Is displaying military might in the existing period a sound approach? Well, for nations to mark their power of deterrence, the approach would be to use coercion, but for those who want to pursue peace, diplomatic charm can be a way to exercise command.
To understand how countries can practice diplomacy through festivals, SouthAsia Magazine sat down with H.E. Surashete Boontinand, Consul General (CG) of Thailand in Karachi, to understand festivals as a language of diplomacy with a focus on Songkran, the Thai New Year that was inscribed on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2023. The traditional Thai New Year festival, Songkran, is celebrated each April, marking the sun’s passage into Aries.
“Songkran represents water,” says Boontinand, “and water can be interpreted as the means to cool down all the negative desires and effects. Water is considered the most valuable and effective medicine in the world.”
As a symbol of renewal and Thai identity, many see Songkran as a water festival, for it has been commercialized as such. “Whenever we hear the word Songkran, it’s a new year, followed by enjoying water, splashing, and pouring water on elderly people, especially our parents and relatives, and playing with water with friends. It means that we are progressing into the new chapter of our lives; it’s a renewal of what we have done wrong in the past, so we must do better in the new year,” Boontinand elaborates on the centuries-old celebration of renewal, where streets across Thailand turn into a big playground where water fights take place.
Splashing of water is like ‘spreading happiness’ according to the Thai CG in Karachi. “All Thai people wait for Songkran as it is a reunion of families – coming together, celebrating, and eating together. We play with water, but the idea is to pay respect to our elders.”
When asked whether Songkran fosters regional unity or people-to-people ties in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region and South Asia, the Thai Consul General explained that the festival’s influence extends well beyond Thailand’s borders.
“Many Asian countries celebrate Songkran in their own way,” he noted. “In Myanmar, Laos, and even in some provinces of China, you can find Thai cultural elements. In certain small villages in China, people can even speak Thai. Some historians believe Thai people originally came from that part of China, though in reality, our roots stretch across many Asian regions, not just one. What unites us is the spirit of the festival.”
When asked how cultural diplomacy can complement formal engagements in regions marked by political tension, the Consul General was clear about the role festivals like Songkran can play.
“Songkran promotes the spirit of renewal,” he explained. “It is about learning from past mistakes and striving to improve yourself in the new year. Through Songkran, we aim to set an example of self-improvement, development, and peaceful coexistence—not just for our people, but also for those who come to witness and share in the celebrations.”
Songkran, the Thai New Year, offers more than celebration and reminds us that cultural traditions can be instruments of understanding, reconciliation, and people-to-people connection in this turbulent world.
He emphasized that festivals are more than moments of joy; they carry a deeper message of harmony. “With platforms like SouthAsia Magazine, we hope to promote our culture to other countries so people understand the true meaning of Songkran: the betterment of individuals and the peaceful coexistence of people from different nations worldwide.”
When asked whether soft power should be taken more seriously in today’s turbulent world, the Consul General reflected that the idea itself is not new. “Soft power may sound like a technical term, but its elements have been with us for a long time,” he said. “We promote it through the cultural activities and events organized by our diplomatic offices worldwide, always hoping that such efforts can contribute to ending wars and conflicts. After all, nothing can truly be resolved without peace.”
Surashete Boontinand wants the world to use the Songkran festival as a message. “If the world is chaotic, water can calm it down. But even with water, you must know how to play with it – if you splash the water with the wrong intentions, you can also cause anger. Water is a pure medicine for everyone; you should use it to benefit people, make them peaceful, and co-exist to become friends and respect each other. Now the world is not big anymore; we are a global village at the end of the day.”
His words resonate strongly in the wake of the recent five-day conflict between Cambodia and Thailand, which claimed 43 lives and displaced over 300,000 people on both sides of the border. In such times, Songkran, the Thai New Year, offers more than celebration—it is a reminder that cultural traditions can be instruments of understanding, reconciliation, and people-to-people connection. Festivals like these can act as bridges across borders by encouraging dialogue, fostering empathy, and highlighting the importance of coexistence, offering a blueprint for peace.
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