Transcript of the above video:

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing Songkran. In my mind, one of the reasons I fell in love with Bangkok was because the first time I drove into New Orleans, just drove over the Pontchartrain, into the city and I don't know, the sun was rising and it just had an amazing look to me. The only other time I ever got that same feeling from another city was when I was driving in from the airport the first time from Bangkok. I just knew this was the city for me. There was just something about it; it reminded me so much of New Orleans, it was just something about it.

The other day I was reading some articles about Songkran and I got to thinking, one of the reasons I love Thailand is it kind of does remind me of New Orleans, Louisiana. My brother went to school in that place and I went down there a lot during my formative college years. I really took to that City and Bangkok has always reminded me of that. Obviously I have taken to Bangkok much more but Songkran has always kind of been to me the Thai version of Mardi Gras. Now they are not exactly the same thing but just the atmosphere of it and everything, it kind of reminds me of the same, a little bit. 

I thought of making this video after reading some recent articles, one of which was from the Bangkok Post, bangkokpost.com, the article is titled: Celebrations mark global recognition of Songkran. Quoting directly: "Activities will be held on Thursday to celebrate the Songkran festival being listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage item by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO." Quoting further: "Songkran is a time-honoured tradition, passed down from generation to generation which reflects the values of gratitude which Thai people show towards their ancestors and embodies the spirit of unity." And that is exactly the truth. There are rituals and things that are undertaken around Songkran; families sort of get together. It reminds me a little bit of Chuseok up in Korea; it is kind of, they call that Korean New Year sort of, and people get together and they do things with their family and things. And then on top of it, it is quite a nice little party too. Anybody that has ever been to Bangkok during Songkran it is wild; it is something you won't really see every day. The only analog I have ever found to it in an American context is truly Mardi Gras where you just see these throngs of people in the streets just having a good time, partying down and it is fun, it's great. 

I also thought of making this video after reading another article from the Nation that is nationthailand.com, the article is titled: Songkran to be celebrated for entire April next year under soft power plan. Now this article I have had my critiques recently with the incoming government whatever, but credit where credit is due and when there is a good idea it's good to give credit where credit is due, quoting directly: "The Government's National Soft Power Committee plans to hold month-long Songkran festival celebrations next year in April, instead of the traditional 3 days, in a bid to entrench Thailand's standing among the top 10 global destinations for festivals." 

Good idea, great idea. Encouraging tourism. Songkran should become sort of the fixture if you will, the cornerstone if you will of sort of Thai Cultural tourism and encouraging Thai Cultural tourism; I think this is a great idea. Quoting further: "Songkran, the Thai traditional New Year, falls on April 13th, which is also National Elderly Day. Two more holidays were later added on April 14th and 15th as Family Day and Thai New Year day, respectively, to allow Thais more time to celebrate reunion with their families." Quoting further: "Phue Thai leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who chairs the committee, announced the plan on Friday on her Facebook page. She said that the (soft power plan) for next year has started, with 12 subcommittees across 11 industries proposing budgets to boost the creative economy." Again, good idea. I think this is a great idea.

Songkran is already an event here in Thailand. Anybody that has ever been to Thailand knows what Songkran is all about but whatever we can do to kind of push or solidify Songkran as being an international event that attracts people in much the same way as Carnival or Mardi Gras does, I'm used to Mardi Gras in sort of a North American context or maybe something even akin to Spring Break a little bit maybe in an Asian context. For those who are unaware, in America we have like a week off during the spring, everybody goes down to places like Florida or Padre Island in America and has a big Spring Break celebration. Again if that could be built into this, I think that is a great idea. The notion of this whole soft power notion and Thailand gaining some stature in an international context through promotion of this festival, I think that is a great plan; I hope that is implemented. I would like to see a massive tourism influx as a result of that and we will certainly keep you updated on this channel as that situation evolves.