events, as they are temporary
however, it needs large capital for successfully organizing and hosting it. The investors are going
to be benefitted with the events, as the profits earned by the event have to be directly divided
among them as per the norms (Greg & Wilson, 2004).

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Principles of Sustainability
Sustainability principles are the processes, which determine the equal balance between
the country’s population and the environment, which in this case is Thailand. Events have to
monitor that there is no violation of the principles of sustainability while they are hosting the
festivals. In this context, Songkarn festival also needs to follow sustainability principle, which
involves social aspects by preserving the norms and finding opportunities by enhancing the
society as a whole. Proper sustaining has to provide importance to the environmental aspect,
where ecosystem should be balanced and measures should be taken to preserve the environment.
Principle of sustainability also comprises balance in the country’s economy by earning the same
amount of profit as that of expenditure. Living within a country directly indicates sustaining the
culture. Principles related to cultural aspect demands its conservation at any cost (Ben-Eli, 2015).
Conclusion
Based on the study findings, it can be stated that events and festivals are necessary to
provide people entertained in a varied way. The event takes place for a specific period of days
and ensures development of the nation on a whole. Thailand people live their life to the fullest
with the Songkran event, as it has become an essential part of their tradition and helps in
attracting tourists from all over the world. The aim of the Songkran event is to drive away the
bad omen and wait for a pure awakening.

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