2. Backgr ound CAPITAL: Bangkok POPULATION: 64,631,595 ETHNICITY: 75% Thai, 14% Chinese, 3 % Malays, 8% Other RELIGION: 85% Buddhists,7 % Muslims, 2% Christianity LOCALTION: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma, neighbor of Laos and Cambodia http://www.internationalliving.com/Countries/Thailand

3. April 13 to April 15 (Songkran) All around Thailand

4. How it is celebrated?

5. Clean the house Dress up in Thia clothes The Songkran parade The First Day

6. The Second Day How it is celebrated?

7. Release fish from the bowls Release birds from the cages Build sand castle The Second Day

9. Prepared cooked meals The Second Day

10. How it is celebrated?

11. Visit the temples Offering food to the monks The Third Day

12. Rose scented water poured onto Buddha Poured water onto monks Pay respect to their elders

13. Called “Rod Nahm Dum Hua” It can happen anywhere Dress appropriately; dress for fun Water Blessing The Third Day

16. ( Lor, Kulcharee, personal communication, August 24, 2009) “Demographics of Thailand” (2009). Wikipedia. Website. Retrieved from web site:Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Thailand on October 23, 2009http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Thailand on Songkran Customs, Old and New (August 2009).Welcome to Chiangmai & Chiangrai. Retrieved from web site: http://www.chiangmai-chiangrai.com/songkran_customs.html on October 24, 2009http://www.chiangmai-chiangrai.com/songkran_customs.html on October 24 Songkran Thai New Year Celebrations Happiness on Earth. (2009) News Room Tourism Authority of Thailand. Retrieved from web site: http://www.tatnews.org/events/events/april/2343.asp on October 24, 2009 http://www.tatnews.org/events/events/april/2343.asp on October 24 Photo credit:www.metro.co.uk/travel/article.html?in_articl...www.metro.co.uk/travel/article.html?in_articl... Photo credit: Maleesthaibistro.wordpress.com// Photo credit: oca.thaiembdc.org/.../songkran01.jp