Songkran 2008 and the Songkran Queens

Traditional Thai New Year, or 'Songkran,' is observed each April 13 with celebrations usually lasting for three days.

During this festival, it is customary to practice customs and traditions, passed down from generation to generation, starting with offerings of food to monks and merit making in the morning time

As a gesture of respect, young people pour lustral water over the palms of elders. Other celebrants join in a variety of traditional games.

Part of the celebrations is the procession of the year's Songkran Queens - seven in all. Legend has it that the original seven Songkran Queens were daughters of Thao Kabilaphrom, also known as Thao Maha Songkran.

Every Songkran day, each of the seven daughters took turn to hold a tray bearing their father's head in a procession around Mount Meru; each Songkran Queen representing a day of the week. She has a special name, a unique animal, wears special jewelry, and bears arms.

The queen who will take her dutiful position in the procession depends upon which day Songkran falls. This year, Songkran is a Sunday, therefore duty falls to the Songkran Queen called Tungsatevee. She wears the bangle and pomegranate flower, and an red dress, preferred wild fruit, the right hand holding Chakra and the left hand is holding a shell, sitting on the back of garuda.