University of Missouri-Columbia

 
IPSI Newsletter, International Programs and Strategic Initiatives


IPSI Division Offices
Asian Affairs Center
Cambio Center
European Union Center
International Center

Resources
Economic Development
Internationalization at MU
UM System
International Student
Organizations

Grand Songkran Thai New Year & Water Festival Makes a Big Splash at MU

Print Version

By Pichet Wuttisirisart, Thamonwan Thawornthaweewong, and Chatchai Pinthuprapa

On the Rod Nam Dam Hua water-sprinkling ceremony, six honored guests where chosen to represent the “Elders” of the MU community: including Chancellor Brady Deaton, Provost Brian Foster, Vice-Provost Handy Williamson, Dr. Andrew Clarke, Sang Kim and Valerie Goodin.
Songkran is a Thai traditional New Year celebration that starts on April 13 each year and lasts for 3 days. It is easily the most important and grandest festival on the Thai calendar. In Thailand, Songkran celebrates Thai traditions that developed around a more ancient, agricultural lifestyle. Freed from regular work routines, Thais perform annual rites that show respect to the ancestors. One highlight of the festival is when younger Thais pay respects to their elders by sprinkling their hands with scented water, called Rod Nam Dam Hua. This is when the famous water fights break out on every street. At MU, the Thai Student Association (Thai-SA) decided to simulate aspects of the original Songkran as a fun way of introducing mid-Missouri college students to Thai culture.

One of the objectives of Thai-SA is to make Thai culture accessible to MU students and faculty, for those who are interested in learning more about Thailand and its people. To that end, they have organized the MU Songkran Festival, one of several events the association brings to the university. For the second year running, Thai-SA and its sponsors – including the Office of the Vice Provost for International Programs and Strategic Initiatives - have brought the Thai Songkran to MU, and once again it enthusiastically received.

On the sunny expanse of the South Quad, seven manned tent booths were built for the festival. The North, North-East, Central and South booths represented four regions of Thailand through their respective artifacts, tourist information, culturally distinctive items, and -- best of all -- FOOD! The North-East tent featured a live cooking demonstration. Everything was freshly made and distributed.

A general information booth provided basic data on Thailand 's history, geography, monetary system, music, movies, and cultural survival tips. The fact that this event was co-sponsored by the Tourism Authority of Thailand guaranteed that the presentation was more impressive than most. In Thailand, the King is widely loved and respected, so a “King” tent was also built to provide information about the monarchy. At each booth, Thai-SA members were available to answer any and all questions posed by curious students, faculty, and staff.

Finally, there was a game booth at which attendees could obtain “passports” that were to be stamped at each of the booths, upon which they became eligible to win one of several prizes, including a rice cooker, an MU Bookstore gift card, Thai souvenirs, and packages of Thai-style instant noodles. The event's grand prize, open only to registered MU students, was an all-expenses paid trip to anywhere in Thailand.

As the major touchpoint for the MU Songkran, the Rod Nam Dam Hua water-sprinkling ceremony took place early in the festival, and six honored guests where chosen to represent the “Elders” of the MU community: including Chancellor Brady Deaton, Provost Brian Foster, Vice-Provost Handy Williamson, Dr. Andrew Clarke, Sang Kim and Valerie Goodin.

At the height of the festival, lunchtime attendees were entertained by performers from the Thai temple in St. Louis , who presented a full hour of Thai music and traditional dance. As the festival came to a close, the lucky winner was announced for the festival's grand prize followed by the much-awaited Water Fight.

With the event's impressive attendance and the positive feedback the Thai-SA has received, we can be sure that the MU Songkran will become an established annual tradition.