On Tuesday, April 15, a cultural event celebrating the traditional Thai New Year festival, Songkran, was held at Yeh Kuo-Shii Global Friendship Center, Nagasaki University’s Bunkyo Campus.
“Songkran” is a traditional festival held during the Thai New Year, where people pour water over Buddha statues and splash water on family, friends, and other participants as a way to wish each other happiness and fortune in the coming year. Similar cultural can also be found in Myanmar.
Under the leadership of Dr. Kittisak Thawnashom, international students from Thailand and Myanmar along with other members of the university organized the event. A Nagasaki University alumnus, Dr. Thawnashom is now a faculty member at Naresuan University and head of the Thailand Chapter of the Nagasaki University Global Alumni Network (NUGAN).
During the event, participants experienced a traditional ritual in which water is gently poured over Buddha statues to pray for health and happiness. In addition, traditional Thai dishes such as green curry and coconut jelly as well as sweets from Myanmar were served, creating a vibrant atmosphere wherein approximately 70 students and faculty members enjoyed experiencing a bit of Thai culture.
In response to the devastating earthquake that struck central Myanmar on March 28, a donation box was also set up at the entrance of the venue to support the affected areas. The collected funds of 30,000 yen have been donated through the Japanese Red Cross Society to the “2025 Myanmar Earthquake Relief Fund.”
