Malaysia’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri meets Thailand’s Songkran Festival

By Chong Wan Chi

In April 2024, with the Hari Raya Aidilfitri just around the corner in Malaysia, many Malaysian citizens are seizing the opportunity of their long vacation to experience the exotic fun of the annual Songkran Festival in Hat Yai, Thailand. Thousands of people gather in this vibrant city to celebrate these two important cultural festivals.

An exciting atmosphere fills the streets of Hat Yai city center. The streets are lined with food stalls, and the fragrant delicacies attract tourists and residents. Whether it’s kebabs, traditional desserts or refreshing drinks, it’s all mouth-watering.

In Thailand, the Songkran Festival is a traditional festival that symbolizes washing away the bad old year and welcoming good luck in the New Year. Unlike the way Malaysian Chinese celebrate the Lunar New Year, Thailand’s Songkran Festival is more of a carnival, with people holding water guns and buckets and splashing water on passers-by to convey the joy and blessings of the festival.

There are many buckets on site for the public to fill with water. Photo by Chong Wan Chi

During the Hari Raya Aidilfitri, people go to mosques to pray to Allah for blessings and happiness. Later, they will visit relatives and friends’ homes to visit each other and exchange gifts. It is a traditional family gathering time for loved ones to share good food and joy.

Nur Adriana Yusof，student Economics from UM, said that this year’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri holiday coincides with Thailand’s Songkran Festival, adjacent to Malaysia. Many Malaysian citizens have chosen a different way to celebrate the Hari Raya Aidilfitri than in previous years, which is to go to Hat Yai, Thailand, for vacation. On the one hand, they can experience the unique charm of foreign cultures and enjoy the relaxation and pleasure brought by the long holiday on the other.

Tan Xin Ying, a tourist from Kuala Lumpur, said that she had heard about Thailand's Songkran Festival for a long time but never had the chance to experience it for herself.

Hat Yai, a popular tourist city in southern Thailand, has beautiful scenery and a rich cultural heritage. It attracts many Malaysian tourists with its unique Songkran Festival celebration. People sing and dance on the streets and lanes, welcoming the New Year with splashes of water and laughter, painting a joyful and peaceful picture.

According to Lee Jing Chai, the tour guide of Hatyai said in addition to the street carnival, Songkran is a celebration of religious rituals. People would visit temples and sprinkle water on the Buddha statues to pray for health, happiness and prosperity. This celebration, deeply rooted in culture and faith, demonstrates the Thai people's cherishment and respect for tradition.

Local businesses also thrive during the celebrations, offering a variety of traditional delicacies and handicrafts, enriching the festive atmosphere. Street vendors selling various snacks and souvenirs attract tourists’ attention.

Through this event, the people of the two countries established closer friendship and cultural ties. “We welcome tourists from all over the world to join Thailand's Songkran Festival celebration and share this joy with us,” Lee said enthusiastically.

Overall, the Malaysian people’s encounter with Thailand’s Songkran Festival brings joy, and they can show their own culture, learn about other countries’ cultures, and splash water on the streets to express happiness and friendship. Traveling at this time is also a good opportunity for Malaysians to understand Thai culture and history and for Thai people to understand Malaysian culture and history. This can promote cultural exchanges and understanding between the two countries.

This cross-border celebration has become a beautiful memory in people’s hearts and laid a solid foundation for future exchanges and cooperation.

The footsteps of Malaysian citizens added more international colour to the water festival in Hat Yai and made the festival more lively and memorable. Amidst the laughter, people welcomed the New Year together and moved on with good wishes and memories.