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Thai students share culture
Songkran Festival includes celebratory blessing with water.
By Jenn Herseim
Posted April 20, 2007
For the Songkran Water Festival in Thailand, the hottest month of the year is a time to celebrate the new year with water.
At Tiger Plaza in Columbia, the Thai Students Association sponsored the celebration, which featured traditional Thai food, dozens of informative poster boards about Thailand, Thai music and dance and naturally, water.
TSA President Chatchai Pinthuprapa said his favorite part of the ceremonies is the Rod Nam Dam Hua, which honors elders.
�We pour water on the elders� hands, and then they sprinkle it on our hands,� he said. �It is like refreshing the new year and washing away bad luck.�
TSA member Nongluck (àÃÒàÍê§) said the water plays an important factor in the celebration.
�This is a water festival,� he said. �It�s a lot of fun. We pour the water on the Buddha to clean it once a year. The water has fragrance in it, and we use it around the house to greet the good things.�
Chancellor Brady Deaton used his Thai language skills that Pinthuprapa said Deaton learned from living in Thailand for two years to thank the students involved with the festival, which lasted from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
TSA members served traditional Thai dishes from tents set up around Tiger Plaza.
�That Northern Thai dish is so spicy,� said Valerie Goodin, Alumni Association Associate Director and host to a Thai student. �That pan could serve the entire community in Columbia or two Thai families.�
Each white tent represented a different region of Thailand. Inside were traditional meals, information about the region and displays with instruments, garments or toys. Some of the students dressed up in formal Thai apparel.
Because of the sunny weather, many people in attendance wiped a soft, fragrant, white power mixture on their cheeks to protect them from the sun, TSA member Phichet Wutthisirisart said.
After visiting each tent, participants stamped a card, and at the final tent, they were allowed to submit it for a prize inside a plastic egg. The Missouri Students Association�s International Programming Committee raffled off a plane ticket for up to $1,000.
Students and performers from the Thai Temple in St. Louis treated everyone to a percussion performance accompanied by Thai dancing.
TSA member Brian Entin said the weather complemented the Thai style of music, which is peaceful and relaxing.
TSA member Nuttapong Hongsuwan said he feels a sense of pride and community from educating people about his homeland.
�They make us feel like family, so it feels like home when we come together and show our culture,� he said.
Pinthuprapa said he was very pleased with the day�s events.
�We were very successful,� he said. �It was knowledgeable for the people who came and wanted to learn about Thai culture and Thai practices. I hope to have this event going on next year.�
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