It’s Spring, Let’s EAT THAI 2022

It’s Spring, Let’s EAT THAI

Celebrate ‘Songkran’ Thai New Year with Thai Restaurant Week 9-17 April 2022 across D.C., Virginia, Maryland

SNAP & SHARE Thai dishes! Share with @eatthaidmv on Instagram or Facebook to WIN a trip to Thailand and many more prizes!

• Dine-in or order food from participating Thai restaurants at https://thaiembdc.org/thainewyear2022/ | https://bit.ly/3qtItmV 
• Follow @eatthaidmv on Instagram or Facebook
• Snap your Thai dishes & Share with @eatthaidmv
• Win a trip to Thailand and many more prizes

THE WINNERS 2022 :: click here

“It’s Spring, Let’s Eat THAI” Thai Food Week 2022

Lists of participating restaurants in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia

Featuring special lunch and Dinner menu at Participating Thai Restaurants in DC metro area, click restaurant’s name to visit website.  

Washington, D.C.

Maryland

Virginia

* For any restaurants in DMV that would like to participate in this campaign click here. [Special menu PDF] ** To download PR printing  ** Visit 2021 ‘Songkran’ Thai New Year with Thai Restaurant Week. ‘It’s Spring, Let’s eat Thai 2021′ click here

What is Songkran? 

Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year festival since the former time. The word “Songkran” itself means to move or step forward. The Songkran Festival falls on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of April every year.

“Maha Songkran” or the 13th of April marks the end of the past year according to the Brahmin solar system. It is also called the Day of the Elderly by the Thai government in appreciation for the senior population for their years of contribution to their families and the country. “Wan Nao” or the 14th of April, the day after, is designed to be the Family Day to celebrate love and togetherness of the family. “Wan Thaloeng Sok” or the 15th of April is when the actual New Year begins.

Songkran portrays a celebration that embraces goodwill, love, and thankfulness, while water is regarded as a means of compassion. Songkran Festival is usually declared as an extended public-holiday period to enable Thais to return to their hometowns for family reunion and merit-making.

The important of Songkran Festival

Songkran is regarded as one of the most important traditions in Thailand because it encompasses the three major values in the Thai ways of life, which are:

photo courtesy: National News Bureau of Thailand (featured: Phitsanulok province)

Value of family: Songkran is the time when family members get together to display appreciation, love and respect. Value of society: Through active participation and interaction with one another, Songkran brings together the people within and across the communities to enhance goodwill and unity in the society. Value of religion: Making merit by offering food, drinks and consumer products to monks and attending Buddhist sermons at Buddhist temples is the most popular and auspicious activity performed during Songkran.

How to celebrate Songkran

To celebrate Songkran, there are many activities throughout Thailand which vary  according to regional traditions. Some of the activities include:

Cleaning houses and public places like temples, schools, and offices to welcome the New Year with cleanliness and fresh start. Merit making by offering alms to Buddhist monks in dedication to the late ancestors and attending to Buddhist preaching at the temples. Sprinkling water onto Buddha statues is an auspicious act to receive blessings for the New Year. Pouring water onto the palms of elderly members of the family to show respect and gratefulness, alongside asking for their blessings. Throwing water at each other in a friendly manner by using clean or scented water, and exchanging New Year’s greetings during traditional festivities.

THAILAND SONGKRAN | EPIC WATER FIGHT by Cameron Phillips For more video visit Youtube.com/ThailandInsider/

The event is organized by Royal Thai Embassy, Washington, D.C., Office of Commercial Affairs, Office of Agricultural Affairs and Tourism Authority of Thailand, New York

Tips from the Kitchen

Kaeng Pled Ped Yang (Roasted Duck in Red Curry)

Gang Kiew Wan Gai (Green Curry with Chicken)

Kuaytiaw Reua (Thai Boat Noodle Soup)

Ripe sweet mango with sticky rice, Traditional Thai dessert