Throughout April 2024, the Royal Thai Consulate-General in New York supported the Thai community, Thai temples, and churches in New York and Massachusetts in inheriting the culture and traditions of Songkran. This marked the traditional Thai New Year and celebrated the recognition of ‘Songkran in Thailand: traditional Thai New Year festival’ as inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Additionally, it also furthered the government’s policy of elevating soft power through Thai traditions, culture, and festivals on a global scale.
The Consulate-General participated in various events on the above occasion, including the Songkran Festival and the traditional pouring of scented water for Thai elders at the Elmhurst Senior Care Center (April 5), the Khantoke Dinner (Northern Thai cuisine) hosted by the Northern Thai Association of New York (April 6), a performance by the Chiang Mai Youth Cultural Ambassadors and Thai traditional musical band from the Buddhist Sunday School of the Vajiradhammapadip Temple in New York, featuring “Ram Klong Yao” (a long drum dance) to celebrate Songkran in Times Square (April 13), Songkran New Year celebrations at Wat Buddha Thai Thavorn Vanaram and Wat Vajiradhammapadip in Long Island (April 14), Songkran Celebration on Little Thailand Way (April 20), Songkran celebrations at the Chour-Thai Reformed Church in Yonkers and Wat Nawamintararachutis in Raynham/Boston (April 28), and the Songkran Back to the Future Gala (April 30).
On this occasion, the New York City Council and the Office of the Queens Borough also organized celebratory events for Songkran and awarded certificates to community members and Thai associations who contributed to organizing the Songkran festivities, including Thai Community USA NYC, the Anurak Thai Dance Association of New York, Wat Buddha Thai Thavorn Vanaram, and Wat Vajiradhammapadip, with representatives from local agencies in attendance.
The Songkran celebrations by the Thai community, temples, and churches have been a testimony to the unity of Thais abroad, who continue to showcase Thai language, customs, and traditions to the international community. These events also reflect the beautiful and valuable identity of Thailand and ensure the transmission of these cherished traditions to Thai youth born and raised abroad, fostering their connection and deep bond to Thailand.
The Consulate-General hereby extends its gratitude to the members of the Thai community, associations, clubs, temples, and churches for their efforts in promoting and participating in these activities. This underscores the strength of the Thai community in the United States and their role in the multicultural society of the United States, which excellently integrates diverse races and cultures.