Sawadee Bei Mai! It is Thai New Year which is called Songkran or water festival during April 13 to 15..

Thai New Year is being celebrated all over Thailand and in various cities around the world where Thais live. There are many rituals that people participate in as part of the New Year blessings and Buddhist merit-making. One of these is the splashing of water. Water runs deep in the Thai New Year traditions, both symbolic of cleansing and renewal. These days we tend to recognize the throwing of large amounts of water as the epitome of the Songkran festivities and merry-making.

Also the custom of tying of strings is often done. This involves the tying of strings around the wrists of others and expressing good wishes for the New Year. The person recites short prayers of blessings spoken aloud to theprecipient of the strings. At Songkran a person could have as many as 25 or 30 strings on each wrist each from a different person, and these are to be left on until they fall off of their own accord.

Many Thais travel to their home villages for the celebrations and merry-making fun. In celebration of Songkran there is not a particular food that is eaten, but many dishes are enjoyed by family and friends. My recipe for Thai Lamb Sausages with Wasabi Mashed Potatoes is the perfect meal for Songkran.

Thai Lamb Sausages with Wasabi Mashed Potatoes
This is an amazing Thai taste lamb sausage served with kicked up mashed potatoes using wasabi for flavour and heat.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art56499.asp

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Mary-Anne Durkee, Thai Food Editor
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