Songkran flowers: the garland, the scented water, and what to bring to rod nam dam hua
Behind the water fights, Songkran is a family day with a precise ritual: pouring scented water over the hands of elders. It has its own flowers. What they are, what they mean, and what to bring if you are the one visiting.
Songkran is 13–15 April every year, and most of what the world sees of it is the water. The part families do at home is quieter: rod nam dam hua, pouring scented water over the hands of parents and grandparents, asking forgiveness for the year and receiving a blessing for the next. It is a ceremony with its own flowers, and if you are the one visiting, you are expected to bring them.
The garland
A jasmine and marigold phuang malai is placed in the elder's hands or over their wrist before the water is poured. Jasmine for purity and respect, marigold for merit. Fresh matters: a garland strung that morning smells of jasmine; one made the day before does not. Ours are strung on the morning of delivery.
The scented water
The water itself is scented with jasmine, with nam ob (Thai perfumed water) and often a few rose petals floating on top. A small bowl of loose jasmine buds and rose petals is part of the gift; the family adds them to the water bowl.
What to bring
- A fresh garland for each elder you will pour water for.
- A bowl of jasmine buds and petals for the water.
- Something for the house: a vase arrangement in white and yellow, or a fruit basket, which is the traditional Songkran gift when the family is large.
Timing in a holiday week
Songkran is a long public holiday and Bangkok half-empties. If the family is in the city, book on the occasions page for the morning of the ceremony — usually the 13th or 14th — and confirm someone will be home. If they are upcountry, the garland has to travel with you: order it for the day before you leave. The etiquette guide covers how to present flowers to elders.
Order flowers
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